Birds

Minnesota Arboretum Osprey Nest Live Cam
Experience the awe of nature from the comfort of your home. Watch Ospreys build their nest, raise their young, and take flight through this Minnesota Arboretum Osprey nest live camera. Delight in their playful antics and witness the miracle of life unfold. Through this link you can join with the MN Arboretum community to discover the joy and educational benefits of Osprey observation through the live feed of an Osprey nest.

“The Sibley Guide to Birds” By David Allen Sibley (2000)
“The Sibley Guide to Birds” is a comprehensive bird identification guide written and illustrated by David Allen Sibley. First published in 2000, this guide is widely regarded as one of the most authoritative and detailed resources for birdwatchers and ornithologists. It features illustrations of over 6,600 bird species found in North America, including information on their physical characteristics, habitats, behaviors, and geographic distributions. Sibley’s meticulous artwork, coupled with his informative and accessible writing style, makes this guide invaluable for bird enthusiasts of all levels. Whether used for birdwatching in the field or as a reference for studying avian diversity, “The Sibley Guide to Birds” remains an essential companion for anyone interested in the world of birds.

Backyard Birding

Northern Cardinal

A cherished backyard songbird. Updated since 11/2/2023. The presence of cardinal birds in my yard brings fresh fun. Their vibrant red plumage, a burst of color against the green backdrop, provides me…

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Squeaky tiny little sparkles of the sky. The presence of hummingbirds in my yard transforms the ordinary into an enchanting spectacle. These iridescent jewels of the sky, with wings that blur like…

White-breasted Nuthatch

Lively and bouncy tree creepers. The presence of nuthatches in my yard gets me to peering out the front window. These charismatic birds, with their distinctive upside-down climbing and head-first descents, inject…

Building A Bluebird Nest Box

What’s better to conserve than nature’s beauty the bluebird. Building bluebird nest boxes is a heartwarming endeavor that fosters a symbiotic relationship between humans and nature. By constructing these small shelters, one…

Gray Catbird

Mimics. Secretive, melodious birds. Catbirds are medium-sized songbirds known for their distinctive “mewing” calls, which resemble a cat’s meow. Belonging to the Mimidae family, they are skilled mimics, capable of imitating the…

Bald Eagle

Bald Eagles mature to have a snowy white head and tail contrasted against a dark brown. Their commanding presence is an American symbol of strength and freedom. Spotting Bald Eagles in my…

American Robin

The American Robin’s melodious song at dawn feels like nature’s gentle alarm clock, signaling new beginnings and the beauty of each day. Seeing robins in my yard during spring is a reminder…

Purple Finch

Purple finches love sunflower seeds and have a very friendly, social behavior. Watching a purple finch at the bird feeder is truly a novel experience in my area. These vibrant songbirds, with…

Trumpeter Swan

The largest extant species of waterfowl. Seeing trumpeter swans in my neighborhood brings a sense of tranquility and wonder. Their majestic presence on ponds, gracefully gliding across the water, adds an elegant…

Turkey

Wild turkeys are native to North America, commonly found in forests, grasslands, and open woodlands across the U.S. and southern Canada. These large birds, known for their fan-shaped tails and wattled necks,…

Bird Migration Forecasting

Predicting bird migrations with real-time forecasts. I have shared my respect and appreciation for nature and its conservation including wild birds many times already, so it is no surprise that I monitor…

Grackle

I love seeing Grackles in my yard and at my birdfeeder because their vibrant, iridescent feathers add a splash of mystic and energy to my garden. Their lively, social behavior brings a…

Chipping Sparrow

Cheerful, agile, trilling, resilient, friendly, little sparrow. I enjoy seeing chipping sparrows at my bird feeders because they bring a bit of fun to my bird feeders. Their delicate, cheerful chirping is…

Green Heron

A graceful, intelligent, patient, elusive, and colorful little Heron. I both love and am fascinated by watching Green Herons around my backyard pond. They exhibit such graceful yet precise hunting techniques. Their…

Brown Thrasher

These witty rust-colored birds add a sprinkle of spice to bird feeders. I enjoy seeing Brown Thrashers at my bird feeder. They bring yet more vibrant life and activity to my yard.…

Baltimore Oriole

Vibrant, melodic, striking, migratory, agile, nectar-loving, tree-dwelling burst of life. I love seeing Baltimore Orioles in my yard. They bring that burst of vibrant color with their striking orange and black plumage.…

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Striking, melodic, colorful, adaptable, migratory, sociable, graceful, arboreal, charismatic birds. The Rose-breasted Grosbeak, with its striking black and white plumage accented by a vibrant splash of rose-red, brings a burst of color…

Harris’s Sparrow

It is a special treat to sight a Harris’s Sparrow at the bird feeder. The Harris’s sparrow, an enigmatic visitor, stirs a unique joy at seeing it at the birdfeeder. The rarity…

Sandhill Crane

The sounds of Sandhill Cranes evoke nature’s whimsy. Having sandhill cranes in my neighborhood fills me with profound joy. Their majestic presence adds a touch of wilderness to everyday life. Their distinctive…

Red-winged Blackbird

Harbingers of spring on the pond. Red-winged blackbirds at my birdfeeder evoke all the springtime vibes. Their glossy plumage, adorned with fiery red epaulets, ignites the senses. Their melodious distinct calls weave…

Hooded Merganser

Small, showy ducks with timid personalities. The Hooded Merganser, with its striking appearance and vibrant plumage, is a sight to behold on my pond. I usually only see these beautiful birds on…

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Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Merlin Bird ID Mobile App

Identify the birds you see and hear using your phone The Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Merlin Bird ID app is one of my favorite nature phone apps. It is designed to help people identify birds in North America. The Merlin Bird ID mobile app is a powerful tool for bird enthusiasts, developed by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. It helps users identify birds through photos, audio recordings, or answering simple questions about sighting details like size, color, and location. With an extensive database of over 10,000 species worldwide, Merlin provides tailored bird identification results based…

Sibley Bird Guide App

This bird guide app isn’t free but it is an excellent set of field guidebooks turned into an app. Sibley Birds App David Allen Sibley is a renowned American ornithologist and artist celebrated for his exceptional contributions to bird identification. Born in 1961, Sibley gained widespread recognition for his groundbreaking field guides, notably “The Sibley Guide to Birds,” first published in 2000. His meticulously detailed illustrations capture the subtle nuances of each species, showcasing a deep understanding of avian anatomy and behavior. Sibley’s guides revolutionized birding, providing enthusiasts with comprehensive and user-friendly resources. Beyond his artistic prowess, he…

Audubon’s “Birds of America” Online

A stunning collection of hand-colored prints depicting various bird species in North America available online. Birds of America – John J. AudobonJohn James Audubon’s Biography John James Audubon’s “Birds of America” is an ornithological masterpiece, published between 1827 and 1838. This monumental work comprises 435 life-sized illustrations of North American birds, showcasing Audubon’s meticulous artistic skill and keen observation. The vivid, hand-colored engravings capture each species in its natural habitat, reflecting Audubon’s commitment to scientific accuracy and artistic beauty. Notable for its immense size and artistic achievement, the work is a landmark in natural history illustration. Audubon’s unparalleled dedication to…

Hummingbird Migration


Ruby-throated Hummingbirds reach northern range
Hummingbird Migration Updates Journey North – Hummingbird Migration Map 2025

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds reach northern range
As first sightings continue, participants provide behavior updates
Volunteers report early hummingbirds
Seeing Hummingbirds Yet?
A Frosty January: Where are Hummingbirds Now?

Hummingbird Migration Updates Journey North – Hummingbird Migration Map 2023
The Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center

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