October 6, 2026

I am known as a Black Flowerpiercer

I have a hooked beak, but it's not for meat

I hide in dense shrubs to avoid hummingbirds

We both like nectar, but I don't choose to compete.

Location: Antisana Ecological Reserve, Quijos, Ecuador

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/blkflo1/cur/introduction

Photo and text © 2026 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

October 5, 2026

I am a Golden-Collared Honeycreeper

Ornothoogists used to think I was a Tanager

But genetic evidence proved them wrong

My behavior and bill don't fit Tanager parameters.

Location: Reserva Amagusa, Ecuador

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/gochon2/cur/introduction

Photo and text © 2026 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

October 4, 2026

I am a Western Wood-Peewee

The eastern looks just like me

The main difference between us is the song we sing

And, of course, locality.

Special thanks to today's guest photographer, David Simpson.

Location: Hereford AZ

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Western_Wood-Pewee/

Photo © 2026 David Simpson and text © 2026 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

October 3, 2026

I am a Black-headed Grosbeak 

Just sitting here eating some jelly

I am a rare* predator of Monarch Butterflies

But more often Sunflower seeds fill my belly.

* As described in the linked article, most critters and birds do not eat Monarch Butterflies because they are quite toxic. When Black-headed Grosbeaks eat monarchs, they usually wait about a week to pass the toxins before eating more.

Special thanks to today's guest photographer, David Simpson.

Location: Portal AZ

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Black-headed_Grosbeak/overview

Photo © 2026 David Simpson and text © 2026 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

October 2, 2026

I am a Female Lucifer Hummingbird

I am known as a "pollen thief"

I am too small to pick up pollen from Agave plants

So just take the nectar and leave.

Special thanks to today's guest photographer, David Simpson.

Location: Whitetail Canyon, AZ

Sources:  https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Lucifer_Hummingbird/lifehistory

Photo © 2026 David Simpson and text © 2026 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

October 1, 2026

I am a male Ring-necked Pheasant,

I find Florida warm and pleasant

But I'm here as game stock

I'll probably be shot

At least I'm not endangered, in the north I'm onmipresent

Special thanks to today's guest photographer, David Simpson.

Location: Fort Drum, Florida

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Ring-necked_Pheasant/lifehistory

Photo © 2026 David Simpson and text © 2026 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

September 30, 2026

I am a Black-banded Owl

I have four plumages throughout my life

As an adult I'm mostly black with while white banding

As an owlet, I was mostly white.

(I am back to work on my Ecuador book. My goal is to have it done for the Space Coast Birding and Wildlife Festival where I will have a booth!)

Location: Cabañas San Isidro, Ecuador

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/bkbowl1/cur/introduction

Photo and text © 2026 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.