This is a male Indigo Bunting, Passerina cyanea. Once upon a time, it belonged in the family Fringillidae, but that has changed due to genetic data which has allowed this bird to be reclassified in to a new family, Cardinalidae, with its closer kin: the gross-beaks, cardinals, tanagers, and other buntings.
That said, I really like this species because of its powder blue feathers trimmed with black. I was stunned the first time I saw this species, as you might imagine.

The second image shows this little fella belting out his love song. You have to admire these colorful sparrow-sized birds all dressed up in electric blue and singing like rock-stars to anyone in the vicinity. I became an instant fan. On one of my last trips to the Fort Worth Nature Center and Reserve before moving to west Texas, I was treated to a farewell concert by one of these guys. I’m still a fan.

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These pictures were taken in Fort Worth where there is a chance for the Black-crested Titmouse to occur. If these were Black-crested titmice, they would have a black crest and no brown or black spot over the top of the bill.

These birds are generally working in groups and they will also be seen with Carolina Chickadees. They are difficult to photograph because they flit from place to place before you
can line up a shot. What you see here is the product of being at the right place and ready when they were around.

The above image gives you some indication of their size since they are barely bigger than the elm and oak leaves in the picture. On calm days, you can be walking in the woods and hear these little fellas thrashing leaves around to find insects and seeds. These are the only little gray birds that have cardinal like crests.

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In the first image, a Carolina Chickadee, Poecile carolinensis, is perched upon an empty native pecan hull. These birds reside in Texas from the Panhandle all the way to the Gulf coast. They are one of the smallest birds found in the state. Their family is Paridae which contains the tits, and titmice as well the chickadees.

Unlike most birds, males and females of the Chickadees are similar in coloration. The one shown above is singing and is probably a male. The black crown and throat region coupled with their white cheeks make these little gray birds easily distinguishable.

Their tiny size and needle like beak help these birds hunt insects, berries, and seeds in the shrubs and forests where they live. They get their name from the chick-a dee dee dee sound they make as they go about their busy days.

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The common Ostrich, Struthio camelus is the largest bird in the world and is the fastest bird on land. Pictured above is a female wandering about her enclosure at the Oklahoma City Zoo.

Ostriches inhabit grasslands and deserts throughout sub-Saharan Africa. They consume seeds and other plant material and will harvest locusts and other insects. Their long necks and well developed eyes help them find food and avoid predators.

I included this picture because it makes me laugh while demonstrating the flexibility of the ostrich’s neck.

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I know it’s spring time when the robins come back to the neighborhood.  Turdus migratorius, a member of the Thrushes and Bluebird family (Turdidae)

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