The Cardinal: A Complete Portrait of the Redbird
Audubon’s set-piece portrait, Wilson’s caged Virginia Nightingales, Forbush’s measurements and the $18,000 Havana redbird story, and Eaton’s 1914 plea for the pioneering cardinals pushing north.
Claire D.
The Flicker Is Not Like Other Woodpeckers
A woodpecker with 125 names that feeds on the lawn: the courtship, the egg records, the winter roosts, and the government stomach study that once counted 5,040 ants in a single meal.
Why the Goldfinch Nests Last
Why goldfinches wait until the thistles ripen to nest — and where the winter flocks at your feeder come from — in an 1882 naturalist’s account with a 1906 field-guide summary.
Getting to Know the Ruby-throated Hummingbird
The ruby-throat’s full story — plumage, battles, courtship, nest, eggs and the flowers that pull it in — told verbatim by Forbush, Bendire and Audubon.
What 636 Brown Thrasher Stomachs Revealed
The same 636 thrasher stomachs produced two different verdicts in the 1915 and 1926 printings of the government’s bulletin — both reproduced verbatim, side by side, with an 1882 naturalist’s catbird account.
How Often Do Blue Jays Really Rob Nests?
Of 530 blue jay stomachs the Biological Survey searched, exactly 6 held the remains of wild birds or their eggs — the full charge sheet, verbatim.
How Fast Do Birds Fly?
Measured flight speeds and banded travel rates for named species — and why the mile-a-minute folklore is wildly wrong — reprinted from the Fish and Wildlife Service’s classic circular on migration.
How Big Should a Nest Box Hole Be?
The exact box dimensions, hole sizes, and mounting heights that bluebirds, wrens, swallows, and purple martins will actually accept, from the Forest Service’s own species accounts.
Jewelweed: The Backyard Flower That Looks Invasive but Feeds July Pollinators
That aggressive-looking green plant taking over your yard in July might just be the best thing to ever happen to your local hummingbirds.
Why You Should Leave a Muddy Puddle in One Corner of Your Yard This Week
You do not need expensive gear to attract beautiful birds and butterflies to your yard. Sometimes, all you need is a little bit of mud.
When to Refill Hummingbird Nectar in Warm Weather
Hot weather changes the rules for hummingbird care. Learn the exact temperature schedule for refilling your nectar before it spoils.
How to Attract Bluebirds to Your Yard
A bluebird sighting evokes thoughts of attracting these birds to your yard on a permanent basis. Bluebirds, unlike other birds, … Read more
5 Flower Tubes Hummingbirds Visit More Than Red Ones (The Color Myth, Debunked)
You might have heard that hummingbirds only visit red flowers. It’s one of those garden “rules” that gets passed around so often it starts to feel like…
Why Some Houses Attract Hummingbirds and Others Don’t
If your new hummingbird feeder is sitting untouched while your neighbors have a flock, the feeder is not the problem. Here is what hummingbirds are actually looking for.
8 Hummingbird Feeder Types Tested for Drips
You wipe sticky nectar off your porch railing again and think about swapping out that leaky feeder. That moment right there is what this article is for…
9 Native Flowers That Bloom Exactly When Hummingbirds Return to Your Region
You step outside and spot the first hummingbird of the season darting toward a bright flower. You’ll learn about native flowers that reliably bloom when…
9 Flowering Shrubs That Turn a Boring Yard Into a Hummingbird Highway by June
Your yard can feel lifeless one morning and buzzing with hummingbird traffic by June, once you plant the right flowering shrubs. Bold, tubular blooms are…
A Five-Mile Journey to Save a Stranded Baby Hummingbird
A runner’s quick thinking and five-mile trek ensured a stranded baby hummingbird reached professional care.
The ‘Second Wave’ Hummingbird Arrival: Why Females Show Up 10 Days After Males
If your spring hummingbird feeders are full of flashy males, do not worry. Female hummingbirds are on their way in a predictable second wave.
Why Female Hummingbirds Choose One Yard Out of Seven (The Invisible Checklist)
Have you ever wondered why hummingbirds bypass your yard for a neighbor’s? Discover the specific nesting and survival criteria female hummingbirds look for.
The ‘Second Wave’ Hummingbird Arrival: Why Females Show Up 10 Days After Males
Discover the fascinating reason behind the 10-day gap in hummingbird migration and learn exactly how to prepare your feeders for the arriving females.
Perennials to Plant Now for Hummingbirds by Memorial Day
You step into the yard with a trowel and a plan : plant perennials that will bring hummingbirds to your garden by Memorial Day. These are low-fuss plants…
Spread Out Your Bird Feeders: Why Clumping Them Cuts Bird Traffic
If you’ve been wondering why your backyard feeders aren’t attracting as many birds as you’d hoped, the answer might be … Read more
The Cardinal Cocktail: A Seed Mix That Draws Cardinals
There’s something magnetic about cardinals. Maybe it’s that brilliant flash of red against winter snow, or the cheerful song they … Read more
The “Cheap Seed” Trap: Why Discount Mixes Are Driving Birds to Your Neighbors
You’ve filled your feeder with a big bag of seed from the hardware store, but your backyard is strangely quiet. … Read more
Why Birds Are Rejecting Your Birdhouse (It’s Usually This One Maintenance Mistake)
You put up a beautiful birdhouse, picked the perfect spot, and waited. And waited. Maybe a bird or two showed … Read more
Why You Should Throw Raisins in Your Yard Before the Last Frost
Backyard birders often focus on seeds and suet during winter, but there’s a simple, overlooked food source that can make … Read more
Spring Hummingbird Nectar: The 1:4 Recipe and When a Stronger Mix Helps
Hummingbirds returning in spring need a reliable source of energy, and a feeder filled with the right sugar water helps. … Read more
Why Hummingbirds Visit Your Feeder but Won’t Drink (and How to Fix It)
You’ve seen them hovering, inspecting your feeder, maybe even landing—then flying off without drinking. It’s frustrating, especially when you’ve gone … Read more
Bird Behaviors You Can Watch From Your Window: 15 to Look For
You don’t need to venture into the wilderness to witness incredible bird behavior. Right now, in your own backyard, extraordinary … Read more