“Help! A hawk has started hanging around my bird feeders. How can I make it go away, so it doesn’t eat my birds?!” The above question, or some version of it, is one of the most common that I receive. I can always tell that the person asking has a GIANT heart, and the last thing they want to see is their adorable […]
ID Guide to Water Birds in the United States! (30 species)
What kinds of water birds can you find in the United States? Visit any lake, river, or wetland, and you are almost certain to see some type of bird in the water, whether it’s a duck searching for food in the shallows or a heron stalking prey along the shore. Today, you are going to learn 30 water bird species that are COMMON […]
25 Types of Ducks in the United States! (ID Guide)
What kinds of ducks can you find in the United States? Who doesn’t love ducks? Head to almost any water habitat, and you are likely to see at least a few swimming around. I think you’ll be amazed at how many duck species are found in the United States! For people who are only ever used to seeing the common Mallard, this […]
Birds of Prey in the USA! (26 COMMON Species)
What kinds of birds of prey can you find in the United States? This question is common, both for birders and non-birders alike. Raptors are popular animals that tend to catch people’s interest more than most other species. Luckily, in the United States, there are many species in all sorts of different habitats. Today, you will learn about 26 types of raptors that […]
Types of Herons in the United States! (11 species)
What kinds of herons can you find in the United States? If you visit any type of water habitat, you are likely to see at least one species of heron. These elegant birds are typically found in shallow water, which they enjoy wading through to find food. Some types of herons are easy to spot when they are around, such as Great Blue […]
Geese and Swans in the United States! (10 species)
Geese and swans are some of the largest birds you will find in the United States! Assuming you’re near a large body of water, it shouldn’t be too hard to find at least a few different species. They are fairly common in most lakes, estuaries, wetlands, lagoons, bays, or anywhere else they can find food. Most types of geese and swans are also […]
The 27 MOST Common Birds in the United States! (2021)
What kinds of birds can you find in the United States? This question is hard to answer because of the vast number of birds found in the United States. Did you know there have been over 1,000 species recorded here? As you can imagine, there was no way to include this many birds in the below article. So instead, I tried to focus […]
7 Doves (& Pigeons) That Live In The United States!
What kinds of doves can you find in the United States? Doves and pigeons (which is what larger doves are typically called) are stocky birds characterized by short necks, short slender bills, and a diet that is heavy on seeds. Due to their apparent peaceful nature, they are popular birds and a common visitor to backyards! Today, you will learn about 7 types […]
16 Types of Blackbirds in the United States! (ID Guide)
What kinds of blackbirds can you find in the United States? Blackbirds are incredibly abundant in the United States. But while they are common, some of these species get a bad reputation because of their aggressive personalities and tendency to “bully” smaller songbirds at bird feeders (cough… European Starlings… cough). The term “blackbird” is a bit wide-ranging. For the sake of this article, […]
Types of Nuthatches in the United States! (4 species)
What kinds of nuthatches can you find in the United States? Nuthatches are incredibly unique birds and a lot of fun to see in your backyard. Luckily, they are relatively easy to identify. Nuthatches are known to forage on trees at any angle or orientation and are most commonly seen climbing down trees HEAD first. If you’re lucky, you may […]
Types of Chickadees in the United States! (5 species)
What kinds of chickadees can you find in the United States? Thanks to their bold and inquisitive personalities, chickadees are one of the most popular birds that visit backyard feeding stations. I love watching them fly in quickly to grab a seed and then immediately fly away to eat in private (or store for later)! In the United States, you can find 5 […]
17 Woodpecker Species in the United States! (ID Guide)
What kinds of woodpeckers can you find in the United States? Woodpeckers are one of my favorite birds to attract, and I look for them every day in our backyard. I love watching them eat suet from my feeders, or if I’m lucky, listening to them in the woods as they drum on trees. 🙂 No matter where you live in the United […]
The 10 Wren Species in the United States! (ID Guide)
What species of wrens can you find in the United States? Wrens are incredible birds and they inhabit many different habitats. Even though they are small, wrens are incredibly bold and don’t back down to other species that are much larger than them. If you encounter one, you can expect to hear loud and complex songs. Once you know what to listen for, […]
The 10 Types of Squirrels in the United States! (2021)
What types of squirrels can you find in the United States? I have found squirrels cause a range of emotions. Some individuals find them adorable and love watching their crazy antics! But many people can’t stand having squirrels around, particularly on their bird feeders! These feeding enthusiasts are constantly battling these acrobatic rodents to keep them on the ground and away from their […]
The 3 Bluebird Species Found in the United States! (2021)
What types of bluebirds can you find in the United States? Bluebirds are one of the most popular birds in the United States and have captivated people’s interest and attention for a long time. These small birds, distinguished by their beautiful blue plumage, are actually part of the thrush family (Turdidae). And while everyone WANTS to attract bluebirds to their backyard, it’s surprisingly […]
8 Orioles That Live in the United States! (w/ Range Maps)
