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Oh, Nuts! The Trials of a Red-headed Woodpecker
Knowing when to hunker down and when to move on is a matter of survival for the Red-headed Woodpecker. This noisy bird spends its summers taking insects from the sky in flashy, acrobatic flight. But …
Published on 11 months, 3 weeks ago
The Rusty Blackbird’s Unique Beauty
In the fall, Rusty Blackbirds get new feathers with reddish-gold highlights that have a unique and subtle beauty. Their complex little song might sound like a door hinge that needs some grease. Thoug…
Published on 11 months, 3 weeks ago
'Carol of the Birds' with Nancy Rumbel
To celebrate the season, Nancy Rumbel, who composed and played the BirdNote theme music, performs "Carol of the Birds." This version was arranged by Nancy herself, with the accompaniment of Pine Sisk…
Published on 11 months, 3 weeks ago
Winter on the Columbia
A stiff December breeze blowing down the Columbia River delivers an exhilarating chill. A stretch of river near Bridgeport, in north-central Washington, is held tightly by a series of dams, creating …
Published on 11 months, 4 weeks ago
Even Songbirds Have to Practice
Songbirds delight us with their music, but at times they might sound repetitive. That’s because songbirds have to practice their singing to keep performing at their best. Researchers studying Zebra F…
Published on 11 months, 4 weeks ago
The Butcherbird
The Northern Shrike breeds in the tundra and taiga of the north, but migrates south into the lower 48 for the winter. It has a pleasing and rhythmical song, which it sings even in winter. But its son…
Published on 1 year ago
The Cardinal: A Southerner Moves North
Holiday cards often feature gorgeous red cardinals against a snowy landscape. So it’s easy to assume the birds have always been a colorful presence in bleak Northern winters. But cardinals used to be…
Published on 1 year ago
Not Just Any Nectar Will Do
Hummingbirds such as this Buff-tailed Sicklebill specialize in nectar feeding. But other species of birds, less specialized to nectar, also visit flowers for a taste of the sweet stuff. The flowers t…
Published on 1 year ago
Birds Can Keep the Beat
The Scaly-breasted Wren lives in Central and South America, and has a lengthy song of whistled notes separated by pauses. By analyzing song recordings, researchers found that Scaly-breasted Wrens can…
Published on 1 year ago
Boreal Chickadees Stay Home for the Winter
Boreal Chickadees live in the boreal forest year-round. How do they survive the harsh winter? First, during summer, they cache a great deal of food, both insects and seeds. Then in fall, they put on …
Published on 1 year ago