Species library

pine needle scale

Chionaspis pinifoliae

Transforming green needles into white-flecked landscapes, the pine needle scale is a master of camouflage and station...

Insects

Pine Siskin

Spinus pinus

The Pine Siskin is a whirlwind of energy, often arriving in sudden, massive winter flocks that turn a quiet backyard ...

Birds

Pine Warbler

Setophaga pinus

The yellow-chested specialist of the pine barrens, this hardy songbird is a frequent visitor to backyard suet feeders...

Birds

Pine Woolly-aphid

Pineus pini

Look closely at the 'snow' on your pine branches and you might find the Pine Woolly-aphid. These tiny architects shro...

Insects

Pinfish

Lagodon rhomboides

The spunky and colorful Pinfish is a coastal backyard favorite, easily identified by its shimmering stripes and a sig...

Fish

Pink-backed Pelican

Pelecanus rufescens

The Pink-backed Pelican is a master of the African sky and swamp. Smaller and more agile than its cousins, this uniqu...

Birds

Pink-barred Sallow

Xanthia togata

With its vibrant canary-yellow wings and royal purple accents, the Pink-barred Sallow is a stunning late-season visit...

Insects

Pink-footed Shearwater

Ardenna creatopus

A champion of the Pacific, the Pink-footed Shearwater is a majestic long-distance migrant that glides effortlessly ov...

Birds

Pink Whipray

Pateobatis fai

A majestic resident of tropical reefs, the Pink Whipray is easily identified by its soft pastel hues and a tail that ...

Fish

Pinkrose Rockfish

Sebastes simulator

A hidden gem of the deep Pacific, the Pinkrose Rockfish is a master of camouflage among the colorful reefs of the Cal...

Fish

Pintado Petrel

Daption capense

Meet the 'Cape Pigeon' of the southern seas, a bold voyager famous for its striking checkerboard wings and fearless a...

Birds

Pinyon Jay

Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus

The Pinyon Jay is the brilliant blue socialite of the West, known for its incredible intelligence and massive, boiste...

Birds

Piping Plover

Charadrius melodus

A master of coastal camouflage, the Piping Plover is a tiny shorebird with a big personality. Watch for their lightni...

Birds

Piratic Flycatcher

Legatus leucophaius

A tiny bird with a big attitude, the Piratic Flycatcher is the bandit of the bird world. It foregoes building its own...

Birds

Plain-bellied Emerald

Chrysuronia leucogaster

A shimmering jewel of the coastal tropics, the Plain-bellied Emerald is easily recognized by its snowy white undersid...

Birds

Plain-bellied Watersnake

Nerodia erythrogaster

A robust and vibrant resident of North American wetlands, the Plain-bellied Watersnake is famous for its colorful, un...

Reptiles

Plain-brown Woodcreeper

Dendrocincla fuliginosa

A master of the vertical world, the Plain-brown Woodcreeper is a subtle beauty of the tropical understory. Watch as t...

Birds

Plain-capped Starthroat

Heliomaster constantii

A graceful giant of the hummingbird world, the Plain-capped Starthroat is a prized sight for backyard birders. Known ...

Birds

Plain Chachalaca

Ortalis vetula

The Plain Chachalaca is the tropical 'loudmouth' of the Rio Grande Valley. Known for its raucous morning choruses and...

Birds

Plain-crested Elaenia

Elaenia cristata

With its iconic shaggy crest and energetic personality, the Plain-crested Elaenia is the undisputed spirit of the Sou...

Birds

Plains Blue Royal

Tajuria jehana

A flash of sky-blue in the canopy, the Plains Blue Royal is a master of high-speed maneuvers and delicate beauty. Wit...

Insects

Plains Garter Snake

Thamnophis radix

Featuring a signature 'racing stripe' and an appetite for garden pests, the Plains Garter Snake is a hardy survivor f...

Reptiles

Plains Zebra

Equus quagga

The iconic 'painted horse' of Africa, the Plains Zebra is a masterpiece of natural geometry. Social, resilient, and s...

Mammals

Planehead Filefish

Stephanolepis hispida

A master of disguise with sandpaper skin and a 'locked' defense, the Planehead Filefish is a fascinating visitor to c...

Fish

Plantain Squirrel

Callosciurus notatus

With its vibrant orange belly and striking side stripes, the Plantain Squirrel is the most colorful garden acrobat of...

Mammals

Plum-headed Parakeet

Psittacula cyanocephala

Meet the 'Jewel of the Indian Woods.' With its stunning iridescent head and elegant, sweeping tail, the Plum-headed P...

Birds

Plumbeous Sierra Finch

Geospizopsis unicolor

The slate-gray sentinel of the Andes, the Plumbeous Sierra Finch is a master of the high-altitude landscape. This res...

Birds

Plumbeous Vireo

Vireo plumbeus

A quiet master of the Western woodlands, the Plumbeous Vireo is defined by its smoky gray plumage and striking white ...

Birds

Plumed Guineafowl

Guttera plumifera

Meet the punk-rocker of the African rainforest. With its striking upright crest and electric-blue face, the Plumed Gu...

Birds

Plush-crested Jay

Cyanocorax chrysops

With its velvety 'plush' crest and striking cream-and-midnight plumage, this intelligent jay is the charismatic socia...

Birds

Polyphemus Moth

Antheraea polyphemus

Meet the titan of the backyard: the Polyphemus moth. With its massive wingspan and hypnotic eyespots, this nocturnal ...

Insects

Pomarine Jaeger

Stercorarius pomarinus

The powerhouse pirate of the open ocean, the Pomarine Jaeger is a master of aerial pursuit. Known for its unique spoo...

Birds

Pond Slider

Trachemys scripta

The Pond Slider is the most iconic freshwater turtle in the Americas, famous for its love of sunshine and its lightni...

Reptiles

Pool Frog

Pelophylax lessonae

The vibrant green gem of European wetlands, the Pool Frog is a sun-loving acrobat famous for its rhythmic rattling ca...

Amphibians

Poplar Catkin Sallow

Anathix puta

A delicate master of autumn camouflage, the Poplar Catkin Sallow is a late-season visitor to North American backyards...

Insects

Porbeagle

Lamna nasus

Often called the 'Wolf of the Sea,' the Porbeagle is a stout, powerful predator of cold northern waters. Known for it...

Fish