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Birding / Wild Birds: Most Popular Articles

These articles are the most popular over the last month.
Types of Birds of Prey
Brief descriptions of different types of birds of prey.
Bird Gender Identification Tip
Tips for distinguishing between male and female wild birds.
Bird Roost Boxes
Bird roost box design basics, including what features are necessary, how to position a roost box and other tips to attract birds with this type of shelter.
Bird Identification Steps
Three key steps for wild bird identification: observation, research and comparison.
Easiest Backyard Birdfeeders
Three types of birdfeeders that are easy to use for all backyard birds.
Is Feeding Ducks Bread Bad?
Feeding ducks bread is unhealthy and can lead to malnutrition, diseases and behavior changes, but there are many alternative treats that can be given to ducks.
Simple Bird Suet Recipe
Tips for making bird suet including a simple homemade suet recipe for backyard birds.
Kitchen Scraps to Feed Birds
Birds can eat a range of different kitchen scraps, from bread products to meat scraps to fruits, vegetables and even eggs. This list of kitchen scraps to feed birds discusses which scraps are suitable and how to offer them at your backyard feeders.
Ring-Billed Gull
Detailed bird profile of the ring-billed gull: appearance, foods, habitat, behavior and reproduction.
Facts About Hummingbirds
Fun and unusual facts about different hummingbird species.
Marvelous Spatuletail
Marvelous Spatuletail
How to Attract Birds
Overview of the four requirements for attracting backyard birds.
Project FeederWatch
Details about Project FeederWatch, including how to participate, registration fees and project history.
Winter Bird Feeding Tips
Tips for feeding backyard birds in the winter, including the best types of feeders and seed to keep birds happy and healthy in the worst weather.
House Finch Nest
House Finch Nest
Squirrel-Proof a Birdfeeder
Tips for how to squirrel-proof a birdfeeder by adjusting the feeder style, location, seed offered and more.
Cooper's or Sharp-Shinned?
Tips for how to distinguish between Cooper's hawks and sharp-shinned hawks based on appearance, prey and behavior. Includes a quick reference table for comparisons.
Food for Birds of Prey
Descriptions and examples of the varied diet of birds of prey, including which species of raptors eat specific animals. Also includes tips for protecting backyard birds from raptors.
Birdhouse Hole Sizes
Preferred birdhouse hole diameter sizes for common backyard nesting birds. Includes tips for how to increase or decrease hole sizes.
Rock Pigeon Nest
Rock Pigeon Nest
American Robin Nest
American Robin Nest
Vermilion Flycatcher Nest
Vermilion Flycatcher Nest
Yellow Warbler Nest
Yellow Warbler Nest
Prevent Bird Window Collisions
Tips for how to prevent bird window collisions with solutions to be used both inside and outside.
Attract Migrating Birds
Tips for attracting migrating birds to your backyard in spring and fall.
Backyard Hawk Protection
Easy tips for protecting backyard birds from hawks.
Hummingbird Nectar Recipe
Classic hummingbird nectar recipe and nectar feeding tips for hummingbirds.
Downy Woodpecker
Detailed bird profile of the downy woodpecker: appearance, foods, habitat, behavior and reproduction. Includes tips for attracting these woodpeckers to your backyard.
Before You Build a Birdhouse
Tips for choosing birdhouse plans and online plan resources.
Sword-Billed Hummingbird
Sword-Billed Hummingbird
Barn Owl Nest Boxes
Tips for choosing and positioning barn owl nest boxes, including a list of nest box retailers.
Mute Swan Nest
Mute Swan Nest
Spotted Towhee
Detailed bird profile of the spotted towhee: appearance, foods, habitat, behavior and reproduction. Includes tips for attracting spotted towhees to your backyard.
Northern Mockingbird Nest
Northern Mockingbird Nest
Western Scrub-Jay
Detailed bird profile of the western scrub-jay: appearance, foods, habitat, behavior and reproduction. Includes tips for attracting western scrub-jays to your backyard.
