Birds and Blooms
27 stories
Jackie Bald Eagle's Cause of Death Revealed
California Department of Fish and Wildlife confirms Jackie the bald eagle died from Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza.
Emily Hannemann · 1m
Owls Sleep When?
Some owls hunt during the day, others at dawn and dusk, and all sleep differently.
Ken Keffer · 1m
Buteo vs Accipiter: Hawk ID Key
How to tell buteos from accipiters for hawk ID.
Rachel Maidl · 1m
How to Spot a Sharp-Shinned Hawk
Identify this small hawk's field marks, habitat, and hunting habits for backyard spotting.
Jill Staake · 1m
Owl Lifespan: How Long Do Owls Live?
Great horned owls live 13-15 years, longer than other owls.
Emily Hannemann · 1m
Vultures: Birds of Prey or Not
Vultures share traits with birds of prey but hunt differently.
Emily Hannemann · 1m
Brown Spots on Hydrangea Leaves
Hydrangea leaf spots likely mean fungal infection or pest damage.
Emily Hannemann · 1m
When to Rake Leaves
Leave leaves for insects and soil health in spring.
Emily Hannemann · 1m
White Oak vs Red Oak Tree Differences
How to tell white oak from red oak: leaf shape, size, fall color and wildlife benefits.
Rachel Maidl · 1m
Zodiac Houseplant Guide
Your zodiac sign matches the perfect houseplant for your personality.
1m
Sheryn's Vision Journey
Sheryn shares how early detection of geographic atrophy slowed her vision loss and kept her connected to loved ones.
Aashish Ponnachan · 1m
Woodpecker Adaptations
Woodpeckers' unique behaviors and physical traits help them survive in trees.
1m
Best Evergreen Trees for Shade
Shade-friendly evergreens that resist deer and thrive in low light.
Melinda Myers · 1m
6 Bulb Planting Mistakes You Should Never Make
Planting spring bulbs correctly avoids common mistakes that lead to fewer blooms.
Karuna Eberl · 1m
Fall Garden Aster Varieties Guide
Discover top 10 fall aster flowers for your garden.
Peggy Riccio · 1m
Cardinal Lifespan Secrets
Northern cardinals live up to 15 years, with some returning to feeders yearly.
Jill Staake · 1m
Longest Bird Migration Journeys
Arctic terns fly 25,000 miles roundtrip across the globe.
Kaitlin Stainbrook · 1m
Smart bird bath turned me into a birder
A camera-equipped fountain helped one Arizona backyard watcher discover dozens of bird species and fall in love with birding.
Nancy Snyder · 3m
Keystone Plants: The Best Way to Help Wildlife
These native species support entire ecosystems by feeding caterpillars, specialist bees, and the birds that depend on them.
Lauren David · 2m
Pelican Knocks on NOAA Door for Emergency Help
A brown pelican tangled in fishing line did something unheard of: it checked itself into a research lab for treatment.
Emily Hannemann · 1m
Fall garden fixes that set you up for next spring
Skip the raking and focus on these smart tasks that give your garden a healthy head start for next year.
Jill Staake · 1m · 6 views
A birding festival in the heart of Chicago
Three days of warbler kayaking, hawk watching and lakefront rides prove a big city is a real birding habitat.
Emily Hannemann · 1m
How to Get Fireflies Back in Your Yard
Five small changes to your garden, and summer evenings start flashing again.
Jill Staake · 1m · 6 views
Why Gulls Love the Grocery Store Parking Lot
Asphalt, fries and free bread explain why so-called seagulls hang out nowhere near the sea.
Kaitlin Stainbrook · 2m
How Birds Fight Back Against Predators
Fake broken wings, rattlesnake impressions, and projectile vomit: the surprising arsenal small birds use to stay alive.
Kenn and Kimberly Kaufman · 2m
Shadow the bald eagle has a new companion
Weeks after Jackie died, a young banded eagle named Kaydee flew into the Big Bear nest and started rearranging sticks.
Emily Hannemann · 1m
Why Lysol has no place near your bird feeder
A reader asked if disinfectant spray beats bleach on feeders, and two birding experts had a firm answer.
Lori Vanover · 1m