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What to Feed the Winter Birds
Top 10 Bird Feeder Food for Winter What to feed to maximize energy for Winter Birds ‘Tis the season for feeding birds all across North …
We Have Wood Storks!
Did you know that America has its own native Stork? Yes! The Wood Stork is a large, white bird with black wing-edging and wingtips.
Roseate Spoonbills!
Roseate Spoonbills, large and dramatic, pink, shallow-water foragers, are real eye-catchers for us and all our Florida visitors.
The Redpolls are Here!
Yep! Common Redpolls number in the tens of millions worldwide, but they are only at our snowy backyard feeders every few years.
8 Fall-Blooming Flowers Friendly to Bees, Birds, and Butterflies
You’d be forgiven for thinking these were the only two species in the world that bear flowers beyond September, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.
The Shoebill: Or, the Most Terrifying Bird in the World
Beastly and terrifying though they are, it would be a real shame to have a world without Shoebills. That death stare will haunt you!
Painted Buntings, Extraordinary!
The Painted Bunting is one of the most colorful birds in North America. In France they’re called “nonpareil” which means “without equal”!
Profile of the Week: Burrowing Owls
Burrowing Owl. Small. They are described as about the size of a Robin, but bulkier! They have long legs, beautiful, intense bright-yellow eyes that seem to stare right through you!
Can’t Miss the Scissor-tailed Flycatchers!
In Texas, the beautiful Scissor-tailed Flycatchers are simply known as the “Texas Bird of Paradise”. Gorgeous!
Starlings … and now what to do?
Starlings put on incredibly beautiful aerial shows called Murmurations! I have yet to see one in person … it’s on my bucket list!
Gray Catbirds, Our Backyard Regulars!
No, they’re not the most colorful in our gang of backyard regulars, but the gang wouldn’t be complete without them.
The Great Black-backed Gull
They are clearly the biggest gull on dockside pilings, or at the beach. Their powerful build and domineering presence make them the boss of their area.
The Miraculous Ruby-Throats!
It’s springtime and the Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are returning by the thousands, mostly from Central America. They are zipping through our neighborhood backyards, parks, and forest hedges.
DOWNY v HAIRY Woodpeckers
Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers! Can you tell them apart at a glance? Can you remember which one is the smaller one?
Gotta Love the WILD TURKEYS!
Turkeys! Of all the birds in North America, is there anyone, young or old, who doesn’t know what a turkey is?
The Magnificent Great Gray Owl
As one of the largest owls in the world, this bird is truly magnificent! He’s dressed in a stately gray tweedish suit with a white bowtie at the neck.
Check Out the Harris’s Sparrow!
The Harris’s Sparrow steals the show. They’re the biggest of all the sparrows and flaunt a dramatic and colorful plumage.
What is a Crested Caracara?
The Crested Caracara seems to be a species of their own. They look like a long-legged hawk with over 4 feet of wing span ….
Listen for the Ruffed Grouse!
The best way of finding Ruffed Grouse is to walk quietly through the woods, following their drumming sound.
Gardening for Birds
I’ve been cruising through the birding and gardening magazines reading all the articles about what to plant to attract bees, butterflies and birds and I want to plant them all! I remind myself that not every plant grows in every climate.
Loons, Quite Remarkable!
Common Loons are not only remarkable, they’re totally unique. Though they’re frequently mistaken for a duck, scientists identify them as a species of their own.
Have You Seen the Black-crowned Night-Heron?
Have you seen the Black-crowned Night-Herons? Most striking, is his formal looking plumage of sharply contrasting light gray and black.
Duck, Duck, Goose!
We all can describe a DUCK. You know, that streamlined, oval-shaped body, wide, webbed feet and that broad, sort of flattened bill … ya, that’s a DUCK!
The Beautiful Red-winged Blackbirds
Red-wings! One of the most abundant birds in North America. One of easiest birds for people of all ages to identify.
The Regal Caspian Tern
Caspian Terns! They’re large, sport a serious black cap, and a long, fiery-red, razor sharp bill. Very regal!
The Gentlemen, Brown Pelicans
Big Brown Pelicans gather around in hopes of a free fish treat. They’re quiet, don’t fight with each other, and are patient as they walk around the dock, or paddle around in the water waiting for that treat.
The Best Bird Food to Attract Winter Birds!
Everyone is missing their summer and autumn birds! Not to worry! The WINTER BIRDS are here! What’s the best food to attract winter birds?
