Bird of the Month Archive
Spot the Seasonal Stars of Headlands!
Discover our Bird of the Month archive, where each month highlights a featured species you’re likely to spot in and around Headlands. From common backyard visitors to seasonal migrants and rare surprises, these profiles showcase birds that historically appear during that time of year. Explore past months to learn what to watch for and deepen your appreciation of our region’s dynamic birdlife.
Bird of the Month – April 2026
The Golden-crowned Kinglet is a tiny songbird, mainly found in Lake County during migration. They forage in trees and brush. often unnoticed except for their high, delicate notes. They travel far, crossing vast distances in spite of their size, pausing in sheltered woods to feed before continuing. Golden-crowned kinglets lend a quiet sense of movement to the changing seasons, their journey a reminder that even the smallest wings can carry far across the land.
Bird of the Month – March 2026
The Sandhill Crane is an iconic bird of marshes, its rolling bugle carrying across vast wetlands. In migration, they gather in large flocks, their rattling calls echoing as they spiral down to roost in shallow waters. Ancient and elegant, sandhill cranes bring a sense of wild grandeur to the changing seasons, their presence a reminder of vast landscapes and long journeys.
Bird of the Month – February 2026
The Redpoll is a cheerful winter finch that brings life to snowy fields even when the cold is at its fiercest. These tiny birds are softly streaked in brown and white, marked by a red cap and, in many birds, a faint blush of pink on the chest. Restless and social, redpolls travel in lively flocks, clinging to seed heads and birch catkins as they feed. Their buzzy calls and energy make them a welcome during the long, frozen months.
Bird of the Month – January 2026
The Iceland Gull is a pale, elegant gull of northern coasts, bringing a touch of brightness to harbors and icy shorelines in the heart of winter. Softer gray and white than many gulls, it lacks the bold black wingtips of its relatives, giving it a clean, ghostly appearance against cold skies. Often seen among flocks of larger gulls, the Iceland Gull stands out for its subtle beauty in some of the harshest coastal weather.
Bird of the Month – December 2025
The Purple Sandpiper is a hardy coastal visitor often admired for its ability to thrive where waves crash and winter winds bite. These shorebirds stand out with their dusky gray plumage washed in subtle violet tones and their bright orange bill. They’re restless foragers, picking among rocks for tiny invertebrates along rugged coastlines and breakwalls.
Bird of the Month – November 2025
The Dark-eyed Junco is a familiar winter visitor often called the “snowbird” for its tendency to appear when the weather turns cold. These small sparrows are easily recognized by their slate-gray or brown plumage and bright white belly. They’re ground feeders that love to hop beneath feeders, scratching for seeds, and their cheerful trills add life to even the frostiest days.