October 10, 2026

We are a group of Blue-gray Tanagers

We generally travel in flocks or in pairs

We will join mixed species flocks to dine

We share food but do not share our air.

Location: Sachatamia Lodge, Ecuador

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/bugtan/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 9, 2026

I am a Rufous-Throated Tanager

I have no sub-species, so I'm called "monotypic"

I'm a homebody, I'm resident and don't migrate

I'm pretty but somewhat soporific.

Location: Reserva Amagusa, Ecuador

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/ruttan1/cur/introduction?login&continue#distrib

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 8, 2026

I am known as a male Saffron Finch

I'm bright yellow with orange on my crown

I am commonly kept in cages as a pet bird

But I prefer to get seeds and bugs on the ground.

Location: Rio Silanche Bird Sanctuary, Ecuador

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/saffin/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 7, 2026

I am a Cinereous Conebill

My bill is pointy and shaped like a cone

I eat insects and seeds

From bush tops and leaves

And nectar from Flowerpiercer holes.

Location: Reserva Yanacocha, Ecuador

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/cincon1/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 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.