View this email in your browser ([link removed])
[link removed]


** The Weekly Bird Word
------------------------------------------------------------
04/08/25

This week’s Bird Word is:
Bristle

According to the Cornell Lab Bird Academy ([link removed]) , bristles are highly specialized contour feathers in which the rachis is stiffened and lacks barbs along its outermost parts. Scientists still aren't sure of the exact role of these bristles, but think they may play a sensory role that helps birds that are foraging in low light levels. You can see the bristles along the mouth opening of this nightjar.
Standard-winged Nightjar via Wikimedia Commons


** More in local bird and nature news:
------------------------------------------------------------
* Sign up by April 14! Birdathon ([link removed]) kicks off on April 19! Where will your Birdathon take you? Whether it's out behind your house or on an adventure across the region, there is always something new to see.
* Let’s Go Birding! Join Robin Duska this Saturday at the Turquoise Trail in Reston. More info here. ([link removed])
* Nature is teaching us - are you listening? Join Tom Wood and Judy Gallagher for a Fireside Chat April 16, create a photo haiku with us, and reflect on the lessons in nature all around us. Free. Sign up here. ([link removed])
* Learn a new bird song today: Click here to listen to the “witchety-witchety-witchety” song of the Common Yellowthroat ([link removed]) , recently observed at Huntley Meadows.
* Learn more bird songs: Join us April 17 for Birding by Ear for Beginners, $10-20. Sign up here. ([link removed])
* Take the Lights Out Pledge ([link removed]) : Please turn off exterior lights between 11pm-6am during Spring Migration.
* Make a Bird-Friendly Mosquito Trap: Don’t spray your yard for mosquitoes! Try this easy to make bird-friendly option instead ([link removed]) .
* Give back! Help us with a meadow restoration project on April 26. No experience required. Sign up here. ([link removed])
See you out there,
-Northern Virginia Bird Alliance

Enjoy this email? Please consider supporting NVBA so we can continue to bring you educational (and fun!) programs like this.
SUPPORT NVBA ([link removed])
[link removed]

============================================================
** Facebook ([link removed])
** Instagram ([link removed])
** Website ([link removed])
Copyright © 2025 Northern Virginia Bird Alliance, All rights reserved.
You subscribed to this list when you joined the Northern Virginia Bird Alliance directly, joined the National Audubon Society and live in the Northern Virginia area, are an NVBA volunteer, or asked to receive our email updates.

Our mailing address is:
Northern Virginia Bird Alliance
11100 Wildlife Center Drive
Ste. 100
Reston, VA 20190
USA
Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can ** update your preferences ([link removed])
or ** unsubscribe from this list ([link removed])
.