Male Bobolinks are first to arrive on their breeding grounds in the grasslands. Why are there fewer Bobolinks than in decades past? Probably because the landscape of North America has changed so much. Bobolinks originally nested on native prairies of the Midwest and southern Canada. Much of the land where they nested has come under intense cultivation. Grassland conservation […]
Don’t miss the chance to hear two acclaimed authors – David Sibley and Jennifer Ackerman – speak about birds in a very personal way. Both authors have new books and they explore, in complementary fashion, different aspects of birds and bird behavior that are absolutely fascinating. David Sibley is the well-known author and artist for the Sibley […]
California Condor Chick – courtesy Ventana Wildlilfe Society This has been a busy month — some birds we have been following have fledged, others are still in the nest about to burst out on their own. NEW this month is a great view of a California Condor nest in Big Sur, which is home to an active and fluffy chick […]
Common Yellow-throat Illustration by David Sibley When cities are quiet, we can easily hear the birds around us. This illuminating article from the New York Times helps us learn about 13 birds we live in close proximity with but may never have seen. With stunning images by David Sibley and informational sonograms of bird calls from Donald Kroodsma, this article […]
Every year as hatching and fledging season gears up, we find baby birds in spots they don’t seem to belong, i.e. out of their nest. And they seem to look either helpless or lost – what can we do? Rescued House Finch Nestling Photo Credit: Deborah Rivel The answer to this question is based on […]
The spider’s web is an intricate piece of precision engineering. Made from large proteins, it’s sticky, stretchy, and tough. So it’s no surprise that many small birds – including this Anna’s Hummingbird – make a point of collecting strands of spider silk to use in nest construction. Spider silk not only acts as a glue, holding […]
Film: A Melodic Journey Through Northern Colombia Emerald Toucanet, Colombia Photo Credit: Deborah Rivel Colombia is one of a handful of countries with an extraordinarily large and diverse group of bird species. In the film The Birders: A Melodic Journey Through Northern Colombia, you can spend an hour chasing some of these birds with biologist and bird […]
Great Horned Owl and owlets – courtesy Owl Research Institute Bird around the globe from home with nestcams! In North America, you can see nests we have been following and some new ones with owls, eagles, peregrines and ospreys. Visit New Zealandwhere you can continue to follow the now very large Northern Royal Albatross chick. Then zip over to Bermuda, to […]
Birdwatching Solo Photo Credit: John Chao If you’re sheltering at home, or at the very least practicing social distancing – and especially if you live in an urban environment – getting outside to see spring migration may seem like a challenge at best. Migration is starting, and is it safe or even wise to go birding? It’s critical […]
Every year, Sandhill Cranes renew their lifelong partnership bond with an elegant and graceful dance. Both partners engage and it starts the beginning of their annual migration north, mating ritual and rearing of their chicks. Listen to this piece from BirdNote to hear and learn more about these beautiful birds. Sandhill Cranes Mating Dance; Photo Credit: Dan Kaiser
Fluffy Bermuda Petrel chick, courtesy Cornell Lab It’s the season for nestcams! What can you see now? Travel the globe to see eagles, owls, hummingbirds, peregrines! Plus get updates on albatross and petrel nests (including this Bermuda Petrel pictured here) we have been following. All just waiting for you to click their cam link! […]
Released just as spring migration is starting, this timely book bringsunderstanding and learning birdsong to a new level. Don Kroodsma is a world-renown authority on birdsong. And apart from understanding it he knows the positive effect of an immersive nature experience. Birdsong For the Curious Naturalist opens with the line “birdsong fills our lives with beauty and […]
Female Ruby-throated Hummingbird Photo Credit: Deborah Rivel Did you know that over 75% of all plants require pollination? And 30-40% of the food we eat is brought to us courtesy of pollinators? Bees, other insects, bats and birds provide this service for free. And it’s estimated the service they provide is worth over $200 billion. All pollinating […]
Not many birds are cave dwellers. But in South America there are very unusual birds who not only live in caves, but as they forage for fruits at night, spend most of their lives in darkness – using many of the same skills as bats and owls to navigate and find food. Check out this […]
For most birds in the US, going south for the winter typically means at least crossing the Mason-Dixon Snowy Owl Photo Credit: Stan Tekeila Line. But for Snowy Owls, as long as there is enough food, a winterly southern migration often sees them staying mostly north of the US/Canadian border with forays into the northern US and New England. […]
Barred Owl Photo Credit: Deborah Rivel Get those binos out, invite your friends,and block 15 minutes of time during at least one day from February 14-17 – its time to participate in this year’s Great Backyard Bird Count! Join over 160,000 other people around the world taking the time to look for birds and report their findings to […]
