Recent content from Jim Williams
Feeling stressed? Watching birds is good therapy.
When you give up on bird list chasing and just look, birds can clear your mind.
These birds may nest in colonies of thousands of nests, but you might not even know they're nearby.
Cliff swallows have actually benefited from manmade habitat changes.
What goes into a bird's name?
Bird names, both common and scientific, try to help clarify which bird is which.
Nesting loons have time on their side
A hard-luck tale of one nesting pair shows the many pitfalls these long-lived birds face producing chicks.
Birds die daily in large numbers, but why do you rarely see dead birds?
Birds die frequently from one cause or another, but nature is there to clean up.
Seeing these sea birds isn't necessary if you can hear them
Long-tailed ducks are a talkative bunch with distinctive calls that make them easier to identify.
126 birds on list 'lost to science'
Some birders continue to search for these elusive birds that have had no sightings for the past 10 years.
Bird nests are as varied as the species that nest here
From tightly woven masterpieces to casually plopped arrays, different species follow their own blueprints.
Mourning doves return to their unusual nesting perch
The fact that the birds nested in a pot on a balcony on a busy street seemed uncommon last year, but apparently it worked well enough that the doves came back.
Comment period open on birding name changes
The American Ornithological Society plans to change the names for all birds named after people.
Birders, beware: If you venture off road, be prepared to monitor for ticks
Prime birding territory is often prime tick territory, as well. Be vigilant and watch for any illness symptoms.
Hitch a ride on a birding road trip from Minnesota to Texas
You can map out your trip to maximize the bird sightings you're after, but nature — and hotels — will throw you a few curves.
Four little books on nature and a show about an osprey family
Learn about spiders, butterflies, beetles and trees in four new books, and follow an osprey family in a TV show.
New book helps you know your flycatchers
Three of Minnesota's common flycatchers are in the field guide.
That's no eagle: Turkey vultures are the other large birds soaring above
They tilt or rock their 6-foot wingspan as they fly with their wings in a V pattern.
Even common birds like the bluebird are full of mysteries
Despite conveniently nesting in manmade nest boxes, there are still lots of areas to study for Eastern bluebirds.
What's in a name? For birds, often nothing helpful
The American Ornithological Society decided to excise all names of people from birds and replace them with something more descriptive.
To prevent bird window strikes, think outside the window
Decals or other deterrents need to be placed outside the window to be effective, research has found.
Keep your eye on the skies: Bird migration begins in three weeks
Survey finds millions enjoy watching wildlife, and spring migration is a good time to watch.
Cardinals stick around, and stand out, in Minnesota winter
Cardinals don't migrate or lose their bright feathers, and gather together in loose flocks during winter.
Quiet cemeteries make for lively bird watching and a great fall road trip
Check out Lakewood in Minneapolis and others on our statewide list of places to start in Minnesota.
Parking lots make surprisingly good birding spots that are easily accessible
Birding from parking lots is the subject of a book, one of several new nature-themed books available just in time for spring.
Red-bellied woodpeckers range from Twin Cities urban yards to Boundary Waters
Their namesake red belly can be hard to see.
Minnesota Ornithologists' Union birding planner available for 2023
Profits help the MOU fund bird conservation and study.
Groundbreaking Minnesota birding book gets renewed look
The fifth edition of Kim Eckert's influential "A Birder's Guide to Minnesota" will be in stores soon.
Passenger pigeon extinction was fast-tracked
The birds, which once numbered in the billions, nested in Minnesota.
Game bird conservation helps all bird habitat
While many bird species are declining, many waterfowl populations are healthy thanks to conservation efforts by hunting groups.
Will we see more finches this winter? The forecast is mixed
Annual predictions of whether these birds will push south into Minnesota are based on Canadian crop availability.
Habitat change sometimes plays favorites among birds
The Kirtland's warbler came off the endangered list after cowbirds moved on to riper pastures.
Now's the time to make a clean sweep of nesting boxes ahead of next year
Pro tip: Leave the box open during the winter.
Hummingbird feeders don't have to be red
Placement and quality of nectar are the most important factors in attracting the tiny birds.
Nature's sneaky obligate brood parasites: Cowbirds lay eggs and run
The species associated with animal herds doesn't stick around to raise its young.
Up-close and too personal with a hawk family
Broad-winged hawks fiercely defend their nest area, as one Shoreview couple found out.
Great blue herons have an ancient air — and stinky nests
These stately birds are best enjoyed from a distance.
House sparrows live where we do
These nonnatives spur mixed emotions among birders, but they're interesting birds.
Birds play a bit role in a bunch of books
Birds figure in books about fungus, spiders, prairies and more.
Great crested flycatchers loudly proclaim their presence in Minnesota
This species is easy to identify by its unmusical call.
Did you find a baby bird or bunny in your yard? Here's what you can do to help
Hint: The best answer may be nothing, unless it's obviously injured.
Want more birds in your yard? Choose native plants
Native plants attract the bugs that birds want to eat.
DNA evidence helps trace the history of a bird species
Birds may not live long, but their species have.
Get bird migration information in real time
Site lets you know if tomorrow morning will be a great time to watch for migrating birds in your area.
Chew on this: Birds have an inactive gene for teeth
Beaks adapted for a specific purpose replaced the teeth found in their reptilian relatives.
Birds pair off and get down to breeding business
Egg laying is closer to clockwork for many species.
Raptor Center recommends taking down bird feeders because of bird flu
Guidance on backyard bird feeders from the Raptor Center has evolved; DNR stays pat so far.
Raptors are taking major hit from bird flu
The virus is wiping out entire families of bald eagles and great horned owls.
Should you be concerned about avian flu at your bird feeders?
It's OK to leave up the feeders. Right now in Minnesota avian flu is not a major concern outside of poultry farms.
How birds safely forage at feeders
Birds factor in shade, sun and cover from predators when visiting our feeders.
Parrots aren't natural Minnesota residents, and maybe we're OK with that
Cage escapees have naturalized in warmer climes.
Minnesota park preserves offer great birding opportunities — indoors and out
Feeders viewed through large windows can be found at nature centers.
Golden-winged warblers on 'near-threatened' conservation list
North central Minnesota is the best place to see these birds — for now at least.
Studies show how often birds eat
While foraging habits vary by species, it's clear birds eat frequently.
Review: Book tells the story of an accidental birder
Author reluctantly embraces birding as a hobby.
Pelicans use that big pouch to catch fish
You can find these striking white birds on Minnesota lakes.
Recordings show an unexpected number of barn owls in Minnesota
Security camera captured the distinctive — and creepy — cry of wild barn owls.
![Samantha King votes as her son Luka Kind finds a spot to “hide” at Shakopee West Middle School in Shakopee, MN on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. ] Eliza](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/O5V5O4NQRNHH7DFUTVHN4THLYY.jpg?w=600&h=600&auto=format%2Ccompress&cs=tinysrgb)