Attracting hummingbirds to your backyard doesn’t have to be complicated! If you want to enjoy the beautiful sight of these tiny creatures hovering outside, there are two incredibly simple ways to put out the welcome mat. One requires a little advanced planning, and one can be implemented today. Plant Hummingbird-Friendly Flowers A diverse display…
Tag: Birdwatching
BirdCast
Birdwatchers have long had a few hints and tricks on the best days to go birding (preferably on a cloudy day with low barometric pressure sometime near the peak of migration season). Now scientists have offered us a new tool. BirdCast, from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, periodically releases migration forecasts to help birdwatchers pick…
Kansas Bird Checklists
If you plan on doing any birdwatching in Kansas this Memorial Day weekend, equip yourself with a checklist first. The Kansas Ornithological Society offers free PDF downloads of the following checklists: Kansas birds. Kansas birds with scientific names and taxonomy. Birds by county. County bird checklists combined into one document. Also, be sure to see…
My Kansas
Back in 2011, the Kansas Department of Commerce, Travel and Tourism Division, published a spectacular 160-page collection of best-of-Kansas scenes by the best Kansas photographers. This book, My Kansas: A Photographic Journey Across the Sunflower State, may now be easier to borrow than to buy. But if you can find a copy, by all means…
Green-Winged Teal
The green-winged teal (Anas crecca) has the distinction of being the smallest dabbling duck in North America. The male has a rather striking color pattern. His head is a rich cinnamon color marked with an iridescent green stripe running back from the eye. If you can get a close look, notice the thin white line…
Garganey
Don’t dismiss this drab duck—seeing a Garganey in Kansas is a rare treat.
Northern Pintail
The northern pintail (Anas acuta) is both unique and graceful. The male’s head is chocolate-colored, contrasting with his white neck and the white finger that outlines the backside of the face. Most of his body is grayish, with a brown tint on the back. A band of yellowish white separates the gray flanks from the…
Northern Shoveler
The aptly named shoveler boasts an unforgettable appearance.
Cinnamon Teal
The gaudy male cinnamon teal is sure to delight birdwatchers, while the subtle female is sure to challenge their skill.
Blue-Winged Teal
This migratory duck is sure to delight with its unique pattern and aerial acrobatics.
