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Bird Questions and Facts

A Great Horned Owl chick snuggling up to its parent on their nest.
10 Fun Facts About the Great Horned Owl
July 21, 2026 — Fearsome hunters, doting parents, eager breeders—it's easy to give a hoot about these birds.
A Pileated Woodpecker sticks its head out of a hole in a fungus-covered tree., throwing bits of bark from its beak.
Wait—Do Woodpeckers Kill Trees?
July 16, 2026 — The charismatic chiselers are built to chip away bark and hollow out holes. Here's why this behavior isn't typically harmful to a tree and can even be beneficial.
A male Painted Bunting perched in a field of purple thistle flowers looks head on at the camera.
10 Fun Facts About the Painted Bunting
June 25, 2026 — Yes, they're real—and they're spectacular.
An Osprey emerges from the water gripping a bright red fish in its talons.
10 Fun Facts About the Osprey
June 08, 2026 — Widespread and awe-inspiring, these “sea hawks” are so skilled at catching fish that even Shakespeare took note.
Three Scarlet Macaws perch in a leafy tree full of green fruits.
Do Birds in the Tropics Have a Breeding Season—or Do They Just Mate All of the Time?
April 28, 2026 — You might think that the neotropics are one big mating party, but even in places that stay green and vibrant year-round, raising chicks comes with trade-offs.
Bird Nests and Breeding
Two goldfinches perched on thin branches lean towards each other, touching beaks.
10 Fun Facts About the American Goldfinch
April 24, 2026 — This drop of sunshine is a much pickier eater than you might realize—and for good reason.
An American Robin bends down holding its head close to the grass.
How Do American Robins Find Worms? Behold the Rich Sensory World of Birds
April 09, 2026 — From robins to owls and woodcocks, birds have brilliant ways of locating food underground.
Ask Kenn: Can I Identify Woodpeckers by Their Drumming?
March 30, 2026 — They can tell one another apart, so you’ve got a shot.
A Downy Woodpecker perches on the side of a house next to the holes and other damage she has made in the wood.
How to Keep Woodpeckers From Drilling Into Your Home
March 30, 2026 — The industrious birds can cause problems if they try to forage or nest in your walls, but there are several ways to safely ward them off.
A Ruffed Grouse stands on a mossy rock at dawn flapping his wings, evident by motion blur.
Here’s How Ruffed Grouse Make That Wild Drumming Sound—and How to Hear it for Yourself
March 27, 2026 — The secretive game bird’s unique courtship display is a treat for birders and a boon for science.
Bird Behavior