The Red-winged Blackbird may just be the most numerous native bird in North America. Their population has increased significantly in the later part of the 20th Century from several hundred million some 40 years ago. They have become a common sight atop swaying cattails along wet roadside ditches, in wetlands, and low lying prairies. They…
ABOUT SANDHILL CARNES – publication and photos by Wild Bird Habitat The Sandhill Crane has one of the longest fossil histories of any existing bird, with the oldest dating back 2.5 million years. This is almost twice as old as the remains of most current living bird species. But even more amazing are the fossilized…
The Chipping Sparrow is one of our more common native sparrows occurring across North America, but often one of the least recognized birds that we have in our yards each summer. These little birds are often mistaken for a Tree Sparrow which visits us in the Upper Midwest and Plains States during the winter months….
For International Migratory Bird Month in Nebraska the Bobolink fits the bill as this bird is a long distance Neo-tropical migrant. They winter in the interior of South America migrating over 12,000 miles in the course of a year to their breeding territory in North America and back. They can fly up to 1100 miles…
The American White Pelican is one of the largest birds of North America measuring a little over 5 feet in length with a wingspan that can exceed 9 feet, the second largest wingspan of any North American bird. They may be heavy reaching weights of 16 to 20 pounds, but in flight they are fluid…
One of our winter visitors that arouse mixed emotions for those who feed birds is the Sharp-shinned Hawk, arriving in the Central Great Plains and Midwest from the North Country, usually by the end of October and departing by the first of May. This hawk has discovered that backyard bird feeders that attract winter birds…
The Common Redpoll can stand more cold weather than any other songbird. This seems unusual for such a tiny bird that weighs a mere ½ ounce, a quarter-ounce less than a Chickadee. But they have adapted well to the cold since the majority of their entire life is spent in it. They nest almost to…
The Hairy Woodpecker is a medium sized powerful woodpecker that is often times mistaken for a Downy Woodpecker at a quick glance. These two woodpeckers do share some of the basic pattern features. The males both have a distinct red patch on the back of the head which the females lack. They both have a…
One of the most attractive birds you may see in your backyard is the nomadic Cedar Waxwing. In fall Cedar Waxwings gather in small to large feeding flocks to feed on berries, filling the air with their high, thin, whistles. These flocks generally appear abruptly feeding on berries and smallfruits hanging around until the supply…
The Tufted Titmouse is one of the most delightful birds that visits our feeders. It is the largest North American member of the Titmice family but is greatly outnumbered by the much smaller Black-capped Chickadee. This little gray bird with a white belly has large black eyes, a rounded bill with a small black patch above…