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At Home in the Cold: An Intro to the World of Winter Birds
Sure, winter can be dark, cold, and barren in the northern U.S., but that doesn’t mean it isn’t a great time to see birds. After all, winter heralds the arrival of Dark-eyed Juncos, the famous snowbirds, and other visitors such… Read More »
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MacGillivray's Warbler
The MacGillivray's Warbler spends most of its time lurking in dense underbrush, like its close relative, the Kentucky Warbler. When this western warbler pops into view, birders identify it by its bright yellow underside, greenish upperparts, and gray hood, with… Read More »
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Yellow Warbler
The Yellow Warbler is the most widespread American wood-warbler. It nests from Alaska to northern South America (including the Galapágos Islands), and in parts of the Caribbean as well, and winters as far south as Peru. Tail tip to forehead,… Read More »
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Ovenbird
The olive-backed, ground-dwelling Ovenbird can be mistaken for a Wood Thrush at first glance, but it is actually a warbler. A closer look at this bird reveals black stripes beneath, rather than the spots of a thrush. Other identifiers are… Read More »
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ABC Birding: Home Edition
In our second “ABC Birding” installment, instead of taking readers to a birding site benefiting from ABC and partners’ conservation efforts, we journey just out the door to highlight the experience of birding from home during a global pandemic, using… Read More »
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Extinction
A casual observer might not notice, but take a closer look. Across the Americas, fewer birds inhabit our landscapes. Some familiar birds, like the Wood Thrush, are 50 percent less common than they were 50 years ago. This thrush is just… Read More »
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American Crow
The American Crow is widespread in North America and, like the Blue Jay, is often maligned and misunderstood. In folklore, the crow is sometimes associated with witchcraft and evil, or is thought to signify misfortune and even death. One popular… Read More »
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Hawaiian Common Gallinule (‘Alae ‘Ula)
Like the ‘Io (Hawaiian Hawk) and ‘Ua‘u (Hawaiian Petrel), the ‘Alae ‘Ula, or Hawaiian Common Gallinule, is revered in folklore. According to legend, this bird brought fire from the gods to the people, burning its white forehead red in the… Read More »
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Migrating Birds Arriving Early
Blue-grey Gnatcatcher by Owen Deutsch (Washington, D.C., March 26, 2012) The warmer weather that much of the nation has been enjoying has brought out the springtime clothes a bit ahead of schedule and has also triggered the earlier-than-normal arrival of… Read More »
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Golden-crowned Kinglet
The tiny Golden-crowned Kinglet is one of the world’s smallest perching birds. At only five grams (about the weight of two pennies), it's not much larger than a Ruby-throated Hummingbird. Its genus name, Regulus, means “little king,” and refers to… Read More »
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Invasive Ants in Hawai'i: Small Species, Big Problems
One of the biggest problems facing Hawai'i's endemic birds is invasive species: plants and animals from other areas of the globe whose populations dramatically increase in their new island home. Miconia (a large tree), strawberry guava, and many other plants… Read More »
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Minnesota Vikings' Stadium is Bad for Birds, but It's Not Too Late for a Solution
Each year in the United States, window collisions kill up to 1 billion birds. While this is a massive source of human-caused bird mortality, trailing only free-roaming cats and habitat loss, there is good news: Window collisions are preventable! The… Read More »
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Summer Months Critical for Birds: Ten Things You Can Do to Help as Temperatures Climb
(Washington, D.C., June 24, 2014) As the busy July 4th weekend approaches, billions of birds in North America are carrying out a host of activities related to raising their young and preparing for migration—and there are many simple things the… Read More »
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How to Help Birds During Fall Migration
Dark-eyed Junco. Photo by Christopher Unsworth/Shutterstock In North America, billions of birds are on the move for fall migration. They will collectively fly billions of miles as they journey south to their nonbreeding ground in search of the food and… Read More »
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Top Ten Ways to Help Spring's Migrating Birds
(Washington, D.C., March 20, 2014) Despite persistent late-occurring snowstorms, average temperatures are starting to climb, soon to be followed by the most deadly period of the year for birds: springtime. Although spring means new life and hope to many people,… Read More »
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Video: Snowy Plovers Nest Safely Thanks to Gulf Partnership
Plovers nest on the beach, which can be fraught with danger. Wilson's and Snowy Plovers lay their eggs directly on the sand, leaving them vulnerable to a variety of human disturbances. Conversion of habitat to coastal development, beach use by off-road… Read More »
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