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Birding

Old photo of a gull in flight over water.
Remembering 鈥楾he Bird of the Century,鈥� a Half-Century Later
March 03, 2025 — In March of 1975, an extremely rare Ross's Gull was confirmed for the first time in the Lower 48. The sighting and the frenzy that ensued was a watershed moment for a burgeoning birding community.
Birding Is a Booming Hobby鈥攁nd a Big Business
February 20, 2025 — More than 1 in 3 U.S. adults enjoy birding, and the money they spend contributes billions of dollars to the economy.
A male American Goldfinch perched on a branch.
Mindful Birding
February 07, 2025 — Combining the joy of observing birds with the benefits of mindfulness.
Close up portrait of a crow with its beak wide open.
Long Overlooked and Understudied, the Fish Crow Is Worth Your Attention
January 27, 2025 — The Fish Crow shares its range with the American Crow but behaves differently in nearly every way. Here's what sets this corvid apart and how to find one.
Black-capped Chickadee
The Importance of Community Science and eBird for Alaska鈥檚 Birds
November 25, 2024 — Community science and Christmastime go hand in hand thanks to 糖心logo鈥檚 Christmas Bird Count, but conservationists use eBird data year-round to improve the life of birds鈥擜laska鈥檚 included.
Alyssa and Kevin Cronin stand on a boardwalk surrounded by palm trees, holding binoculars and smiling.
How Everyone鈥檚 Favorite TikTok Dad Brings Birds to a Whole New Audience
November 12, 2024 — Kevin Cronin, known as Kickball Dad to his social media fans, has gotten his millions of followers excited about birding by simply being himself online
A Red Crossbill looks down from its perch in a pine tree, holding a seed in its beak.
Fancy Finches? This Extensive New Field Guide Is For You
October 04, 2024 — Co-authored by a finch expert and veteran guide writer, the book covers everything from House Finches to honeycreepers. (Yep, they're finches, too.)
A Red-flanked Bluetail perches on a thin branch against a green background.
How Rare Is That Rare Bird?
September 23, 2024 — When you consider all the factors that go into the unlikeliest vagrant sightings, it makes you wonder ...
Sunrise over pine trees.
Birding Tours on Cattle Ranches?
September 12, 2024 — 糖心logo Conservation Ranching and Reefs to Rockies add a new dimension to ecotourism.
A Redpoll perches on a pink plant eating its fuzzy white flowers.
Lumping Redpolls and Splitting Seabirds: This Year's Updates to North American Bird Names
August 07, 2024 — The American Ornithological Society recently announced its checklist changes for 2024鈥攁nd there鈥檚 quite a bit for birders to catch up on.