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Behavior
How Do Birds Store Food for Winter?
Out in the bird world, it's a bustling place filled with surprises and interesting behaviors. And here's a little-known fact: Birds have their own clever methods for storing food.
How to Attract More Chickadees to Your Yard
If you’re a fan of chickadees, here are three tips for enticing more of the cute, nimble little birds to your yard.
5 Tips to Attract Dark-Eyed Juncos to Your Feeder
A sure sign of winter is the return of the Dark-eyed Junco. Here's how to draw them in for an up-close look.
What Do Woodpeckers Eat?
When it comes to diet, woodpeckers are among the least picky eaters in the bird family.
5 Reasons Birds Sing Less in Late Summer
Wondering why you don’t hear birds sing much in the late summer months? Find out why birds don’t sing as much in the late summer.
Do Baby Birds Recognize Their Family When They Grow Up?
After their first year, most birds do not recognize their family members. There are exceptions, particularly among social birds such as crows and jays.
Learn About Nuttall’s Woodpecker
Get to know Nuttall's Woodpecker, where to find it, what it eats and where they nest.
Top Feeder Birds in Georgia
Maintaining a well-stocked bird feeder in your yard will help you get familiar with Georgia's abundance of birds.
Clever Protection Tactics Birds in Your Backyard Deploy
A small bird's best defense is to evade. Here are some clever tactics they use to avoid danger.
Top Feeder Birds in Illinois
Learn about some of the most common feeders birds in Chicago and find out how to attract them to your feeder.
Top Feeder Birds in New York
What are the most popular feeder birds in New York, and how do you attract them? We've got you covered!
Get To Know the Gray Catbird
Learn about the Gray Catbird's habitat, diet, behavior and other fun facts.
Get To Know the Indigo Bunting
Indigo Buntings are among the most common songbirds in the eastern United States. To help you get to know these birds better, here are some fun facts about Indigo Buntings.
Top Feeder Birds in North Carolina
Learn about the most common feeder birds in North Carolina and how you can attract them to your home feeder.
Top Feeder Birds in California
California is home to hundreds of bird species, including colorful birds and hummingbirds in search of a snack.
Get to Know These 5 Friendly Backyard Bird Species
These five backyard species are less shy about coming in for a closer look at you
The Ultimate List of Feeder Birds in Texas
Through Texas' vast and varied landscapes comes a rich diversity of songbird species that's sure to delight birders near and far.
Fun Facts About the White-winged Crossbill
The White-winged Crossbill is rarely seen outside its far north territory, living among the spruce and tamarack.
The Ultimate List of Songbirds in Florida
The Northern Cardinal, the Mourning Dove and the Red-bellied Woodpecker are the most commonly spotted backyard birds in Florida.
Fun Facts About the Pileated Woodpecker
Excited to see more of the Pileated Woodpecker this fall and winter? Check out these fascinating facts!
Migration Season is Prime Time to Catch Sight of Swainson's Thrush
Though Swainson's Thrush spends summers tucked away in the far north and Rocky Mountains, they're widespread during migration season.
The Ultimate List of Feeder Birds in Mississippi
In Mississippi, the Carolina Chickadee, Northern Cardinal, and Northern Mockingbird are some of the top feeder birds.
10 Fascinating Facts: The House Finch
Check out these 10 fascinating facts about the House Finch.
10 Fascinating Facts: The Painted Bunting
Looking to learn more about Painted Buntings? Check out these 10 fascinating facts!
Get to Know the Carolina Wren
Get to know the Carolina Wren - a cinnamon brown colored bird found throughout much of the eastern half of the U.S.
The Ultimate Guide to Songbirds in Pennsylvania
Looking for a guide to songbirds in Pennsylvania, look no further! This guide to songbirds in PA gives you a look at 40 songbirds you may see during your travels.
10 Fascinating Facts: the Eastern Bluebird
Looking to learn more about the Eastern Bluebird? Check out these 10 fascinating facts!
What Do Mourning Doves Eat?
Curious to see what Mourning Doves eat and how to attract them to your feeder? Read more about how to get visits from this sweet, cooing bird.
10 Fascinating Facts: The Mourning Dove
Looking to learn more about the Mourning Dove? Check out these 10 fascinating facts!
Which Birds Can You Find in Appalachia?
The Appalachian region is one that stretches from the Southern Tier of New York to northern Alabama and Georgia, and is renowned for its natural beauty & songbird population.