Profile: The House Finch
One of the most common, busy and pretty birds at our feeders are the House Finches … the pretty red males, the muted brown females and their babies, cousins, sisters and brothers!
Barred Owls!
A quick aid for identification are the Barred Owl’s big dark-brown eyes. From a distance, they look black and a little spooky. Most owls have large yellow eyes and a dark beak. Barred Owls have the opposite, dark eyes and a yellow beak.
Black Skimmers
Black Skimmers are common along salt-water shorelines in the southeast, along the gulf shores, and the western shores of southern California and Mexico.
The Beautiful Snow Goose
Seeing these beautiful, white and black Snow Geese fly over in perfect formation is enough to make anyone come to pause.
Gotta Love the Red-bellies!
Red-bellied Woodpeckers are strikingly beautiful, and clearly stand out in their crowd. Gotta love the Red-bellies!
Cute Little Saw-whet Owls
Although common, Northern Saw-whet Owls are so small, extremely nocturnal and secretive that we just don’t see them.
Ah, the Purple Finch
Roger Tory Peterson best described the Purple Finch as a “sparrow dipped in raspberry juice.” He couldn’t have been more descriptive.
Beautiful Wood Ducks!
The Wood Duck is well known as the most strikingly beautiful waterfowl of them all. The males have a beautiful, glossy, iridescent green crested head with delicate white pinstriping.
The Exotic White Ibis
The White Ibis would come in groups of ten or more, and systematically forage my lawn for bugs and insects. I’d never seen anything like them. Welcome to Florida!
Remarkable Ravens
Are they smart, or just scavengers? The answer is both. The Raven is known to be the smartest of all birds, that’s why they are remarkable!
The Black-billed Magpie
Black-billed Magpies are smart, social, entertaining, and have a dubious reputation for making trouble.
Love those Nuthatches
Nuthatches are those little black, grey and white busy bodies crawling up and down and sideways on the tree branches looking for insects.
Northern Flickers
Northern Flickers are some of the most beautiful and dramatic birds that are common across the United States and well into Canada.
Mourning Doves … and More!
Mourning Doves! They’re all over everywhere! From coast to coast and from southern Canada through Mexico. They’re a graceful robin-sized bird with a long, narrow tail.
Five Ways to Attract Birds This Fall
Attracting wild birds right in your own yard or garden is a great activity year-round, autumn is a great time to support our feathered friends.
How to Welcome Winter Birds
Sad some of your favorite birds are going south for the winter? Don’t worry—others are coming to take their places
Ring-necked Pheasants
Ring-necked Pheasants are common throughout the midwest, southern Canada, parts of New England, and in parts of the western states.
FALL BIRD FEEDING TIPS
Though the hummingbird feeding season is largely over, your seed feeders are probably starting to see a big boost in activity.
8 Great Fall Birding Trails
Autumn migration season is here. Millions of birds are on the wing, covering thousands of miles across oceans and continents.
I Tried Quarantine Birding—and It’s Surprisingly Rewarding
For me, the thrill is usually in the spotting. Positively IDing a rare bird gives me a charge that’s something like a celebrity sighting.
Part 2: Hummingbirds!!!
Hummingbirds have amazing brain structures. How do they control all their incredible body movements? How do they remember things?
‘Fat’ hummingbird migration in full force, keep those feeders up!
“They rise in the morning, fuel up on flowers nearby and spend the day migrating and at the end of the day and they will stop and fuel up before night.”
Red-tailed Hawks!
The Red-tailed Hawk is the biggest and most common Buteo hawk. If, “You can sit and talk, and watch a hawk making lazy circles in the sky,” then you are probably watching a Red-tailed Hawk!
Profile of the Week: Swallows of N America
There are seven native types of swallows found in North America. Swallows are common throughout the continent.
Killdeer are Shorebirds
Yes, Killdeer are shorebirds, but, you don’t have to go to the shore to enjoy this well-marked and graceful plover. Killdeer are common in yards, newly cut fields, golf courses, even parking lots and football fields.
It’s FALL MIGRATION!
Have you noticed fewer birds in your yard? Or lots of birds lined up on the power lines? Or perhaps a gathering of ducks and geese in your area ponds and backwaters?
Look for Brown Thrashers
If you live anywhere east of the Rocky Mountains, and if you have any thick hedges or prickly bushes around your yard, Brown Thrashers should be near.
What is a Rufous-sided Towhee?
These foragers can easily be heard hopping back and forth on the dry ground, turning up leaves to find a meal.
