46 posts
American robins typically lay three to five bright blue eggs in sturdy cup-shaped nests they’ve carefully crafted from mud, grass, moss, and twigs. The female sits on the eggs while the male brings her food and defends the nest area. The eggs hatch in about two weeks. While they
May 10, 2026
Young barred owlets stay near the nest for several months and usually stay close to one another, often appearing playfully side by side. The owlets can’t fly for several weeks, but they can climb trees using their beaks and talons. In the process of moving from tree to tree,
May 03, 2026
While the female barred owl sits on the nest, the male hunts and brings her food. Barred owls typically hunt after sunset and during the night, but sometimes feed during the day, especially when they have a nesting mate or hungry owlets to feed. The forest habitat offers a broad
April 26, 2026
Barred owls are common in mixed forests with large trees in Kentucky. They nest in large tree cavities, usually about a foot wide, up to several feet deep, and about 20 to 40 feet off the ground. In the spring the female typically lays 2-3 eggs in the tree cavity,
April 19, 2026
In the spring, rose-breasted grosbeaks migrate through Kentucky, with a few breeding in eastern parts of the state. Grosbeaks, named for their large conical bills (gros means thick, or chubby in French), are among the largest birds in the finch family. Male rose-breasted grosbeaks are brightly colored with easily recognizable
April 12, 2026
Dogwoods are a favorite perch from which gray catbirds loudly proclaim their territory. While named for the cat-like sounds they make, their repertoires are much larger. Like mockingbirds, catbirds string together both musical and mechanical sounds they’ve heard to create their own unique songs that can last for several
April 05, 2026
Red-winged blackbirds are year-round residents of Kentucky and most of the continental US. They typically nest in cattails or bulrushes in marshes and swampy areas but may also nest in drier fields. Males fiercely defend their territory and may attempt to chase away animals or even people. Males often have
March 29, 2026
These tiny finches typically breed in the western United States and southern Canada, but some years they organize irregular migrations further south and can be seen in Kentucky. Close relatives of goldfinches, pine siskins are also primarily vegetarian and attracted to Nyger seeds. Not as showy as goldfinches, they are
March 22, 2026
While American goldfinches are year-round residents in Kentucky, you may only now be noticing them again as the males get more yellow after their late-winter feather molt. Goldfinches are rather strict vegetarians, only consuming occasional insects. In the spring they dine on fresh buds and small seeds left in the
March 15, 2026