Educational
Educational bird topics
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- LearnBirds are intricate creatures – they live most of their lives in the air, and with over 2,000 different species just in North America, there are always new aspects of their lives we as bird lovers, can discover. There is so much to discover about these avian creatures: their resting habits and breeding patterns, anatomy, predators, and much more. In this category, you’ll find different topics related to birds – from question articles to comparing different species and sexes.
- Bird Quizzes
- Bird IdentificationLearning to identify the birds you see and hear is a wonderful skill to have. Improving your bird identification skills will lead to greater enjoyment of the birds around you. Once you can identify most of the birds you see and hear, you can support various citizen science programs or even become a researcher or professional ornithologist. There are two topics in this section of the site… 1. Identifying Birds – Which Bird Did You See? The first choice on your left is called Which bird did you see? In this bird identifier section you will find assistance in identifying what birds you have seen. We have selected 200 of the most commonly observed birds across the United States. They are presented in different ways and with multiple images. Bird identifcation filters inclide color, size and habitat. State-specific bird identification informaiton is also provided. If you can identify 200 bird species, you are well on your way to becoming a bird expert. If you have a photograph of your unknown bird, you might want to jump over to our Name That Bird web site. We offer a free bird ID service. Upload your image and our experts will try to…
- BackyardWatching and feeding birds in your own backyard is an enjoyable and inexpensive hobby. Content in this section covers an array of topics, from the basics of bird feeding to habitat development. You will learn about the best bird feeders, the best bird seed to attract more birds and a greater variety of birds and other tips on how to attract birds. Content for three very popular groups of birds is also included – Purple Martins, Hummingbirds and Bluebirds. Information for each species describes housing and nest boxes, gardening tips for the hummingbirds and the favorite food of the bluebirds. The male Rose-breasted Grosbeak is often reported at feeders, especially during spring migration. It is primarily found in the eastern half of the United States. Female Rose-breasted Grosbeaks are much different in appearance than the males. The more subdued coloration helps the female remain hidden while on the nest. It is very similar in appearance to the female Black-headed Grosbeak of the western United States. Both photographs by Alan Wilson.
- ABCsThere are two, distinctive segments of the hobby of bird watching. There are those that feed and watch birds in their backyard. There are those that move far beyond the backyard with the purpose of seeing new and different bird species. There is no element of feeding birds in this segment. In combination, over 50 million Americans watch and feed birds, expending over $20 billion each year in the process. Download the latest report for detailed information. Wildlife Watching in the U.S.: The Economic Impacts on National and State Economies in 2006. Bird feeding Bird feeding represents the larger of the two groups. It can be enjoyed by anyone, and can be as simple as spreading seed on the ground. As interest in the hobby grows, a variety of feeders and feed can be added to attract more species. Birdbaths are easy additions that attract a larger diversity of species than just feeding birds. As bird identification becomes more important, binoculars and a field guide become a valuable aid. Birding The second segment is now known as birding. Those that participate in the hobby are birders. On one end of the spectrum, birding can be a casual hobby. On the other end it…
- GardeningWe are excited to have Howard Garrett, aka the Dirt Doctor, participating in Birdzilla.com. Howard is a leading proponent of organic gardening and eliminating the use of harmful pesticides and fertilizers in our yards. His radio show is heard on over 200 stations across the United States. From time to time, we will post tips from Howard that can help keep your yard and flowers healthy and happy, while protecting the birds. In the meantime, you can visit his website for an incredible amount of information. If you are just starting out you might find his Organic Guides a great place to start. Special Offer on the first-of-its-kind Natural Organic Certification Course Howard Garrett has developed on online course leading to certification for those who successfully complete the 15 chapter course. Birdzilla.com readers can receive a 10% discount using the code BIRDZILLA10. Backyard Birds – Success the Organic Way Our friend Carla Davis has been gardening pesticide free for years. You’ll enjoy her comments and the photographs of her beautiful yard. Many people think of backyard birds and gardens in relation to insects, the filet mignon of the bird world, which the birds readily eat and feed to their young.…
- PhotographyBird photography is increasingly an important part of enjoying wild birds. Digital cameras, with a high degree of automation, can help almost anyone take excellent bird photographs. Digiscoping, the use of a digital camera connected to a spotting scope, has also become very popular with many birders. In this section of the site, we’ll share information from Glenn Bartley, our staff photographer, and from other bird photographers. Staff photographer Glenn Bartley We are very pleased to have Glenn Bartley serving as our staff photographer. Glenn really gets around, and we are never quite sure where he will contact us next. We’ll post updates of his trips from time to time. You can also check out his website for more of his great photographs and products. He also leads photo workshops in places like Peru, Ecuador, and Costa Rica. Ecuador: A Nature Photography Odyssey Glenn previously spent several months of intense photographic work in Ecuador. Ecuador is one of the world’s richest locations for birds and other wildlife. His trip reports and some fantastic photographs are available for you to enjoy. Blast from the past The photograph below is one example of his excellent work. Follow the links on…