https://perchandglass.com/Research-led backyard birding guides.en-ushttps://perchandglass.com/bird-facts/are-crows-really-that-smart/https://perchandglass.com/bird-facts/are-crows-really-that-smart/Sat, 26 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMTAre crows really that smart? Yes. Crows make tools, remember human faces for years and plan ahead, rivaling great apes on several cognitive tests.https://perchandglass.com/learn/backyard-birding/https://perchandglass.com/learn/backyard-birding/Sat, 26 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMTBackyard birding made simple: offer food, water, cover and nest sites, plant natives, keep feeders clean and windows safe. Here is how to draw more species.https://perchandglass.com/birdhouses/barn-swallow-nest/https://perchandglass.com/birdhouses/barn-swallow-nest/Sat, 26 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMTA barn swallow nest needs a sheltered ledge, wet mud nearby and all-day open access. Nest cups, droppings boards, return dates and the laws on removing nests.https://perchandglass.com/bird-garden/bat-house-guide/https://perchandglass.com/bird-garden/bat-house-guide/Sat, 26 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMTA bat house works when it is tall, multi-chambered, in 6+ hours of sun and 12 to 20 feet up on a pole or wall. Sizing chart, placement rules and 4 picks.https://perchandglass.com/birdhouses/best-bird-baths/https://perchandglass.com/birdhouses/best-bird-baths/Sat, 26 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMTThe best bird bath for most yards is a shallow, textured, frost-proof pedestal like the JCs Wildlife Poly Lumber bath. 6 picks, a depth chart and a checklist.https://perchandglass.com/learn/best-field-guides/https://perchandglass.com/learn/best-field-guides/Sat, 26 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMTThe best bird field guide for most birders is The Sibley Guide to Birds, Second Edition. See how Peterson, National Geographic, Kaufman and Crossley compare.https://perchandglass.com/learn/best-bird-id-apps/https://perchandglass.com/learn/best-bird-id-apps/Sat, 26 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMTThe best bird identification app for most people is Merlin: free, offline Sound ID and Photo ID. Here is how it compares with eBird, Audubon and Sibley.https://perchandglass.com/bird-food/best-bird-seed/https://perchandglass.com/bird-food/best-bird-seed/Sat, 26 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMTThe best bird seed for most yards is a sunflower-based mix with no milo or filler. Our research picks, from Lyric Supreme to Cole's Special Feeder, compared.https://perchandglass.com/birdhouses/best-birdhouses/https://perchandglass.com/birdhouses/best-birdhouses/Sat, 26 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMTThe best birdhouses have the right hole size, vents, drainage, a clean-out door and no perch. See 6 researched picks for bluebirds, wrens, chickadees and owls.https://perchandglass.com/bird-feeders/cameras-budget/https://perchandglass.com/bird-feeders/cameras-budget/Sat, 26 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMTThe best cheap bird feeder camera for most yards is the Birdfy Feeder Rookie: simple, free cloud clips and long battery life. Five more budget picks compared.https://perchandglass.com/bird-food/no-mess/https://perchandglass.com/bird-food/no-mess/Sat, 26 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMTThe best no mess bird seed is 100% shelled: no hulls, no sprouts. Lyric Delite leads our research picks, with Wild Delight and hulled sunflower close behind.https://perchandglass.com/bird-food/suet/https://perchandglass.com/bird-food/suet/Sat, 26 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMTThe best suet for birds is rendered suet packed with nuts, not cheap corn filler. Lyric Delite leads our research picks, with no-melt Cole's cakes for summer.https://perchandglass.com/learn/best-time-of-day/https://perchandglass.com/learn/best-time-of-day/Sat, 26 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMTThe best time of day for birding is the first few hours after sunrise, when birds sing and feed most. When to look for hawks, owls, shorebirds and feeder birds.https://perchandglass.com/learn/bird-behavior-reading-what-birds-are-doing/https://perchandglass.com/learn/bird-behavior-reading-what-birds-are-doing/Sat, 26 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMTBird behavior is readable: posture, calls and movement show whether a bird is feeding, courting, defending a territory or alarmed. Here is how to interpret it.https://perchandglass.com/bird-feeders/bird-buddy-review/https://perchandglass.com/bird-feeders/bird-buddy-review/Sat, 26 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMTBird Buddy review: tough weatherproof hardware and the most polished app, but automatic species ID needs Premium. Specs, sizes, battery, solar and alternatives.https://perchandglass.com/bird-feeders/cameras-bird-buddy-vs-birdfy/https://perchandglass.com/bird-feeders/cameras-bird-buddy-vs-birdfy/Sat, 26 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMTBird Buddy vs Birdfy: Birdbuddy wins on weatherproofing and app polish, Birdfy on free lifetime AI, battery size and range. Specs and subscriptions compared.https://perchandglass.com/bird-feeders/cameras-setup-guide/https://perchandglass.com/bird-feeders/cameras-setup-guide/Sat, 26 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMTBird feeder camera setup for sharp shots: face the lens away from the sun, use a darker background, mount it rock-steady, confirm Wi-Fi, and clean the