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Birds

A blue florida scrub jay

Land & Conservation

Along ancient sand dunes, a long-studied, whip-smart bird still astonishes biologists

Three photos of birds: cerulean warbler, burrowing owl, scarlet tanager

Seven Southern

Rare, secretive, or just plain beautiful, these species are a treat to behold

A Chuck-will's-widow on a branch

Land & Conservation

These two nightjars—mainstays of the Southern soundscape—are easily confused

A portrait of a man in a yellow jacket

Music

With a little help from Bon Iver’s frontman and Mother Nature’s chorus, the North Carolina musician cracks open a window to the woods

A pair of whooping cranes.

Land & Conservation

A century ago, the species almost went extinct. Today, their numbers are edging upwards, but the fight for their survival is far from over.

A bald eagle perches in a tree

Land & Conservation

And the best time to see them (hint: it’s now)

A male red-winged blackbird.

Land & Conservation

These beautiful and rowdy little guests have descended on the South for the winter

Duck hunting in Black Pearl, Maryland.

The Wild South

Green-winged teal are up, and some other species also saw increases. But it’s a mixed bag as waterfowlers prepare to head into the blinds.

A brown pelican in flight

Land & Conservation

The release of two rehabilitated brown pelicans is the result of millions of years of evolution, cosmic coincidence, and the hard work of conservation-minded South Carolinians

A close-up image of a quail's head.

Land & Conservation

Now approved by the FDA, a Texas scientist’s parasite-fighting feed could be a game changer for the South’s beloved game bird

A collage of two portraits of women with binoculars

Champions of Conservation

After feeling unwelcome in the field, two scientists start a nonprofit to help other historically marginalized or excluded nature lovers

A white dog points in a field

Sporting

In the famed Alabama region, a rich tradition of quail hunting and dog work is enjoying a hard-won revival

A man stands in a field with binoculars

Land & Conservation

Ornithologist and eBird co-founder John Fitzpatrick has created a blueprint for how a development can be mutually beneficial to people and wildlife

A collage of three photos. On the right a cardinal, on the left a bird with red speckles, in the center a clear bird feeder with a camera attached.

Gardens

A smart bird feeder, a bounty of garden seeds, avian artwork, and more thoughtful finds to delight both birders and feathered friends

A male painted bunting

Land & Conservation

A songbird that looks dipped in paint, a delicate pink wader, and an iridescent duck—learn what gives these beautiful birds their color, plus how to spot them

A woman sits at a desk and works on a taxidermy duck

Arts & Culture

From her Virginia studio, a taxidermist resurrects the beauty of the field

A yellow bird sits in the branches of a tree

Land & Conservation

My quest to identify an ultra-rare species in my Charleston yard attracted birders from near and far—and sparked unexpected, shared joy

A yellow American finch perches on top of a coneflower in a field of coneflowers.

Home & Garden

Feathered friends will sing their praises over these native blooming vines, seed-laden flowers, and berry bushes. Plus: Tips and tricks for taking a naturalist approach to gardening

A black-chinned hummingbird in flight

Land & Conservation

An unlikely team opens a window into the secret lives of the tiny animals

A morning sky with ducks in flight; a body of water below shows ducks on the water

The Wild South

What the numbers from this year’s waterfowl survey mean for ducks and duck hunters