Find out what Project FeederWatch is, its history, and more
Find out how you FeederWatch, when you can FeederWatch, and what you'll need to do to get started
Review these instructions carefully before you count and enter data
Find out about types of feeders and types of foods, and where to place your feeder
Feeding Birds FAQs
Explore the winter distribution, food, and feeder preferences of common feeder birds.
Find out about color and plumage variations, bald heads, and deformed bills
Unusual Birds Gallery
Find out about bird disease and identifying the signs of bird disease
Sick Birds Gallery
Find out how to identify birds and download identification tools
Learn how to help birds as they seek out food sources, nesting habitat, protection, and more
Find educational resources for teachers, group leaders, and families
Find an article archive packed with lots of great bird study information
Learn about house finch eye disease
Review content from current and past BirdSpotter photo contests
Keep up to date with the latest FeederWatch happenings
These are exemplary FeederWatchers!
Send us your photos! Show us your count site, your birds, or you watching your site with loved ones!
Visit our live FeederWatch feedercams!
Cornell Lab of Ornithology feeders
Ontario (winter only)
See what birds occur the most by region
Explore species by state/province
See where FeederWatchers are
Graphs of regional population trends and distributions
Explore papers that have used FeederWatch data
Lab scientists analyze the data submitted by FeederWatch participants.
See birds well outside their winter range submitted to Project FeederWatch.
Start here for data entry and personal data review and exploration
Keep live track of your counts using the FeederWatch mobile app
Anthony Zerafa
Highland Grove, ON, Canada
This young Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus) has picked up an unexpected hitchhiker on its back: the nymph of an assassin bug (Zelus luridus). The back of an insectivorous bird is probably not the most desirable location for this bug to be.
Week 15: The Unexpected
Can you spot the assassin bug nymph, perched on the vireo's back?
How funny, and awesome that you noticed! The prey hiding on the predator…. perfect hiding place. I love your image, it’s very beautiful and detailed.
Thank you! I did not notice the insect for many months after I took this photo.
Your welcome, you deserved a comment on that unique image of yours!
It took me a few seconds to find the bug you wrote about in your description. Thanks for the l hint or it might have taken me a months to notice the little critter too!
Great to see a good detailed close-up of the vireo and the “unexpected hitch-hiker.” Now I know that its legs and toes are a pretty blue.
Nice.
Thank you! In August it was common to see immature Red-eyed Vireos travelling together in groups at this location.
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
Comment *
Name *
Email *
Website
Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.