5 Territorial Songbirds You'll Find in Your Backyard
During mating and nesting season, birds can become very territorial, protecting their nest at all costs.
Rocky Mountain Birding: 5 Fabulous Birds to Look For
If you live in or are planning a future trip to the Rocky Mountains, add these birds to your list of songbirds to look for.
Do Blue Jays Mate for Life?
The Blue Jay courtship is one that is intricate and exciting, and one that ends in a pair of Blue Jays mating for life.
10 Fascinating Facts: The Black-capped Chickadee
Looking to learn more about the Black-capped Chickadee? Check out these 10 fascinating facts!
10 Fascinating Facts: The American Goldfinch
Looking to learn more about the bright, recognizable American Goldfinch? Check out these 10 fascinating facts!
Do Adult Birds Feed Each Other?
Have you ever seen adult birds feed each other and wonder why? Read about what causes birds to feed other adult birds.
10 Fascinating Facts: The Northern Cardinal
Looking to learn more about the bright, recognizable Northern Cardinal? Check out these 10 fascinating facts!
Townsend’s Warbler
If you live in or are planning to travel to the Pacific Northwest, keep an eye out for the dramatically colored Townsend’s Warbler.
How These 4 Birds Outsmart Winter
While some birds fly south for the winter, others have tactics that ensure they thrive in freezing climates. Read about how these four birds outsmart winter.
How Do Birds Prepare for Winter?
During the fall, birds do a lot of work to prepare for winter. Read about the 4 most important things birds do to prep for winter.
How Do Birds Take Care of Their Feathers?
Read about how birds take care of their feathers, and why the ritual is so important to their daily activities.
Five Things Every Bird Lover Should Know About the Baltimore Oriole
Learn five fun facts about the Baltimore Oriole including details about their unmatched weaving skills, as well as how they can both help and harm your garden.
Bird romance: Fascinating and Sweet Courtship Behaviors in the Backyard Dating Scene
How does a bird attract a mate? From dances to food offerings, songbird breeds have unique ways to entice their female counterparts.
Guide to Colorful Feeder Birds in the U.S. (With Pictures)
There are many colorful feeder birds in the U.S. Check out this list to see if any of them have visited your feeder!
Rare Cardinals
Cardinals are known for their bright red colors, so you’ve probably never seen ones like this before!
Bird Behavior: What is Mobbing and Why Do Birds Do It?
“Mobbing” is when small birds join forces to ward off larger, more intimidating birds and other predators.
The Thieving Black-billed Magpie
Magpies have a reputation for being tricky! This intelligent bird has been stealing, thieving, and causing mischief for centuries.
Pileated Woodpecker
This large bird with the bright red cap and powerful bill is a year-round resident of mature forest areas.
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
This tiny bird can be hard to see unless you catch a glimpse of the male's bright red crown during nesting season.
The Black-crested Titmouse
The Black-crested Titmouse is found throughout the Longhorn state, and can be identified by its bold black crest and peach-colored sides.
The Brown Thrasher
This well-camouflaged songster with the bright yellow eye can by found by its song that consists of a wandering series of doubled phrases.
How Smart Are Blue Jays? 3 Things to Know About These Spirited Animals
Blue Jays are known to be very intelligent. Here are three things we know that prove their smarts.
The Pygmy Nuthatch
Listen and look for this tiny cavity nester high up in ponderosa pines in the western U.S.
Interesting Facts about Eastern Bluebirds
Catch sight of these colorful members of the thrush family in open areas where they feed and nest from the foot of the Rockies to the Atlantic coast.
The Pyrrhuloxia: The Familiar Desert Birdsong
This tenacious bird of the arid south-central U.S and northern Mexico can be heard warbling a song almost identical to its cousin, the Northern Cardinal.
The Pine Siskin
These hardy, nomadic birds are similar to a sparrows, but are distinguished by streaks of lemon yellow in their wings and tail.
Meet the Finches: Common Traits of these Colorful Birds
Members of this varied family of songbirds can been seen year-round throughout the United States.
The Hermit Thrush
Those who spend time in the Rocky Mountains or the forests of Vermont will want to keep an ear out for its haunting melody ringing through the trees.
The Brown-headed Nuthatch
These small, agile birds are a delight to watch as they zig and zag up and down trees in pine forests of the Southeastern U.S.