To Help Birds This Winter, Go Easy on Fall Yard Work
If you want to make your backyard a welcoming winter haven for birds, some fall tasks call for a laissez-faire approach.
Our Two Magnificent Eagles
Getting an unexpected view of a Bald Eagle, or a Golden Eagle is a thrill that won’t be forgotten. Except for the Condor, these two species of eagles are America’s biggest birds
Teakettle, Cheeseburger . . . Pidaro? The Case for Using Real Words to Remember Bird Songs
Some bird guides eschew words for more literal translations of a bird’s song, but doing so ignores the point of mnemonic devices: aiding memory.
Know Which Wrens Live Near You
Wrens aren’t our flashiest birds, but they more than make up for it with their big personalities. Small and brown, they rarely sit still,.
Profile of the Week: Shrikes
There are two common types of shrikes in North America. Each of these birds has found their own habitat and ranges on the continent.
Identifying North America’s five titmouse species
5 Species of N AMerican Titmice: Members of the titmouse family are among the most familiar and popular backyard birds across North America.
Bird Watching Tips: It’s Summer… Where Did The Birds Go?
In the dog days of summer, birds seem to disappear—the dawn chorus wanes and an odd silence takes hold in woodlands. A lot of birders hang up their binoculars until fall migration. But there’s no reason to stop birding.
Birding, Backyard and Beyond
with his large and beautifully treed backyard and his new work-at-home schedule, his birds and backyard are getting top attention. This is truly an example of birding, backyard and beyond.
THE IMPORTANCE OF A WATER SOURCE FOR BIRDS
Just like us, our wild bird friends need water for survival. Whether our backyard visitors are cleaning their plumage or just washing down their food; water is the best way to attract birds ….
Oh, to the Nightingale!
Almost all of these great authors and artists included the Nightingale in their works. John Keats wrote “Ode to the Nightingale,” and Homer evokes the Nightingale in the “Odyssey.”
Field Guide to Fledglings
It’s fledgling season. Those shaggy, frizz-headed preteens are hopping around everywhere! Many can’t fly yet, but this is normal. Their parents are usually close by and feeding them.
Bobolinks!
One of the reasons we don’t frequently see these birds is because of their diet and preferred habitat. Bobolinks nest on the ground by open grassy fields, meadows, and marshes where they eat mainly seeds from wild plants.
Robert of Lincoln
“Robert of Lincoln,” by William Cullen Bryant (1794-1878), is one of the finest bird poems ever written. He describes the life of the Bobolink.
Most Female Raptors Are Bigger and Stronger Than Males, but Why?
Like in most raptors, the female Red-tail is larger than the male. That’s because (I often add) females are better. Half the audience laughs; half groans.
DID YOU KNOW? Where to hang your Hummingbird Feeders …
In a flower bed, from a eave or gutter to provide shade and a place to perch, close to safety so the hummingbirds can escape predators.
What to do with the Parakeets?
Monk Parakeets are sometimes known as Quaker Parrots. As it turns out, parakeets are simply small parrots. Monks are very intelligent, social, loud, ravenous and prolific. And then, they can live up to 20 years!
How to Clean a Hummingbird Feeder
Cleaning a hummingbird feeder properly is essential to ensure safe, nutritious nectar for hungry hummingbirds. Fortunately, it is not difficult to clean a hummingbird feeder.
The Busy, Belted Kingfisher
Wherever there is water, there will be a Belted Kingfisher. It doesn’t matter if it’s ocean shores, rivers edge, lakeside, or even well-stocked private koi or trout ponds, the Belted Kingfisher will be there.
Evening Grosbeaks Need Our Help!
An Evening Grossbeak is a large brightly colored yellow and black finch with a strong conical bill. Their size matches that of a Robin.
Part III – Bitterns & Egrets of North America
Bittern and Egrets! Fascinating birds found coast to coast, mostly all colony nesters with fabulous colors! Grab your binoculars and cameras, get out there and scope in on some of the Beautiful Bitterns and Egrets of North America!
Part II – HERONS!
Here come the Herons of North America: The Tricolored Heron, the Green Heron, the Great Blue Heron, the Little Blue Heron, the Yellow-crowned Night-heron and the Black-crowned Night-heron.
PART I: Overview of N American Herons, Egrets, Bitterns
Most species in this family of Herons, Bitterns and Egrets have long necks; short tails; long, pointed bills; and long legs.
A Guide to Feeding Birds Peanuts
Peanuts are a fast, easy, and surprisingly nutritious food for many backyard birds. Offering birds peanuts in your yard is a great way to attract more species and broaden the appeal of your bird-friendly buffet.