Year round, its nesting season somewhere! Right now our focus is on Northern Royal Albatross Cornell/NZ Dept. of Conservation Nestcam birds “down under”, and we have the privilege to see the intimate but brief land-life of the largest seabird in the world — a Northern Royal Albatross pair in Taiaroa Head, New Zealand — with a most spectacular view via […]
Helping Birds: What To Do After a Fire Kookaburra After Fire Photo Credit: Adam Stevenson/Reuters The dramatic images in the news of rampant bushfires in Australia are heartbreaking. Firefighters from Australia and around the world are working overtime to quench the flames in an attempt to save peoples homes and lives, and caringly rescue injured wildlife […]
A Guide to What to do to Help Birds After the Fires Our thanks to Birdlife Australia for publishing this enormously helpful and practical guide to helping birds and wildlife after a fire has struck. Fires occur in many countries, but the practical solutions in the aftermath are primarily the same regardless of where it […]
Make the ID: American Wigeon vs Green Winged Teal Winter waterfowl makes for great birding, but some of the more common ducks can be difficult to tell apart. American Wigeons and Green-winged Teals can be a bit confusing – especially in dull light. But there are a few specific markings that can make the ID […]
Nature Books To Give and Receive Gift yourself, family or friends some books about birds and nature. Below are several titles we really enjoyed and think you might like to include on your gift list: Winter World: The Ingenuity of Animal Survival – Award-winning author and biologist, Bernd Heinrich offers detailed insights into how birds and other wildlife […]
NYC Glass Buildings Photo Credit: Deborah Rivel Just this month, New York City passed a bill which mandates bird-safe windows on all new construction as well as during major building retrofits in the city. This is incredibly important because up to one billion birds every year are killed by hitting glass windows. And having a bill like this in […]
Hairy Woodpecker Photo Credit: Stan Tekeila It’s cold and windy outside, a heated birdbath offers relief to dehydrated birds, and the ever-growing brush pile I started a few years ago is getting a lot of use by birds darting inside to huddle and find respite. I am delighted that the little native plant meadow I planted four years […]
Snowy Egret Photo Credit: Deborah Rivel White wading birds are elegant and interesting to watch, but telling them apart can be confusing. Some waders may be grey or rufous, but have white morphs making it a little trickier to distinguish them from the birds which are always white. But for two of the more common egrets – Snowy […]
Bananaquit Photo Credit: Deborah Rivel The choice we make for our morning coffee can have a good or adverse affect on birds. Many of the birds we see during nesting season – like warblers, tanagers and other songbirds – have now made their way south to overwinter in Latin America. There the availability of food and safe habitat in their overwintering […]
After the release of the scientific report last month, spearheaded by White-throated Sparrow Photo Credit: Deborah Rivel Cornell Lab of Ornithology, showing the loss of 3 billion birds in North America in less than 50 years, we were deluged with requests asking what can a normal person do to help? The decline of birds is so precipitous that […]
Chestnut-breasted Coronet Photo Credit: Deborah Rivel Top components of a winter birding getaway are often a warmer climate and seeing new and endemic birds. I have made a number of trips to Ecuador, but I have made a number of trips to Ecuador, but one of the most interesting was when I visited several of […]
Migrating Tree Swallows Photo Credit: Deborah Rivel The mass migration of tens of thousands of Tree Swallows on the East Coast is a migration event I look forward to every year. It happens towards the end of September right along the coast. Sometimes the flocks are flying south low along the beach near the dunes – […]
If you are asking this question after reading about the study showing 3 billions birds are gone since 1970, you White-throated Sparrow Photo Credit: Deborah Rivel are not alone as the enormity of the numbers of birds lost is difficult to comprehend. Some of the hardest hit birds are ones we see most often – White-throated Sparrows, Red-winged […]
Last week, a group of conservation organizations led by Cornell Lab of Red-winged Blackbird Photo Credit: Deborah Rivel Ornithology released a stunning report of a detailed study which shows a loss of 3 billion birds in North America in 50 years. It’s a staggering amount of birds – a net loss of 29% of the breeding […]
Yellow-rumped Warbler Photo Credit:Deborah Rivel What is THAT bird? This is the annual cry of frustration from many a birder during fall migration, when spring’s flashiest male birds are sporting more muted attire. These birds have had a very busy spring and summer finding a mate, defending their territory and raising chicks – all of which requires […]
Check out this great video from Audubon about sharing our beaches with beach nesting birds – many of whom have little ones to care for. We can all #sharetheshore!