The Chestnut-backed Chickadee
This chickadee species lives among the trees of the old-growth forests lining the Pacific Coast.
What Do Birds Do When It Gets Hot?
When the mercury rises, songbirds have a few tricks under their wing to avoid overheating.
The Pine Grosbeak
This large, plump finch lives in cool climates in in the western and northern U.S.
The Carolina Chickadee
This tiny, curious and common southern United States inhabitant is distinguished from its close northern cousin by region and song.
The Canada Jay
Get to know this hardy, intelligent and friendly bird of Canada and the northern U.S. woods.
The Yellow-rumped Warbler
Bird watchers across North America will see one of two forms of this unique but abundant warbler, foraging for insects and fruit.
Why Do Birds Sing at Dawn In the Spring?
The dawn chorus is a symphony of birdsong that occurs in the early-morning hours for a few months each spring.
What’s Hammering On Your House? Tips to Safely Redirect Woodpeckers
Here are some tactics to stop the noise and the damage.
The American Tree Sparrow
This songbird sports a bi-colored bill and single brown spot on its breast.
The White-throated Sparrow
This intriguing sparrow comes in two distinct color types that are associated with personality differences.
The Black-capped Chickadee
This bird lovers' favorite is bold, curious, and tough enough to reside throughout the upper half of the continental U.S. all year long.
The White-crowned Sparrow
This large sparrow, distinguished by its black and white-striped cap can be found across much of the US during the winter, in flocks foraging in the brush.
Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch
This western bird prefers high altitudes for breeding, but may be seen in lower elevations foraging for seeds and insects.
The Red-breasted Nuthatch
This busy bird can be seen hopping along the trunks of conifers in forest of the northern U.S. and Rocky Mountains.
The Western Scrub-Jay
Learn how to distinguish two closely relate bird species: California Scrub-Jay and Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay.
The Cedar Waxwing
This sleek and sociable bird features velvety plumage and is most often seen feasting on the berries of fruit-bearing trees and shrubs.
The Mountain Chickadee
This chickadee of the Western U.S. can be found flitting throughout the mountain pine forests at high elevations.
How Much Do Birds Rely on Feeders?
Learn whether efforts to feed wild birds are making them dependent on humans for food.
The Red-bellied Woodpecker
This lively patterned bird with the red-cap gets its name from faint red feathers hiding on it's belly.
Are Snow Buntings North America’s Hardiest Songbird?
Learn how adaptations help these winter wanderers breed further north than any other songbird.
Where Do Painted Buntings Spend the Winter?
Learn why scientists are studying habitats of one of the most colorful birds in North America.
Where Do Birds Go at Night?
Most songbirds slumber where they will be protected from predators and the weather.
The Spotted Towhee
The striking Spotted Towhee will visit backyard feeders in Western U.S. statesespecially in winter when insects are harder to find.
What to Watch For in Northern Cardinals
Cardinals are beloved for adding color to the winter landscape and a song in the spring.
Song Sparrow
This sweet-singing bird is one of the most widespread and diverse in North America, common from urban yards to fields and forests.
Juniper Titmouse
This bird gets its name from the juniper tree, where it nests throughout the pinyon and juiper forests of the Western U.S.
Things to Know About the Field Sparrow
Locate this bird, common in open fields and backyards, by its "bouncing" song.
Chipping Sparrows
Watch for this common songbird with it's familiar trilling "chip" throughout North America.
Run or Hop? The California Towhee Does Both
Spot this songbird with its distinct foraging moves if you live along the coast and foothills of California.
Do Birds Reuse Their Nests?
Learn what to do with abandoned nests and nest boxes after the breeding season.
The Golden-crowned Sparrow Sings a Melancholy Song
Inhabitants of the West Coast of the U.S. can look and listen for this ground foraging bird in the fall and winter months.
Invite Purple Martins Into Your Yard with Martin Condos
Provide species-specific housing to observe these fascinating birds in your backyard.
Clark's Nutcrackers & Western Pines
Learn about this charismatic bird and the important role it plays in Western pine forests.
Look Low to Catch Sight of an Eastern Towhee
These black and orange birds are sometimes called "ground robins."
What Bird Song Sounds Like "Cheeseburger"?
Learning to distinguish bird songs using words makes it much easier to identify the singer, even when you can’t see them.
Many Female Birds Sing Beautiful Songs
Researchers have found that females of many songbird species sing and have been for millions of years. Find out how you can help scientists listen and learn more.
