In the center of the eastern United States, Missouri lies in the Mississippi Flyway, a bird migration route for over 300 species as they move between wintering and breeding grounds. Because of Missouri’s location, you can find some western birds at the eastern edge of their range and some southern birds at the northern edge […]
Iconic Birds of Missouri Guide Read More »
Hummingbirds are awesome, and there’s no two ways about it. These tiny flittering jewels dart back and forth, the distinctive hum of their wings often your first clue that they’re nearby. I’ve been lucky enough to come across a couple of hummingbird nests in my lifetime. They are the most delicate constructions made of spider
Best Hummingbird Houses Guide Read More »
On a hot day, there’s nothing better than taking a dip to feel cool and clean. It’s normal that we want the same thing for the beautiful birds we see in our backyard. We also want our yards to look pleasing, and bird baths are a way to accomplish that goal. So, how do we
13 of the Best Concrete Bird Bath Ideas Read More »
Introduction Tap-tap-tap…tap-tap-tap…if you’re anything like me, the unmistakable sound of a woodpecker instantly draws your attention. I’ll fully admit I’m a visual birder, not an auditory one: I’m much better at identifying birds by their appearance instead of their sound. That means I’ll never be able to tell some species apart (the dreaded flycatchers come
Black and White Woodpeckers Guide Read More »
Woodpeckers are amazing birds, excavating dead trees to find insects for food and creating cavities for nesting. These cavities are essential for many species of birds and mammals that can’t make their own, so woodpeckers are critical to maintaining a diverse and functioning ecosystem. However, their habitat of drilling for insects isn’t always limited to
Best Woodpecker Deterrent to Deter Woodpeckers from Damaging Your Property Read More »
Introduction The Lucifer hummingbird, also known as the Lucifer sheartail due to the male’s long, narrow forked tail, is a medium-sized hummingbird that lives in high-altitude deserts. You’ll have a hard time finding them in North America, as they have a limited distribution there and are found mainly found in Mexico. I live in an
Lucifer Hummingbird Guide (Calothorax lucifer) Read More »
Introduction Costa’s is a bright little hummer, a bird that, once seen, you could not mistake for anything else. Arguably the prettiest North American hummer, the male has a brilliant purple throat with trailing feathers and a white line above the eye. Combined with a head-on look, this gives you the impression that you are
Costa’s Hummingbird Guide: (Calypte costae) Read More »
Info This is a rather unique-looking hummingbird species because they don’t have the typical bright metallic and iridescent throat feathers that hummingbirds are known for. Instead, with an intense violet crown, white throat, and red bill, they look slightly cartoonish. This is also another hummingbird species that barely makes it into North America and has
Violet-crowned Hummingbird Guide (Ramosomyia violiceps) Read More »
Bald eagles are among the most iconic birds in North America, some would say the most majestic. Their giant wingspans and striking white heads are a sight to behold if you’re lucky enough to see one. Few other birds look like bald eagles; the golden eagle is the closest in size and coloration – at
Female Bald Eagle Identification Read More »
This hummingbird has a fantastic name that made me excited to learn about it – I’ve never been fortunate enough to see one in person. I mean, when you hear the name ‘starthroat,’ it just has to be a stunner, right? Unfortunately for us bird watchers, the name doesn’t quite live up to our expectations,
Plain-capped Starthroat Guide (Heliomaster constantii) Read More »
