Which Bird Lays Its Eggs in Other Birds’ Nests?
Every spring, a familiar two-note call drifts through the woodlands and meadows of Europe and Asia: “cuck-oo, cuck-oo.” It’s a …
Fun Facts
Which Woodpecker Breaks All the Rules?
Most woodpeckers follow a predictable script: they cling to tree trunks, drill holes for food, and tap out rhythms on …
What’s That Giant Woodpecker with the Flaming Red Crest in Alabama’s Forests?
Step into Alabama’s woodlands and you might hear it before you see it — a powerful, echoing knock on a …
Northern Flicker: Alabama’s Most Colorful Woodpecker
Among the many woodpeckers that inhabit Alabama’s forests, none display as much visual intrigue as the Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus). …
Discover the Hairy Woodpecker: Alabama’s Woodpecker Known for Its Sharp ‘Peek’ Call
Introduction The Hairy Woodpecker (Dryobates villosus) is one of Alabama’s most common and fascinating woodpeckers. Known for its striking black-and-white …
Why It’s Called the Yellow-breasted Chat? And 10 Foods This Songbird Loves
The Yellow-breasted Chat (Icteria virens) is one of North America’s most enigmatic songbirds. Known for its bold colors, odd calls, …
How Does the Pinyon Jay Turn Memory Into a Survival Superpower?
Across the dry woodlands of the American West, a sky-blue bird flashes through the pinyon pines, calling in short, nasal …
Idaho Sage Grouse: A Guide to the West’s Iconic Grassland Bird
Introduction: Dancing in the Sagebrush Sea As the sun rises over the vast sagebrush steppes of Idaho, a strange sound …
Cassia Crossbill (Loxia sinesciuris): Idaho’s Unique Endemic Finch
Introduction: A Bird Born of Pine and Isolation In the dry, open forests of southern Idaho, a small, flame-colored finch …
Red-bellied Woodpecker: A Flash of Color in Eastern Woodlands
Introduction: The Surprise Beneath the Trees The Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) is a dazzling and noisy presence in the forests …