5 Things You May Not Know About Blue Jays
Get to know what's to love about this unmistakable and popular bird.
How to Stop Birds from Crashing Into Your Windows
Homeowners can protect birds by reducing window collisions. Here are a few ideas to make your windows safer without sacrificing the view.
4 Bird Behaviors to Watch for This Spring
Learn the reasons for behaviors the birds in your neighborhood display as they choose mates, build nests and tend to eggs.
Can You Hear the Differences in Chickadee Songs?
Chickadees have much to say and scientists have discovered that they communicate with particularly complexity not found in other species.
What Do Birds Do With All Those Seeds?
Some bird species create caches of seeds, storing large quantities to ensure they will have something to eat later when food is scarce.
Have You Seen the First Robin of Spring Yet?
An American Robin sighting is the age-old signaler that warm weather is on the way.
Get to Know the Bold Cactus Wren
Learn how these bold desert warriors have adapted to their harsh environment.
Watch How the Birds Interact At Your Feeder
You can learn a lot about the personalities of bird species while observing their feeding behavior.
5 Fun Facts About the Northern Cardinal
Here are some things you might not know about this favorite song bird.
Winter 2017-2018: An Irruption of Crossbills
Conditions are right this winter for large flocks of crossbills to cross the U.S. this winter in search of pine cone seeds.
Melodious Meadowlarks: Birds of the Open Country
Spot the Meadowlark foraging the ground of fields and meadows or singing while perched on posts and power lines.
Why Do Birds Sing In the Winter?
Some theories to uncover the reason birds practice their love songs outside of mating season.
The “Raspberry Dipped” Purple Finch
Learn how to spot this erratic traveler during winter months.
Golden-crowned Kinglet: the Ultimate Winter Warrior
Here are some tips for spotting these tiny, elusive birds as they spend their winters throughout the U.S.
The Hairy Woodpecker
Get acquainted with this species and learn how to tell it from its smaller cousin, the Downy Woodpecker.
Do Birds Get Cold Feet In the Winter?
Birds get cold feet, too! Cold winter temperatures do cause birds' toes to get cold, but it doesn't affect them like humans or other animals.
The Northern Flicker
Take a closer look at this handsome member of the woodpecker family.
4 Things You May Not Know About the European Starling
Here are some interesting facts that just might change your opinion about this native of Europe.
Pinyon Jays Have Amazing Memory Banks
Get acquainted with these highly intelligent residents of the pinyon-juniper woodlands and pine forests of the Rocky Mountains.
Dark-eyed Juncos Flock Back for the Winter
Enjoy watching these slate-colored birds each winter across the United States as they forage for food in flocks on the ground.
The Blue Grosbeak is a Rare Backyard Beauty
Learning its song can help you spot this brilliant blue bird, most commonly seen in the southern United States.
3 Things You Might Not Know About the House Finch
Here are a few fascinating facts about this common neighborhood songbird.
Break Out the Binoculars for the Lively Bushtit
Get a closer look at this lively songbird - one of the tiniest in North America.
The Acorn Woodpecker: A Bird You'll Love to Watch
Meet this photogenic dweller of western oak woodlands and learn about it's fascinating habits.
Western Birders, Get to Know Your Lesser Goldfinch
Tips for spotting this small feeder bird, common to the western U.S.
Do Birds Have a Sense of Smell?
Learn why thinking about the importance of scent to songbirds has advanced.
How do Birds Hear?
Learn how birds experience sound without external ears.
Steller's Jay Brings an Exceptional Bird-watching Experience
This western forest dweller impresses with its striking appearance and bold personality.
The Mysterious Call of the Varied Thrush
Its simple song can be heard in the forests of the Pacific Coasts and northern Rockies.
5 Fun Things to Know About the Fox Sparrow
Here are some pointers to help you spot this speckled songbird.
Everyday Calls Reveal What's On a Bird's Mind
Birds make a variety of calls, songs and sounds, each with a different meaning.
Western Tanager Spends Its Summer in the Mountains
Look to the treetops in summer to catch a glimpse of this hard-to-spot western songbird.
Listen for the Sweet Song of the Black-headed Grosbeak
Spot this orange-breasted bird from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific Coast during the spring breeding season.
Look Up: Scarlet Tanager is At Home in the Forest Treetops
Lucky bird-watchers can catch a glimpse of this stunning songbird while taking a walk in the woods.
