Tuesday, August 11, 2026

August 11, 2026

I am known as a Harris's Hawk
I live in a social unit of up to 7 birds
We have sophisticated hunting strategies
To catch bunnies, other birds, and ground squirrels.

Location: Pedro Vicente Maldonado, Ecuador

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/hrshaw/cur/foodhabits

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.

Monday, August 10, 2026

August 10, 2026

I am light morph Broad-winged Hawk
In Ecuador, I'm probably not breeding
I breed further north, mostly in the US
In spring I join a hawk flock, you might see us leaving.

(As described in the referenced article, the Broad-winged Hawk is one of the few North American raptors that migrates in flocks.)

Location: Refugio Paz de las Aves (Angel Paz), Ecuador


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.

Sunday, August 9, 2026

August 9, 2026

I am a Purple-bibbed Whitetip
But I'm female, so I a lack a purple bib
I've a white tip on my tail, where my mate has a spot
But he still likes the cut of my jib.

Location: Sachatamia Lodge, Mindo, Ecuador

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/pubwhi1/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.

Saturday, August 8, 2026

August 8, 2026

I am a Green-backed Hillstar
My tummy is grey, and my tail’s white and bronze
I have blue neck and my back is green
And “tseee, tsing” are the notes of my song.

Location: La Brisa hummingbird feeders, Ecuador


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.

Friday, August 7, 2026

August 7, 2026

I am a male (Green) Crowned Woodnymph
You know I'm male cause I have a forked tail
My crown and belly color vary
Based on my location and if I'm male or female.

(This bird has many plumage variations and subspecies.) 

Location: Sendero Frutti Tour & Birdwatching, Nanegalito, Ecuador


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.

Thursday, August 6, 2026

August 6, 2026

I am a female Great Sapphirewing Hummingbird
If I were male, my chest would be greenish-blue
You can find me in the slopes of the Andes
From Venezuela to southern Peru.

Location: Reserva Yanacocha, Ecuador

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/gresap1/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.

Wednesday, August 5, 2026

August 5, 2026

I am an Astylus bonplandi
Unlike most Astylus species, you can find me in the páramo
That means that I live above the forest line 
But below the line where it snows.

Location: Quito, Ecuador

Sources: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/277012785_A_contribution_to_the_genus_Astylus_Laporte_de_Castelnau_1836_in_Ecuador_with_descriptions_of_three_new_species_Coleoptera_Melyridae

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P%C3%A1ramo#/media/File:Paramos.JPG

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.