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Jacob Swanson

Jacob Swanson is a writer and wildlife photographer born and raised in Wisconsin and currently based in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Since graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, his work has appeared in over a dozen different web and print outlets. In his free time, he’s on a personal quest to visit every U.S. national park and see as many wildlife species as possible. His favorite birds are whooping and sandhill cranes.
do hummingbirds attack humans

Feathered Friends or Foes: Do Hummingbirds Attack Humans?

Published on: September 13, 2023 by Jacob Swanson

Despite their small stature, hummingbirds are territorial birds, especially when protecting food sources and their nests. While this aggression is … Read more

do hummingbirds eat bees

Nectar Nourishment: Do Hummingbirds Eat Bees?

Published on: September 13, 2023 by Jacob Swanson

If you put out hummingbird feeders, it won’t come as a surprise that bees and wasps also enjoy sugar water, … Read more

Are There Hummingbirds in Europe

Are There Hummingbirds in Europe: A Fascinating History

Published on: September 12, 2023 by Jacob Swanson

Hummingbirds are so familiar to bird enthusiasts in the Americas that it almost seems unfathomable that there isn’t a single … Read more

do hummingbirds like lavender

Do Hummingbirds Like Lavender? (+ Other FAQs)

Published on: September 7, 2023 by Jacob Swanson

Lavender is a favorite of many gardeners for its pretty purple flowers and strong floral scent. While it’s not likely … Read more

Wrens in New Jersey

Wrens in New Jersey (Four Species + When to See Them)

Published on: September 5, 2023 by Jacob Swanson

The Americas are home to over 80 species of wren, but only four are likely to be found in New … Read more

Can Hummingbirds Open Their Beaks

Can Hummingbirds Open Their Beaks? The Science & Facts

Published on: September 5, 2023 by Jacob Swanson

Even though you rarely see it, hummingbirds can open their long bills. Hummingbirds are most commonly seen by humans at … Read more

what colors are hummingbirds

What Colors Are Hummingbirds: Unraveling the Rainbow

Last Updated on: September 5, 2023 by Jacob Swanson

The avian world is full of variety in shapes and color, and in no group of birds is that more … Read more

Wrens in Virginia

6 Wrens in Virginia: How to Spot These Fascinating Birds

Published on: August 31, 2023 by Jacob Swanson

Wrens are among the songbirds that many bird watchers don’t always take time to identify – they’re little, brown, and … Read more

Wrens in South Carolina

5 Wrens in South Carolina: Our Exciting Spotters’ Guide

Published on: August 31, 2023 by Jacob Swanson

Wrens are secretive little brown birds of the mostly New World family Troglodytidae. Two of the most familiar are the … Read more

Wrens in New York

Wrens in New York (5 Varieties + When to See Them)

Published on: August 30, 2023 by Jacob Swanson

Wrens are a family of over 80 birds, from the family Troglodytidae. In that family, the vast majority occupy Central … Read more

Wrens in Utah

7 Wrens in Utah: A Spotters’ Guide to These Beautiful Birds

Published on: August 29, 2023 by Jacob Swanson

Wrens belong to an almost exclusively new world family of 88 birds, Troglodytidae, of which nine are native to North … Read more

do hummingbirds like foxglove

Do Hummingbirds Like Foxglove? Exploring the Attraction

Published on: August 29, 2023 by Jacob Swanson

Foxglove plants are among the top flowers for hummingbirds, and the relationship between these pollinating birds and these tubular flowering … Read more

birds with big beaks

12 Birds With Big Beaks: Extraordinary and Eye-catching

Published on: August 29, 2023 by Jacob Swanson

The greatest tool possessed by most birds is its bill (or beak). It can be used for accessing and eating … Read more

types of white birds

Different Types of White Birds (Species, Regions, + More)

Published on: August 28, 2023 by Jacob Swanson

The birding world is full of many species with varied colors – blue, red, green, orange, yellow – but when … Read more

Sparrows in Vermont

15 Sparrows in Vermont: How to Spot These Charming Birds

Published on: August 25, 2023 by Jacob Swanson

Vermont’s primarily forested landscape provides a fantastic habitat for many species, but most sparrows prefer scrubland, fields, prairies, or other … Read more

