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A red squirrel climbing down a tree with a peanut in its mouth pauses and looks up.
Why Squirrels Deserve Your Respect (If Not Your Birdseed)
September 18, 2025 — Sure, they ransack feeders, but there’s a lot to love about the crafty rodents.
A squirrel hangs upside down eating from a suet feeder.
How to Stop Squirrels From Raiding Your Bird Feeders
September 18, 2025 — An expert shares guidance on rodent-resistant setups fit for any living space.
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.
Bird Feeding and Care
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.
Bird Feeding and Care
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.
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.
Bird Feeding and Care
Backlit silhouette of a swallow flying to its nest box, out of which another swallow is poking its head.
How to Keep Bird Nest Boxes From Turning Lethal in Extreme Heat
August 22, 2024 — Temperatures inside nest boxes can exceed 107°F on hot days, a level deadly to nestlings. Here's how to use shade, ventilation, and white paint to protect nesting birds.
Bird Houses
A nuthatch standing on wood covered in suet dough holds a chunk in its beak.
This Addictive Homemade Suet Will Keep Your Birds Returning for More
November 17, 2023 — Give feathered visitors a dietary boost with Zick Dough, an energy-rich delicacy made by nature writer Julie Zickefoose.
Bird Feeding and Care
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