Birds

Have you ever had to shout to make yourself heard at a loud restaurant? Turns out we noisy humans are doing that to birds, and it's making it hard to mate.

By Julie Douglas

As Hitchcock's 1963 horror classic "The Birds" taught us, it's a good idea to respect our avian friends. Before you accidentally let any bad luck take wing, peck away at these bird-related superstitions.

By Bambi Turner

When a friend decides to ignore their problems, you might liken them to an ostrich. But ostriches are much more likely to face a problem head-on than hide it in the sand.

By Bambi Turner

Nature can be a pretty cruel place. Out in the wild, it's either kill or be killed. But in the spirit of self-preservation, will a mama bird really abandon its young at the slightest sign of human interference? Let's check the facts.

By Kate Kershner

From tail to beak the American crow appears totally black. In the right light, however, a green or bluish tinge suddenly makes a showing.

Catching sight of this gray bird with a brick-red belly usually signifies the start of spring. Read on to learn more about this bird.

The blue jay can be seen roaming the skies in deciduous forests, but is also a common sight in city parks and back yards. Read on to learn more about this bird.

When you think of geese, the Canadian variety probably comes to mind. These large water birds are endemic to North America and their V-shaped migratory formations can be seen in the skies each fall and spring.

A medium-sized hawk, the cooper's hawk is slate gray above and whitish with fine stripes on its belly. Read on to learn more about this powerful bird.

This medium-sized sparrow can vary in color, but is generally slate gray with a white belly and, of course, dark eyes. Read on to learn more about this bird.

This woodpecker can be found in forests, city parks and even your own back yard. Read on to learn more about this bird.

True to its name the male eastern bluebird is colored a brilliant blue along its back, wings and tail. Read on to learn more about this bird.

Contrary to its name, the eastern kingbird can be seen in the skies throughout North America as well as in the Amazon. Read on to learn more about this bird.

Smaller than a robin, this black bird turns a striking iridescent purple and green in the spring. Read on to learn more about this bird.

A large, grayish bird with an elegant long neck, the great blue heron can be mistaken for similar-looking birds, such as the sandhill crane. Read on to learn more about this bird.

The great horned is a large owl and varies in color according to its place of residence. Read on to learn more about this bird.

Mallards can be found in ponds, lakes and marshes. Read on to learn more about this bird.

Widespread across North America, this bird gets its name from the sorrowful song it sings. Read on to learn more about this bird.

Northern cardinals are probably one of the most easily identifiable birds of its species because of its bright red color. Read on to learn more about this bird.

Red-tailed hawks are the most common hawk species in North America. These massive birds are known to mate for life, and, despite their name, to have feathers in a variety of colors.

By Wendy Bowman

The red-winged blackbird is found across the United States in wetlands and grassy areas, including marshes and meadows. Read on to learn more about this bird.

Where there are people, the rock dove thrives. This bird can be found in city centers, city parks, tourist areas, and suburban gardens and farmlands.

This bird may be small, but it has endurance. As the weather gets colder the ruby-throated hummingbird flies nonstop across the Gulf of Mexico to Central America.

Sparrows tend to set up house where ornamental grasses, roses and junipers grow. A choice food for song sparrows is the fruit of the wood strawberry perennial.

A blackish bird about the size of an eagle, the distinctive flight pattern of the turkey vulture helps to identify this bird as it soars high in the air. Read on to learn more about this bird.