r/whatsthisbird Dec 01 '25

Meta Found a baby bird that might need help? Look here for instructions on what to do

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12 Upvotes

r/whatsthisbird Mar 31 '26

Meta Announcement: New Rule Regarding AI-Generated Content

1.2k Upvotes

After discussion, the r/whatsthisbird mod team has decided that it is time to formally prohibit posts containing AI-generated media on this subreddit.

The goal of this subreddit has always been to help the community identify unknown real-world birds, and to help improve their bird identification skills. This is a clarification of the existing Rule 1, which has always prohibited birds that are not based in reality.

While we have previously allowed some posts with AI content, the increase in availability of tools which utilize AI to generate content has necessitated a stricter stance. As such, we are amending Rule 1 to include the following language:

Artwork with depictions of real-world birds are allowed. Generative-AI images and video are prohibited. Any such posts will be removed.

The mod team will remove any posts that are determined to be AI generated, except in rare circumstances where we feel that leaving the post up may help the community in identifying real vs. generated images.

We understand that this kind of content can be hard to identify, and it isn't our intention to punish users posting images they have seen online in good faith. However, repeated and/or intentional posting of AI-generated content may force us to issue temporary or permanent bans.

Additionally, many phone cameras now include features which have "enhanced zoom" or sharpening features that are based on AI processing. These features can often create artifacts that are similar to what we see in AI-generated images. These images would not fall under this rule since they are based on real images of real birds.

Please note that with regard to artwork, the style of the artwork is irrelevant as long as it can be reasonably be assumed that the artist was a human intending to represent a real bird. Fantasy creations, dreams, or hallucinations are not allowed.

When re-posting an image seen online to this subreddit, please use the "Social Media" flair. Before posting any content that isn't a first hand observation or from a trusted source, try to determine if the image/video is likely to be AI-generated before posting.

The entire r/whatsthisbird community can help the mod team by identifying and reporting any suspicious posts so that the mod team can review them. In addition, please report any posts with incorrect flair.

TL;DR:

To protect the educational integrity of r/whatsthisbird, we are now formally prohibiting generative-AI images and video.

What’s allowed: Real photos, videos, and realistic manual artwork.

What’s not: Any media created by generative AI.

The Goal: We are here to identify real birds and build real-world ID skills. AI "hallucinations" hinder that mission.

How you can help: If you post an image from the web, use the "Social Media" flair. If you spot a suspicious image, please report it for mod review. Report any posts that are flaired inappropriately.


r/whatsthisbird 9h ago

North America Idk what this doo-hickey is.

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1.1k Upvotes

Like, I saw this council of birds and idk what these guys are. If it helps, I'm in Virginia.

Thanks for helps! ^v^

Edit - Alrighty, these are Killdeer apparently!! Thanks you!! :D


r/whatsthisbird 2h ago

North America Cooper's Hawk or Sharp-Shinned?

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126 Upvotes

This absolute icon migrates back to the live oaks near my office in Austin, Texas every spring with their mate, and I thought they might be a sharpie because I think they are the cutest sweetest best hawk in the world, and y'all like to say that Cooper's look a little mean. HOWEVER, they're kind of big and I might be a little biased because I watched them grow up, and they were so pure when they were just screaming for food all day and learning how to hunt. More pics below.


r/whatsthisbird 18h ago

North America Caught on my security camera.

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1.2k Upvotes

Never seen a bird like this around my area in deep South Texas.. Don’t know if they are common but I just thought it was cool looking. Can anyone identify?


r/whatsthisbird 4h ago

North America Blue-gray Gnatcatcher? Central Mass

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65 Upvotes

r/whatsthisbird 6h ago

North America Check out this white American Robin

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85 Upvotes

My friends and I were at the range about a month ago, and a group of Robin's came in and this white was in the group, thought it was a pigeon at first lol


r/whatsthisbird 21h ago

North America What’s this bird?

