Birds

State Birds

Do you know the state birds? What birds have the people of each of the United States of America chosen to represent their state? Several states chose the Northern Cardinal, several the American Robin, several the Northern Mockingbird.

Owls of North America

Returning home after the funeral of her mother, a friend was startled by the cat-like call of a screech owl. She looked up and saw him perched on the lower branch of a tree bedside her porch. The family had not spotted one there before or since, yet screech owls frequently choose to nest near houses.

Woodpeckers of North America

The woodpecker is a common North American bird. The western region hosts many woodpecker species—nine exclusively, whereas the eastern only has one exclusive species—the Red-cockaded Woodpecker.

Bright Colored Birds

Oh, how we birdwatchers love to spot a bright-colored bird! Which are the brightest? I give these North American birds bright bird awards.

Hummingbird Facts

Did you know: Hummingbirds lick nectar from flowers rather than sipping it? Reading about hummingbirds and watching them in my own yard, I have discovered many fascinating facts about the wonderful species of bird native to the Americas. What a nifty little bird!

Bird Facts—Rose-Breasted Grosbeak

The wonderful black and white bird proved to be a Rose-Breasted Grosbeak and I want to share some of the facts I learned about this fine bird, but first I’ll tell you about my first sighting.

Bird Facts—The Red-Winged Blackbird

The Red-wing blackbird, with its regal sounding name, Agelauis Phoeniceus, is found in grasslands, meadows, fields, pastures and marshes throughout North America and Canada. He is admired for his lovely “Tonk-a-leee, Tonk-a-leee,” a sort of gurgling sound like water running.

Bird Facts—The Carolina Chickadee

Gramps loves to tease the kids when they ask what’s for supper. He always answers “Chickadee wings!” It’s his joke for hearty grandsons who have spent the long day out fishing, and have come in hungry enough to eat a bear raw without salt, meaning we won’t be having a big supper or much supper . . .

Bird Facts: Bachman’s Sparrow

Sparrows are common song birds found across the whole of the North America, but Bachman’s sparrow is one solitary songster that most of us have not observed or recognized.

Snow Geese Wintering in Oklahoma

I was delighted this winter to find that snow geese, Chen caerulescens, winter in my home state. Just east of my home I spotted them one day in February, where Oklahoma State University maintains a research station, at the  . . .

Bird Eggs

One lazy day in late summer, I sat reading in my rocking chair when I heard a “pop!” and felt a smack on the back of my head. Jumping up, I hollered, thinking my son was shooting his BB- gun too close to the house and had gotten me!