lens.https://perchandglass.com/bird-feeders/feeding-station/https://perchandglass.com/bird-feeders/feeding-station/Sat, 26 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMTThe best bird feeding station is a rigid steel multi-arm pole with a baffle, set 10 feet from jump points. Research-based picks, sizing chart and checklist.https://perchandglass.com/learn/bird-flu-and-backyard-feeders-current-guidance/https://perchandglass.com/learn/bird-flu-and-backyard-feeders-current-guidance/Sat, 26 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMTBird flu and backyard feeders: feeder songbirds are low risk, so most people can keep feeding, but poultry keepers should remove feeders. Updated Sept 2026.https://perchandglass.com/bird-food/squirrel-resistant/https://perchandglass.com/bird-food/squirrel-resistant/Sat, 26 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMTBird food squirrels won't eat starts with hot pepper seed. Safflower and nyjer help, and nothing is fully squirrel-proof. What works, what fails, and why.https://perchandglass.com/photography/bird-photography-ethics-getting-close-without-harm/https://perchandglass.com/photography/bird-photography-ethics-getting-close-without-harm/Sat, 26 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMTBird photography ethics in one rule: the bird's welfare comes before the photo. Learn stress signs, safe distances, nest rules, playback, baiting and the law.https://perchandglass.com/birdhouses/best-birdhouse-cameras/https://perchandglass.com/birdhouses/best-birdhouse-cameras/Sat, 26 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMTA birdhouse camera lets you watch eggs hatch without opening the box. See 6 researched picks, built-in vs add-in, WiFi vs wired, and bird-safe night vision.https://perchandglass.com/birdhouses/birdhouse-hole-sizes-by-species/https://perchandglass.com/birdhouses/birdhouse-hole-sizes-by-species/Sat, 26 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMTBirdhouse hole sizes by species: 1-1/8 inches for chickadees and wrens, 1-1/2 for bluebirds, 2-1/2 for flickers. Full chart in inches and mm, plus tips.https://perchandglass.com/learn/birding-etiquette/https://perchandglass.com/learn/birding-etiquette/Sat, 26 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMTBirding etiquette in plain terms: put the bird first, go easy on playback, stay back from nests and owl roosts, respect private land, share sightings with care.https://perchandglass.com/learn/birding-for-beginners/https://perchandglass.com/learn/birding-for-beginners/Sat, 26 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMTBirding for beginners needs little gear: a waterproof 8x42 binocular, the free Merlin app, eBird or a notebook, and a field guide. Here is what to skip too.https://perchandglass.com/learn/birding-with-kids/https://perchandglass.com/learn/birding-with-kids/Sat, 26 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMTBirding with kids works best when it is short, hands-on and close to home: a window feeder, a real job, a simple game and a sound app to keep them hooked.https://perchandglass.com/bird-food/black-oil-sunflower/https://perchandglass.com/bird-food/black-oil-sunflower/Sat, 26 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMTBlack oil sunflower seed is the one food to start with: thin shells, high oil, and eaten by more feeder birds than any other seed. Here is how to use it well.https://perchandglass.com/birdhouses/best-bluebird-houses/https://perchandglass.com/birdhouses/best-bluebird-houses/Sat, 26 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMTThe best bluebird house has a 1.5 inch hole, vents, drainage, a side door and no perch. Compare 6 NABS-style boxes, from slot to Peterson and Gilbertson.https://perchandglass.com/bird-food/can-birds-eat-rice-myths-vs-facts/https://perchandglass.com/bird-food/can-birds-eat-rice-myths-vs-facts/Sat, 26 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMTCan birds eat rice? Yes. Uncooked rice does not make birds explode, and plain cooked rice is safe in small amounts. The myths, the facts and better foods.https://perchandglass.com/bird-facts/can-birds-predict-the-weather/https://perchandglass.com/bird-facts/can-birds-predict-the-weather/Sat, 26 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMTCan birds predict the weather? Short term, yes: they sense falling air pressure and maybe infrasound, then feed or flee before storms. Seasonal lore is a myth.https://perchandglass.com/bird-facts/can-birds-see-color/https://perchandglass.com/bird-facts/can-birds-see-color/Sat, 26 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMTCan birds see color? Yes, and most see more than we do: four cone types, ultraviolet vision and oil-droplet filters. Here is how bird color vision works.https://perchandglass.com/bird-facts/can-birds-see-ultraviolet-light/https://perchandglass.com/bird-facts/can-birds-see-ultraviolet-light/Sat, 26 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMTCan birds see ultraviolet light? Yes. Most birds have a fourth cone tuned to UV or violet light, so plumage, berries and eggs look different to them than to us.https://perchandglass.com/bird-facts/can-birds-smell/https://perchandglass.com/bird-facts/can-birds-smell/Sat, 26 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMTCan birds smell? Yes. Vultures, kiwis and seabirds track food by scent, and songbirds use smell more than once thought. Here is what the science shows.https://perchandglass.com/bird-facts/can-birds-taste-spicy-food/https://perchandglass.com/bird-facts/can-birds-taste-spicy-food/Sat, 26 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMTCan