Add a splash of red to your backyard with a few simple birding basics to attract these flashy fliers.
Birding Basics
Thinking of taking up birding as a hobby? These birding basics and tips on birding for beginners will get you started.

Birding Basics to Attract Northern Cardinals
Add a splash of red to your backyard with a few simple birding basics to attract these flashy fliers. Read more >
The Most Common Birds Of North America
Rare birds get a lot of attention these days, but common birds are important too! Discover North America’s most abundant birds and learn the birding basics of these winged survivalists.
Attracting Birds and Wildlife in Extreme Weather
From blizzards to heat waves we’ll show you how to attract birds, bats and butterflies by turning your backyard into a sheltered haven.
Change Is In The Air: Bird Migration Patterns
From hummingbirds to geese, discover some of the ways bird migration patterns are shifting for certain birds.
Birding Basics to Camouflaged Birds
Many camouflaged birds blend in with the background for their own survival—but you can spot them with the birding basics of how and where to look.
Owls: North American Birds of Prey
Learn how different regions offer diverse habitats for these fascinating North American birds of prey.
Birding Basics of the Fastest Birds In North America
From outwitting predators to raising a family, being fast can boost a bird’s chances of survival. Learn the birding basics of a few fast-moving species!
Attracting Songbirds: Brown Thrashers
Brown thrashers are excellent mimics. They can sing more than 1,000 tunes. Learn more about these elusive songbirds and how to spot one near you.
Birding Basics to Indigo Buntings
The indigo bunting is one of the most gorgeous summer birds in the East. Learn the birding basics of how to welcome these popular fliers to your area.
Identifying Birds by Their Song
Did you know that simply hearing a bird counts as an ID? For visually impaired people who are beginning birding, bird calls are a natural place to start.
Beach Bum Birds: Coastal Fliers and Beach Birding Locations
Put your toes in the sand at these beach birding locations and grab some binoculars—you’ll want to check out these coastal fliers.
Birding Basics of Bad Rep Birds
Rethink your stance on these traditional “bad birds” with some birding basics from our expert.
Swallows: The Songbirds of the Sky
Swallows spend much of their time in the wild blue yonder. Learn the birding basics of where to spot these colorful songbirds when they come down to earth.
Backyard Birding in Small Spaces
With a little planning and some bird feeding basics from our experts you can attract birds to backyard—no matter where you live or how big your space.
The Truth About Hummingbird Banding
You always hear about the banding of songbirds and raptors, but rarely about hummingbird banding. Turns out that it’s an extremely specialized activity.
Birdhouse Guidelines
Just as habitat matters, so does the birdhouse. Make sure you’re offering the right size birdhouse for the bird you want to attract.
Grassland Birds: Hidden Gems of the Prairie
Discover why grassland birds are the hidden gems of the prairie as well as some of the best birding locations to spot them.
Blog: When To Help Fallen Nesting Birds
It’s tempting to want to help a baby bird on the ground, but nesting birds usually are fine on their own.
The Cutest Birds in America
The votes are in—see if your favorite bird made our list of the cutest birds in America, then get the birding basics to attract them to your yard.
Helping Birds in Winter
Learn how birds in winter are battling and surviving in extreme conditions, and find out what you can do to help.
How to Attract Orioles
The early bird gets the worm when it comes to attracting orioles to your backyard. Find out more about the oriole family and how to bring them to your yard.
Winter Birds Myths and Facts
Some folks worry winter birds will freeze on cold nights or in bird baths. Our expert has the bird facts to answer these questions.
Birding For Your Health
Discover how birdwatching can do wonders for your physical and mental well-being.
Bird Behavior: Caching Food
You see birds carrying seeds off from feeders to store them – but where do they go, and how do they find them again?
Cooperative Bird Behavior
Don’t underestimate the ability of birds to work as a team for survival, nest building, and feeding.
All About Bird Songs
From regional dialects to mimicry, the world of bird songs is fascinating.
The Best Moments of Spring Birds
Spring can seem a long way off, until you see the first wren gathering nest material. See our other favorite spring birds moments.
Bird Bath Tips for Winter Birds
Winter birds need water too, but bird baths often freeze over. Get cost-saving tips for offering water to birds during cold weather.
Wild Bird Diseases
Seeing sick birds at your feeder can be a concern. Learn what diseases affect wild birds and how you can help.
Why Do Birds Sing?
Bird songs are plentiful during the spring, but just why do birds sing? Find out from our bird expert.
Ultimate Guide to Watching Birds in Every Season
Watching birds brings new excitement every day. Get our checklists for birding season by season.
True Colors: Decoding Bird Plumage
Brilliantly colored bird feathers serve many purposes. Learn how bird plumage protects and helps wild birds.
Spark Birds: Learning to Love Birdwatching
A single spotting of your personal “spark bird” can ignite a lifetime of birdwatching.
The Rewards of Weekend Birding
Too busy for birdwatching during the week? Try these tips to make the most of your weekend birding.
Plan a Big Day of Birding
Don’t have time for a Big Year of birding? Try a Big Day instead!
Keep Cats Indoors to Protect Wild Birds
Cats kill millions of birds each year. Keep cats indoors to keep backyard birds safe.
Introduce Kids to Birding
Get children to love birding, and those young birders become lifelong nature lovers.
How to Identify Birds
Knowing a few simple tricks can make it easier to identify birds. Get bird ID tips from an expert.
How Do Birds Fly? and Other Bird Facts
Get fascinating facts about bird senses and bird behavior from The Bird Watching Answer Book.
Attracting Birds for Less
Save money with these tips for feeding and attracting birds.
Create the Ultimate Backyard Wildlife Habitat
Love attracting birds? Don’t stop there. Garden for wildlife to create the ultimate backyard habitat for bugs, butterflies, and more.
A Chic Chick’s Guide to Birding
Birding with a friend is twice as nice! Gather your girlfriends and check out our guide to the best “chick” birding.
Can Birds Smell or Taste?
Readers often wonder “can birds smell?” or “can birds taste?” Learn about bird senses from our expert.
Bully Birds at Feeders
Learn how to keep starlings, grackles, and other so-called bully birds away from your feeders.
Birding for Small Spaces
Attracting birds doesn’t take a lot of space. Try our tips for birding in small spaces like balconies or windowsills.
Bird Migration and Flyway Zones
Want to find bird migration hotspots? Check out the four North American flyway zones.
Bird Mating: Who’s the Boss?
When it comes to bird mating for species like American Robins and House Wrens, it’s the female birds who run the show!
Bird Banding and Citizen Science
Bird banding helps scientists understand behavior like bird migration. Learn about the process and how to report a banded bird.
Attracting Nesting Birds with Better Birdhouses
Nesting birds are rewarding to watch. Get five key tips for attracting birds to nest in your garden.
Attracting Bluebirds: Tips and FAQs
It’s easy to see why so many people are interested in attracting bluebirds to their yard. We’ve got seven easy tips and answers to your questions.