Science & Nature

Hang a birdhouse in your yard to attract wild birds. The birds not only make a yard look pretty but pollinate flowers in the yard. Use rope rather than wire or fishing line to hang the birdhouse....

During winter periods, high winds, rain, ice and snow make it difficult for many birds to forage for food. Putting out some wild bird seed during a cold weather season is greatly appreciated by...

While we might not generally think of small yard birds as being carnivorous creatures, some do eat meat. Filling bird feeders with animal-based bird foods is a great way to attract these feathered...

Starlings are aggressive birds that will drive away the more varied, small birds you may be tring to attract with your feeder. Their larger size, however, is a disadvantage that you can use...

Every backyard bird watcher loves to look out the window to a yard full of feathered natives, busy feeders and crowded birdbaths. But even the most avid bird enthusiasts will tell you that there...

Food types for wild birds are numerous and can be purchased by single type or by bagged blends. Select bird foods based upon the preferred diet of the bird species you hope to attract to your feeder.

The hearing ability of birds is not wholly understood, though the perception of sound seems to be one sensory area in which many birds are comparatively or even less endowed than humans.

Homemade birdseed feeders are easy to create. You can find everything you need to make your birdseed feeder right in your own home. Making a birdseed feeder is a fun project for children and...

Because of where the United States is positioned on the globe, its wide array of climates and terrains offers many colorful native birds. North and Central Florida's subtropical climate and South...

Opportunistic, omnivorous hunters and scavengers, the Western Gull bird forages along the coast of Washington and Oregon in the Northwestern United States for its varied diet. Neither respectful...

Birds have simple requirements for selecting a place to nest. Providing a reliable food source, protective cover, water, and nesting areas will attract birds. Flight takes a great deal of energy....

Grackles are black birds ranging in size from about 12 inches long to 16 inches long, depending on the variety. They roost in groups that can vary from a single pair to hundreds of birds. Although...

Frigate birds make up five different species in the genus Fregata. This sea bird is related to the pelican and is sometimes referred to as the Man-o'-War bird or the Pirate bird.

Attracting martins is a considerable challenge, but if the martin house is placed in the right spot, they will come and take residence to lay their eggs. Though they only lay a few eggs, even if...

Many people enjoy watching the numerous species of birds that frequent their yards in the warm spring months. Some individuals put up bird houses to draw in beautiful native species like the...

The now-extinct elephant bird (Aepyornis maximus), or vorompatra, was the largest bird that ever lived, measuring 10 feet in height and weighing half a ton. The elephant bird has several living...

Bird feeders can attract a wide variety of colorful and interesting birds to your yard or garden. Many bird lovers and nature lovers put up feeders to attract birds that would not normally come...

As every savvy birdwatcher knows, while we are watching birds, birds are also watching us. They are studying our behavior for clues about whether we pose a threat, and how they should respond. To...

The five species of frigate birds spend most of their lives soaring along coastlines and far out to sea. They nest in trees and shrubs or on rocky ledges, and these unusual birds rarely sit down...

Despite their stinging defenses, bees are a common food item among certain birds.

Hawks are carnivorous birds; they only eat other animals. In general, hawks will eat any live animal that they can catch and eat--they have a varied diet. They tend to adapt to eating what is in...

Hot pepper powder, or the capsaicin compound derived from hot peppers, is often added to loose bird seed, bird seed bells and suet cakes to discourage hungry squirrels from gobbling up food...

Assist bluebird families in feeding ravenous young in the spring and surviving severe winter weather by providing mealworms, a nutritious food source they readily devour. Mealworms are the larval...

Bird watching is an entertaining and relaxing hobby, and with some planning you can do it in your own backyard. By providing three things: water, food and shelter you can attract a wide variety of...

Bird lovers can often become discouraged when they realize that their bird feeder is only attracting a hungry slew of blackbirds. Blackbirds are an aggressive type of bird that will indulge...

