The Eastern Bluebird, like its fellow member of the thrush family, the American Robin, is often viewed as a harbinger of spring. The Iroquois believed that the Bluebird would scare off Sawiskera or Flint, the spirit of winter (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluebird). However, either bird may be seen in winter in more southern parts of its nesting range. …
Category: Backyard Birding
Feb 04 2022
How DO Birds Get Water in the Winter?
Birds need water year round and many birds stay in cold climates in the winter months. So what do birds do once the ground is frozen and people stop filling their bird baths in their backyards? Some birds are lucky enough to have backyard heated birdbaths. But most birds who spend their winters in the …
Jan 30 2022
American Robin
One question many people might have about the American Robin is this: is there another kind of robin that is not American? I will come back to the answer in just a bit. The American Robin is one of the most familiar birds, indeed, to Americans. They nest in yards from coast to coast. Connecticut, …
Jan 28 2022
The Purple Martin’s Majesty
The Purple Martin is the largest North American swallow (Family Hirundinidae), with a wingspan of 18 inches, length of 8 inches, and weight of 2 ounces. It is about the size and appearance of a starling in flight and can be confused with it. (In both species, the purple is due to iridescence of feather …
Jan 26 2022
They Never Forget a Face
There was an old belief that when crows saw a human’s face, the face would imprint on the brain of the crow, and then the crow would remember that face for the rest of their life. If the memory was pleasant, the crow would have pleasant feelings for the person and if the memory was …
Jul 28 2021
The Splendent Satin Bowerbird
This is not a backyard bird in the United States, but rather in Eastern Australia along the Coast. I just happened to be listening to a program Saturday morning and I thought, “I have to learn more about this bird.” The Satin Bowerbirds are medium in size. The male Bowerbird actually has a blue head …
Jul 04 2021
The American Bald Eagle
Did you know this majestic bird can be found in every state except Hawaii? So, unless you live in Hawaii, you have an American Bald Eagle sighting near you! Seeing one of these amazing birds in flight is unforgettable and something I recommend trying to see for anyone, let alone a bird watcher. Bald Eagles …
May 15 2021
Welcome Home Purple Martins!
Purple Martins are members of the swallow family. They are almost 8 inches long and have a wingspan of just over 15 inches across. Of course the species of birds got their name from the beautiful color of the males. The males have a deep purple bluish color on their feathers and their feathers seem …
Feb 02 2019
Plan Now for Birds Later
We have had a long January this year. It’s been snowy and seemingly colder than usual. But now that February is here and Punxsutawney Phil did not see his shadow, many of us are now thinking of Spring. If you are also planning to have birds welcomed into your yard this Spring and Summer, now is a …







