Hobbies

Nothing tastes better than eating a wild bird as a main course. Whether it is pheasant, turkey, duck or goose, they simply have a taste that does not compare to farm-raised wild birds. Try a wild...

Loss of wildlife habitat is a serious problem in our world today. Many natural wildlife habitats are now being developed into suburbs as cities sprawl into previously rural areas. Many wild...

Originally invented in the Black Forest of Germany, cuckoo clocks are a distinctive part of time keeping history. These mechanical marvels predate the digital age and come from a time when battery...

Backyard bird feeders attract a variety of beautiful birds to our yards. Unfortunately, those feeders can also be hosts to mold, bacteria and diseases that can infect entire flocks of birds. Bird...

The hummingbird is a muscular flying machine with 30 percent of its total body weight coming from the muscles it uses to fly. The hummingbird is tiny--most are two to three inches long--and moves...

It's very frustrating in this day and age, when a nice bird bath is 2,3,4 500 dollars. Who wants to spend that kind of money on something that is going to be outside for the birds? Not me. That's...

Clay pigeon or clay target shooting is a hobby popular amongst shooters as an ethical way to shoot without animals being hurt in the process. Stemming from actual pigeon shooting contests, the...

Squirrels are a beautiful animal but they can be such a pest especially around my bird feeders. I have bought all kinds of products to run them off but they still kept coming back. Finally one day...

Making your first bird house. Here are tips on how to go about building it; what to consider, what you'll need, bird house plans, and recommendations from experts.

Placing a bird house on your property not only provides a safe place for birds to nest, but also provides a great way to view nature in your backyard. Before installing a bird house, however,...

Squirrels are notorious for invading bird feeders. Not only do they rob birds of food, they monopolize the feeder and often damage feeder parts as well. Although some people find success with...

So the special person in your life loves to garden. Now what gift can you offer to bring a little fun or treat to their special day? Following is a list of ideas that run a range of budgets, from...

Bird watching is a great past time so why not create a bird paradise by making a bird bath. The birds will come to drink and refresh and you can bird watch out your window or from your patio....

Photographing wildlife in their natural habitat, especially Raptors.

Squirrels may be cute, but if you feed the birds in your backyard, you already know what a nuisance they can be. Not only do they rob seed from your bird feeders and chase away birds, they can...

You might be surprised at how many uses these have. You should re-use most things before you send them to the garbage dump. One of the things you can do with them is use them to form lard and...

Hang small child's umbrella upside down in a tree and fill it 1/3 full with bird seed. If it gets ugly with too many bird droppings just hose it off and let if dry. Little birds will literally...

Turn your backyard into a bird haven. These simple bird feeder projects are easy enough for kids to make. There are only a few items needed to make simple bird feeders. Most of these items can be...

These cute bird feeders are easy to make! They only use a few ingredients. This makes a great project for your kids and is easy enough for anyone to do!

You’ve seen them in the catalogs and home centers for $10 or more but you can easily make a bird seed scoop for free. It’ll take you about 5 minutes to recycle a plastic beverage jug (i.e., milk...

Hawks are birds of prey, also called raptors, which have a presence all over the world except for Antarctica. They possess the attributes of exceptionally fine eyesight, sharp beaks and talons for...

The red-winged blackbird, with its familiar call that signals the coming of warmer weather, is a sure sign of spring in the northern part of its range. Found throughout the continental United...

Setting out seeds in your back yard makes bird-watching easy. But as the weather turns cold, wild birds will be looking for a little fat, in addition to their normal diet of seeds, nuts and ...

The belted kingfisher is a common bird throughout North America, but one that many people have never seen. Skilled at diving into the water and capturing fish for a meal, the belted kingfisher has...

For years the yellow and black goldfinch had been the unofficial state bird of Minnesota, but when it came time to designate a bird for the honor in 1961, the common loon won out. There may be...

The mockingbird has been the state bird of Arkansas since 1927. An accomplished songbird, the northern mockingbird imitates other birds so adeptly that even computers cannot tell which is the...

In 1970 the New York state legislature passed a motion to adopt the Eastern Bluebird as the state bird. Long thought to be a sign off good luck by humans, the Eastern Bluebird saw its numbers...

The black-capped chickadee was designated the Maine state bird in 1927. It is a seemingly happy-go-lucky bird that brings cheer to the people that it encounters with its friendly and acrobatic...

Mourning doves are the most plentiful game bird in North America and are in the top ten of the most populous birds in the United States. They have actually benefited from the settling of the New...

The state bird of Montana is the western meadowlark, a member of the blackbird family and an extremely well-liked feather friend. First described by Audubon in 1844, the western meadowlark is...

The American Robin is the state bird of Connecticut and has been ever since the Connecticut General Assembly declared it to be so in 1943. The robin was named by the early New England colonists...

The Pennsylvania state bird was chosen by its legislature in 1931. The lawmakers decided that the ruffed grouse was deserving of such an honor. Although not as plentiful in the Keystone State as...

The American goldfinch is the state bird of Iowa, designated such by the state legislature in 1933. At that time it was called the eastern goldfinch, but it has since been renamed. A beautiful...

Turkey hunting can provide both a recreational activity and a tasty meal. Unfortunately, meat can spoil or develop a bad taste if not cared for properly. If you plan on eating your turkey, proper...

Your new parakeet will be spending a lot of time in his cage. Here's how to make it a fun and comfortable place for your new friend!

European House Sparrows are more than just a nuisance to Native Bluebirds, they are a threat to their very lives. House Sparrows will kill Bluebirds and their babies and build a new nest right on...

If you reside close to a wooded area such as a state park or forest, you may have observed a great horned owl perched in a tree watching you. Most of us like to listen to their call in the night....

Here is how you can sound like a bird when you whistle.

Learn how to choose a specialty field guide for specific bird species, in this free birding equipment guide.

Learn about using tape recorders and iPods to listen to bird songs for birding, in this free tutorial on birding equipment.

Learn about using a field notebook to keep bird notes when birding, in this free tutorial on bird watching.

Learn how to choose a birding field guide, in this free tutorial on bird watching equipment.

Learn how to dress for bird watching, in this free online guide to appropriate birding attire.

Learn how to dress for bird watching, in this free online guide to appropriate birding attire.

Learn about using digital cameras for birding and digiscoping, in this free tutorial on birding equipment.

Learn how to use binoculars for birding, in this free bird watching guide.

Learn about the advantages of using a telescope for birding, in this birdwatching equipment video tutorial.

Learn how to use a telescope for bird watching, in this free tutorial on birding equipment.

Learn how to choose birding binoculars that have the right specs for bird watching, in this free tutorial on birding equipment.

Get an overview of birding equipment and how to get started in birding, in this free online video clip.