Dec 6, 2019
Birds have a number of ways to beat the cold, but none so important as their feathers. You may have noticed how on a very cold day the birds at your feeder seem rounder and more puffed-up than usual. This is a way of keeping warm by raising the feathers to create pockets of warm air and enhance insulation. In addition, many species change their plumage, molting into a fresh thick set of feathers prior to the colder months.
Dec 4, 2019
Help!!!! I read in Bird Watcher's Digest that a cage could be put around feeders to keep grackles from hogging all of the birdseed. I tried using 1x2 mesh, but cardinals wouldn't go through it. I tried painting the edges of the windows to make them easier to find. Still no luck. Any insight you can offer would be greatly appreciated.
Nov 27, 2019
Did You Know? Most woodpeckers have an X-shaped footprint. Also, they have nostril feathers to prevent inhalation of wood particles as they chisel.
Nov 20, 2019
Of all of the drummers in the woods, none is more interesting or has more impact on its neighbors in the web of life than the sapsucker. Check out some interesting facts about these fascinating birds!
Nov 13, 2019
As the weather turns chilly and migration is underway, now is the time to start offering suet once again. If you have any young backyard bird watchers in your house, this DIY recipe for suet balls makes a great craft for a rainy weekend!
Nov 6, 2019
With fall comes the end of the breeding season and the return of flock feeding among backyard avifauna. Birds that spent their spring and summer in solitude or paired with a mate while tending their clutches are banding together into groups. You might be noticing larger numbers of crows, starlings, finches, or robins in and around your backyard. Did you know that there are three unique flock feeding strategies?
Oct 30, 2019
We tend to think a lot about holiday meals and seasonal treats as the year winds down and the weather turns chilly. Have you ever considered if and how the changing seasons impact what birds eat? Get ready to learn about birds' four main diet types!
Oct 23, 2019
You're likely already well-versed in the art of providing food and water for backyard birds. But do you know how to effectively provide cover to attract and protect birds? There are several important factors to take into consideration when installing shrubs or positioning feeder stations in your yard.
Oct 9, 2019
The easiest way to clean a birdbath is to ensure it doesn't get dirty. While all birdbaths will eventually need to be cleaned, there are steps that can be taken to minimize the need for frequent cleanings.
Sep 25, 2019
A native shrub found commonly from coast to coast, primarily in the northern half of the United States and across southern Canada, is important in helping birds survive winter.
Sep 18, 2019
The first day of fall—the autumnal equinox—is September 23. As the days turn colder, look beyond your feeders to the trees and bushes in your backyard. You may be surprised at what you find!
Sep 11, 2019
It's a myth that a hummingbird, or any bird for that matter, will be deterred from heading south in the fall because of human-provided food. Instinct and hormonal urges are what drive birds to migrate, and hummingbirds are no different. Besides, there is good reason to leave your nectar feeder up and full of fresh sugar water until the temperature dips to below freezing, even if you haven't seen a hummer for weeks.
Sep 4, 2019
Have you ever noticed how much of what we consider "conventional wisdom" is actually wrong and ridiculous? Bird-feeding conventional wisdom is riddled with bad information. But you, my friend, are in luck! I have tried most everything in bird feeding at least once, and I have made nearly every mistake possible. Why? So you won't have to!
Aug 28, 2019
With several types of bird food available on the market today, it's nice to have an option that offers something for everyone eating in your backyard. We've rounded up the most common ingredients of seed blends, their benefits to birds, and how to make sure you're buying the right mix for your backyard birding needs.
Aug 21, 2019
Planting conifers in your yard helps provide shelter, food, nesting sites, and nest-building materials to a diversity of species that rely on these trees for survival. If you're curious about how different conifers benefit birds or are wondering about cone identification in general, we've rounded up a selection of common cones for your consideration.
Aug 7, 2019
A lot of bird watchers and non-bird watchers alike have spent time peering into a thicket, trying to persuade the poor lost kitten pitifully mewing in the brush to come out. Even those who are familiar with the catbird have been fooled at times. The soft mew of the gray catbird is so realistic that sometimes the brain just won't accept that it is not a cat.
Jul 31, 2019
Here's a neat tip: Keep your seeds—and the birds visiting them—dry during showers by installing a rain guard above them.
Jul 24, 2019
Throughout North America, August usually brings the driest weather of the year. Natural water sources for drinking and bathing can be few and far between, so by providing a birdbath or other water feature, you'll help the birds get through the dog days, and you will likely be rewarded by attracting species that don't visit your feeding station.
