Birds love water, and they need it to keep cool and to keep their feathers clean. You don’t need to buy a traditional bird bath. You can use any flat, wide container placed on a flower pot to substitute as a traditional bird bath. But setting up a real bird bath not only adds beauty […]
Hummingbird fledglings are out and visiting the feeders. When they leave the nest, the chicks are considerably larger than their mothers: they may weigh 4.5 grams, while Mom is down to only 2.5 g after the stress of raising her young. Since the mother starts incubating the first egg as soon as it’s laid, that chick […]
This year will commence the 18th annual Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC), to take place this weekend Feb. 13-16, 2015 – coinciding with Valentine’s Day. This annual event is an opportunity for birders, both beginners and experienced, to contribute to a research effort sponsored by the National Audubon Society. The GBBC is a joint project […]
The abrupt arrival of freezing temperatures is a clear sign that the vibrant fall season has swiftly given way to winter’s chill. With this shift in seasons and weather, our avian companions are also undergoing a significant transition to cope with the cold days and nights ahead.
Migration is a complex and interesting phenomenon in the wild world. People often call us at Backyard Birds this time of year and ask, “Where are all of the birds?”
Fall is a great time to attract birds in your backyard! Just as birds adjust their behaviors as the seasons change, so too must birders adjust how they interact with birds if they hope to enjoy the great diversity of autumn avian life.
Why does the American Goldfinch wait so late in the year before nesting? Thistle plants, a major nesting material for the American Goldfinch, blooms in July. It’s thought that the blooming period of the Thistle plant may play a part in the timing of their nesting season. As late summer approaches, these Thistle plants set […]
Fall will bring some interesting bird sightings, including the return of the junco. To make your yard more appealing, increase the amount of millet you already feed or add a little white millet for lots of ground-feeders.
Water is one of the most important things birders can add to their backyard to attract birds. All bird species need water, and adding one or more water features to your yard will quickly attract feathered friends.
A clean birdbath filled with fresh water will be the most attractive to birds, and knowing how to clean a birdbath properly and safely will allow birders to maintain backyard water sources easily.
