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Birds

Blog Posts

Redbuds: a great addition to any landscape. Branches of a redbud tree coer
Read article: Redbuds are a great addition to any landscape
Redbuds are a great addition to any landscape
While spring-blooming bulbs get much of our attention in the spring, flowering trees shouldn’t be overlooked. One of the best trees for spring color...
Read article: Invasive Species and Birds
Invasive Species and Birds
Nearly every deciduous plant in the Illinois landscape has lost it leaves for the year, except for one standout.  The non-native, invasive shrubs...
plants in winter
Read article: Providing winter hospitality to wildlife
Providing winter hospitality to wildlife
Providing winter hospitality to both vertebrate (birds mammals, lizards, etc.) and invertebrate (insects, spiders, worms, etc) wildlife is an...
flying geese over lake silhouetted against sunrise
Read article: Be vigilant about bird diseases
Be vigilant about bird diseases
Anyone who comes into contact with birds should be aware that avian influenza cases are on the rise in Illinois and around the Midwest. What is...
three white pelicans on a lake
Read article: Pelicans make a pitstop in Illinois on spring migration
Pelicans make a pitstop in Illinois on spring migration
In the spring, a remarkable migratory bird returns to the waters of the Illinois River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge Complex which includes the...
ruby throat hummingbird feeding from flower
Read article: 5 ways to attract Hummingbirds to your yard
5 ways to attract Hummingbirds to your yard
Every year, hummingbirds travel from their winter homes in Central America and Mexico to North America. Hummingbirds are currently making their trip...
blue jay bird holding an acorn in its beak
Read article: Of blue jays and pin oaks: How jays have shaped our oak forests around the world
Of blue jays and pin oaks: How jays have shaped our oak forests around the world
Winter is a time for reflection. We often spend more time inside looking outside during the Illinois winter. Perhaps one of the most popular past...
Read article: Eco-friendly uses for the Christmas tree
Eco-friendly uses for the Christmas tree
Shortly you will begin to see Christmas trees sitting by the curb, waiting for the assigned pick-up date to be collected and mulched. This is one way...

News Releases

Watering plants
Get Inspiration for your gardens at Spring Series of Home Horticulture
(ROCK ISLAND, Ill.) As spring arrives, gardeners turn their thoughts to their home gardens. University of Illinois Extension is here to help with its annual Spring Series of Home Horticulture offerings on Mondays, April 10, 17 and 24 from 6 to 8 pm at the Holiday Inn, Rock Island, IL. Each night...
Take steps to help stop avian flu in wild birds, domestic flocks
URBANA, Ill. – Avian flu cases are on the rise in the Midwest. From canceled poultry shows to advising homeowners to remove bird feeders, Illinois is urging those who come into contact with birds to take steps to prevent the disease from spreading. Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza is a...
Embrace the winter! Count feeder birds for science!
Nothing provides an easier or more dependable food supply then “Birdscaping” your landscape. Join Whiteside County Master Gardeners as they explore the native wildflowers and other seed-bearing flowers, that will bring birds to your yard. Thankful for Our Feathered Friends will take place on...
Fall is for feathered friends, fireplaces
URBANA, Ill. – Birdseed and firewood are two common topics that show up every fall. Both take some planning to be successful. “Feeding the birds means starting earlier than later,” says Richard Hentschel, University of...