Pocket worthyStories to fuel your mind

Feed the Birds. It Could Boost Your Mood This Winter.

You don’t need binoculars—or even a backyard—to get to know your neighborhood birds.

Corrie Evanoff

Read when you’ve got time to spare.

If you’re already a birder, you know that the simple action of caring for local birds can help them while helping your brain. And if you’re not, great news: getting started is easier than you think—and you don’t even need a lot of space.

Whether you try hanging a hummingbird feeder outside your apartment window or setting out a birdbath in a spot of your yard sheltered from predators, you’ll be on the road to securing a better future for your feathered visitors—and yes, reaping the mental health benefits of the meditative hobby.

Image by Bill Boch/Getty Images

I Didn’t Think Birding Was for Me. Now It’s My Favorite Self-Care Hobby.

I’m young, I live in a city, I’m not outdoorsy…but I love it anyway.

Here Are Some Tips for Feeding Birds the Right Way

Millions of Americans feed wild birds, especially in winter and spring. Studies show that this can influence birds’ health and behavior in surprising ways.

Suet Is a Superfood for Backyard Birds—Here's How to Offer This High-Energy Treat

Suet for birds attracts insect-eaters such as woodpeckers, chickadees, and nuthatches. See how to give your backyard birds suet this winter.

How to Choose the Right Bird Food

Like people, birds have different preferences when it comes to food. Learn which foods are likely to attract which species.

Birdwatching Is an Easy Way to Practice Mindfulness

No, it doesn’t mean you have to become a binoculars-toting, Latin name-spouting nerd.

Experts Share Their Favorite Backyard Bird Feeders

These seven options can attract finches, wrens, woodpeckers, hummingbirds and more.

BONUS READ: Which Birds Are the Biggest Jerks at the Feeder? A Massive Data Analysis Reveals the Answer. via The Washington Post.

Salmonella Could Be Lurking at Your Bird Feeders and Baths. Here’s How to Clean Them.

Make sure your yard isn’t a bacteria breeding ground that kills birds and sickens people.

The 11 Best Bird Baths of 2023

Keep feathered visitors happy and healthy with their own bath.

Identify the Birds You See or Hear With Merlin Bird ID

Free global bird guide with photos, sounds, maps, and more.

BONUS TOOL: Bird Migration Forecasts in Real-Time via BirdCast.

Interest in Feeding Wild Birds Soared During Lockdown, Finds Global Study

Study finds increase in wild bird feeding in 115 countries spanning six continents.

These Five Apps Bring the Joy of Birds Into Your Life

Twitter was my essential birding companion. Then Elon Musk broke one of my favorite bird accounts.

How to Get Kids Into Bird Watching

Put a bird on it.

10 Plants for a Bird-Friendly Yard

Choose native plants like these to beautify your living space and provide food for birds.

BONUS READ: Transform Your Yard Into an Owl Kingdom via Popular Science.

The Beginner’s Guide to Bird-Watching

No, you don’t need a fancy pair of binoculars to get into bird-watching, according to avid birders.

Here’s How to Use Window Films to Actually Protect Birds

Bird-strike-deterrent window films don’t work if they’re placed on the indoor side.

Want More? Dive Into These Great Reads for Bird Nerds

Journey into the fascinating and bizarre world of our feathered friends, from the mystery of avian irruptions to the multi-million dollar industry spurred by bird poop.