Killdeer Nest
Killdeer Nest
Migration
Defines the term "migration" as it applies to birds and explains some common migration behavior.
Cracked Corn
Cracked Corn Birdseed
Sharp-Shinned Hawk
Detailed bird profile of the sharp-shinned hawk: appearance, foods, habitat, behavior and reproduction. Includes tips for attracting these hawks to your backyard.
Birdfeeder Cleaning Tips
Tips for effectively cleaning birdfeeders to attract more birds and minimize diseases.
Birdhouse Safety
Twelve tips for safe and attractive birdhouses.
How to Store Birdseed
Tips for how to store birdseed properly so it is fresh and usable for months. Includes tips for determining when birdseed has gone bad.
Types of Birdbaths
Descriptions of different types of birdbaths and what options are available in birdbath designs.
Mallard
Detailed bird profile of the mallard: appearance, foods, habitat, behavior and reproduction. Includes tips for visiting backyard mallards.
Basic Birding Supplies
Birding supply recommendations for beginning birders.
Anna's Hummingbird Nest
Anna's Hummingbird Nest
Canada Goose
Detailed bird profile of the Canada goose: appearance, foods, habitat, migration, behavior and reproduction. Includes tips on attracting Canada geese to your backyard.
Bald Eagle
Detailed bird profile of the bald eagle: appearance, foods, habitat, behavior and reproduction.
Baby Bird Identification Tips
Juvenile birds can be challenging to identify, but these tips can make it easy to spot young birds and determine what species they are.
Harlequin Duck
Gallery of pictures of ducks from around the world with information and trivia about each species.
Black Oil Sunflower Seeds
Black Oil Sunflower Seeds
Sparrow Identification Tips
Tips for how to identify sparrows by field marks, behavior, song and range, including what equipment and preparation is recommended for proper bird identification.
Rock Pigeon
Detailed bird profile of the rock pigeon: appearance, foods, habitat, behavior and reproduction. Includes pigeon deterrant methods.
Snowy Owl
Detailed bird profile of the snowy owl: appearance, foods, habitat, behavior and reproduction.
Plovercrest
Plovercrest
Blue Jay
Detailed bird profile of the blue jay: appearance, foods, habitat, behavior and reproduction. Includes tips for attracting blue jays to your backyard.
Herring Gull Nest
Herring Gull Nest
Peregrine Falcon
Detailed bird profile of the peregrine falcon: appearance, foods, habitat, behavior and reproduction.
Cooper's Hawk
Detailed bird profile of the Cooper's hawk: appearance, foods, habitat, behavior and reproduction. Includes tips for attracting Cooper's hawks to your backyard as well as how to protect backyard birds from hawks.
Hummingbird Flowers
Types of flowers that attract hummingbirds and tips for planting a hummingbird garden.
State Birds
List of offical state birds for all 50 states.
Downy or Hairy Woodpecker?
Tips for identifying the differences between downy woodpeckers and hairy woodpeckers based on appearance, behavior, range, sounds and other factors. Includes an identification quick reference table.
How to Recognize Sick Birds
Tips for recognizing sick birds by appearance and behavior. Includes easy tips to help birds heal.
Amazilia Hummingbird
Amazilia Hummingbird
Golden Eagle
Detailed bird profile of the golden eagle: appearance, foods, habitat, behavior and reproduction. Includes tips for where to spot golden eagles.
Snowcap
Snowcap
American Kestrel Nest
American Kestrel Nest
Mallard Nest
Mallard Nest
Backyard Birding Supplies
25 essential supplies that can help make backyard birding easier and more convenient.
Attracting Birds With Water
Different ways to attract backyard birds by offering water sources.
Northern Pintail
Gallery of pictures of ducks from around the world with information and trivia about each species.
Northern Cardinal
Detailed bird profile of the northern cardinal: appearance of both genders, foods, habitat, behavior and reproduction. Includes tips for attracting northern cardinals to your backyard.