Piping Plover chick Photo Credit: Deborah Rivel Tiny and aggressive, Piping Plovers migrate from Central America and the Bahamas to the US and Canada to breed each year. But pressure from human disturbances and development on or near their nesting areas, has pushed some of these birds to nest in unlikely and unsafe areas. […]
Purple Finch Photo Credit: Stan Tekeila Two beautiful reddish finches which can be easily confused…but just as easily identified! Well, they are very similar…or are they? Interested in making the ID? Here are some things to look for to tell them apart: 1 – Field Marks – Male House Finches are a rosy red around the […]
Osprey nest in Savannah nestcam/Cornell More Chicks to watch! Our favorite nestcam this month shows three seriously cute and relentlessly active Osprey chicks in the nest we have been following in Savannah. Barred Owls in Indiana have two beautiful little owlets in their nestbox. Our super fluffy Bermuda Cahow chick on Nonsuch Island is really getting big! […]
BirdCast Live Migration Map/ Cornell Lab of Ornithology We can’t tear ourselves away from these amazing real time migration radar maps from Cornell’s BirdCast showing where birds are migrating at night, the intensities of the migration and what direction. If you want to track where most of the nocturnal migration is taking place, or want to have a reasonable chance […]
These two beautiful blue birds are spring migrants, sometimes seen during breeding season in the same Indigo Bunting Photo Credit: Deborah Rivel locations in the eastern and central part of the US. In certain light, they can look very similar. So to tell them apart, check out how they compare: 1 – Size: Indigo Buntings have small […]
Canada Warbler Photo Credit: Deborah Rivel When warblers make their way north from Central America in spring, they follow time-honored migratory pathways. Their timing and location depends on a variety of factors including weather, geography and food supply. But arrive they will each spring. And if you want to set yourself up for the best views of […]
Bermuda Cahow chick -nestcam/Cornell Chicks are hatching! Our favorite nestcam this month is the ridiculously adorable Bermuda Cahow chick on Nonsuch Island. He’s so fluffy and tiny that every movement and especially wing flapping becomes an experience! And don’t miss the parental visits to feed and preen him and fluff his nesting materials. Unbearably cute! Fraser Point Bald Eagles – all […]
Pied Kingfisher, Eilat, Israel Photo Credit: Deborah Rivel If you find it difficult to tear yourself away from spring migrationwhere you live, you are not alone. But experiencing migration in another part of the world can be an amazing experience. If you are serious about birding, Israel is one of those places that should not be missed. […]
One of the most often asked questions by birdwatchers getting their first pair of binoculars, or veterans who want to upgrade is “which binos should I buy?” This is a subjective and highly personal decision, but there are ways to narrow down the choices. To get you started, here are some things to consider and some reviews: 1 – Price – you […]
Tiny Anna’s hummingbirds are living farther and farther north during winter. How do they manage this? First, available food from hummingbird feeders gives them the energy they need to help stave off the cold. And…there is a tried and true behavior that hummingbirds through the Americas resort to when it gets chilly – torpor. Find out more from our friends at BirdNote. Anna’s […]
Fraser Point Bald Eagle nestcam/explore.org There is a lot to see right now — owls setting up to nest, baby hummingbirds being fed, beautiful birds at the feeder in Panama and more… Enjoy them all! Fraser Point Bald Eagles in Santa Cruz have 2 eggs – hatch watch starts March 16. Rufous-tailed Hummingbird cam in California with a chick and another egg! (see […]
These two red finches both share a similar attraction to seeds. White-winged Crossbill Photo Credit: Stan Tekeila They also overlap in range, preferring the far north and into Canada, and sometimes telling the difference between them can be challenging. Here are a few tips to make the right ID between these winter favorites — White-winged Crossbills and Pine Grosbeaks: Pine Grosbeak Photo […]
