My photo life list

This project began in January, 2013. I am going to attempt to photograph every species of bird of bird known to frequent the State of Michigan, where I live. I know that it is a huge undertaking, and this project will probably never be completed, but I do love a challenge.

I am working from a list of species as compiled by the Audubon Society, and there are over 400 birds on the list. By removing extinct species, and species that have been seen less than three times within a ten-year timeframe, I culled the list down to 350 species of birds. That’s way too many for one page, so here I will list the families of birds as they appear on the Audubon Society’s list, which will become links to take you to a page that lists the individual species within that family. On that page, you will find links to the posts that I have done on each species.

All the links below are active links, but I have very few species completed at this time, so please bear with me as this is definitely a work in progress. Under the family names, I will place the number of species that I have posted photos of.

This is not intended to be a field guide, however, my goal is to have enough quality photos to aid people in making a positive identification of that species. I would like to say that every photo is excellent, but I have to use what I have now to begin. So, please bear with me as I continue to add to the lists. Over time, I will add more photos when I get them, and replace some of the photos as I am able to get better ones.

All the photos on the pages that follow were taken by me, of birds in the wild. None of the photos were taken in zoos or an animal rescue facility, nor over bait of any type, including bird feeders. When possible, I will add photos of the birds feeding on natural food, such as berries or seeds, but I DO NOT bait.

Also, all the photos on the following pages are the intellectual property of Quiet Solo Pursuits Photography. You may link to these articles but may not use the photographs or text without expressed written permission.

Michigan bird families

American sparrows, Towhees, and Juncos

11 species posted

Bitterns, Herons, and Egrets

3 species posted

Boobies and gannets

Caracaras and falcons

2 Species posted

Cardinals, Saltators, and Grosbeaks

4 Species posted

Chickadees and titmice

2 Species posted

Cormorants

1 Species posted, family complete!

Cranes

1 Species, family complete!

Cuckoos, Roadrunners, and Anis

Ducks, Geese, and Swans

24 species posted

Fringilline Finches, Cardueline Finches, and Allies

3 species posted

Grebes

3 Species posted

Gnatcatchers

1 Species, family complete!

Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers

5 species posted

Hawks, Kites, and Eagles

8 species posted

Hummingbirds

1 species posted

Ibises and spoonbills

Icterids

4 species posted

Jays, Crows, Magpies, and Ravens

3 species posted

Kingfishers

1 species posted

Kinglets

2 species posted, family complete.

Lapwings and Plovers

3 Species posted

Larks

1 Species posted, family complete.

Longspurs and snow buntings

2 species posted

Loons

2 species posted

Mockingbirds and Thrashers

2 Species posted

New World Quail

New World Vultures

1 Species posted

Nightjars

Nuthatches

2 Species posted, family complete

Osprey

1 species, family complete

Owls, Barn

Owls, True

3 Species posted

Partridges, Grouse, Turkeys, and Old World Quail

2 Species posted

Pelicans

1 Species posted

Pigeons and doves

1 Species posted

Rails, Gallinules, and Coots

3 species posted

Sandpipers, Curlews, Stints, Godwits, Snipes, and Phalaropes

16 species posted

Shrikes

Skuas

Starlings

1 Species posted, Family complete

Stilts and Avocets

Swallows and martins

4 Species posted

Swifts

Thrushes

4 Species posted

Treecreepers

1 of one species posted, family complete

Tyrant Flycatchers

8 Species posted

Vireos

4 Species posted

Wagtails and pipits

1 Species posted, Family complete

Waxwings

1 Species posted

Wood warblers

19 Species posted

Woodpeckers, Sapsuckers, and Flickers

6 species posted

Wrens

2 Species posted