Birding News

People sit on a bench in an urban park and look through binoculars.
A New Program Helps New York’s Public-Housing Residents Discover the Nature Right Outside Their Doors
September 19, 2025 — The city’s housing authority houses half a million people on campuses rich in green space. Advocates see that as a big opportunity to bring birding’s benefits to more New Yorkers.
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.
Bird Feeding and Care
A woman stands outside with her eyes closed holding her phone up to her ear.
A First-of-Its-Kind Event Helps Blind Birders Build Community
June 05, 2025 — We spoke with some of the more than 150 blind and visually impaired birders who participated in the celebration to learn about the challenges they face and the joy they find in the outdoors.
Old photo of a gull in flight over water.
Remembering "The Bird of the Century," a Half-Century Later
March 03, 2025 — In March of 1975, an extremely rare Ross's Gull was confirmed for the first time in the Lower 48. The sighting and the frenzy that ensued was a watershed moment for a burgeoning birding community.
Birding Is a Booming Hobby—and a Big Business
February 20, 2025 — More than 1 in 3 U.S. adults enjoy birding, and the money they spend contributes billions of dollars to the economy.
Alyssa and Kevin Cronin stand on a boardwalk surrounded by palm trees, holding binoculars and smiling.
How Everyone’s Favorite TikTok Dad Brings Birds to a Whole New Audience
November 12, 2024 — Kevin Cronin, known as Kickball Dad to his social media fans, has gotten his millions of followers excited about birding by simply being himself online
A Red Crossbill looks down from its perch in a pine tree, holding a seed in its beak.
Fancy Finches? This Extensive New Field Guide Is For You
October 04, 2024 — Co-authored by a finch expert and veteran guide writer, the book covers everything from House Finches to honeycreepers. (Yep, they're finches, too.)
Field Guides
A Red-flanked Bluetail perches on a thin branch against a green background.
How Rare Is That Rare Bird?
September 23, 2024 — When you consider all the factors that go into the unlikeliest vagrant sightings, it makes you wonder ...
A Redpoll perches on a pink plant eating its fuzzy white flowers.
Lumping Redpolls and Splitting Seabirds: This Year's Updates to North American Bird Names
August 07, 2024 — The American Ornithological Society recently announced its checklist changes for 2024—and there’s quite a bit for birders to catch up on.
Bird Names & Taxonomy
A drab white and brown bird stands on a branch giving side-eye.
Yes, You Can Identify Flycatchers. These New Field Guides Are Sure of It.
June 13, 2024 — The creators of a series of meticulous but approachable flycatcher guides advocate—and teach—a “holistic” approach to the seemingly impossible task of distinguishing these enigmatic avians.
Field Guides