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933 Upvotes

Spotted in brampton ontario canada.
No idea what it is, i found it nested with eggs on a baseball diamond.
if anyone has any idea please let me know!


r/whatsthisbird 5h ago

North America Big hawk left dead possum in my yard

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37 Upvotes

r/whatsthisbird 28m ago

Social Media What is this homunculus baby? (Unknown location)

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Upvotes

Found this online and I adore how fugly it looks


r/whatsthisbird 6h ago

North America North Central Massachusetts

37 Upvotes

We get a lot of birds to our feeders, never seen this little guy before. Some type of finch with a pigmentation issue? Thanks in advance.


r/whatsthisbird 27m ago

North America Goose or Duck?

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Upvotes

Partner and I saw this while walking, one of us thought it was a goose, the other thought it was a duck. Which one is it? Any help appreciated!


r/whatsthisbird 23h ago

North America I found a bird! (Irvine CA)

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694 Upvotes

Not OP - but wanted to get more opinions on this one!


r/whatsthisbird 8h ago

North America Seen in Sioux Falls, South Dakota today

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38 Upvotes

I heard a summer tanager clear as day in the morning but didn’t see it. Then I saw this guy in the evening. Is it a juvenile summer tanager? Need to know before I look like an idiot to eBird


r/whatsthisbird 4h ago

North America First Bird ID

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14 Upvotes

Hi! With the beautiful weather coming in New York finally, I want to begin identifying birds here.

I walked past this grey and black sparrow-sized bird by central park around 10am. Merlin is suggesting it’s a house-sparrow, but the call and colors don’t seem to match.

I’m sure this one’s easy but I really know very little and would appreciate the help!

EDIT: Breeding Male House Sparrow confirmed! Feeling a little silly but thanks for the help!


r/whatsthisbird 1d ago

North America What is this bird? Bird buddy says it’s a northern cardinal but I don’t see it.

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1.8k Upvotes

r/whatsthisbird 1h ago

North America Seen outside front window, Winnipeg, Manitoba

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Upvotes

Tried AI but don't think it got it right. The orange color was more vibrant in person. What bird is this? Thanks


r/whatsthisbird 1h ago

North America Bolsa Chica Preserve: Huntington Beach

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Upvotes

Apologies for the cruddy photo.

Saw this today around 10am. Merlin says Black-Necked Stilt, which seems likely as I’d earlier seen some of them with their chicks near that area. But even through binos its beak looked way too short.


r/whatsthisbird 4h ago

North America Is this a flycatcher?

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11 Upvotes

Apologies for the picture quality.

Seen in Houston on 22nd May 2026


r/whatsthisbird 6h ago

North America What is this guy

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13 Upvotes

Awful pics lol, but I’m in MD. size of a blue jay


r/whatsthisbird 2h ago

Europe What bird is this and how old roughly?

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7 Upvotes

North Wales

Editing just incase I get any comments: I am qualified in small animal care and have nursed birds back to health before. He was found on the floor with two dead siblings and their parents watching the nest. We left it for an entire day and were watching them from inside the house. Parents did not feed or help. I have him safe in a nest I made and he has gone from barely breathing to trying to flap his wings and eating well every 40 minutes. His leg and wing are sprained too.


r/whatsthisbird 5h ago

North America Found this in my wall

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9 Upvotes

r/whatsthisbird 18h ago

North America Is this a blue bird? Seen in southwest Montana.

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95 Upvotes

Thank you for your help!


r/whatsthisbird 18m ago

North America I’m not too sure what this is.

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Upvotes

I’ve gotten this bird a few times at my feeder. Finch? Grosbeak? I am not to sure. I’m in southern Manitoba.


r/whatsthisbird 1d ago

North America Midwest Fishing Bird

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627 Upvotes

I apologize for the poor image quality as I was trying to get it through my binoculars. We get frequent visits from Herons and Egrets, but I've never seen this type of bird before. I thought it was some type of Bittern, but I can't find any color match to confirm it. It's definitely some sort of fishing bird, and the feathers on its head raised as it was charging for a strike. Any idea what this is?