Colorado is an excellent state for birding. Hundreds of species live in the state’s many habitats, hummingbirds included! Several hummingbird species have occurred in Colorado including some rare ones. Go birding in Colorado and you’ll probably see Broad-tailed Hummingbird, Black-chinned Hummingbird, and a couple other species. How many hummingbirds live in Colorado? How can you tell them apart?   Colorado’s Hummingbird Populations Based on eBird data, there are six hummingbird species in Colorado. Some of them are rarer than others, but let’s take a closer look!   Broad-tailed Hummi ..read more

Range maps tell us where bird species live and where you can observe them throughout the year. These maps are an invaluable tool for bird watchers because they provide birders with knowledge of what birds they can expect to see in a certain territory by season. Over the last 15 years, bird range maps have evolved tremendously. Advancements in data science, computing power, satellite imagery, and the rise of citizen science have made it possible for researchers to create digital maps with multiple layers of data. Old field guide range maps still hold their charm, but they sh ..read more

Ohio is one of the best states for birding. It sits right in the middle of a migratory pathway that brings millions of birds to the state. Among those many birds are hummingbirds! Although only one hummingbird species breeds in Ohio, some other species have occurred too. How many hummingbirds can be seen in Ohio? Where can you spot them and how can you tell them apart?   Hummingbirds in Ohio According to eBird data, Ohio has only one regular hummingbird species, yet some others are spotted from time to time. Although Ohio isn’t exactly the hummingbird capital, it’s still worth it to keep ..read more

Curious about the lifespan of crows? Contrary to misconceptions, they don’t live for hundreds of years. These intelligent and adaptable birds typically live 5-8 years in the wild, with some reaching up to 20 years or more. Let’s dive into the factors influencing their longevity and uncover the truth behind their lifespan.   How Long Do Crows Live? Crows have a relatively long lifespan compared to many other bird species. In the wild, they live for 5-8 years on average, but their lifespan can vary significantly depending on factors like food availability and their ability to evade predator ..read more

Ducks are fun birds to watch! They have beautifully patterned plumage, are easy to see, and occur in lots of places. Alaska is one of the best places to see ducks! Lots of duck species live in this northern state including some that are hard to see elsewhere. Have you seen many ducks in Alaska? We bet you’ve seen a lot but how many could you identify? This list of the most common ducks in Alaska will help!   Alaska’s Duck Populations In order to get the clearest view of the duck populations of Alaska, we focused on eBird data. Alaska is a great place to see some rarer species you wouldn’t ..read more

Anyone spending time in nature must have witnessed this heart-breaking scene – a seemingly abandoned baby bird on the ground, where it shouldn’t be, chirping and struggling to move, vulnerable as it gets. These chicks almost seem to beg you to take them home and raise them. However, by doing that, you may actually be causing that baby bird harm. In many (if not most) cases, older bird babies can seem abandoned to our eyes but still actively be taken care of by their parents in reality. However, if the baby bird is too young, it definitely needs help getting back to its parents. So, what’s the ..read more

Listen for owls in Alabama and you’ll probably hear Barred Owls, Great Horned Owls, and Eastern Screech-Owls. These three species and the Barn Owl occur throughout the state! Which owls in Alabama are common, and which are rare visitors? What habitats do they prefer?   Owl Populations In Alabama Alabama is not known for its variety when it comes to different owl species. Still, according to eBird data, Alabama has some surprises in stock. Although Alabama only has four native owl species with some accidental visitors, you can still enjoy the vast scenery and look out for hooting owls! &nb ..read more

Owls are such wonderful and mysterious birds! We hear their haunting calls in the dark of the night but where do they go in the day? Walk in the woods where that owl was calling and it’s like it was never there. Owl nests are difficult to spot, and you can’t blame them for wanting some privacy! But just like other birds, they build their nests for raising the young and protection. So what makes their nests so special?   Where Do Owls Nest? For the most part, owls nest in two different situations: high in a tree or in a tree cavity. The bigger owl species, like Great Horned Owls and Great ..read more

Eagles are the definition of avian magnificence. Huge and powerful raptors with sharp talons, these masters of the air always make a big impression! However, there are so many different types of eagles around the world. They have inspired people for thousands of years and continue to be popular birds. It’s no surprise that we see eagles on flags, national symbols, team mascots, and in other places! Which eagles live in the USA? Are they common? How many other eagles are there, and how can we tell them from hawks?   Types of Eagles Eagles are members of the Accipitridae; an avian family th ..read more

Eight species have occurred in Indiana, only one of which is a rare vagrant. The other seven species are pretty common and easy to see! Downy Woodpeckers and Red-bellied Woodpeckers visit feeders throughout the state, Northern Flickers give loud calls from parks, and beautiful Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers are common winter birds. How many woodpeckers have you seen in Indiana? Were you able to identify all of them? Our list of the common woodpeckers of Indiana will help!   Most Common Woodpeckers In Indiana Based on recent eBird data, we made a list of common woodpeckers in Indiana and arrang ..read more