Optics & Gear
8x42 vs 10x42 Binoculars: Which Is Better for Birding?
8x42 vs 10x42 binoculars for birding: 8x wins for most (wider view, steadier image), 10x for distance. The specs, the verdict, and the best picks in both.
Jul 10, 2026
Articles by Hannah Reed
15 pieces
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Seasonal, Water & PlantsHow to Clean a Bird Bath (the 9:1 Vinegar Method)
How to clean a bird bath: scrub with 9 parts water to 1 part vinegar, no soap, and change water every 2 to 3 days. The Audubon-backed method, algae to winter.
Jun 11, 2026
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HummingbirdsHow to Clean a Hummingbird Feeder (and How Often)
How to clean a hummingbird feeder: hot water plus vinegar or hydrogen peroxide, no soap, every few days. The Audubon-backed method, frequency, and mold fix.
Jun 7, 2026
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Feeders & SeedWhere to Hang an Oriole Feeder: Height and Placement
Where to hang an oriole feeder: 6 to 10 feet up, near tall trees, visible from above. The exact height, location, and placement that gets orioles to find it.
Jun 5, 2026
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Attracting BirdsCan Birds Eat Bread? What's Safe and What to Avoid
Can birds eat bread? It is not toxic, but it is empty calories that can harm birds and starve chicks. Here is the honest answer and what to feed instead.
Jun 3, 2026
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Backyard Species GuidesWhat Do Mourning Doves Eat? A Backyard Guide to the Dove Diet
Mourning doves are ground-feeding granivores: about 99% of their diet is seeds. What to feed them, why they need a ground feeder, and what baby doves eat.
Jun 1, 2026
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Backyard Species GuidesWhat Do Robins Eat? A Backyard Guide to the Robin Diet
What robins eat changes by season: worms and insects in spring and summer, fruit and berries in winter. Why they skip seed feeders and what they take instead.
May 29, 2026
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Feeders & SeedDIY Bluebird Feeder: 3 Builds (5 Minutes to 1 Hour)
DIY bluebird feeder: the tuna-can-and-nail build, a clear-side platform, and the Andrew Troyer mealworm box. Plus where to place it and starling exclusion.
May 25, 2026
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Attracting BirdsWhat Do Fledgling Birds Eat? (Read This Before You Feed Anything)
What fledgling and young birds eat, why you shouldn't feed a baby bird you found, how to tell a fledgling from a nestling, and how to find a wildlife rehabber.
May 15, 2026
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Feeders & SeedOriole Feeders: How to Pick One, Fill It, and When to Put It Out
Oriole feeders explained: 5 styles, what to fill them with, when to put them out by zone, and the jelly welfare rule most guides skip.
May 12, 2026
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Seasonal, Water & PlantsHow to Attract Birds to a Bird Bath: A Backyard Guide
How to attract birds to a bird bath: 1 to 2 inch depth, place it 10 feet from cover, add moving water, keep it clean, and wait 2 to 3 weeks for discovery.
May 9, 2026
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Feeders & SeedHow to Attract Birds to a Bird Feeder: A Backyard Guide
How to attract birds to a bird feeder: black-oil sunflower seed, the right feeder for the species you want, 4 to 5 feet up near cover, water nearby.
May 6, 2026
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Feeders & SeedHow to Keep Squirrels Out of Bird Feeders: 7 Methods
How to keep squirrels out of bird feeders: pole baffle, the 5-7-9 placement rule, weight-sensitive feeders, safflower seed. What actually works, what to skip.
Apr 27, 2026
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HummingbirdsHummingbird Nectar Recipe: 4:1, No Boil, No Red Dye
The hummingbird nectar recipe: 1 part plain white sugar to 4 parts water. No boiling for small batches. No red dye. Cornell Lab and Audubon-backed method.
Apr 15, 2026
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HummingbirdsBest Hummingbird Feeder: 8 Picks by Use Case (Honest Tiers)
The best hummingbird feeders by use case: ant-proof, bee-proof, high-capacity, window-mount, budget, splurge. Tiered honestly with welfare guidance.
Apr 12, 2026