Alabama Ornithological Society

Alabama Ornithological Society Founded in 1952 to foster a greater knowledge of birds and to promote conservation

Our next feature for the AOS Summer Bird Mural Project is the stunning stenciled mural located at 235 Lee Street in down...
05/28/2026

Our next feature for the AOS Summer Bird Mural Project is the stunning stenciled mural located at 235 Lee Street in downtown Montgomery, Alabama. This mural was created by Montgomery artist R.C. Hagans in collaboration with the French artist duo MonkeyBird. Inspired by the 12th-century Persian epic poem The Conference of the Birds by Farid ud-Din Attar, the artwork reflects the symbolic journey of 30 birds traveling through seven valleys representing quest, love, understanding, independence and detachment, unity, astonishment, and poverty and nothingness.
The mural features the history of Montgomery with rich bird imagery, including birds such as a peacock, dove, and owl, drawing from themes found throughout the poem. Hagans also included a few literal “Easter eggs” hidden within the artwork for observant viewers to discover. Adding to its uniqueness, the mural is illuminated at night, making it a beautiful 24-hour public art display for visitors to enjoy any time of day.

Have you seen a bird mural in Alabama? DM us with the photo and location!

Since I started birding seriously about 15 years ago, one thing I look forward to each year when May rolls around is goi...
05/21/2026

Since I started birding seriously about 15 years ago, one thing I look forward to each year when May rolls around is going in search of Purple Gallinules. The Purple Gallinule is hands down the most colorful member of the Rail family (Clapper Rails, King Rails, Coots, Common Gallinules and many more) that I have ever seen.

This week friend and fellow AOS member Frank Randall and I headed down to Geneva County hoping to find our first of the year Purple Gallinule. We were not disappointed. We got a close look at one and distant views of three others at three different locations.

The Purple Gallinule obviously has purple on its body, but in the right light some of its plumage glows with green and deep blue as well. Look closely at its bill and you’ll see a bright yellow tip with a bright red base, and just above that is a face shield that is a pale sky blue (which often appears white in bright direct sunlight). And if you’re lucky to see the eyes of an adult male in the right light, you’ll see they are a deep red. Toss in bright yellow legs and you’ll see why it’s one of my favorites.

The Purple Gallinule is a year-round bird in Mexico, Cuba and other Caribbean islands, and a large swath of South America. But lucky for us some of these birds migrate into parts of the US Gulf states to breed in the summer. Most range maps shows the northernmost edge of its breeding range in Alabama at about Montgomery.

But the Birds of the World reference points out that Purple Gallinules are noted for being notorious “vagrants” - birding lingo for individuals of a species that are found far outside their usual territories. Birds of the World cited them being found from Labrador in Canada to the island of South Georgia, a jumping off point for tours of Antarctica; and from the Galapagos in the Pacific to Switzerland.

So if you’re near a wetland in Alabama, keep an eye open for a colorful bird using its long-toed feet to walk on lily pads. - Ken Hare

Summer is the only season when we don't have a meeting. So to keep our members busy, we are starting a scavenger hunt of...
05/19/2026

Summer is the only season when we don't have a meeting. So to keep our members busy, we are starting a scavenger hunt of bird murals across the state! Have you seen a bird mural anywhere in Alabama? If so, DM us a photo and the location!

We are starting off with a mural in Fairhope that features a Great Blue Heron and Brown Pelican.

05/13/2026

Less than 5 months away! We are already counting down the days til our fall meeting with keynote speaker Bonner Black!

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Dauphin Island, AL
36528

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Monday 9am - 4pm
Tuesday 9am - 4pm
Wednesday 9am - 4pm
Thursday 9am - 4pm
Friday 9am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm
Sunday 10am - 4pm

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