The state of Nebraska is firmly in North America’s prairie pothole region, which provides critical nesting habitat for many waterfowl species and a key migration stopping point for millions of birds twice each year. You may be familiar with Nebraska’s Platte River Valley as a stop for an estimated (according to the National Audubon Society) … Read more
Washington’s coastal location makes it a fantastic place to view North American waterfowl at any time of the year, from migrating and wintering northern waterfowl to year-round residents. There are 27 main species of ducks you are most likely to encounter in Washington or its coastal waters, although some other species may occasionally be spotted … Read more
Missouri provides key stopovers for numerous species of birds, especially waterfowl, during the spring and fall. Turn your eyes to the sky at any one of the 10 National Wildlife Refuges in the Show-Me State during peak migration and you’re bound to see some waterfowl. Missouri also boasts hundreds of inland lakes, long stretches along … Read more
Louisiana’s location on the Gulf of Mexico brings many different species of waterfowl to the state’s shores every year. According to Audubon Louisiana, more than 470 bird species have been recorded within the borders of the Pelican State. A list of some of the common ones you may see can be found here. Now, let’s … Read more
Bird Buddy, a smart bird feeder that includes an automatic camera, launched on Kickstarter to great fanfare in late 2020. Birdwatching was on the rise as a hobby. With more people spending time at home due to the ongoing pandemic, backyard birds became the everyday stars of the show for many people. So much so … Read more
The newest craze in bird feeding is automated camera feeders that take photos of your feathered friends as they appear at the feeder. The quality of small cameras has vastly improved in recent years, leading to the inclusion of cameras on items like doorbells and bird feeders. The feeders send videos and photos to smartphones … Read more
Iowa’s location along the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers makes certain parts of the state great for observing numerous duck species, especially during peak migration periods. The state of Iowa is generally farm country, with about 30 million acres of farmland comprising almost 90 percent of the state, according to the Des Moines Register. But two … Read more
From its sap that is consumed by woodpeckers and other birds to the twigs and bark that make for excellent deer browse, the humble birch tree can be one of the best food sources for backyard wildlife. According to the Kaufman Field Guide to Nature of the Midwest, there are 21 species in the birch … Read more
A suet feeder can keep birds such as woodpeckers, nuthatches, and chickadees coming back time and time again. Suet is a fantastic food source for birds, especially during the cold winter months. It’s made from hard fat that surrounds the kidneys of animals like cows and sheep. It is sometimes used by humans for cooking, … Read more
Perhaps the most important time to feed birds is when people put their feeders away during the winter months. During warmer months, birds have access to all sorts of insects, fruits, and seeds from natural sources. However, bird populations may rely more on supplemental feeding from humans during cold months when other food sources are … Read more