Jan 27 2024
The Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens) may be small, but it is one of the most recognizable and approachable woodpeckers in North America. This energetic black-and-white bird is a familiar visitor to forests, parks, suburban neighborhoods, and backyard bird feeders, where its compact size allows it to forage in places that larger woodpeckers simply cannot reach. …
Jan 27 2024
Winter can transform a familiar landscape almost overnight. Insects disappear from view, ponds freeze, berries become scarce, and snow covers many of the seeds birds depend on for food. At the same time, freezing temperatures force birds to burn additional energy simply to stay alive. Yet chickadees continue darting through snow-covered branches. Woodpeckers cling to …
Jan 01 2024
Birds and blooms have a special connection that goes beyond just aesthetics. Explore the science behind this relationship and how you can create a bird-friendly garden in your backyard.
Nov 07 2023
Bird sanctuaries are places where birds can find something increasingly valuable in a changing world: safe habitat. Some protect wetlands crowded with migrating waterfowl. Others preserve forests used by nesting songbirds, islands occupied by seabird colonies, grasslands where ground-nesting species breed, or coastal mudflats where shorebirds stop to feed during migration. For birdwatchers, these protected …
Aug 15 2023
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 06 2023
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 …
Jul 06 2023
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 …
Jun 29 2023
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 …
May 30 2023
Few backyard birds feel quite as familiar as the American Robin (Turdus migratorius). With its warm orange breast, cheerful spring song, and unmistakable habit of running across lawns in search of food, the robin is often one of the first birds people learn to recognize. The good news is that robins are relatively easy to …
May 28 2023
A garden can provide birds with far more than flowers and greenery. With the addition of one simple feature—a dependable source of fresh water—it can become a genuine gathering place for wildlife. Bird baths are among the easiest ways to make a yard more welcoming to birds. While feeders tend to attract species interested in …
