Welcome to Birding Online! Here, all ABA members can access the extended online content from the August 2016 issue of Birding magazine. The complete issue, containing both print and online content, can be found online:

aba.org/birding-magazine-august-2016

The August cover shows the Endangered Species Act in action. The photo features Biologist Michael Keys installing an artificial nest cavity for Red-cockaded Woodpeckers, through the lens of Jim A. Stevenson. You can read more about the ESA, the Red-cockaded Woodpecker, and researchers at Tall Timbers Research Station, Florida, in the article on page 26.

Michael Keys installing artificial nest cavities. Tall Timbers Research Station, Leon County, Florida. Photo by © Jim A. Stevenson.

Don’t forget: if you’re an ABA member, you can access issues of your favorite magazine (Birding, obviously) at any time at aba.org/birding-archive/. You can explore issues all the way back through 2014 whenever you want at that link. Those issues include both the print content, and the extra online content. Please explore that website and find all of the columns you know and love: Birding interviews (this issue, it’s with Shyloh van Delft, an inspiring rising star), News and Notes, Book Reviews, and more.

Speaking of News and Notes, this issue you can check out Nick Minor’s ornithological updates on page 20. Read about flycatcher hybridization, the ABA 2016 Bird of the Year, or head straight for the members-only content about Brown Creepers on page 22.

When you’re identifying a bird, what do you look for first? The general shape? Plumage? Habitat? In August’s Featured Photo, Tony Leukering urges you to always remember one crucial field mark that you can’t even see. You can read Tony’s analysis of the photo on page 56, or discuss the image yourself on the ABA Blog.

The Book Reviews in the print edition are great… But the Book Reviews in the online edition are even better. The extended reviews start on page 68 with David Quady’s reviews of 2 new books about owls. You can also read those reviews on the ABA Blog. Then, follow that wonderful review with another one by Laura Kammermeier on page 71, about Alexander Pschera’s take on our modern connection, or lack of connection, with nature. You can find that review on the ABA Blog, as well.

Who Can See a Toucan? You Can! — Free!
Win a free birding trip to Panama or Trinidad & Tobago! Or, win a free world-class Zeiss Victory SF binocular! At the end of the year, the ABA is giving away these three prizes to the three people who bring in the most members. It’s time to get your friends and extended family to join the ABA. For more information, visit aba.org/bigyear16/
If you aren’t a member yet, consider becoming a member so you can see all of this wonderful extended content, participate in the membership contest, and more. You can join the ABA at aba.org/join/.