Outdoor Hobbies

one single adult killdeer bird sitting on a clutch of eggs

The Courageous Killdeer Bird

Fascinating Facts About the Killdeer Bird

Salmon River, Polaski, NY, in winter

How to Estimate the Weight of a Fish (Catch-and-Release Method)

The Epic Migration of the Red Knot

Why a Once-Common Bird is Now Threatened

Thrush Bird Songs: Meet the Forest's Greatest Singer

June Bird Sounds: Thrushes

Fishing Folklore: Superstitions, Omens, and Luck

Strange Fishing Superstitions Anglers Still Believe

the best days to fish, illustrated fish swimming on a blue background

Best Fishing Days & Times: Almanac Fishing Calendar 2026

Is Today A Good Day To Fish?

Mourning Dove Facts: Sounds, Symbolism & Identification

Mourning Dove Calls

The Four Fundamentals of Successful Fishing

Expert Tips for Fishing

close-up of a great horned owl

Fascinating Facts About Owls

Learn About the Ever-Interesting Owl

How to Make Hummingbird Nectar (Easy DIY Recipe + Tips)

Attract Hummingbirds with Our Easy Homemade DIY Nectar Recipe

Northern Mockingbird

Bird Sounds: Northern Mockingbird

Northern Mockingbird Calls

Northern cardinal in motion near a backyard bird feeder while other birds feed

How to Attract Birds to Your Feeder (and Why Birds Aren’t Coming Yet)

Whippoorwill Facts, Folklore, and Haunting Night Calls

The Mysterious Folklore of the Whippoorwill

Barn Swallow Bird Sound, Nest, Habitat, and Identification Guide

Barn Swallow Calls

Wild Turkey Facts: Calls, Behavior, and Ecological Role

Explore the Sounds, Behavior, and Importance of North America’s Wild Turkey

The Intriguing Western Scrub-Jay: A Wily Resident of the Western Woodlands

Western Scrub-Jay Calls

Barn Owl in Flight

Barn Owls: Size, Sound, and Secrets of Nature’s Silent Hunter

Discover how to identify barn owls by their eerie screech, ghostly flight, and heart-shaped face—and learn where they live, what they eat, and how to spot them.

American Goldfinch: A Bright Sign of Spring

American Goldfinch Calls

Male and female cardinal resting on a branch

Bird Sounds and Fun Facts: Northern Cardinal

Learn Fun Facts about the Northern Cardinal and Hear Their Calls

blue jay on a perch

Blue Jay Identification, Habitat & Backyard Attraction Tips

What Does a Blue Jay Sound Like?

Bird Sounds: House Wren

House Wren Calls

Bird Sounds: Baltimore Oriole

Baltimore Oriole Calls

Bird Sounds: American Robin

All About the American Robin—Harbinger of Spring!

American kestrel (Falco sparverius) in flight, Ohio, USA, North America

Bird Sounds: The Call of The American Kestrel

American Kestrel Calls

Bird Sounds: House Sparrow

House Sparrow Calls

cedar waxwing in Canadian winter

Bird Sounds: Cedar Waxwing

Cedar Waxwing Calls

Bird Sounds: Black-Capped Chickadee

Black-capped Chickadee Calls

Great Blue Heron

Bird Sounds: Great Blue Heron

Great Blue Heron Calls

Bird Sounds: Great Horned Owl

Take a look at—and have a listen to—the famous owl of our storybooks.

Bird Sounds: Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Ruby-throated Hummingbird Calls

A pileated woodpecker on a branch

Bird Sounds: Pileated Woodpecker

Listen to the Pileated Woodpecker Call!

Bird Sounds: Belted Kingfisher

Belted Kingfisher Calls

Junco

Bird Sounds: Dark-eyed Junco

Dark-eyed Junco Calls

Bird Sounds: Eastern Bluebird

Eastern Bluebird Calls

Bird Sounds: Hermit Thrush

Hermit Thrush Calls

Cardinal and wren at a bird feeder during winter

Feeding Wild Birds: Seed Types & Food Chart

Is It OK to Feed Wild Birds?

Northern Cardinal perched on a branch with red berries.