Wood Duck
Gallery of pictures of ducks from around the world with information and trivia about each species.
Wild Turkey
Detailed bird profile of the wild turkey: appearance, foods, habitat, behavior and reproduction. Includes tips for attracting wild turkeys.
Mandarin Duck
Gallery of pictures of ducks from around the world with information and trivia about each species.
Plumage
Defines the term “plumage.”
Violet-Tailed Sylph
Violet-Tailed Sylph
Safflower Seeds
Safflower Birdseed
Bird Conservation Importance
Bird conservation is important for many reasons, including ecology, education, appreciation, biodiversity and environmental awareness, and there are many ways anyone can help.
How to Build a Brush Pile
Steps to Build a Backyard Brush Pile
Barn Owl
Detailed bird profile of the barn owl: appearance, foods, habitat, behavior and reproduction. Includes tips for attracting barn owls to your backyard.
Common Raven
Detailed bird profile of the common raven: appearance, foods, habitat, behavior, voice and reproduction. Includes tips for attracting ravens to your backyard.
Ruddy Duck
Gallery of pictures of ducks from around the world with information and trivia about each species.
Hulled Sunflower Seeds
Hulled Sunflower Chips Birdseed
What Birds Can Teach Kids
Birding is a fun and educational hobby for children and they can learn not only topics, but also important secondary skills that will be valuable all their lives.
Bird Friendly Landscapes
How to design a bird friendly landscape that will attract birds with food, shelter and nesting sites.
Red Milo
Red Milo Birdseed
Stop Spreading Diseases
Tips on recognizing sick birds and what to do in the event of a disease outbreak.
American Goldfinch
Detailed bird profile of the American goldfinch: appearance, foods, habitat, behavior and reproduction. Includes tips for attracting American goldfinches to your backyard.
GreenBird House
Review of the recycled paper Greenbird House.
Red-Tailed Hawk
Detailed bird profile of the red-tailed hawk: appearance, foods, habitat, behavior and reproduction.
Common Goldeneye
Gallery of pictures of ducks from around the world with information and trivia about each species.
Birds and New Feeders
Tips for getting backyard birds adjusted to using a new birdfeeder, including what feeder styles to choose, feeder locations and seed preferences.
Northern Shoveler
Gallery of pictures of ducks from around the world with information and trivia about each species.
Smew
Gallery of pictures of ducks from around the world with information and trivia about each species.
Dimorphic
Defines the terms dimorphic, dimorphous and sexual dimorphism.
What Is Birding?
Birding is more than just a hobby, it is good exercise, a popular activity for all ages, and a great companion to many other hobbies.
House Sparrow
Detailed bird profile of house sparrows: appearance, foods, habitat, behavior and reproduction. Includes tips for attracting house sparrows to your backyard.
Horned Sungem
Horned Sungem
Commercial Birdseed Mix
Commercial Birdseed Mix
How to Dispose of Dead Birds
Tips for disposing of dead birds safely, including when it is necessary to contact authorities.
Ring-Necked Duck
Gallery of pictures of ducks from around the world with information and trivia about each species.
Premium Songbird Birdseed Mix
Premium Songbird Birdseed Mix
Raptor
Defines the term “raptor” as it relates to birds, including physical characteristics and species examples.
White-Throated Hummingbird
White-Throated Hummingbird
Birding Projects for Kids
Five unique birding projects for children, including study questions.
Pine Siskin
Detailed bird profile of the pine siskin: appearance, foods, habitat, behavior and reproduction. Includes tips for attracting pine siskins to your backyard.
Boreal Owl
Detailed bird profile of the boreal owl: appearance, foods, habitat, behavior and reproduction. Includes tips for attracting boreal owls to your backyard.
Risks to Raptors
Descriptions of different threats to bird of prey populations, including what individuals can do to promote raptor conservation and minimize those threats.
Suet
Defines the term "suet" and describes which birds eat it.