California Scrub Jay Photo Credit: Deborah Rivel That mischievous Scrub or Blue Jay in your yard or neighborhood is not just a very attractive trouble-maker, but he or she is also an ecosystem engineer. Jays of all sorts around the world love to hide or “cache” seedsaround their territory – a behavior known as “scatter-hoarding.” The idea is that when […]
A wayward Robin (not the North American thrush kind, but the tinyEuropean kind found widely throughout the UK), showed up at the Beijing Zoo recently. Dubbed a Brexit refugee by some, he has become another avian celebrity – not unlike the Mandarin Duck (a China native) who arrived in New York City’s Central Park. Popular with photographers, the […]
Make the ID: These two beautiful ducks can be found in the same areas, and at a distance, or in poor light on their own, can be confusing. Common Goldeneye Photo Credit: Stan Tekeila Both Buffleheads and Common Goldeneyes have iridescent green on their heads and shocks of white. And while Common Goldeneyes do indeed have golden […]
Waterfowl are busy pairing off and mating, which means ducks are at their most beautiful this time of year. If you haven’t had the chance to see ducks courting, it is definitely worth your while as some of them look stunning and have some pretty interesting behaviors. Look out for small intimate interactions like allopreening – where one bird preens his/her mate and […]
Waterfowl are mating in winter and they can be found in huge flocks — sometimes numbering in the tens of thousands! Seeing great rafts of ducks and geese can be a good antidote for the often extreme temperatures and conditions you need to endure to do it. But seeing hundreds or thousands of birds at one time is possible to […]
courtesy Freepix Take someone birding! If you have just one resolution for 2019, make it this one! Introducing the natural world to someone through birds can be a life changing experience for them and may alter they way they think about not just birds, but conservation and nature in general. Who says one person can’t make a difference? If […]
Wisdom and her mate/Photo Credit: USFWS Wisdom, a Laysan Albatross, banded as an adult over 60 yearsago in 1956, is known to be at least 68 years old, making her the oldest known living bird. But what is even more remarkable is that Wisdom is still successfully laying eggs and hatching chicks – and at a rate that […]
This year, an unusual visitor has come to New York City’s Central Park and he has become an overnight celebrity. This stunning Mandarin Duck in the photo above has made worldwide headlines for his appearance. He is a native species from Asia, and most likely has been captive, causing him to receive resistance from some folks. It’s […]
Black-tailed Godwit/Photo Credit: BirdLife Sweden For our year end issue we wanted to highlight some bird conservation success stories. Sometimes the challenges to birds and conservation can loom large. It’s not always good news. But there are numerous successes and new positive findings about birds which give us hope that the work we do on behalf of […]
Snowy Owls – those spectacularly beautiful all white owls – are being seen again this winter in the US. Project Snowstorm is once Snowy Owl/ Photo Credit: Stan Tekeila more tracking dozens of owlsthis year across the US to obtain more data and information on the behavior, movements and lifestyles of these mysterious and beautiful birds. The Project Snowstorm site has lots of info […]
Gray Catbird/Photo Credit: Deborah Rivel Up your birding ID game this spring by starting now to learn to ID birds by their songs. Often birds are only heard, and by recognizing their calls you can easily add more birds to your list. Not all birds have calls that are instantly recognizable – like the unmistakable call […]
Have a blast birdwatching and make a contribution to science by joining a Christmas Bird Count in your area. Photo Credit: Camilla Cerea/Audubon This marks the 119th year since Audubon co-opted the annual bird shoot and make it into a much bird-friendlier bird count! This year you can join over 70,000 people in the US, Canada, Latin America, […]
Red-headed Woodpecker Photo Credit: Stan Tekeila We all know Woodpeckers carve out nesting holes in spring, but what’s going on with all that tree chiseling in the fall? What do these woodpeckers know that we don’t? Find out from our friends at BirdNote.
