Field notes for bird lovers
Species ID guides, backyard how-tos, seasonal birding and gift ideas — written by the Shopwada Field Team.
Winter Bird Feeding Tips: What to Feed & How to Help Birds
Long nights and short days make winter tough for small birds. The best foods, smart feeder setup, and hygiene habits that keep your winter flock healthy.
4 min read
Spring Bird Migration: When It Peaks & How to See It
Billions of birds move north every spring, mostly at night. Here's when migration peaks where you live, how to read the forecasts, and how to catch the show.
4 min read
Ruby-throated Hummingbird: Male vs. Female, Migration & Feeding
The only hummingbird that nests across most of the East weighs less than a nickel and crosses the Gulf of Mexico. Here's how to tell males from females — and when to...
4 min read
Native Plants for Birds: What to Plant for a Bird-Friendly Yard
Feeders help, but native plants feed birds all year — especially the caterpillars nestlings depend on. What to plant, what to avoid, and how to start small.
4 min read
How to Keep Squirrels Off Bird Feeders (Without Harming Them)
Squirrels are acrobats with endless patience. Here's the layered, humane approach that actually keeps them out of the seed — starting with the 5-7-9 rule.
4 min read
How to Attract Hummingbirds: Feeders, Flowers & Placement
The right nectar, the right spot and the right flowers. A practical, season-by-season plan for bringing hummingbirds to your yard — and keeping them safe.
4 min read
Great Horned Owl Call: What It Sounds Like & How to ID This Owl
That deep 'hoo-h'HOO-hoo-hoo' on a winter night is probably a Great Horned Owl. How to recognize its call, when owls hoot, and how to tell it from other owls.
4 min read
Great Blue Heron: Identification, Behavior & Where to See Them
Four feet tall, statue-still, then lightning fast. Everything you need to identify the Great Blue Heron — including the easy flight trick that separates herons from cranes.
4 min read
Great Backyard Bird Count 2027: How to Join (Feb 12–15)
Fifteen minutes, any place, any birds. Everything you need to join the Great Backyard Bird Count, February 12–15, 2027 — and make your count useful to science.
4 min read
Gifts for Bird Lovers: 15 Thoughtful Ideas They'll Actually Use
Not sure what to buy the person who already owns three bird books? Gift ideas sorted by the kind of bird lover they are — from backyard watchers to field-guide collectors.
4 min read
Eastern Bluebird: How to Identify & Attract Bluebirds
Bluebirds rarely eat seed — which is why so many people never see one at the feeder. Here's how to identify them and what really attracts Eastern Bluebirds.
4 min read
Downy vs. Hairy Woodpecker: How to Tell Them Apart
Same black-and-white suit, same red patch — but one is a third bigger with a much longer bill. Five reliable ways to separate Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers.
4 min read
Common Loon Calls: The Wail, Yodel & Tremolo Explained
The haunting sound of a northern lake at night is actually four different calls. A guide to loon voices, plumage, and how to enjoy loons without disturbing them.
4 min read
Blue Jay Identification: Calls, Colors & Clever Habits
Loud, smart and surprisingly secretive, the Blue Jay is far more than a feeder bully. Field marks, calls, acorn-planting habits and how to tell it from other jays.
4 min read
Black-capped Chickadee: ID, Song & Carolina Chickadee Differences
Tiny, fearless and always busy — here is how to identify the Black-capped Chickadee, decode its famous call, and tell it apart from its Carolina cousin.
4 min read
Birding for Beginners: How to Start Birdwatching (The Easy Way)
You don't need a lot of gear or knowledge to start birding — just curiosity. A beginner's guide to identifying birds, choosing binoculars, free tools and good etiquette.
4 min read
Bird Gifts Under $50: Small Gifts Big on Charm
Great bird gifts don't have to be big. Our favorite picks under $50 — and under $30 — for stockings, secret Santas and thank-yous.
4 min read
Bird Gifts for Mom: Ideas for the Mother Who Loves Her Feeders
If Mom keeps binoculars by the kitchen window, these bird gifts are for her — for Mother's Day, her birthday or just because.
4 min read
Bird Bath in Winter: How to Keep Water Open for Birds
In winter, fresh water can be harder for birds to find than food. How to keep a bird bath open safely — and what never to add to the water.
4 min read
American Goldfinch: Summer vs. Winter Plumage & What They Eat
Where did the yellow birds go? Nowhere — they changed clothes. A guide to American Goldfinch plumage through the year, their late nesting season and favorite foods.
4 min read
Northern Cardinal Identification: Males, Females & Look-Alikes
The red bird at your feeder is easy — but what about the tan one with the orange bill, or the all-red bird with no crest? A field-tested guide to Northern Cardinal...
4 min read
10 Backyard Birds and How to Tell Them Apart
A friendly starter guide to ten backyard favorites — field marks, calls, when to see them and what to feed — plus a quick comparison table.
5 min read