A quarantine has been placed on the barnyard at William S. Hart Park in Newhall and birds at the Placerita Canyon Nature Center, due to the threat of Virulent Newcastle Disease. The California Regional Quarantine was issued on February 27 for all public bird exhibitions in all of Los Angeles County...

I enjoy writing about the animals you see in your backyard every day, and trying to find little details that make them more quirky and interesting. My devious plan is to tempt you outside so you can check those facts for yourself. What could be more common than house finches? Surely you see them at your...

There’s an abundance of bird species, most of which have specialized traits that help them get through their day. Not all species of birds have large talons to catch their prey, or are able to drill a hole to hide their food. But no matter what species you choose to examine, all birds share one...

Do you want to add excitement to your life, open a nature observation station and do wildlife comparison on a daily basis? You do not need to move and become a ranger. You can accomplish this easily in your own backyard by installing a bird feeder and bird bath close to a window where you can observe...

My last two articles were about unusual insects ; the walking stick and the assassin bug, one with a surprising look but totally harmless, the other one small but not so welcome, and could present a real threat, especially if found in your bed. However, I met some friends last week who reminded me that...

What makes you decide to pick yourself up, migrate far from home, and then come back in the spring? If you are a snowbird from the human species, usually cold weather in the fall and even worse, the first frost, is a definite sign that it’s time to get the trailer ready and to go south in search of...

The foliage is starting to change colors and along with that, the fall migrations have started. It is a topic I have always found fascinating, and in this day and age when Google can give you all of the answers, this is still a topic that has scientists baffled. We do not have all the answers to the...

I suspect a great many readers have hummingbird feeders in their yards. I know that I do. In fact, I have two, and I just gave one as a gift to a dear friend. It is fascinating and enjoyable to sit and watch the hummingbirds swirl around the feeders, the iridescent red, gold and green glinting off of...

Most of us are actually wonderful bird watchers. We have vast knowledge and don’t even realize it. “How is that possible? I have never gone bird watching with a group, and I do not even own a pair of binoculars,” you ask. I will issue a challenge: You can already recognize many birds without...

I received this phone call a while ago: “Evelyne, I need help. A coworker found a baby barn owl in the parking lot, put it in a box and brought it to the office. What should I do?” Sometimes I hate springtime. You’re dealing with someone with a big heart who wants to help a bird in distress –...