Yellow-rumped Warbler Photo Credit: Deborah Rivel In spring making bird ID’s is so much simpler, as every bird is dressed in their very best plumage – bright, fresh and ready to find a mate. But in fall, few birds look like the iconic field guide image for the species – why sport the fancy stuff […]
Red-tailed Hawk Photo Credit: Deborah Rivel Fall raptor migration is amazing! For the serious hawk watcher, it is the time to get really spectacular flight photos and see raptors en route in often high numbers. If you are new to hawk watching and want to plan a trip or a day outing, keep an eye on […]
How Many Birds Are on Fall Migration? Do you ever wonder how many birds are on the move during fall Tree Swallows Migrating Photo Credit: Deborah Rivel migration? We did and found Cornell Lab of Ornithology answered this question in their first report on numbers of birds migrating over the US from data gleaned from radar […]
Birds are everywhere! And that makes seeing them something you can do pretty much anywhere you are at the time. Purple Sunbird, Abu Dhabi Photo Credit: Deborah Rivel Every family vacation, business trip or outing can be an opportunity to see and learn more about birds. Globally there are currently over 11,000 species of birds recognized and tracked […]
Peregrine Falcon Photo Credit: Deborah Rivel Most of the best hawk watching sites in North America are fairly well known – Cape May NJ, Hawk Ridge in Duluth, Hawk Mountain PA and River of Raptors in Veracruz, for example. But if you are a photographer wanting excellent shots of migrating hawks, you may be disappointed […]
Photo Credit: Sarah Sharpe/FLAP Fatal Light Awareness Project We all know the sound of the thud on our window. Then the sinking feeling as we rush to see if the bird is down and needs help or is dead. FLAP (Fatal Light Awareness Project) has some good advice about what to do to help the bird […]
Hurricane season is really tough on birds. It happens during migration BirdCast Live Migration Map, 9/14/2018 Cornell Lab of Ornithology when many millions of birds are on the move, and it can be anywhere from disruptive to deadly. Birds do the best they can to avoid the maelstrom and being blown off course or worse, […]
Songbirds are mostly finished nesting, Guillemot Chick Screenshot: explore.org and their chicks are gaining strength to make their first migration south. But there are still some adorable nestlings and juvenile birds waiting to make their first flight. Don’t miss these seabirds and Osprey before they leave the nest! Puffin burrow with a fluffy puffling and a Guillemot chick in […]
Chestnut-mandibled Toucan Photo Credit: Deborah Rivel Birds beaks have to be tough, durable, super lightweight and made to exactly fit the job they are designed to do. So, what are they made from anyway? Listen to Birdnote to find out.
Photo Credit:Meghan Kearney, USFWS This month in the Year of the Bird, we encourage you to get your kids or kids you know out into nature. If you love birds, teaching a child how to bird can create both an understanding of and interest in nature which can translate into a lifelong passion for him […]
Why Do Birds Stand on One Leg? Shorebirds Sleeping on One Leg Photo Credit: Deborah Rivel Have you ever seen birds standing on one leg – maybe even hopping on just one? Are they injured? Whether they are sleeping or standing in water, birds sometimes just prefer to remain upright on one leg. Ever wonder why […]
The Year of the Bird in June – Take Action and Use Less Plastic! Dead Albatross chick with stomach full of plastic Photo Credit: Chris Jordan Time was when discussions surrounding plastic and birds often revolved around taking bags (often plastic) to the beach and gathering up the myriad detritus of birthday balloons, plastic […]
Cool Video About Nesting Shorebirds Shorebirds are nesting on our beaches, and in many areas we are already sharing the beach with tiny hatchlings. Many towns rope off nesting areas on the beach so shorebirds, who lay their eggs on the sand — in a little depression they create called a “scrape” –can have a […]
Make the ID: Magnolia vs Canada Warbler Magnolia Warbler Photo Credit: Deborah Rivel Fast moving warblers in spring can often look similar. You see a flash of bright yellow underneath and a necklace…..which is it – Magnolia or Canada Warbler? Here are a few tips to help you decide. Magnolia Warblers can be stunning […]
Migration Explained Twice each year, more than 5000 species of birds migrate. Peregrine Falcon Photo Credit: Deborah Rivel This represents about half the world’s species of birds (not including subspecies). Migration is something billions of birds undertake worldwide, and their journey takes them through and over all types of habitats, altitudes and terrains including some inhospitable […]
Nestcams! Wow – look who’s hatched! There are lots of chicks to see now – don’t miss the new addition peeking out from under mom in this Bald Eagle nest! Decorah Bald Eagle Cam, Explore.org Barred Owls in Indiana have three chicks! Thirty-three floors over Baltimore Peregrine Falcons have four eggs. Hatching watch starts […]
The Year of the Bird in April – Birds Need Your Help 2018 is the Year of the Bird, and in April, birds really need your help! The Year of the Bird celebrates the 100th anniversary of signing into law the Migratory Bird Treaty Act which has protected billions of birds on migration – from Peregrine Falcons to Magnolia Warblers, […]
