-
Band-rumped Storm-Petrel
The dainty Band-rumped Storm-Petrel, known as the ‘Ake‘ake in Hawai'i, is named for the white band across the top of its broad, squared-tipped tail. Its genus name, Oceanodroma, derives from the ancient Greek words for "ocean" and "runner," probably derived… Read More »
-
How Do Birds Navigate During Migration?
Bird migration is one of the most amazing phenomena in the natural world. Many birds travel from the Northern to the Southern Hemisphere and back every year, following food resources and friendly climates. But how do seasonal migrants — and… Read More »
-
25 Amazing Images of Bluebirds
Bluebirds are among the most-beloved songbirds in North America, and it’s easy to see why. These musical birds brim with so much color and charm that they’ve come to embody happiness and hope for many. To celebrate these charismatic birds,… Read More »
-
Northern Parula
You’ll hear birders say, “Look, there’s a Northern ‘Pa-RU-la,’ or ‘PAIR-a-la,’ or ‘PAR-ya-la.’” No matter how it is pronounced, the Northern Parula is a beautiful and easily recognized wood-warbler, if you crane your neck enough to see it cruise the… Read More »
-
American Redstart
The American Redstart is one of North America's most recognizable wood-warblers, named for the adult male's glossy black plumage set off by vivid reddish-orange patches on its sides, wings, and tail. Females and young birds, often called "yellowstarts" by birders,… Read More »
-
Barred Owl
Dark-eyed, with a scaled breast and striped belly, the Barred Owl is nearly as large as the Great Horned Owl but with different markings and no ear-tufts. The Great Horned Owl is much more aggressive, and will prey upon other… Read More »
-
Eastern Bluebird
"The bluebird is well named, for he wears a coat of the purest, richest, and most gorgeous blue on back, wings, and tail; no North American bird better deserves the name, for no other flashes before our admiring eyes so… Read More »
-
Mountain Bluebird
The Mountain Bluebird was once called the Arctic or Ultramarine Blue-Bird — names that recognize its northerly range and the male's vivid sky-blue plumage. This small thrush, about two-thirds the size of an American Robin, is the state bird of… Read More »
-
Magnolia Warbler
The active, confiding Magnolia Warbler is fairly easy to find during its biannual migrations through the eastern and central United States. The male is especially eye-catching — a combination of bright yellow and black, with striking white wing and tail… Read More »
-
Mallard
The Mallard is a familiar sight on ponds and lakes in many parts of the world, and many people readily recognize this bird. Only the male Mallard, or drake, has the glossy green head and white collar; the female (called… Read More »
-
Eastern Kingbird
"Bold" and "fearless" are words often used when birdwatchers describe the dashing Eastern Kingbird. This big flycatcher is a member of the tyrant flycatcher family, a huge group of New World species that includes the Great Crested Flycatcher, Many-colored Rush-Tyrant,… Read More »
-
House Wren
As implied by its common name, the small, active House Wren is often found near people’s homes. This bird's genus name Troglodytes means "hole dweller," and refers to its mouse-like tendency to pop in and out of crevices while foraging… Read More »
-
Acorn Woodpecker
The eye-catching Acorn Woodpecker’s head is boldly patterned in black, white, and red, punctuated with wild-looking white eyes that give it a clownish look. It's a medium-sized bird, bigger than a Downy Woodpecker and a bit smaller than its close,… Read More »
-
New Study Shows Eradicating Invasive Species from Islands Produces Global Impact
(August 10, 2022) Islands are a globally significant opportunity for biodiversity conservation. A new study published on August 10 in Scientific Reports shows that invasive species elimination from islands has been implemented widely around the world with a high success rate.… Read More »
-
Burrowing Owl
In some parts of the American West, the long-legged Burrowing Owl is known as the “howdy owl” because it seems to nod in greeting at passers-by. This up-and-down action, however, is really just the owl sizing up potential danger. The… Read More »
-
As Mid-Atlantic Bird Illness Investigated, Restraint Still Urged for Backyard Bird-Feeding
UPDATE (August 18, 2021): Some states, including Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia, are reporting a decrease in cases of the bird disease discussed in this article, and officials there now say it's okay to resume feeding birds. However, people are urged to be vigilant, and to continue regular cleaning of feeders and baths. Other states,… Read More »
-
As Avian Influenza Outbreak Spreads, Vigilance and Bird-friendly Actions Needed
This is a developing story and will be updated periodically as more information becomes available. UPDATE: July 21, 2022 The current outbreak of avian influenza continues and is having devastating impacts on birds in the U.S. and around the world.… Read More »
-
New Study Finds U.S. and Canada Have Lost More Than One in Four Birds in the Past 50 Years
Media Contact: Jordan Rutter, ABC Director of Public Relations, 202-888-7472 | jerutter@abcbirds.org (Washington, D.C., September 19, 2019) A study published today in the journal Science reveals that since 1970, bird populations in the United States and Canada have declined by… Read More »
-
“The Global Wildlife Crisis Has Arrived in Our Backyards”
Media Contact: Jordan Rutter, ABC Director of Public Relations, 202-888-7472 | jerutter@abcbirds.org (Washington, D.C., September 20, 2019) “The global wildlife crisis has arrived in our backyards,” said Michael J. Parr, President of American Bird Conservancy and co-author of a new study published in… Read More »
-
World Migratory Bird Day is May 9: Celebrate and Help Birds from Home
Media Contact: Jordan Rutter, ABC Director of Public Relations, 202-888-7472 | jerutter@abcbirds.org | @JERutter (Washington, D.C., May 5, 2020) Migratory birds are now flooding across the continent, as they return to their nesting grounds this spring. World Migratory Bird Day is… Read More »
