Birding

A small, black and yellow American Goldfinch clings to a feeder while eating little, black Nyjer seeds.
What’s the Deal With Nyjer?
March 06, 2023 — The tiny black seed is a favorite of finches, but where does it come from? And why is it always capitalized?
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Five piles of assorted bird seed on a white background.
Mixology: Breaking Down 5 Common Birdseed Blends
March 06, 2023 — With all the products available these days, sometimes the jargon and claims can get confusing. Here’s a quick primer.
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An owl glides over a field, the frost on the grass glistening.
Yeah, Sitting on the Couch Is Great, But Have You Ever Seen a Short-eared Owl?
February 15, 2023 — Brighten up a winter’s day by seeking out this amazing, accessible raptor.
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A bright red male Northern Cardinal perches on a branch, leaning forward. Brown branches are blurred in the background.
Getting to Know Neighborhood Birds During a Winter Storm
February 13, 2023 — A Texas winter storm was a great reminder of the variety of avian life that awaits you if you just take a look outside.
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A Cedar Waxwing and a Bohemian Waxwing perched on a branch, both holding a berry in their mouth.
Stylish and Social, Winter Waxwings Provide a Wonderful ID Challenge
December 16, 2022 — Bohemian and Cedar Waxwings look very similar and are more likely to intermingle in the colder months. Here’s how to tell them apart.
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A flock of Common Redpolls fly through a snowy field in golden sunlight.
This Year’s Bonanza of Boreal Birds Once Again Bears Out the Winter Finch Forecast
December 15, 2022 — As predicted, grosbeaks, crossbills, and other northern birds are on the move, visiting feeders and delighting birders. Prognosticator Tyler Hoar explains what goes into the annual projection.
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A grid of six colorful photos of a wide variety of birds.
Log On and Team Up for a Whole New Type of Big Year
December 15, 2022 — Audubon staff used eBird in 2022 for a count that emphasized collaboration over competition. Here’s how to launch your own group effort.
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An illustration of 3 cartoon ducks—Surf Scoter, Northern Shoveler, and Red-breasted Merganser—each with labels describing distinctive features.
An Ode to Weird Duck Time
November 29, 2022 — Cartoonist Rosemary Mosco reflects on a season that’s special to her—and not only because she invented it.
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A flock of ducks flying in the same direction with an out of focus landscape in the background.
A Duck Hunter’s Tips for Quickly Identifying Waterfowl on the Wing
November 14, 2022 — Take limits require rapid ID of fast-flying birds—a useful skill for any birder. One waterfowler breaks down how she does it.
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Binoculars and a cell phone on a wood table outside, the eBird app open on the phone shows nearby birding hotspots.
A Beginner’s Guide to Using eBird
October 07, 2022 — Birders and scientists alike have come to depend on this powerful platform. New to birding or intimidated by eBird? Don’t worry, we’ve got you.