Make the ID: Cape May vs Palm Warbler Cape May Warbler Photo Credit: Stan Tekeila The joy of seeing warblers during spring migration is always a highlight of any outing. But some species can seem similar – especially when the view is fleeting. Cape May and Palm Warblers can be confused, and here are […]
doodle Sky Dance Have you ever seen or heard a Timberdoodle? Better known as Photo Credit: Deborah Rivel American Woodcock, this shy football-shaped forest bird cuts quite a figure dancing in the sky. In early spring woodcocks are migrating back north to get to their breeding ground, and April is a good time to see them […]
Those big black birds with glossy feathers seem to be everywhere. But are they American Crows or Common Ravens? If Common Raven Photo Credit: Stan Tekeila you have ever wondered which bird you are looking at, you aren’t alone! These two birds are easily confused and sometimes it takes a little sleuthing to tell the […]
Where to Find Ducks Now Harlequin Duck Photo Credit: Deborah Winter is the best time to see waterfowl in their breeding plumage. Look nearby for open areas of water in ponds, reservoirs and even near the beach, and you are likely to see some unusually beautiful winter visitors hanging out. Visiting a […]
IN THE NEWS: 67 year old Albatross, Mother-to-be again! Wisdom, a 67 year old Laysan Albatross is about to become a mother again! Wisdom and her mate Photo Credit: USFWS Banded in 1956, she is now the oldest known wild bird. Albatrosses are pelagic birds, flying over water for months at a time, and […]
Project Snowstorm – Snowy Owls in Motion Snowy Owl Photo Credit: Stan Tekeila Snowy Owls are true denizens of the far north, and are only occasionally found south of the Canadian border — even in winter. These beautiful pure white owls are widely admired for their beauty, but not well understood. Project Snowstorm is changing […]
OUR READERS ASK: I Found a Baby Bird, What Do I Do? During nesting season, baby birds may be found all over the place, and they often seem to need help. But do they? Some chicks fall out of the nest and really do need Northern Cardinal fledgling–he looked like he was in trouble, but […]
Beach Nesting Birds Need Your Help! It’s summer and the beach is the place to be! Did you know that the same beaches we love to visit are also Least Tern Chick Photo Credit: Deborah Rivel used by shorebirds that nest right on the sand? Plovers, Terns, Oystercatchers, Skimmers and Killdeer are among the many shorebirds who […]
Birding by Radar Migrating songbirds typically fly at night and often in flocks. This mass gives them something in common with the Photo Credit: National Center for Atmospheric Research weather….many of their movements can be tracked by radar. Being able to read weather radar images can often give birders a heads up on how […]
Cool Migration Mapping Ever wonder what paths birds take on migration and where they spend their time during the rest of the year? Cornell Lab of Ornithology has come up with a fascinating courtesy of Cornell Lab of Ornithology interactive map of a number of species of birds, showing their migratory flight paths and where […]
What do Birds Do in a Storm? Ever wonder what birds do and where do they go in a Golden-crowned Kinglet Photo Credit: Deborah Rivel snow or rainstorm? Or is there is anything you can do to make getting through these storms safer for them? Well, our readers have asked these questions, and we have some answers […]
Where to Watch Winter Waterfowl Photo credit: Marvin deJong Winter is the best time to see waterfowl in their peak plumage and often in super large numbers. There are waterfowl hotspots around the country, and we have selected a few from various parts of the US so you can plan your own winter waterfowl outing. […]
Owl ID: Owling By Sound Owls are primarily nocturnal creatures, so your best chance of seeing them is going to be at night when they are most active. You may get quiet flyovers as they check you out, which are especially exciting when there is a bright moonlit sky, and you may sometimes find them […]
ID Migrating Hawks 101 One of the best things about watching hawks is the opportunity to learn to ID them at your own pace. Unlike songbird migration, or just watching songbirds for that matter, when you watch hawks migrating, you often have a much longer view of the birds and the opportunity in some […]
Where to Watch Migrating Hawks Hawks are migrating and there are lots of places to see them! Below is a short selection of locations in the US and one in Canada which are easily accessible and are great places to see raptors migrate. All these hawk watches have people who count the species and numbers […]
ID TIPS: Downy vs Hairy Woodpeckers While it’s easy to identify a Pileated Woodpecker (think Woody Woodpecker) or a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, two smaller and very common woodpeckers provide a challenge to even more experienced birders. So… how to tell the Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers apart? The little Downy Woodpecker (pictured here) is around 6.5 inches […]
Cowbird Mysteries Brown-headed cowbirds are brood parasites – a term which is pretty much as terrible as it sounds. Basically, these cowbirds mate, and then never build a nest. The females quietly figure out which birds are building nests and then deposit eggs in the nests of these unsuspecting birds. Some birds can figure it […]
ID Tips – Loons vs Mergansers Common Loons and Red-breasted Mergansers Common Loon and chick are beautiful waterfowl which many associate with the Northern Woods, as they typically breed on these fresh-water lakes. Both birds are found in similar territories year round. During breeding season they have more distinctive markings. But sometimes the Red-breasted Merganser […]
