The tragic emergence of the COVID-19 global pandemic has once again exposed the nexus between human health and wildlife conservation issues. Wild bird markets where birds, other wildlife, and domesticated animals are often confined in crowded, unsanitary conditions are potential breeding grounds for novel viral and other disease pathogens. The… Read more >>

Birds have inspired many of us this spring. Here are seven home activities to give back during the COVID-19 outbreak. Instead of pursuing birds this spring, many of us have settled in, watching from windows and yards. While the setting may be ordinary, the impact has been extraordinary. Birds that… Read more >>

Not so long ago, knowing when and where to find migratory birds was something of an art. A combination of variables, including weather and the birds themselves, kept arrival dates shrouded in mystery. As a result, birders were largely dependent upon previous observations, luck, and, if they were fortunate, sage… Read more >>

Hopped up on sugar, wings moving too fast to see, hummingbirds are winging their way to your part of the United States, if they’re not there already. In the East, the Ruby-throated Hummingbird prevails, but out West, more than a dozen species occupy a range of habitats. Feeders stocked with… Read more >>

Spring migration is underway and many of us are homebound. How do we respond? In these unsettled times, connecting with the steady rhythms of the natural world feels more important than ever. After all, studies have consistently shown that being outdoors can improve our mental health. But for many of… Read more >>

What do you get when you join American Bird Conservancy with Migratory Bird Joint Ventures (JVs) over a ten-year span? Improved conservation management on 6.4 million acres of U.S. bird habitat — an area larger than the state of Maryland! These regional partnerships work to protect, restore, and enhance habitats,… Read more >>

During this difficult time, I want to extend my very best wishes as we adjust to the challenges posed by the new coronavirus and COVID-19. As we continue to adapt, some constants and familiar comforts are sure to lift our spirits. Birds are among these constants, and I hope you… Read more >>

In North America, it’s easy to enjoy sparrows. You can find them in almost any habitat. They can occur in large (although decreasing) numbers, sing beautifully (for the most part), and reliably cheer up backyard feeders. What’s not so easy is identification. For starters, there are more “sparrows” than names… Read more >>

Nothing seemed to be where it was originally. In fact, it looked like a bomb had gone off. Boats were sunken or tossed up onto land. A cellphone tower bowed pitifully, as if melted. Then there was the huge shipping container that lay in the forest miles from anywhere. No… Read more >>

For good reason, birds are emblematic of the morning — that’s when many are most vocal — but some species find their voice after dark, and listening to these birds chirping at night can be a uniquely enchanting (or eerie) experience. Why do birds sing at night? Some species, like… Read more >>