Whenever I find the time to travel, I tend to head for the Tropics, in part to enjoy the exotic and unfamiliar birdlife. Four years ago, however, I spotted in … Read more
bird of the week
Bird of the Week: Dark-eyed Junco
With snow blanketing much of the East Coast, it’s not surprising that one of the most abundant species now visiting seed feeders in my Washington, DC, Certified Wildlife Habitat® is … Read more
Bird of the Week: Bald Eagle
National symbol of the United States, the bald eagle also is an extraordinary conservation success story. Some wildlife experts estimate that when the first Europeans arrived on the continent, between 250,000 … Read more
Bird of the Week: Northern Cardinal
No other bird symbolizes Christmas quite like the northern cardinal. Bright red males of this species adorn everything from greeting cards to clothing, wrapping paper, tree ornaments and other decorations … Read more
Bird of the Week: Black-capped Chickadee
If you live in the northern half of the United States, the odds are good that a black-capped chickadee will visit your property this winter. The most widespread of North … Read more
Bird of the Week: Rufous Hummingbird
About a week before Thanksgiving, fellow science writer Rick Borchelt spotted a “way out of season and way out of range” rufous hummingbird feasting at his backyard sugar-water feeder … Read more
Bird of the Week: Wild Turkey
Like many of us this holiday, the Pilgrims of Plymouth, Massachusetts, probably feasted on turkey that legendary first Thanksgiving. In 1621, the big, handsome birds were plentiful throughout northeastern forests. … Read more
Bird of the Week: Dickcissel
Stroll across a Midwestern prairie anytime between late spring and early fall, and you’ll rarely be out of ear shot of the dickcissel’s distinctive trill: see-see, dick-dick, ciss-ciss-ciss. Stocky, streaked, … Read more
Bird of the Week: White-Throated Sparrow
Iconic winter birds for backyard wildlife enthusiasts across much of the United States, white-throated sparrows already are bringing smiles to our faces as they return from northern breeding grounds and … Read more