Ospreys! Gone Fishin’
This great bird would steal the show as he would dive from high in the air and crash at full speed into the water and catch a fish.
The Beautiful Barn Owls
If your interest is beautiful birds, don’t neglect the distinctly beautiful Barn Owl. As with many owls, they are nocturnal predators that aren’t often seen.
Goldfinches, a Backyard Gold Rush
Even without the male’s bright gold breeding plumage, the Goldfinch is an attractive and entertaining visitor to our feeders. They come in a bunch, and feed on the ground as well as at the feeders.
Chickadees of North America
These 5 species of Chickadees of North America have some overlapping territories and they pretty much cover the continental USA, except for the south-western states. We recognize their “Chick-a-dee-dee-dee” song.
Birding with Kids, You Don’t Have to be an Expert
Birding is a fun, low-impact outdoor activity that adults and kids can share together. Here are a few tips I recommend for getting started, keeping it interesting, and being safe, especially in the time of social distancing.
How do birds know how to build such intricate nests?
But birds build a wide variety of nests out of a wide range of available materials, everything from the streamside burrow of the belted kingfisher to the intricately woven pouch fashioned by Baltimore orioles.
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Pileateds! The Grandest of Them All!
There’s no doubt about it, the Pileated Woodpecker is among the largest of all the forest birds in the U.S. and is definitely the largest of the North American woodpeckers.
The Beautiful Orioles!
All of the Orioles are in the blackbird family, all share similar diets, all flitter from the very tops of trees, all build remarkable nests, all have clear and sweet songs, and all are among of the most beautiful birds in America!
Tanagers for Everyone
“Oh, look, there’s a Scarlet Tanager!” Always unmistakable in his brilliant bright-red with jet-black wings high in the treetops. There are three Tanagers common across the U.S.
Why it’s important to love birds for more than just their beauty
We all know what our favourite bird looks like – but do you know why it’s evolved to look that way? Discover the amazing new project striving to build a stronger connection between people and nature – through the fascination of bird anatomy.
The Rose-breasted Grosbeak, a Backyard Beauty
The flashy black and white Rose-breasted Grosbeak with his proud and showy rosy-red breast, however, remains a very favored backyard beauty.
Don’t Forget the Warblers!
Don’t forget the warblers! They’re all over the place! Hundreds of them! They’re in the trees flitting from branch to branch, from tree to tree.
The Red-Headed Woodpecker Needs Help!
The Red-Headed Woodpecker is one of the most notable birds in North America. There’s no other bird, or woodpecker, like him. His flashy black and white is immediately identifiable
Hummingbirds!!!
Hummingbirds! They’re unearthly! They fly forward. They fly backwards. They stop in midair and hover. They fly 500 miles across the Gulf of Mexico nonstop!
More birds and bees, please!
Everyone with outside space, he says, “can become a nature reserve manager. You can do really simple things to affect biodiversity where you live.”
Gotta Love the Blue Jay!
If the royal red Cardinal is your backyard heroic protagonist, then the flashy blue Blue Jay has to be the obnoxious backyard antagonist. But, wait!
Your State Bird
What do you think is the most popular State Bird with 7 states? Do you think it’s a well-loved Hummingbird? Maybe a beautiful Painted Bunting? Nope! It’s the iconic Northern Cardinal!
A “Blonde” Bald Eagle?
Recently, however, I read a post showing two perched mature Bald Eagles, and one of them was “blonde.” I’ve not seen this before.
North America’s Favorite Buntings
Buntings? Finches? Little brown birds? I don’t know. This can be confusing. So, let’s get acquainted with some favorite North American Buntings.
Let’s Celebrate the Iconic Cardinal
Their striking red color and distinctive sharp call steals the show and makes the Iconic Cardinal the leading character of your backyard drama.
Hummingbird Nests are Architectural Wonders!
Hummingbirds are the JEWELS of the bird world! Everyone loves them! Not only are they beautiful and fascinating to watch, but they are incredible nest builders … hummingbird nests are Architectural Wonders!
Garden Boxes = Easy and Productive Gardening!
Today I watch my two daughters and their families each enjoy having several 4’x 8′ garden boxes in their suburban backyards.
Be a Citizen Scientist
Just when I thought I knew everything about my backyard birds, I find being a citizen scientist keeps me learning more all the time.
A Great Time to Start Backyard Bird Watching
I got a call asking how to get birds to a feeder and asking what birds would they see. Oh boy! Now I have two family friends asking me how to start up a little bird watching in their backyard.
