I know personally I sometimes overlook the average song-bird, thinking they are all too common and generic looking. I figured it was time to highlight a few of them on the blog because when I’ve taken a little time to actually watch and photograph them they can be just a impressive as any other bird.

You know what I’m talking about, the hundreds of sparrows and finches that stop at back yard feeders all the time, fluttering around in city streets and just about everywhere. They don’t seem that special, they are almost too common! I’ve certainly had that attitude towards many song birds for a long time but every once in a while I decide to concentrate on them with my photography and I’m always surprised at some of the great photos that have resulted from photographing what I sometimes consider to be “boring” looking birds. Take the generic House Finch pictured above, in the right light and the right spot they can look incredibly colorful and dare I say beautiful. Many of these birds always blend in with their surroundings and it can take some extra care to seek them out and photograph them properly.

Most of these birds can be seen and photographed right in your back yard or taking a short walk through your neighborhood, even if you live in a city. I hope you enjoy the photos below and every once in a while, take the time to admire some of the all to often overlooked song birds, I’m sure you will be just as pleasantly surprised as I have been.

Pine Warbler - taken at Batsto Village in Hammonton, NJ

Gray Catbird - taken at Palymyra Cove Nature Park, NJ

American Tree Sparow - taken at Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge

Eastern Kingbird - taken at Palmyra Cove Nature Park, NJ

Female Red-WInged Blackbird - taken in Cape May, NJ

Male Red-Winged Blackbird - taken at Forsythe National Wildlfe Refuge

Northern Mockingbird - taken at John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge

White-Throated Sparrow - taken in Clementon, NJ

Black-Capped Chickadee - taken at Palmyra Cove Nature Park, NJ

Eastern Phoebe - taken in Sebastian, FL

Female House Finch - taken at Barnegat Lighthouse, NJ