Does This Baby Bird Need Help? During nesting season, baby birds maybe found all over the place, and they often seem to need help. But do they? Some chicks fall Northern Cardinal fledgling out of the nest and really do need your help. But many, once they fledge, are on the ground for several […]
Warbler ID Tips – Magnolia vs Yellow-Rumped It’s spring migration! As warblers are passing through where you are, or the overwintering species are now in their Magnolia Warbler breeding plumage, some of these birds can be a little challenging to ID. Iconic Yellow Warblers are easy to recognize with their overall yellow body and red […]
Easy ID – Sandhill vs Whooping Crane Every March, Sandhill Cranes descend on Nebraska’s Platte River which is a favored feeding area during migration for tens to hundreds of thousands of cranes. The other species of crane in North America is the Whooping Crane. But, unlike Sandhill Cranes, Whooping Cranes are endangered. So, if you assumed the cranes […]
Eagle ID Tips Making the ID between a Bald Eagle and a Golden Eagle is simple, right? After all, don’t Bald Eagles have a white Adult Golden Eagle head? And don’t Golden Eagles only live in the western US? Well, yes and no. If you use just these two parameters in your ID, you will likely […]
Winter is an excellent time to find ducks, geese, and swans. Ducks are actively seeking to stay warm by finding open patches of water to feed, so they are easy to see, and are great birds to show kids or novice birders. And now waterfowl are pairing up and mating, so they are in […]
Common Raven In winter, corvids, which include crows and ravens, are easy to spot and are fairly common. At a distance, both look very similar, and their all-black plumage makes identification tricky. With these tips and some practice, you’ll be able to separate crows and ravens with ease. If in doubt, remember that it’s easier […]
Owl ID Tips Owls are such mysterious birds. They are most active at night and are difficult to find unless you are listening. Here are tips for ID’ing three owls that are fairly common in their territories in North America – Great Horned, Barred and Saw-whet Owl. When most of us think of the sound […]
What’s Cool About Raptors Birds of prey, or “raptors” are a group of birds including hawks, eagles, vultures, falcons, and owls. They share two key characteristics: all have hooked beaks for tearing flesh, and sharp talons for grasping prey. These birds are an important part of maintaining a healthy ecosystem by feeding on insects, rodents, […]
Why Do Birds Flock in Fall? At the end of the summer, you may start to see large flocks of birds. Swallows, blackbirds, cowbirds, sparrows amass — sometimes in large flocks that seem to come out of nowhere and then just as mysteriously, disappear. But why is this? And why don’t we see it at […]
Wading Bird ID 101 This summer if you are near fresh or salt water, you will likely see wading birds. Many of the larger waders are easy to identify if you just know the basics. If you are new to finding and identifying these long-legged herons, egrets and cranes, here are a few tips to […]
Making That First Migration Young birds are leaving the nest, and many of them are getting ready for their first trip south. Migration is a hard and risky business for any bird, but the first marathon voyage for many species of birds takes place shortly after they have fledged. How do they do it? Songbirds […]
Who’s Nest Is This? Nests are pretty amazing. Every species of bird builds a different nest which exactly matches her own needs. Some are very elaborate and beautiful, others are burrows in the ground while others don’t look much like nests at all. Ever wonder what nest belongs to which bird? Here are a few […]
migra Where to See Migration Want to go to a birding hotspot to see spring migrants? Looking for a place to see a lot of species during migration? You might not need to go too far from home to see high volume migration. Take a look at a few of our recommendations: The Gulf of Mexico is […]
Tips to Make Those Warbler ID’s Sure, you know the birds at your feeders, but spring songbird migration is on and now’s the time to hone your warbler ID skills! There are over fifty species of warblers, so to make the identification process easier, we have a few suggestions to help you determine if […]
Welcome winter — the perfect time to watch ducks! For kids or adults who haven’t done much birding, ducks are a great place to start as they have three very important things going for them: 1 – they are big 2 – they are out on the open water and easy to see 3 […]
Late autumn and winter are great times to look for owls. Owls are nocturnal so the best time of day to start looking for them is right around sunset when they start getting active. Unless you already know where an owl roosts during the day, they are seriously difficult to find in daylight when they […]
The best way to identify owls is by their sound. To make your owling outing more productive, try memorizing some local owl calls. Here are some owls which are common across much of North America and a good place to start if you want to learn owl calls. Also check with local experts and bird […]
Flash! A small Accipiter is flying through! Is it a Coopers Hawk Sharp-shinned Hawk or a Cooper’s Hawk? This is one of the hardest ID’s to make. Most novice birders will simply write it off a “Shooper”, not really sure which one it is. But here are some tips that can help you make the […]
