It’s National Bird Feeding Month!

14 Fascinating Bird Photos, Hot Birdseed, and Who's That Bird?

Trouble viewing this e-mail? Try our web version. |  Joy of Birds  February 2026 Gallery: 14 Fascinating Bird Behaviors Every year our Audubon Photography Awards result in a bounty of incredible images showcasing fascinating avian behaviors. Take a peek into the always entertaining lives of birds, from intimate moments with mates to fierce fights for territory. Check out this gallery of fascinating bird behaviors submitted to last year's awards. And don't forget: Entry for the 2026 awards is now open! Learn more about how you can submit your best bird photos and videos. Brown Pelican and Brown Noddies. Photo: David Hartley/Audubon Photography Awards Can You Guess the Bird? Who's that charming bird? Guess this mystery bird using the silhouetted image above and the three hints below! Clue #1: These human-tolerant birds might be your neighbor! You can spot this species across the contiguous United States. Clue #2: Our mystery bird is a cavity nester that will make a home in just about anything, from boots and shoes to watering cans and drain pipes. Clue #3: During mating season, this noisy bird trills around the clock. Tireless males can sing up to 600 songs in an hour. Here's a bonus hint: This bird's four-letter banding code, which researchers often use as shorthand for species names, is NHWR. Click here to learn more about this bird and reveal the answer. Photo: Evan Barrientos/Audubon How Spicy is Too Spicy for Birds? Conventional knowledge says squirrels don't like spicy seeds and birds are immune to heat. That's why many squirrel-deterring birdseed blends have a little kick to it. Now, emerging research suggests that birds might actually have a limit when it comes to spice. Keep reading for more on birds' spice tolerance. Blue-winged Macaw. Photo: Sabbir Abeir/Wikimedia CC BY-SA 4.0 A Homemade Suet to Keep Winter Birds Fed  February is National Birdfeeding Month. Support birds during one of North America's coldest months with an energy-rich treat: Zick Dough! Made by nature writer Julie Zickefoose, Zick Dough is a nutritious and delicious form of suet that will keep birds coming back for more. Get the suet recipe here. White-breasted Nuthatch. Photo: Julie Zickefoose Give This Northern Cardinal Plush a Home! It's never too late to let someone you love know you're thinking of them. We'll send a Northern Cardinal plush to you or a loved one of your choice when you start an annual gift today. Donate now. Photo: Luke Franke/Audubon Did you receive this message from a friend? Get regular email updates from us by clicking here. → CONNECT WITH US National Audubon Society 225 Varick Street New York, NY 10014 USA (844) 428-3826 | www.audubon.org © 2026 National Audubon Society Update your email preferences or unsubscribe