EARTH DAY 2020 – the 50th Anniversary!
April 22, 2020, the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day! It is a time to reflect on our beautiful Blue Earth, on the environment we live in. Have we succeeded in the past 50 years in making our air clean, our water pure and our climate stable?
Do Hawks Come to Backyard Feeders?
Do hawks come to our backyard feeders? Well, yes, but not for the seed or berries. The most common hawks watching your feeder would be the Coopers Hawk or the Sharp-shinned Hawk. These two hawks are very similar woodland hawks and can come crashing through thick branches and bramble at lightning speed and then disappear with an unsuspecting backyard bird clutched firmly in his talons.
BIRD PROFILE: THE TUFTED TITMOUSE
One of my favorite birds that frequents our feeders is the busy, talkative Tufted Titmouse! They have such a spunky, feisty persona! They are the first to sound the alarm when a predator passes overhead, or a neighborhood cat comes prowling.
The Remarkable Sandhill Crane!
No matter if it’s thousands of migrating Sandhill Cranes covering the sky in “V” shaped formations, or the stately presence of these large birds casually foraging along fields and wetlands, they are a spectacle to see.
Have You Ever Seen a Yellow-headed Blackbird?
Have you ever seen a Yellow-headed Blackbird? Well, I hadn’t either. Even as an experienced birder, I had to be shown these cool birds and where to find them. I couldn’t believe it, and they were right under my nose all the time!
The Bald Eagle is Back!
Even as a kid I loved seeing birds of prey. I gave reports in grade school and could identify most raptors in the Midwest area where we lived. The ultimate prize, however, was the American Bald Eagle that was never to be seen. In fact, pesticides, poisons, DDT, and rampant hunting brought these magnificent birds to near extinction.
Birds that learn new behaviors less likely to go extinct, says study
Herons using bread or insects as bait to catch fish, carrion crows dropping nuts onto roads so passing cars crack open their shells and great cormorants timing their fishing periods in New Zealand to take advantage of the strong currents generated by commercial ferries.
Let’s Do Our Part
The question is, can the birds, the people, and the environment all get along? Florida’s exotic environment is a delicate treasure that requires good care and some common sense.
Profile of the Week: The Beautiful Cedar Waxwing
….. is true Art from the Heavens, the Cedar Waxwing. These special birds don’t have a lot of splashy color, but their unique markings make the Waxwing one of the most favored birds to watch and photograph.
It’s All about Identification
Somebody has always seen more and knows more about the day’s sightings than somebody else! I was the least experienced at the time, so I was the most doubted! These back and forth debates happen at all levels.
Thar be Snowy Owls!
The snowy owl is certainly among the most majestic birds of North America, and rightfully so! With a length up to 28 inches, and a wingspan of 54-66 inches, the snowy owl is one of the largest owls in the world. These Arctic birds are unmistakable in their beautiful white plumage.
These Squirrels are Makin’ Me Nuts!
Sometimes I feel like Bill Murray in “Caddyshack” where he is obsessed with getting rid of that aggravating gopher. Well, I’ve got squirrels! They’re smart and determined. They can leap ten feet in a single bound. They can climb straight up a steel shepherd’s hook to violate any feeder within reach.
Let’s Help the Kestrels!
The American Kestrel is the smallest of the falcon group in the U.S. and is certainly the most beautiful. These dramatic birds are common to most birders, but otherwise, not commonly known to the many. This is easily the case for lots of small and colorful birds that simply look like an ordinary mourning dove or blackbird on the wire against a bright sky.
Spotting Scopes, Better than Ever!
Today’s technology has brought so many improvements to our everyday lives and activities. This clearly includes birders. High tech cameras inside bird houses, binoculars that let you see at night and contain cameras for spectacular photos, cell phones and more.
It’s Springtime, the Swallow-tails are Coming!
I have many favorite birds, but I’ve got to top my list with the Swallow-tailed Kite. If you’re visiting Florida, watch for these flashy birds flying over the road at treetop level. Impressive!
Whoa! I think it’s an Owl!
Hey! What’s that big thing on the garage roof?” And then, “Whoa! I think it’s an owl.” … it’s the great horned owl. This is the most common owl in North America and it can make home in many and various habitats.
Attract Birds with Nesting Materials
Many birds are building new nests, while others are returning to a nest that needs remodeling for the summer. Even birds that stay all year will rebuild their nest. This is the time for backyard birders to attract birds by offering building materials for nesting.