For the Birds
Author's posts
Aug 15 2023
Birds of New York State: Common Species & Best Birdwatching Spots
From the wooded mountains of the Adirondacks to the salt marshes of Long Island, New York State offers an extraordinary variety of habitats for birds. Even New York City becomes an important refuge for migrating songbirds each spring and fall. More than 450 bird species have been observed across New York State, according to the …
Aug 09 2023
Why Do Birds Flock Together? Bird Behavior, Benefits & Avian Communities
A flock of birds can be one of nature’s most impressive sights. Hundreds of geese may cross the sky in a precise V formation, tiny songbirds can move together through a winter forest, and enormous groups of starlings sometimes twist and turn as though the entire flock were a single living organism. But why do …
Aug 06 2023
Yellow and Black Birds: Identification Guide With Photos
Yellow and black is one of the most eye-catching color combinations in the bird world. A flash of brilliant yellow against dark wings can make a bird stand out instantly at a feeder, in a meadow, or high in the treetops. But color alone rarely tells the whole story. A tiny American Goldfinch and a …
Aug 05 2023
Biggest Birds in the World: Tallest, Heaviest & Largest Wingspans
Birds come in an astonishing range of sizes. At one end of the spectrum are hummingbirds light enough to perch on a fingertip. At the other are enormous birds that stand taller than a person, weigh hundreds of pounds, or stretch wings nearly 12 feet from tip to tip. But determining the biggest bird in …
Jul 22 2023
Bird Feathers: Structure, Types, Functions & How They Work
Feathers are one of the defining features of birds. From the soft down that keeps a chick warm to the stiff flight feathers that carry an eagle through the sky, these remarkable structures perform an extraordinary variety of jobs. A feather may look simple at first glance, but under magnification it reveals an intricate system …
Jul 09 2023
Bird Pollination: How Birds and Bees Help Flowers Reproduce
When we think of pollinators, bees usually come to mind first. A honeybee dusted with golden pollen is practically an emblem of spring. Yet bees are only part of a much larger pollination network, and some of its most spectacular participants have feathers. Birds pollinate flowers throughout many parts of the world. In the Americas, …
Jul 06 2023
Bird Feeder Cameras: How They Work, Features & Setup Guide
A bird feeder has always offered a front-row seat to the small dramas unfolding in the backyard. Chickadees dart in for sunflower seeds, cardinals linger cautiously at the edge, woodpeckers investigate anything that looks remotely edible, and squirrels inevitably attempt to join the party. A bird feeder camera takes that experience a step further. Instead …
Jul 04 2023
The Significance of a Bird in Hand: Exploring the Power of Gratitude and Contentment
There is something wonderfully simple about the old saying, “A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.” At first glance, it sounds like practical advice about choosing certainty over possibility. Hold onto what you already have, it suggests, rather than risking it all for something that may never be yours. But beneath …
Jul 01 2023
The Barred Owl: A Guide to its Habitat, Lifestyle, and Behavior
Deep in a mature forest, long after daylight has faded from the treetops, a booming series of hoots breaks the silence. To many people, the rhythm sounds remarkably like the phrase, “Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you-all?” This unforgettable call belongs to the Barred Owl (Strix varia), one of the most recognizable owls …
Jun 29 2023
How to Attract Colorful Birds to Your Backyard with a Window Feeder
Few backyard birding experiences are quite as delightful as seeing a brilliant red cardinal, sunny yellow goldfinch, or bold Blue Jay appear just inches from your window. A window bird feeder makes those encounters possible without requiring a large yard, elaborate feeding station, or even much outdoor space. Mounted directly to the glass with suction …
