The marshes of Cape May, New Jersey, that is! I went there looking for early migrating shorebirds and warblers. Thanks to our long, cold winter, there were few early migrants to be found, but there were plenty of other birds showing off their spring colors!
This Savannah Sparrow, with his tell-tale yellow spot in front of his eye and flared crown feathers, usually found foraging for seeds on the ground, was perched at the top of a scrubby patch of bushes, claiming his territory and looking for a mate.
This Field Sparrow, identified by his crisp white eye-ring and pink bill, sang long and loud from the highest branches around, his bouncing-ball trill clear and distinctive across the marshes and dunes.
The Mute Swan, with his bright orange bill, has a black knob that swells during breeding season.
The Red-Winged Blackbird flairs his scarlet epaulets to claim his territory and attract his mate. The marshes echo with the ubiquitous conk-a-ree song of this very common marsh bird.
Egrets show their breeding attire not just by their elegant, flaring plumage, but by their bills, which brighten to an almost neon color.
American Oystercatchers are colorful birds year-round. According to the allaboutbirds website, courting birds will fly in tight formation, and will be joined by birds from adjoining territories, all while whistling their distinctive wheeps.