November 8, 2026

I am known as a Volcano Junco

Unlike other Juncos, my tail flight feather aren’t white

I’m darkly streaked

With a conical pink beak

And a black mask surrounding bright orange eyes.

Location: Costa Rica

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/voljun1/cur/identification

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.

November 7, 2026

I am a male Acorn Woodpecker

You know I’m male cause my red touch my white feathers

I am known as a cooperative breeder

I live with extended family and we store acorns together.

Location: Costa Rica

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

November 6, 2026

I am a male Slaty Flowerpiercer

I grasp a flower corolla with my curved upper beak, 

Then with my lower beak, I puncture the corolla

And use my tongue to extract nectar, not speak.

Location: Costa Rica

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/slaflo1/cur/introduction#food

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.

November 5, 2026

I am a female Volcano Hummingbird

I’m one of the smallest birds in the world

Páramo in Costa Rica and Panama

Are the only places I can be observed.

Location: Costa Rica

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/volhum1/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.

November 4, 2026

I am a Lesser Violetear

I’m mostly green with purple ear tufts

They aren’t really ears,

They don’t help me hear,

But they make the girls think I got the right stuff!

Location: Costa Rica

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/lesvio1/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.

November 3, 2026

I am a male Talamanca Hummingbird

You know by my glittering purple forecrown

My mate’s a bit dull

She’s dark green on her skull

But that doesn’t stop us from getting down!

Location: Costa Rica

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/maghum2/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.

November 2, 2026

I am a Mangrove Hummingbird

I am a threatened species with a limited range

I only live in mangroves on the pacific coast
And my genus has recently changed.

Location: Costa Rica

Sources: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/manhum1/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.