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Bird Species

We’ve rounded up profiles for some of the most popular North American bird species. Learn how to attract these fine feathered friends and listen to their songs.

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Mourning Dove Nests: The Fastest Nest Builders

You'll be amazed at how fast a pair of mourning doves builds a nest. Learn...

20 Incredibly Cute Chickadee Pictures

Chickadees are friendly and adorable birds. Check out super cute chickadee pictures captured by backyard...

The Chickadee Bunch: All About Chickadees

Chickadees are social birds that flock to feeders. To attract and identify chickadees, learn about...

5 Essential Hawk Identification Tips for Birders

Use expert tips and a helpful chart to improve your hawk identification skills. Plus, learn...

What Does a Cardinal’s Call Sound Like?

Northern cardinals are one of the few bird species with both male and female singers....

House Finches and Purple Finches: How to Tell the Difference

House finches and purple finches look very similar. Birding experts explain how backyard birders can...

13 Jaw-Dropping Facts About Hummingbirds

Discover fascinating facts about hummingbirds, like what materials they use build their nests, where they...

How Long Do Hummingbirds Live?

Learn the lifespan of hummingbirds, and discover how long hummingbirds can live in the wild...

How to Tell the Difference Between Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers

These woodpecker species look quite similar but there are some differences, too. Figure out which...

6 Fascinating Facts about Swifts

Learn everything birders need to know about swifts—the family of airborne birds that can’t sit...

The 4 Best Foods for Attracting Woodpeckers

Attract more woodpeckers to your backyard by serving all of their favorite foods.

How to Identify Cooper’s Hawks and Sharp-shinned Hawks

A common backyard birding challenge is learning how to tell Cooper's and sharp-shinned hawks apart....

Everything You Need to Know About Red-Bellied Woodpeckers

Meet the woodpecker with a puzzling moniker and a big appetite for suet. Here's how...

All About Acorn Woodpeckers: Ultimate Stockpilers

Tap into what makes these quirky, clownish woodpeckers so unique. Acorn woodpeckers live in large...

Our Top 10 Favorite Sports Team Bird Mascots

Cheer for these professional football, baseball, basketball and hockey teams with bird mascots!

15 Outstanding Pictures of Owls

Admire these spectacular reader photos of owl species found across America, including snowy owls, burrowing...

Meet Crossbills: The Ultimate Nomads of the Bird World

Random migrations are just one crossbill quirk—learn more fun oddities of these wandering songbirds.

How to Attract and Identify Pine Siskins

When pine siskins visit backyards, they come in droves. These hungry and feisty finches love...

Meet the Redheads of the Bird World: Red-headed Woodpeckers

Learn more about the red-headed woodpecker including what they look like, what they eat, and...

Discover the Truth About Common Hummingbird Myths

Should you add red dye to hummingbird feeders? Find out as we separate hummingbird myths...

Hawk Watching Tips and Facts About Raptor Migration

Learn how to spot and identify hawks during fall raptor migration.

How to Identify Mountain Chickadees

Learn what mountain chickadees eat, what they look like, where to spot them and more....

Learn the Story Behind the Rescue of a Special Bald Eagle

Good bird photography often tells a story or captures a moment. Learn about a special...

Birds of Summer: Learn to Identify 8 Types of Swallows

From purple martins to barn swallows, find out how to spot and identify 8 members...

15 Simply Stunning Photos of Northern Cardinals

Cardinals are among the most popular and beloved birds in America, and these gorgeous photos...

How to Attract More Goldfinches to Your Backyard

Attract American goldfinches to your backyard feeder with thistle and sunflower seeds. Plus, plant flowers...

10 Woodpecker Species Birders Should Know

Readers share photos of woodpeckers that show the beauty of these amazing birds. Look for...

5 Grosbeaks Backyard Birders Should Know

Look for large, colorful, eye-catching grosbeaks at your backyard feeders. Learn how to identify five...

What Do Hummingbirds Eat?

Birding experts Kenn and Kimberly Kaufman discuss all of the foods that hummingbirds eat—their diet...

15 Breathtaking Photos of Mourning Doves

Enjoy a collection of photos that capture the beauty of mourning doves in all seasons,...