Learning Center

We are now in the depth of winter, which means that your bird feeders are crowded with foreign travelers. One international visitor to expect is most likely the dark eyed junco, called snow-birds because if you see one, that means winter is coming, and snow will likely follow. 

Ironically, despite their name, they nest and peck for their grub on the ground, in the tundra. You will see them communing with dark eyed juncos in your bird feeders all season, until spring arrives. As the days get longer and the temperature rises, they sing their beautiful farewell song before flying north, as the sun rises again warm on our skin, and the cycle of Nature starts anew. 

... But not all birds go south when Jack Frost comes around. Some stick around to cheer us with a little chirp as the dawn cracks - which thanks to clock changes has made sunrise a little later. So no more 4 am calls!

The trees are bare, the parks are less crowded and it is so much easier to play spot the bird. We can see them more clearly now that there is no foliage, and get to identify those which stay behind, toughening themselves up to fight the snow and hail. 

So fill up your bird feeders, pull up a couch at your window or glass door - winter schminter - this is the best show in town

This cute yellow bundle of bustling energy is a sign that the ice of winter will be melting soon. It always warms the cockles of the heart to see the finch getting his yellow feathers at the end of winter as this means sunny days are ahead, and spring is near.

Squirrels don’t just covet bird seeds. If they find a food source, they can go further and infiltrate any crevice that can give them entry to your house: chimneys, windows, garages. Once in the woodwork, they’ll start chewing away. Now - there is no cause for alarm! Yes, it’s inconvenient. That’s why we're here - to guide you through this phenomenon.

New to bird identifying?

This little one can be the first on your list of “Birds I identified today!” 

Nibbling and flocking among the chickadees, titmice and nuthatches, the downy woodpecker is only just a little bigger than it’s pecking mates in the flock. Downys are a common sight in private gardens, parks and deciduous forests. They are the smallest woodpeckers in northern America, which explains how these little ones are able to make circus-like moves as they hop from branch to twig, from plant-gall to bird-feeder. 

From Canada to Mexico, the most common sighting in the northern US is the mourning dove. Perched on telephone poles, cooing as if lamenting, most don’t give them a second thought. 

But there is more to them than meets the eye in this elegant bird. Their feeding and mating are extremely unique, their sound - warm and soothing.

They cut the air like a knife when flying, reaching up to 55 mph due to their pointed wings and long slender tails!

The name has its roots in two ancient Anglo-Saxon words — “tit,” from a word meaning something small, and “mouse,” from a word applied to any small bird, as well as that little rodent. 

You’re not alone. Birding has become one of the most popular hobbies in North America, second only to gardening. 57 million households have taken up bird-feeding as a hobby. In fact,  February has been named National Bird-Feeding Month by congressional decree.

And by this decree, ladies and gents, we shall show you how to attract the little chirpers to your backyard. Whether in an apartment or condo or a house with a backyard, we’ll show you step by step how enter to the world of bird feeding. 

There are two kinds of window feeders, the solarium and the suction cups. The latter seems to be the most popular of the two and here are a 6 tips to keep the adhesiveness of the cups long term.

It’s hard to look at these little fliers and not melt inside with their cuteness! With their fat heads, stout necks and plump bodies, these curious tiny creatures are such a pleasure to have in your window or garden as they are extremely friendly.

Curiously enough, they are not as afraid of humans as other birds. After a short
training, you might get them to peck seeds from your hand! That’s why these birds
are first on the list for most bird lovers!

Hey there crazy bird people! If you are far from home and miss your birds, here is a special video we created, in a Slow TV format, bringing you a ...