Find out what Project FeederWatch is, its history, and more
Find out how you FeederWatch, when you can FeederWatch, and what you'll need to do to get started
Review these instructions carefully before you count and enter data
Find out about types of feeders and types of foods, and where to place your feeder
Feeding Birds FAQs
Explore the winter distribution, food, and feeder preferences of common feeder birds.
Find out about color and plumage variations, bald heads, and deformed bills
Unusual Birds Gallery
Find out about bird disease and identifying the signs of bird disease
Sick Birds Gallery
Find out how to identify birds and download identification tools
Learn how to help birds as they seek out food sources, nesting habitat, protection, and more
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Find an article archive packed with lots of great bird study information
Learn about house finch eye disease
Review content from current and past BirdSpotter photo contests
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These are exemplary FeederWatchers!
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Cornell Lab of Ornithology feeders
Ontario (winter only)
See what birds occur the most by region
Explore species by state/province
See where FeederWatchers are
Graphs of regional population trends and distributions
Explore papers that have used FeederWatch data
Lab scientists analyze the data submitted by FeederWatch participants.
See birds well outside their winter range submitted to Project FeederWatch.
Start here for data entry and personal data review and exploration
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Doris Duncan
Baltimore, MD, USA
This Cooper’s Hawk (and sometimes one of its parents) came nearly everyday to perch near the feeders. Even though the birds were smart enough not to make an appearance with the hawks around, I still took in the feeders with the hope of discouraging the hawks. For the most part, the hawks have given up. Unfortunately, I saw one of them today flying very quickly after a dove. Hopefully, the hawks will leave for good, and I can put up the bird feeders again.
Predatory birds
I’ve had Cooper’s and Red-shouldered Hawks on my fence almost every day. I do not take down my feeders for multiple reasons;
1. I like seeing a close-up encounter with a wild hawk. 2. The birds are smart enough not to visit when a hawk is around 3. Bird feeders do not cause more bird deaths, they only make it where you can see them more. 4. I would not think it’s fair to the birds to not feed them. 5. Hawks need to eat as well.
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