birds taste spicy food? Not the burn: bird pain receptors ignore capsaicin, so birds eat hot chilies that deter mammals. The science, plus feeder tips.https://perchandglass.com/bird-food/can-you-feed-birds-peanut-butter/https://perchandglass.com/bird-food/can-you-feed-birds-peanut-butter/Sat, 26 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMTCan you feed birds peanut butter? Yes. Plain, unsalted, xylitol-free peanut butter is a safe, high-fat treat, best mixed with cornmeal or oats and kept fresh.https://perchandglass.com/bird-facts/can-you-get-sick-from-bird-feeders/https://perchandglass.com/bird-facts/can-you-get-sick-from-bird-feeders/Sat, 26 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMTCan you get sick from bird feeders? Yes, but rarely. Salmonella is the main risk, and simple hygiene prevents it. Germs, droppings and bird flu explained.https://perchandglass.com/learn/cats-and-birds-keeping-your-yard-safe/https://perchandglass.com/learn/cats-and-birds-keeping-your-yard-safe/Sat, 26 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMTCats and birds: outdoor cats kill billions of US birds a year. What works to protect feeder birds, from indoor cats and catios to smarter feeder placement.https://perchandglass.com/birdhouses/chickadee-house/https://perchandglass.com/birdhouses/chickadee-house/Sat, 26 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMTThe best chickadee house has a 1 1/8-inch hole, a floor near 4 to 5 1/2 inches, vents, drainage and no perch. Compare 6 boxes for chickadees, titmice and wrens.https://perchandglass.com/learn/do-birds-become-dependent-on-feeders/https://perchandglass.com/learn/do-birds-become-dependent-on-feeders/Sat, 26 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMTDo birds become dependent on feeders? No. Research shows feeder birds still get most of their food from the wild and cope fine when feeders are taken down.https://perchandglass.com/bird-facts/do-birds-eat-mosquitoes/https://perchandglass.com/bird-facts/do-birds-eat-mosquitoes/Sat, 26 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMTDo birds eat mosquitoes? Yes, many do, from swallows to warblers, but mosquitoes are a small part of most diets and birds alone won't clear them from your yard.https://perchandglass.com/bird-facts/do-birds-get-frostbite/https://perchandglass.com/bird-facts/do-birds-get-frostbite/Sat, 26 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMTDo birds get frostbite? Rarely, thanks to cold-tolerant feet and clever blood flow, but it does happen, especially to doves' toes. Here is how birds avoid it.https://perchandglass.com/bird-facts/do-birds-grieve/https://perchandglass.com/bird-facts/do-birds-grieve/Sat, 26 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMTDo birds grieve? No one can know a bird's feelings, but crows, jays, geese and paired birds show striking responses to death. Here is what science says.https://perchandglass.com/bird-facts/do-birds-have-ears/https://perchandglass.com/bird-facts/do-birds-have-ears/Sat, 26 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMTDo birds have ears? Yes, hidden openings behind the eyes, covered by special feathers. Here is how bird hearing works, what birds hear and how owls hunt.https://perchandglass.com/bird-facts/do-birds-have-hollow-bones/https://perchandglass.com/bird-facts/do-birds-have-hollow-bones/Sat, 26 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMTDo birds have hollow bones? Many do: air-filled, braced bones linked to the lungs. Yet bird bones are dense, and diving birds have solid ones. Here is why.https://perchandglass.com/bird-facts/do-birds-have-regional-accents/https://perchandglass.com/bird-facts/do-birds-have-regional-accents/Sat, 26 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMTDo birds have regional accents? Yes. Songbirds learn songs from neighbors, so local dialects form, spread and change over time, much like human accents.https://perchandglass.com/bird-facts/do-birds-have-teeth/https://perchandglass.com/bird-facts/do-birds-have-teeth/Sat, 26 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMTDo birds have teeth? No living bird does. Their ancestors did, but modern birds use a keratin beak and a muscular gizzard instead. Here is how that works.https://perchandglass.com/bird-facts/do-birds-mate-for-life/https://perchandglass.com/bird-facts/do-birds-mate-for-life/Sat, 26 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMTDo birds mate for life? A few do, such as swans, albatrosses and eagles, but most songbirds pair for one season, and many pairs are not strictly faithful.https://perchandglass.com/bird-facts/do-birds-play/https://perchandglass.com/bird-facts/do-birds-play/Sat, 26 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMTDo birds play? Yes. Ravens slide down snowy roofs, keas toss objects and gulls drop and catch shells. Learn which birds play, how scientists define it and why.https://perchandglass.com/learn/do-birds-recognize-the-people-who-feed-them/https://perchandglass.com/learn/do-birds-recognize-the-people-who-feed-them/Sat, 26 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMTDo birds recognize the people who feed them? Many do. Crows, jays, pigeons and mockingbirds learn faces, and feeder birds learn your routine, clothes and voice.https://perchandglass.com/bird-facts/do-birds-reuse-nests/https://perchandglass.com/bird-facts/do-birds-reuse-nests/Sat, 26 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMTDo birds reuse nests? Most songbirds build a fresh nest for every brood, but eagles, ospreys, swallows, phoebes and cavity nesters often reuse old sites.