Its getting cold time to go indoors. The birds and other animals are preparing for the cold winter ahead. Food is less available for them during the winter. One way to help birds during the cold...

People travel from around the world to watch birds in Arizona. The variety of habitats ensures an opportunity to see many different species, from tiny hummingbirds to California condors with...

Offering mealworms, which are beetle larvae, to the birds that frequent your yard and garden is a great way to encourage them to nest nearby. It also provides them with nourishment during...

Hummingbirds enthrall us with their beauty and grace. It is amazing how such tiny creatures seem to contain all the energy of the world. It is only natural to want the very best environments to...

Birds occasionally enter homes through open windows, chimneys and other access points. Such situations may disorient and unnerve the bird and human residents alike. It's always a good idea to...

There are an estimated 1 million to 1 billion incidents a year where birds die after flying into windows. Not only are windows dangerous to birds but so are cats, dogs and illness. If you have...

Wild birds appreciate a special treat during the freezing winter months, especially when natural food supplies are limited. Beef suet can be combined with peanut butter, cornmeal and birdseed to...

Promoting birds in your yard or on your property in an ecologically sensible manner means little more than ensuring plenty of cover and a broad suite of food sources. While garden shops offer a...

What good is a birdhouse without any birds? Here are some things to keep in mind when putting up a birdhouse in your yard to make sure birds actually want to live in it.

There are thousands of birds and plants that are at serious risk of becoming extinct. Due to their classifications of being either essential or nonessential there are 750 types of plants that are...

Hummingbird hawk moths are bird-like insects often mistaken for hummingbirds, thus their name. They are as colorful as birds, so people often like to attract them to their gardens as they do birds.

Cardinals (Cardinalis cardinalsis) are beautiful bright red (males) to reddish-brown (females) birds which are medium in size and are known for their distinctive singing voice. They are native to...

Iron oxide, commonly known as rust, may seem like an odd ingredient for bird food. In fact, this chemical compound is used in a wide range of products--from cosmetics to animal feed.

Spread leg syndrome, also called spraddle or splay leg, occurs in newly hatched chicks. Though splay leg affects other animals, it is primarily a problem among domesticated poultry. The chick's...

If a flock of cat birds has settled in your neighborhood, they won't waste any time in making their presence known. Cat birds greet the dawn with a chorus of chirping interspersed with raspy...

A bird spends a lot of energy flying, molting, breeding, rearing young and defending its territory. It actively searches out foods that can help it meet these needs. Birds eat more than one type...

The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is a 19.6 million acre area of Northeastern Alaska set aside for the preservation of the region's wildlife in 1960. Many species of mammals, birds and fish call...

Avian diseases thrive in the water supplies of birds, spreading easily since birds tend to travel and gather in flocks. With regular care and cleaning, domestic birdbaths do not have to be a...

Winter, with its cold and snow, can seem like a challenging time to explore nature. Yet winter activities abound, and it can be a great time for your children to discover new things about the...

Not all birds migrate in the winter. Several species of birds remain year-round in a given area. For example, in Northeast Tennessee, cardinals and chickadees are permanent residents. As a...

Residential growth and lost woodlands leave our feathered friends fewer places to reside. They are left to find food and a retreat in response to predators. Creating a habitat for birds is the...

As with all animals, birds adapt to suit locations and needs. These variations are what birders use to identify them. Some traits, such as- the size and shape of the bird, can be easily seen....

Birds need plenty of fat and protein, especially in winter. Just like us, birds also need calcium in their diet to strengthen their bones. The basic recipe below provides fat, protein and calcium...

The eastern United States offers a variety of bird-watching terrain: cities, farmland, forests, coastal marshes and mountains. Opportunities to watch and study neotropical migratory birds from as...

Bird watching is a hobby beloved by many people, and North America is a land rich with distinct, beautiful and fascinating birds. It is home to about 800 species. Here are a few tips, along with...