Best Trees and Shrubs to Attract Birds to Your Yard

Plant trees that provide food and habitat for our feathered friends

Lichen on a Log

What Are Lichens? Types, Facts, and How They Help the Environment

Niagara Falls

Exploring Niagara Falls and the Erie Canal

Exploring the Nation's Historic Sites

Winter fishing in frozen mountain lake landscape. Male fisherman in warm jacket sitting on folding chair with fishing rod to catch fish in hole in ice, man waiting cartoon vector illustration

Ice Fishing Safety Tips: How to Stay Safe on Frozen Lakes

Stay Safe When You Head Out Fishing

Badlands National Park

Badlands National Park

Exploring the Nation's Historic Sites

Yellowstone National Park

Exploring the Nation's Historic Sites

Mount Rushmore

Exploring the Nation's Historic Sites

Glacier National Park

Exploring the Nation's Historic Sites

Devils Tower

Exploring the Nation's Historic Sites

It's Snowy Owl Season! Fun Facts About This Elusive Bird

Learn about these magical Arctic visitors and where to spot them in your area

The Surprising Role of Caterpillars in a Bird-Friendly Garden

The Native Trees That Feed Birds (and Caterpillars!)

Owl Nesting Season: How Barred and Great Horned Owls Raise Their Young

When Is Owl Nesting Season?

the wonderful world of waxwings with three illustrated cedar waxwing birds

The Wonderful World of Waxwings

Learn All About Bohemian and Cedar Waxwings!

Easy Bird Food Recipe: Backyard Bird Cornbread

Attract Backyard Birds with this Easy, DIY Birdseed Cake

Invasive Species Run Wild

How two seemingly good ideas went terribly wrong

hummingbird on a feeder

Fascinating Hummingbird Facts

Fun Facts About Hummingbirds

Best Winter Bird Foods: What to Feed Backyard Birds in Cold Weather

Which Foods Attract Which Birds?

Backyard Bird

Rules for Hand-Taming Wild Birds

How to Gentle the Birds in Your Backyard

50 State Birds

U.S. State Birds: Complete List of State Birds and Their Scientific Names

What’s Your State Bird?

Finding Nature in the City (Or Wherever You are)

You don't have to be a country mouse to connect with nature.

Hawk Watch: Do Hawks Migrate South for the Winter?

Get ready for hawkwatching!

Redeeming the Raven, Evermore

Surprising Facts about Ravens

chickadee on branch

Can Birds Predict the Weather?

Weather Proverbs About Birds

Bird-Friendly Gardening: 12 Plants With Seed Heads for Food & Beauty

Best Plants With Seed Heads for Birds and Winter Garden Interest

Wildflower Super Bloom Out West

A falconer in a forest setting with a Harris's hawk perched on his gloved handA falconer in a forest setting with a Harris's hawk perched on his gloved hand

Birds of Prey: Meet These Mighty Raptors Up Close

Appreciating the Sparrow: The Bird Right Outside Your Front Door

Here's How to Go Sparrow-Spotting

Two Fishermen Who Rowed to Europe!

Two crazy fishermen once set out to do the impossible.

two Tufted Titmouse (baeolophus bicolor)on a suet pine cone. DIY bird feeder

DIY Homemade Bird Food Recipes

Make Your Own Bird Food: Suet & Seed Mixes

woodpecker in the snow, pecking at a tree, woodpecker pudding recipe.

Bird Food Recipe: Woodpecker Pudding

How to Make a Suet-Based Treat for Your Backyard Birds

The Wild Turkey: History of an All-American Bird

All About Wild Turkeys

recipe for homemade bird suet, red headed bird on suet cage, suet feeder, text

How to Make Suet for Birds

Try These Homemade Suet Recipes!

How Crows and Jays Save Trees

How Do Birds Navigate at Night?

How birds use the Sun and stars to find their way home

Why Do Birds Migrate and How Do They Know When to Go?

Do Migratory Birds Have a Sixth Sense?

How to Tie Knots in Rope

8 Best Knots: Square Knots to Bowline

Bird Feeders: What's the Best Type of Feeder?

Best Bird Feeders for Cardinals and Other Birds

What to Put in a Fishing Tackle Box

Preparing for Your Next Fishing Trip

young man fishing on the shore of the James River

Smallmouth Bass: What are They and How do you Catch One?

Unbelievable (but True) Bait Secrets

Fish and Cut Bait with These Strange Lures

House-hunting with the Bluebird

Bird Boxes for Bluebirds

Designing a Tiny House in Nature

Take Shelter! (Not Too Much)

How to Make a Bird Seed Wreath

Different Types of Woodpeckers: How Many Have You Seen?

Photos of Common Woodpecker Species

How to Estimate Distances

Learn how to estimate distance quickly and easily

10 Fly-Fishing Tips for Beginners

How to Get Started With Fly-Fishing