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** The Weekly Bird Word
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11/10/25

This week’s Bird Word:
Lores

In bird anatomy, the lore is the area between the base of the beak and the eye ([link removed]) . Lore color can be a key clue in identifying birds, as some species have lores that are distinctively colored and may even change color during breeding season (like Great Egrets, whose lores turn from pale yellow to lime green ([link removed]) ). White-throated Sparrows have returned to northern Virginia and can be identified by their yellow lores ([link removed]) and other crisp facial markings. Listen for their sweet “oh-canada-canada” song too!
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White-throated Sparrows have crisp facial markings, such as yellow lores, that are helpful for identification. Photo: White-throated Sparrow, John Troth/Audubon Photography Awards


** More in local bird and nature news:
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* Still time to enter our first annual photo calendar contest! Enter your best northern Virginia bird shots and help support NVBA’s conservation work. ([link removed]) Entries and voting close this Friday, 11/14 at 8:00 PM. You can preorder your calendar too!
* Become a certified NVBA Bird Guide: Attend both sessions of our first Bird Guide Training ([link removed]) ! The first session is Thursday, 11/13 online, followed by a session in the field on Sunday, 11/16.
* Let’s go birding: NextGen Birders for Conservation is leading a walk at Algonkian Regional Park on Saturday, 11/15 ([link removed]) - all are welcome.
* Fairfax Prism Week of Action: Join NVBA’s newest conservation partner for 21 Tree Rescue events at nineteen locations across Fairfax County to celebrate the launch of Fairfax Tree Rescuers PRISM ([link removed]) , a community-wide effort to save our trees from invasive vines and other invasive plants.
* Ease into winter with a Fireside Chat: Join us on Wednesday 11/12 for this free online discussion about finding joy in nature ([link removed]) even as the days grow shorter.
* News worth repeating: The Virginia Breeding Bird Atlas website has launched! One of the largest avian survey projects in Virginia, the Second Atlas ([link removed]) provides an incredible amount of data about birds in Virginia that can be used to direct conservation efforts and more.
* Time to get into the holiday spirit: Make your own holiday birdseed wreath ([link removed]) this year and treat the birds to a winter snack while celebrating the season.
* We need your help: Check out our volunteer page ([link removed]) for all the different ways you can lend a hand! From pulling invasives to helping with tabling events and counting birds and insects, there’s something for everyone.

See you out there,
Northern Virginia Bird Alliance
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