Bird Feeding and Care

Smart Bird Feeders Are Connecting Us to Wildlife —and Each Other—Like Never Before
June 20, 2025 — The increasingly popular gadgets, which take photos of avian visitors, are turning at-home birding into a shared experience.
Four sparrows eat seed at a feeder.
What Does the Avian Flu Surge Mean for Your Bird Feeders?
February 24, 2025 — As H5N1 spreads rapidly, wild birds remain at risk. Here’s what to know about the outbreak and how to keep your feathered visitors safe.
A spider web made of pipe cleaners with fake spiders adorns the inside of a window, looking out on pumpkins on a picnic table.
How to Have a Bird-Friendly Halloween
October 18, 2024 — Follow these tips to ensure your spooky celebrations don't create a scary situation for birds.
At Home
A House Wren stands on piece of dead wood in a pile of sticks and brush.
Make Birds Feel at Home With a Brush Pile
September 23, 2024 — A breeze to build and maintain, these “wildlife hotels” are a wonderful way to add natural habitat to your outdoor space.
A group of birds at a hanging feeder, two of them appear to be having a fight.
In Bird Feeder Battles, Social Species are Featherweights
March 09, 2023 — A new study finds ‘groupy and wimpy’ birds have a hard time fending off competition, but they can gain a boost among friends.
Bird Science
A bear grabs a hanging bird feeder full of seeds in its mouth, knocking it over.
Why Bird Feed Can Be a ‘Gateway Food’ for Bears
October 27, 2022 — The easy buffet draws bears to human habitats. If you live in bear country, experts suggest putting away feeders in seasons the mammals are active.
You Found a Bird That Crashed Into a Window. Now What?
November 18, 2021 — Building strikes are an unfortunately common occurrence, especially during migration season. Here’s what to do if you find a collision victim.
Bird-friendly Buildings
Feeding Birds Could Get Pricey This Year
September 01, 2021 — The severe drought pummeling the West and the Great Plains is one key reason for an expected spike in the cost of popular bird foods.
When to Expect Hummingbirds at Your Feeders and Flowers This Spring
May 21, 2020 — Warmer weather is on its way—and so are migrant hummers returning from their southern wintering grounds to their summer breeding ranges. Here’s a regional guide for when they should arrive and the food they’re seeking.
Bird Migration
How to Keep Your Hummingbird Feeder Free from Pests
July 15, 2019 — A few small steps can protect your nectar from bears and insects.