Protect Birds From Cats
Tips for controlling cat behavior and backyard bird habitats to minimize the dangers of cats to wild birds.
Black-Throated Mango
Black-Throated Mango
Ruby-Throated Hummingbird
Detailed bird profile of the ruby-throated hummingbird: appearance, foods, habitat, behavior and reproduction. Includes tips for attracting ruby-throated hummingbirds to your backyard.
Canvasback
Gallery of pictures of ducks from around the world with information and trivia about each species.
How to Attract Hummingbirds
Tips about how to attract hummingbirds with appropriate food, water, shelter and nesting sites.
Brood Patch
Defines the term "brood patch."
Millet
Millet Birdseed
Golden-Breasted Puffleg
Golden-Breasted Puffleg
Hummingbird Feeder Insects
Safe, easy tips to keep control of bees, wasps and ants around hummingbird feeders without harming the birds.
Magazines for Birders
Overviews of popular birding and bird watching magazines.
Baby Bird Glossary
Set of terms used to identify and describe baby wild birds, including definitions.
Hairy Woodpecker
Detailed bird profile of the hairy woodpecker: appearance, foods, habitat, behavior and reproduction. Includes tips for attracting hairy woodpeckers to your backyard.
Black-Billed Streamertail
Black-Billed Streamertail
Brown Inca
Brown Inca
Birding Binoculars
Tips for choosing binoculars suitable for birding, including what features to examine for practicality, comfort and price.
Birding Tour Companies
Descriptions of different types of birding tour companies with multiple examples of current worldwide, regional and bird-specific companies.
Airport Bird Strikes
Airports can use multiple wildlife conservation and management techniques to minimize the risk of bird strikes.
Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker
Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker
How to Build Your Life List
How to build a birding life list and add more species to your total count.
Turkey Vulture
Detailed bird profile of the turkey vulture: appearance, foods, habitat, behavior and reproduction.
White-Breasted Nuthatch
Detailed bird profile of the white-breasted nuthatch: appearance, foods, habitat, behavior and reproduction. Includes tips for attracting white-breasted nuthatches to your backyard.
White-Crowned Sparrow
Detailed bird profile of the white-crowned sparrow: appearance, foods, habitat, behavior and reproduction. Includes tips for attracting white-crowned sparrows to your backyard.
Killdeer
Detailed bird profile of the killdeer: appearance, foods, habitat, behavior and reproduction. Includes tips for backyard killdeers.
Cedar Waxwing
Baby / Adult Cedar Waxwing
How to Identify Hummingbirds
Tips for identifying different hummingbird species by appearance, behavior and territory.
Book Review: Flyaway
Book review of “Flyaway” (2009) by Suzie Gilbert.
Hummingbird Feeders
Descriptions of different types of hummingbird feeders and what to consider when choosing a hummingbird feeder.
Book Review: Wesley the Owl
Book review of “Wesley the Owl” (2008) by Stacey O’Brien.
Review: The Boreal Owl Murder
Book review of “The Boreal Owl Murder” (2008) by Jan Dunlap.
Mourning Dove
Detailed bird profile of the mourning dove: appearance, foods, habitat, behavior and reproduction. Includes tips for attracting mourning doves to your backyard or discouraging them if they're considered a nuisance.
Gifts for Birders
Gift ideas for birders.
Aviary
Defines the term "aviary."
Dabbling Duck
Defines the term "dabbling duck" with examples of dabbler species.
Monogamous
Defines the terms "monogamous" and "monogamy" as they apply to birds.
Canada Goose
Baby / Adult Canada Goose
California Quail
Detailed bird profile of the California quail, the state bird of California: appearance, foods, habitat, behavior and reproduction. Includes tips for attracting California quail to your backyard.
Hummingbird Feeding Tips
Easy tips for feeding hummingbirds in the backyard.
Niger Birdseed
Niger Birdseed
How to Clean a Birdbath
Step-by-step guide to cleaning a birdbath, including tips for keeping it clean.
House Finch
House Finch
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