Category: For the Birds

Peregrine Falcons

Few birds command the sky quite like the Peregrine Falcon. Powerful, agile, and extraordinarily fast, this remarkable raptor is famous for its breathtaking hunting dives and its ability to thrive in environments ranging from remote sea cliffs to the tops of downtown skyscrapers. The Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) is found across much of the world …

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Clark’s Nutcracker: The Remarkable Seed-Planting Bird of Western Mountains

High among the conifer forests and windswept ridges of western North America lives one of the continent’s most remarkable birds. The Clark’s Nutcracker (Nucifraga columbiana) may look understated in its gray, black, and white plumage, but behind that modest appearance is an extraordinarily intelligent member of the crow family with a memory capable of keeping …

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Mountain Bluebird: A Bright Symbol of Open Skies in the West

The Mountain Bluebird (Sialia currucoides) is one of North America’s most striking songbirds. With the male’s brilliant sky-blue plumage and the female’s softer blend of blue and gray-brown, this species brings a splash of color to open country across the western part of the continent. Often associated with grasslands, sagebrush flats, mountain meadows, and fence-lined …

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Hummingbirds: Species, Identification, Feeding & Backyard Guide

Hummingbirds seem almost impossible the first time you watch one closely. A bird scarcely larger than a thumb can stop in midair, dart backward, defend a flower patch from rivals, and disappear across the yard before your eyes can follow it. These tiny birds belong to the hummingbird family, Trochilidae, and occur naturally only in …

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Steller’s Jays

The flash of a deep blue wing between towering evergreens is often the first clue that a Steller’s Jay is nearby. A moment later, a dark-crested bird may land on a branch, cock its head inquisitively, and announce itself with a rough series of rattles, squawks, or scolding calls. The Steller’s Jay (Cyanocitta stelleri) is …

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Bird Feeders 101: How to Choose the Perfect Feeder for Your Backyard

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no expense to you. A bird feeder can completely change the way you experience your backyard. Hang the right feeder in the right place, fill it with food the local birds actually want, and suddenly that quiet corner outside your window can become a gathering …

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Birds With Red Chests: Identification Guide

A flash of red among the branches can stop a birdwatcher in their tracks. But identifying a bird with a red chest is not always as easy as it first appears. Some birds have brilliant scarlet breasts. Others are rosy, rusty, brick-red, cinnamon, or orange-red. In many species, only the male displays the brightest coloration, …

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Backyard Birds of Florida: Identification Guide

Florida’s warm climate, varied habitats, and position along major migration routes make it one of the best states in the country for backyard birdwatching. More than 500 migratory, wintering, and year-round bird species occur in the Sunshine State, and many familiar species can be spotted without leaving your neighborhood. From bright red cardinals and noisy …

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Birds With Red Heads: North American Identification Guide

A flash of red among the trees can stop a birdwatcher in their tracks. But identifying a bird with a red head is not always as straightforward as it seems. Some North American birds, such as the Red-headed Woodpecker, really do have an entirely red head. Others have a red crown, forehead, crest, face, or …

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The Best Places to Hang Your Bird Feeder for Maximum Bird Watching

Few things make a backyard feel more alive than watching chickadees dart between branches, cardinals settle onto a feeder, or goldfinches squabble over sunflower seeds just outside the window. But where you put your bird feeder matters almost as much as the feeder itself. The best location gives birds easy access to food while protecting …

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