Birds & Birdwatching

Hummingbirds are the only birds that can sustain backward flight. Their unique ball-and-socket shoulder joint allows their wings to rotate 180 degrees, enabling them to hover and fly in any direction.

Male Northern Cardinals are a brilliant bright red from crest to tail. Females are a warm brown with reddish tinges on the wings, tail, and crest. Cardinals are one of the most recognized backyard birds in North America.

The Bald Eagle was chosen as the national emblem of the United States in 1782. Despite its name, the Bald Eagle is not actually bald — its white-feathered head contrasts with its dark brown body.

Black oil sunflower seeds are considered the single best food for bird feeders because they attract the greatest variety of birds. Their thin shells are easy for small birds to crack, and they have a high fat content that provides excellent energy.

The Blue Jay is one of the most recognizable backyard birds in eastern North America, known for its striking blue, white, and black plumage and its loud, distinctive calls. Blue Jays are intelligent birds that can mimic hawk calls.

Migration is the seasonal movement of birds between breeding and wintering areas. The Arctic Tern holds the record for the longest migration, traveling roughly 44,000 miles round trip from Arctic to Antarctic each year.

American Robins are famous for pulling earthworms from lawns. They also eat insects and berries. Robins tilt their heads to the side when hunting on the ground — they are actually using their keen eyesight (not hearing) to spot worms.

Bald Eagles build the largest nests of any North American bird. They add to the same nest year after year, and some nests have been measured at over 9 feet across, 20 feet deep, and weighing more than 2 tons.

The Northern Mockingbird is the state bird of five states: Arkansas, Florida, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Texas. It is famous for its ability to mimic the songs of other birds, often learning over 200 different songs in its lifetime.

The Peregrine Falcon is the fastest animal on Earth. During its hunting stoop (high-speed dive), it can reach speeds exceeding 240 mph. It tucks its wings close to its body to reduce drag and strikes prey mid-air with incredible force.

Woodpeckers have several adaptations to absorb shock: spongy bone in the skull, a hyoid bone (tongue structure) that wraps around the skull acting as a seatbelt, and strong neck muscles. These features distribute the impact force and protect the brain.

The Barred Owl has a distinctive call that birders remember as "Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you all?" They are large, stocky owls with brown and white barred plumage found in forests across eastern North America.

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds make a non-stop flight of roughly 500 miles across the Gulf of Mexico during their spring and fall migrations. Despite weighing only about 3 grams, they accomplish this feat by building up fat reserves beforehand.

A group of crows is called a murder. This term dates back to the 15th century and may be linked to folklore associating crows with death. Crows are extremely intelligent birds that can use tools, recognize human faces, and even hold grudges.

The Passenger Pigeon once numbered between 3 and 5 billion birds, making it the most abundant bird in North America. Massive commercial hunting and habitat destruction drove it to extinction. The last known Passenger Pigeon, named Martha, died at the Cincinnati Zoo on September 1, 1914.