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
Find educational resources for teachers, group leaders, and families
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
Keep up to date with the latest FeederWatch happenings
These are exemplary FeederWatchers!
Send us your photos! Show us your count site, your birds, or you watching your site with loved ones!
Visit our live FeederWatch feedercams!
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
Keep live track of your counts using the FeederWatch mobile app
Linda Cunico
Pueblo West, CO, USA
This Merlin was watching birds at my bird feeder from a Cottonwood tree near my FeederWatch area, a first for me! Photo taken on February 20, 2022. Here in Colorado, Merlins are only seen in the winter. They come down from Canada and the northern United States, and feed mainly on birds they capture in flight. Didn’t mind that I was photographing her with my 600mm lens.
Predatory birds
My next door neighbour reported seeing a Merlin going after the House Sparrows or Finches in our yard. We put out feed all throughout the year. I wasn’t home when it happened and was very disappointed to find out after the fact, and that I didn’t get to see it for myself! I was so jealous. My neighbour is also a bird watcher and enjoys the birds we attract to our tiny little yard.
Merlin seen in the northeast part of Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Hi Betty, I have many predatory birds: Merlin, Hawks, Great Horned Owls, even had a Loggerhead Shrike! I live in semi-desert area, but our home is a great stop over for migrants and local residents, because we actually have many trees, & native vegetation. Also, the Pueblo Reservoir is only five miles from my home, where I photograph Bald Eagles, Golden Eagles and Osprey too! Anxious to see if the Western Tanager and Black headed Grosbecks make another visit to my yard this spring!
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