birds

An upcoming show may be good for bird watchers, but not for neighborhood bugs. The annual black belt birding festival starts tomorrow, and that includes mowing day at the Joe Family Farm. Tractors stir up the hay, and that sends insects into the air. The goal is to attract birds like scissor-tailed flycatchers or Mississippi kites to swoop down for a snack. Here’s more on the annual event and the people who show up with binoculars in hand.

As National Bird-Feeding Month begins, there are several ways for Alabamians to keep their feathered friends fed during the winter months when food is scarce including using different feeders to attract a variety of birds. Those who have success with birding should consider reporting to The Great Backyard Bird Count this month as well.

The Montgomery Zoo is hosting an early Valentine’s Day celebration on Saturday, Feb. 10. It’s called Sweetheart’s Day. This special event is taking place during the zoo’s regular hours. One children’s ticket is free with the purchase of an accompanying adult ticket.

Registration will soon close for Alabama Audubon's third annual Black Belt Birding Festival. Novice and advanced birdwatchers will visit the Black Belt's various natural habitats and meet some of the region's wildlife firsthand. The festival is Aug. 4 and 5.

"Raptors" are paying a visit to the Homewood Public Library. On June 20, handlers from the Alabama Wildlife Center will bring three to four different birds for a children’s event in the facility's large auditorium.

During the spring and fall, dozens of migrant species of birds briefly land at Ft. Morgan on their journeys north or south. Alabama Audubon hosts an observation station where scientists, conservationists, and the public can observe birds up close. It’s called bird banding.

Losing any pet can be a difficult experience, but unlike a furry four-footed friend who may be wearing a collar and tag, your feathered pet is not…