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A small group gather in a forest all looking up. Some are looking through binoculars.
How Florence Merriam Bailey Helped Shape Modern Birding—and Remains an Inspiration 140 Years Later
June 02, 2026 — As a student at Smith College, Bailey founded one of the first Ä¢¹½Av societies in 1886. A recent graduate who led the school’s modern-day Ä¢¹½Av on Campus chapter explores Bailey's pathbreaking work.
A Mourning Dove perched outside the author's window was the first bird she connected with after being unceremoniously let go.
How My Backyard Birds Saved Me After Getting Laid Off
April 22, 2026 — Suffering from job search burnout in an AI-obsessed world, a veteran editor found reprieve in the steady presence of the Mourning Doves, mockingbirds, and scrub-jays outside her window.
Nia Williams smiles for a portrait in front of a building with a sign that says "WBF."
The Misunderstood Birds That Inspired Me to Pursue My Dream
March 16, 2026 — The pigeons and other misfit species Nia Williams helped to treat at a Manhattan wildlife hospital showed her how much unwanted animals and marginalized New Yorkers have in common.
A colorful, iridescent pigeon preens its mate, standing on a wood railing with a black background.
What Birding Can Teach Us About Living
July 18, 2025 — After an inspiring pigeon encounter with her son, a mother discovered a new appreciation for birds and the everyday wonders around us.
The Ballad of U10: How One Mischievous Bird Taught Me to Love Gulls Even More
April 17, 2025 — After a chance beach encounter with a banded Herring Gull, cartoonist Rosemary Mosco dug deep into the surprisingly popular bird's life and adventures.
A camouflaged whip-poor-will sits on the ground among brown and green leaves.
As the Whip-poor-will’s Chant Wanes, Our Cultural Loss Grows
May 06, 2024 — The iconic call of the Eastern Whip-poor-will has long been part of the fabric of American life, marking annual spring rituals and inspiring odes in popular music. What happens when we lose our connection with its meaning?
A woman and young girl in raincoats stand outside smiling at the camera.
Everyone Should Have a Mother's Day Birding Tradition Like This
January 30, 2023 — Mother, daughter, and granddaughter take joy in learning the spring migrant birds who show up to their annual May ritual.
An illustration of a woman and young girl crouching down looking at something in a driveway next to a house.
The Day We Didn’t Save the Starling
November 02, 2022 — In our rescue attempt, I thought I was giving my young daughters a lesson in compassion. It ended up being the reminder that I needed.
When a Battle Against an Invasive Weed Feels Like a Battle for Your Spirit
March 22, 2022 — I was feeling discouraged in life, when I began volunteering at a local park. That’s when the project’s leader, Eleanor Osgood, changed my outlook.
The Klamath Basin’s Water Crisis Is a Growing Disaster for Waterfowl
March 11, 2022 — Some of the continent’s most important wetland habitat is drying up. Without urgent action, we may be witnessing the death of a flyway.