Val Cunningham

Latest from Val Cunningham

Canada geese often provide day care for other parents

Plus: Why did the robin try to keep up two nests?
June 19, 2025

What’s that redder-than-red bird?

Scarlet tanagers are most likely to be seen in the north central part of Minnesota.
June 5, 2025
A bright red male tanager with black wings perches in a tree branch.

How to attract more feisty little hummingbirds

Plus, birds’ building plans, foiling window attacks, spying on crows and more.
May 15, 2025
As one hummingbird approaches a red hummingbird feeder, another flies away.

Orioles are returning to Minnesota, and here’s what to feed them

Missing the eagle cam action? Try the peregrine falcon cam instead. And it turns out the Merlin app can detect a merlin.
May 1, 2025
An oriole perched in a tree has some dried plant material in its beak for making a nest.

Birds are migrating back to Minnesota and waterfowl are out in front

Loons and the striking wood ducks are among the early birds to watch for.
April 17, 2025
A common loon on a lake looks backward.

Why do cardinals ‘wha-cheer’ so early in the year?

Plus, readers ask about goldfinches nesting and eating, starlings making holes in lawns and swans appearing in local waters.
April 3, 2025
In the foreground, a male cardinal is perched on a rung of a tube bird feeder with a female perched on the far side on a snowy day.

Handsome and lethal, bird-eating hawks live among us

Cooper’s hawks make themselves at home in the cities and suburbs.
March 6, 2025
A closeup of the head of a young Cooper's hawk in profile.

Tips for spotting elusive screech owls: Listen at night and look for holes

Plus: What do cardinals eat when they’re not at feeders? Why do people bird-watch in winter?
February 27, 2025
A screech owl peers out of a circular hole in a tree with a wintry backdrop.

Birds are migrating back to Minnesota and waterfowl are out in front

Loons and the striking wood ducks are among the early birds to watch for.
April 17, 2025
A common loon on a lake looks backward.

Why do cardinals ‘wha-cheer’ so early in the year?

Plus, readers ask about goldfinches nesting and eating, starlings making holes in lawns and swans appearing in local waters.
April 3, 2025
In the foreground, a male cardinal is perched on a rung of a tube bird feeder with a female perched on the far side on a snowy day.

Handsome and lethal, bird-eating hawks live among us

Cooper’s hawks make themselves at home in the cities and suburbs.
March 6, 2025
A closeup of the head of a young Cooper's hawk in profile.

Tips for spotting elusive screech owls: Listen at night and look for holes

Plus: What do cardinals eat when they’re not at feeders? Why do people bird-watch in winter?
February 27, 2025
A screech owl peers out of a circular hole in a tree with a wintry backdrop.
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