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Starts the Drumbeat of Spring
Spot this small woodpecker in new-growth woods by their tapping and the sapwells drilled in trees.
Top Tips to Stop Birds From Attacking Their Reflections
Learn what's behind this aggressive and annoying behavior and what you can do to stop it.
Red-winged Blackbird Carves Out Spring Territory
Watch and listen as these social birds noisily stake out their territories.
The Northern Mockingbird's Spring "Playlist"
Enjoy the impressive repertoire of this persistent mimic as he sings to attract a mate and establish his territory.
How Do Birds Sleep?
With their hectic schedules, you may wonder how birds get their beauty rest. Learn how, when and where they sleep.
Bluebirds Flourish From Coast to Coast
Get to know about the bluebirds that live in your area, and learn more about their nesting and eating habits.
The Yellow Warbler
Watch and listen for these brightly colored birds as they migrate across North America in early spring.
The Lazuli Bunting Makes Its Return Out West
Watch for this stunning songbird in western U.S. states where it breeds through the spring and summer months.
Plants with Berries for the Cedar Waxwing
Here are some tips for landscaping to attract these handsome fruit-eating birds.
Catch a Rare Sighting of the Brown Creeper
Keep an eye out for this well-camouflaged woodland bird.
Take a Closer Look at the Downy Woodpecker
The smallest of the North American woodpeckers, the Downy Woodpecker can be found throughout the U.S. and Canada.
The Common Redpoll is a Winter Visitor to Watch For
If you live in the northern U.S., look for these hardy, red-capped birds in winter months.
Watch for the American Goldfinch's New Set of Feathers
Watch for the changing hues of the American Goldfinch in the fall and spring.
Chickadees Are Frequent Feeder Visitors
Meet the social Chickadee, a common year-round resident in its habitat.
How Do Birds Coexist?
Some bird species ignore each other in perfect harmony, others work together and others are territorial.
The Evening Grosbeak is a Rare Visitor in Winter
Count yourself lucky if you spot a flock of these stocky, colorful birds in winter.
The Colorful Painted Bunting Takes Off for Winter in Paradise
Discover the colorful Painted Bunting, common in the southeast, and Lazuli Bunting, common in western states.
The Rose-breasted Grosbeak is a Striking Bird
Get to know this brightly colored and song bird, including nesting and feeding habits.
The Tufted Titmouse is a Bold, Vocal Bird
Learn about this active and recognizable bird of the eastern U.S.
Tall Trees Offer Much for the White-breasted Nuthatch
Get to know this familiar year-round feeder guest and inhabitant of mature trees.
The Red-headed Woodpecker Ramps Up Its Fall Migration
Spot this unique member of the woodpecker family in open forests across the middle and Eastern U.S.
Get to Know the Mourning Doves
Learn about this ground-feeding common bird with a familiar sound.
How Birds Use Songs and Calls to Communicate
Backyard birds use different vocalizations when attracting a mate or warning of trouble.
The Great American Goldfinch
No matter where you live in North America, the American Goldfinch is sure to be a frequent visitor to your neighborhood.
Attracting Cardinals in Winter Months
There are few sights more rewarding for many bird watchers than a flash of red from a cardinal against the white snow.
FAQs About Nesting Birds
Here are answers to commonly asked questions about bird mating and nesting.
Who Eats Like a Bird?
Not many of us could! Most birds eat at least half their own weight each day, with a diet of mainly of fruit, seeds, insects and some even eat small animals.
Nesting Habits
Wild birds are discriminating nesters. Learn more about their specific and very unique nesting habits.
How to Deal With the Bird Bullies
Are large birds like starlings and grackles keeping more colorful birds away from your feeders? Here are some tips to help you outwit the bullies.
Do Woodpeckers Get Headaches From All That Hammering?
Whether pecking for insects, hollowing out a nest cavity or making noise to attract a mate, how do woodpeckers handle all that headbanging?
Pine Warblers Offer a Rare Look for Backyard Birders
Learn how to identify this insect and seed-eating bird, sometimes mistaken for the Goldfinch.
Baldness is Not as Uncommon as You Think in Birds
If you've ever seen a Cardinal or Blue Jay that's missing head feathers, here's why it's not necessarily a cause for concern.
Blue Jays Are a Bird Watchers' Favorite
Blue Jays are bold and easily recognized with their distinctive crest and beautiful coloring. Learn more about this backyard favorite.