Sparrows in Oklahoma

Sparrows in Oklahoma: 30 Examples of This Intriguing Bird

Published on: August 17, 2023 by Jacob Swanson

Oklahoma provides abundant habitat for many types of sparrows, including its prairies and grasslands and its millions of acres of … Read more

Ducks in West Virginia

20 Ducks in West Virginia: Our In-depth Spotters’ Guide

Published on: July 10, 2023 by Jacob Swanson

Each spring and fall, lakes, wetlands, and rivers in West Virginia fill up with ducks on their annual migrations to … Read more

Tawny Frogmouth

The Tawny Frogmouth: World’s Most Instagrammable Bird

Published on: June 20, 2023 by Jacob Swanson

Tawny frogmouths are nocturnal, big-headed, big-mouthed birds native to Australia and Tasmania. Though they may look similar to owls in … Read more

what do bluebirds eat

What Do Bluebirds Eat? Entice Them to Your Yard!

Published on: June 15, 2023 by Jacob Swanson

Even if you put out bird feeders year after year, you may never see a bluebird stop by for a … Read more

Secretary Bird

Secretary Bird: The Long-Legged Snake-Kicker

Published on: June 5, 2023 by Jacob Swanson

When you think of birds of prey, the first birds that come to mind are probably eagles or hawks that … Read more

magnificent frigatebird

Magnificent Frigatebird: The Pirate Bird of the Americas

Published on: June 5, 2023 by Jacob Swanson

Magnificent frigatebirds are large seabirds that inhabit the skies in the Americas’ warmest ocean climates. The species is the largest … Read more

King Vulture

The King Vulture: A Large and Colorful Scavenger

Last Updated on: June 3, 2023 by Jacob Swanson

There are multiple vulture species in the Americas, but there’s only one king. Not including the California or Andean condor, … Read more

Vortex vs Nikon Binoculars

Vortex vs Nikon Binoculars: Our Brand Comparision Guide

Last Updated on: May 31, 2023 by Jacob Swanson

Vortex and Nikon: they’re two of the biggest names in optics, but how do they compare? First, let’s get to … Read more

Roseate spoonbill

Roseate Spoonbill Birds: Distinctive and Fascinating

Last Updated on: July 17, 2023 by Jacob Swanson

The flamingo may be the most famous pink bird in the Americas but don’t forget about the roseate spoonbill. The … Read more

Flightless cormorant

The Flightless Cormorant: A Galapagos Island Native

Published on: May 23, 2023 by Jacob Swanson

The only cormorant species that cannot fly, the flightless cormorant is a unique bird endemic to the Galapagos Islands. What … Read more

sparrows in minnesota

24 Sparrows in Minnesota: Species, Habitats, and Behaviors

Last Updated on: June 28, 2023 by Jacob Swanson

You’ve probably seen hundreds – or even thousands – of sparrows in your lifetime. But have you taken the time … Read more

Weirdest Looking Birds in the World

Weirdest-Looking Birds in the World – Our Bizarre Line-Up

Last Updated on: July 9, 2023 by Jacob Swanson

The ornithological world is full of interesting birds, from extraordinary behavior and mating rituals to striking patterns, plumage, colors, and … Read more

Ducks in Virginia

28 Ducks in Virginia: A Guide to Habits and Identification

Last Updated on: May 9, 2023 by Jacob Swanson

Virginia’s southern location along the Atlantic Coast makes it a great place to see ducks, especially in the winter, when … Read more

Sparrows in Iowa

Sparrows in Iowa – 23 Stunning Species for You to Spot

Last Updated on: June 28, 2023 by Jacob Swanson

Sparrows are some of the most commonly seen but most daunting birds to identify for many bird watchers. While other … Read more

Ducks in Massachusetts

Ducks in Massachusetts – 29 Species To Spot in the Wild

Last Updated on: May 9, 2023 by Jacob Swanson

Like many other Atlantic Coast states, Massachusetts’ location makes it perfect for spotting many different types of waterfowl in and … Read more

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