Black-throated Blue Warblers are small migratory songbirds. We've recently added this beauty to our family of cute Birdorable birds. Here are some interesting facts about the Black-throated Blue Warbler.

• Black-throated Blue Warblers are tiny birds, weighing in at just 9 or 10 grams.
• The four-letter alpha code that banders and birders use for the Black-throated Blue Warbler is BTBW.
• Based on bird banding records, BTBWs may live to be nine or ten years old in the wild.
• The plumage of the female Black-throated Blue Warbler differs greatly from the male. Early American ornithologists thought they were of a different species, naming the female the "Pine Swamp Warbler." John James Audubon even painted this bird as a separate species - today it is sometimes known as "Audubon's Extra Warbler."

Audubon's Pine Swamp Warbler detail

• BTBWs don't change their appearance as the seasons change, as some warbler species do. They are easy to recognize in the fall just as well as they are in the spring.
• BTBWs are migratory. Most individuals spend the winter in the Caribbean, especially in the Greater Antilles islands of Cuba, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, and Hispaniola (Dominican Republic & Haiti).

Be sure to check out our great collection of apparel and gifts featuring our cute cartoon Black-throated Blue Warbler.

A chimney that served as a roosting spot for Chimney Swifts for almost 50 years may reveal clues to the decline of the species.

Last month, headlines like "Clues to Species Decline Buried in Pile of Bird Excrement" and "Clues Found In Huge Pile Of Bird Poop" were good for a chuckle, but the data gathered by going through layers of swift guano has produced interesting information. By studying the droppings, scientists could determine what food items the swifts were eating. Prior to the widespread use of the pesticide DDT, the Chimney Swifts were dining primarily on beetles. DDT caused a huge decline in beetle populations, leading the swifts to hunt and eat different insects that didn't provide the same nutrition as the beetles. Chimney Swift populations have been declining, with a major contributing factor thought to be loss of habitat. This study implies that changes in diet may also have significant impact. You can read more about this study here: Historical pesticide applications coincided with an altered diet of aerially foraging insectivorous chimney swifts

It's here! May may be the most exciting month of the year for birders. May brings beautiful little winged jewels to the forests, parks and preserves in many parts of the United States.

With May also comes that unique birder affliction known as Warbler Neck. That's why May is Warbler Neck Awareness Month. Show solidarity with your birding brethren with original Warbler Neck Awareness Swag from Birdorable. The awareness ribbon for Warbler Neck is a cerulean blue feather ribbon.

It's May! Get birding! And remember -- be careful out there.

Two new birds were recently added to our free coloring pages offering: Bald Eagle and Eastern Bluebird. Visit our free listing of Coloring Pages to download the PDF files for your own coloring fun.

Have you used our coloring pages at home, in your classroom, or at an event? We’d love to hear about it! Send us photos of the pages in action, or the final result – we may showcase them on our blog!

Ospreys are one of the most common and well-known birds of prey in the world. They are cool, too! Here are some fun, interesting and cool facts about Ospreys.

• Ospreys are found on every continent except Antarctica. They breed on all continents except Antarctica and South America.
• Ospreys eat a diet which consists almost exclusively of fish. This earned them the nickname "sea hawk."
• Ospreys hunt fish by hovering over water and then diving feet first to capture prey in their powerful talons.
• An Osprey's outer toe is reversible, which means they can carry prey (slippery fish) with two toes in front and two toes behind.
• While flying away with the freshly-caught prey, an Osprey will manipulate the fish so that it is parallel to the bird's body, and thus aerodynamic.
• The oldest known North American Osprey lived to be 25 years old.
• During the mid-20th century, North American Osprey populations suffered great losses (along with other birds of prey) due to widespread use of the pesticide DDT. After DDT and other contaminants were banned, the Osprey recovered fairly quickly.
• Ospreys make large nests on the top of dead or live trees. They will also readily use nest platforms or other man-made structures like utility poles.

We've recently updated our Birdorable Osprey cartoon. Be sure to browse through our great collection of Osprey apparel and gifts.

The American Kestrel is the smallest species of falcon in North America. The plumage of male and female American Kestrels differs significantly, which is unusual among birds of prey. Kestrels like to dine on insects, small rodents, and sometimes even other birds. One method they use for hunting is to hover into the wind and look down on the ground for available prey items.

We have recently updated our Birdorable American Kestrel. In addition to the perched male and hunting male, we offer a perched female American Kestrel cartoon on apparel and gifts.

Many countries have an official national bird. For example, the national bird of Israel is the Hoopoe, and the national bird of Mauritius is the Dodo. All U.S. states also have official birds. But did you know that there are even some cities that have their own official bird? The official city bird of Chiyoda, Japan is the Mute Swan. A popular ornamental bird, Mute Swans have been introduced to North America and New Zealand, where wild feral populations thrive. These gorgeous large white birds are native to much of Europe and Asia. Interestingly, the current population of Mute Swans in Japan, numbering about 200 birds, is also introduced! However, the bird is historically native to the country. In fact, it was revered by the Japanese in the past; it is depicted on scrolls from over a thousand years ago.

Birdorable Mute Swan with the flag of Chiyoda

The birds in the image below have a lot in common, but one of them doesn't really belong. Can you pick out the species that doesn't go with the others, and tell us what the others have in common? There can be more than one correct answer, so let us know what you think, and why! Visit the meet page if you need help identifying the birds and finding out which one doesn't belong.

Today marks the official introduction of the Evening Grosbeak as the American Birding Association's Bird of the Year for 2012. It also marks the official introduction of our brand new Birdorable Evening Grosbeak!

American Birding Association (ABA) President Jeffrey A. Gordon calls Evening Grosbeaks "avian firecrackers" for their conspicuous nature, their colorful appearance, and their gregarious, noisy manner.

Gordon continues, "the ABA Bird of the Year program is all about birders being more conspicuous, and drawing attention to the excitement of birding and the fellowship of birders." Birdorable is proud to support the ABA by offering Evening Grosbeak apparel and merchandise with 25% of sales going directly to the organization. All Birdorable Evening Grosbeak designs are participating in this promotion; soon we will offer more styles featuring the ABA Bird of the Year 2012!

Be sure to visit the ABA's Bird of the Year page to learn how the Evening Grosbeak will be celebrated in several BOY events occurring throughout the year. And if you'd like some to have some Evening Grosbeak coloring fun, check out our new coloring page which features the ABA Bird of the Year 2012.

With its massive orange-yellow bill, the Toco Toucan is one of the most recognized birds in the world. Here are some interesting facts about the Toco Toucan and its amazing bill.

• The Toco Toucan is the largest species of toucan in the world. There are about 40 species of toucan in total.
• The bill of the Toco Toucan is nearly 8 inches long. Its tongue is not much shorter - that's a long tongue!
• A toucan's bill is largely hollow, with a boney structure similar to that of a sponge. It may look like a formidable weapon, but its use as a defensive aid is more psychological (intimidation) than physical.
• Up to 50% of a Toco Toucan's total body surface area can be found in its bill.
• Toco Toucans use their massive bills to skin fruit and to grab hard-to-reach food items.
• Toucan bills may help the birds regulate heat; the large surface area of the bill radiates heat away from the bird's body in their warm tropical environment.
• A Toco Toucan can live up to 20 years in the wild.
• Toco Toucans are cavity nesters. Can you imagine this amazing bird using its bill to hollow out a tree cavity for its nest?

If you can't get enough of Toco Toucans, be sure to check out Birdorable's selection of Toco Toucan t-shirts and gifts!