What types of orioles can you find in the United States? Few birds get me as excited as seeing Baltimore Orioles in my backyard each spring, either sipping grape jelly or feeding on orange halves. It’s no wonder these beautiful blackbirds (Yes, all orioles are part of the Icteridae family and considered blackbirds 🙂 ) draw so much attention and are a favorite amongst […]
16 Types of Hawks Found in the United States! (2021)
What types of hawks can you find in the United States? Getting the chance to see a hawk is always fun. I enjoy watching these raptors everywhere, whether I am in my backyard, hiking in the woods, or even seeing one perched on a fence while I’m driving! After doing some research, I was amazed at all the different hawk species in […]
Shasta Daisies 101! (NEW Guide for 2021)
Do you want to learn more about Shasta Daisies? Well, you are not alone. Shasta Daisies (Leucanthemum x superbum) are incredibly common flowers and easy to find. And personally, they are one of my favorite plants because they are beautiful, easy to grow, AND attract lots of wildlife. I’ve organized this post into the following sections: What is a Shasta Daisy? Why […]
7 Ways To Keep Chipmunks AWAY From Bird Feeders! (2021)
How do you keep chipmunks away and off your bird feeders? With their cheeks stuffed full of food, many people find chipmunks incredibly cute and welcome them to their backyard. But while squirrels get most of the attention, these striped rodents can become a bit annoying near your bird feeding station, especially in large enough numbers. The most likely place where you will […]
The 4 Types of Eagles Found in the United States! (2021)
What types of eagles can you find in the United States? Whenever they appear, I make sure to stop and watch these incredible birds of prey. I’m always amazed at their beauty, large size, and astonishing ability to soar at extreme heights! And I’m not alone, as eagles have a special place in many people’s hearts and minds. These majestic birds symbolize many […]
The 3 Types of Vultures Found In The United States! (2021)
What types of vultures can you find in the United States? Lucky for you, no matter where you live in the United States, you should be able to find vultures nearby! These birds are not considered attractive or “pretty” to most people. Regardless, vultures are incredibly important to the environment because they eat dead animals that most other predators can’t stomach. Eliminating […]
8 Ways to Keep Bears AWAY From Bird Feeders! (2021)
How do you keep bears away from your bird feeders? If you’re asking this question, then let me say how sorry I am about your bear problem. 🙂 Luckily, most bird feeding enthusiasts don’t have to deal with bears. But for those that do, it is challenging to continue to feed birds without having bears always ruining the party. As annoying as […]
Black-Eyed Susans 101! (NEW Guide for 2021)
Do you want to learn more about Black-eyed Susans? Well, you are not alone. Black-Eyed Susans are one of the most common and easy to find flowers around. And personally, they are one of my favorite plants because they are beautiful, easy to grow, AND attract lots of wildlife. This post is organized into the following sections: What is a Black-Eyed Susan? […]
The 6 Types of Falcons in the United States! (2021)
What types of falcons can you find in the United States? Lucky for you, no matter where you live in the United States, you should be able to find at least a few falcon species nearby! Falcons are incredible birds of prey that are known for their speed and exceptional hunting abilities. For example, nothing on the planet is faster than a […]
18 Owl Species That Live in the United States! (2021)
“What types of owls can you see in the United States?” The above question is common, so I thought I’d help by making a list of all the individual owl species that live in the United States. The temptation to intersperse this entire article with puns is almost overwhelming. I could just wing it and beak-off about these birds all day long, but […]
The Ultimate Guide to Cleaning Hummingbird Feeders! (2021)
“How do I clean my hummingbird feeders?” The above question is common for anyone who feeds hummingbirds in their backyard. Everyone that I know cares deeply for their hummers, and they want to make sure their birds have fresh and clean nectar at all times. Unfortunately, the nectar that we use inside our feeders will ferment. The sugars in the water eventually […]
Milkweed 101! (New Guide for 2021)
Do you want to learn more about milkweed? Then you have come to the right place! I’ve got lots of info to tell you about this incredible native plant, so let’s dig right in. I’ve organized this post into the following sections: What is milkweed? Why should you grow milkweed? (3 reasons!) Where to find and how to grow? Recommended species Common pests […]
7 Proven Ways To Attract Owls (2021)
How do you attract owls to your yard? Few birds make me stop in my tracks quite like an owl. These beautiful raptors always seem as curious and inquisitive about me, as I am about them. On many occasions, I have been able to observe a Barred Owl closely while it swayed its head side to side, checking me out. Not only […]
Purple Coneflower 101: WHY & HOW To Grow This Flower!
Are you ready to learn more about Purple Coneflower? If so, you are in the right place. Today, you are going to learn everything you need to know about this wonderful, NATIVE plant. I’ve organized this post into the following sections: What is Purple Coneflower? Why should you grow Purple Coneflower? (5 reasons!) How do you grow Purple Coneflower? Common Pests and Diseases […]
17 FUN Facts About Bats You Can’t Resist! (2021)
Are you ready to learn some fun facts about bats? These flying mammals are incredibly unique. Even though they are common across almost the entire planet, people rarely see them because most species are nocturnal. Today, you are going to learn 17 interesting bat facts! Fact #7 below is my favorite. In fact, it’s the reason that I try to attract […]