Fall Birding sure is a lot different than spring. One challenge is that fall migration takes place after breeding Molting Male Goldfinch season, so many migrants are in their “basic”, or non-breeding plumage. Males that were bright and colorful in the spring and summer are now either becoming or are already dull and brown. For […]
This month, many shorebirds are nesting in the high northern latitudes. A few species, such as Killdeer and Piping Plovers, nest in the Continental United States, but most are in northern Canada and Alaska, nesting on the tundra. Shorebirds are amazing, but many birders ignore this Sanderling dynamic group of birds because they are […]
Fallout! Migration is a tough time for birds. Some studies have shown that it is the hardest part of the yearly life cycle for migrants, causing the most mortality. Neotropical migrating birds winter in Central and South America, then migrate to North America for the breeding season. Migration continues throughout the spring season, but if you […]
Grasslands and the Very Cool Birds In Them Grasslands are much more than just open space. They are vital habitats for many species — including some Bobolink amazing birds. Unfortunately, grasslands are one of the most endangered habitats on earth. They provide rich fodder for grazing cattle, but also host 29 species of birds that […]
The cold days of winter have moved in with a vengeance this year. Winter can be a brutal time to spend outside looking for birds, but if you know where to go and what to look for, it can be an enjoyable adventure! Waterfowl are in abundance across much of North America in winter. They are […]
Great gray owl Most owls don’t migrate like songbirds. But during some winters, owls are forced south of their range, looking for food. When they go en masse to more southerly places, this is called an “irruption”. It’s not really migration as it isn’t an annual event. But for owls, who tend to not move […]
Most owls are nocturnal, actively hunting under the cover of darkness. For a cool (in all sense of the word!) thing to do, take a trip outside at night to find owls. Finding a silently moving bird in the dark can be a challenge, but it can be a lot of fun! The best way […]
Each year tens of thousands of hawks, eagles, falcons and vultures leave their breeding grounds and head south along ridges and coastlines. Fall hawk migration is a really big draw for anyone who likes hawks, as they are really easy to see and there are a lot of them. Hawks like to follow […]
At the beach you see a fairly large black and white bird with a long red or orange beak. What is it? There are two very distinctive birds at many beaches that nest in the same location and look very similar in color…but are very different. Here’s how to easily tell the difference between the […]
Hey wait a minute! Doesn’t migration take place in spring and fall? Well, yes…and no. Migration actually takes place year round as there are birds on the move to and from their breeding grounds at all times of year. Just like all birds don’t nest at the same time, not all birds migrate at the […]
Would it surprise you to know there are over 30 species of sparrows in North America? Sparrows may be brownish for the most part, but they have some beautiful and unique songs, and many have distinctive markings that make them easy to identify. The moniker LBB (little brown bird) doesn’t really do them justice. Learning […]
Red knot There are not too many superlatives to describe birds that make long migrations. The more you learn about what they do, the more impossible it seems. All birds face challenges during migration, and many birds routinely risk their lives to get to their ideal breeding destination or to make the trip south […]
Think only humans use highways? Not so! Animals also have paths on land, in the ocean and in the air that they follow year after year. Not unlike our daily commutes, during migration birds use known routes. In North America, for example, there are 4 main migratory superhighways generally followed by birds: Atlantic, Mississippi, Central […]
Spring Warbler migration is primarily April and May. These small, beautiful, often yellow, birds are insectivores – Orange-crowned warbler they eat insects — so don’t check your bird feeders for them. To see warblers you should bring along binoculars. You also need to go where the food is and be there when they are feeding. […]
After spending their winters apart in different places – sometimes thousands of miles from where they breed, hawks, falcons and eagles are returning to the areas where they mate and nest. Not all hawks migrate, but the ones that do return to the same spot, and sometimes the exact same nest, often to meet up […]
Owls are visual hunters who take advantage of the different perceptions at night to confuse their prey. While some owls eat insects and birds, the most popular item on the menu is rodents. And to trick the rodents, owls rely on a time tested recipe for success. The first ingredient in the owl’s hunting […]
Owls are really cool but they are also really hard to see. There are two main reasons why that is – most owls are nocturnal (meaning they sleep during the day and are active at night), and because they need to be safe while they are sleeping in the daylight, they blend in well with […]
PRINCIPLES OF BIRDING ETHICS courtesy of the ABA Everyone who enjoys birds and birding must always respect wildlife, its environment, and the rights of others. In any conflict of interest between birds and birders, the welfare of the birds and their environment comes first. Code of Birding Ethics 1. Promote the welfare of birds […]