Creatures

Cardinals are among the easiest backyard birds to recognize, thanks to their vivid red plumage, prominent crests, and distinctive thick bills. The Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) is especially familiar across much of North America, where males are famous for their brilliant red feathers and black facial mask. But several other birds can look surprisingly similar … Read more

Trees that grow well in Arizona have to contend with one of the most demanding climate ranges found anywhere in the United States, spanning scorching low-desert valleys that can exceed 115 degrees Fahrenheit in summer to high-elevation forests near Flagstaff that regularly see snow and temperatures well below freezing. This dramatic range means Arizona is … Read more

Animals that eat avocado span a remarkably wide range of species, from wild rainforest birds that evolved alongside the fruit long before humans ever cultivated it, to backyard wildlife that simply take advantage of fallen fruit whenever the opportunity arises. Avocados are believed to have originally evolved to be eaten by large Ice Age mammals … Read more

Animals that walk on 2 legs represent a surprisingly diverse group, spanning birds that rely on bipedal movement for their entire lives, mammals that shift between two and four legs depending on the situation, and even a handful of lizards capable of sprinting upright when speed becomes essential. True bipedalism, where an animal walks on … Read more

Birds that eat safflower seed have become a favorite topic among backyard birdwatchers looking for a feeder option that attracts desirable songbirds while deterring less welcome visitors like squirrels and certain nuisance birds. Safflower seed has a notably bitter, thick outer shell that many squirrels and blackbirds find unappealing, yet a surprising number of songbird … Read more

Birds that eat snails have developed some of the most specialized feeding techniques in the animal kingdom, ranging from precision beak strikes to the clever use of tools like rocks and hard surfaces. Snails offer a dense source of protein and calcium, the latter being especially valuable for birds during breeding season when eggshell formation … Read more

Animals that walk slowly have evolved this pace for reasons ranging from energy conservation to camouflage to sheer body design, and the animal kingdom offers far more examples of unhurried movement than most people realize. While a cheetah can hit 70 miles per hour in short bursts, many creatures thrive by doing the exact opposite, … Read more

Thrips are among the most frustrating plant pests because they are tiny, fast-moving, and often hide where gardeners do not immediately look. A plant can appear healthy from a distance while thrips are feeding inside flower buds, along new growth, or in folds on the undersides of leaves. The first clue is often not the … Read more

Paper products, especially older books with starch-based glues and cellulose-rich pages, can be surprisingly attractive food sources for a range of household insects. Anyone who has discovered small holes, yellowed trails, or scattered debris near a bookshelf has likely encountered one of the many bugs that eat books and paper, since these pests are drawn … Read more

Leaf damage is one of the most common problems gardeners encounter, and identifying the culprit is the first step toward protecting a garden’s health. There are thousands of insect species capable of chewing through foliage, and learning to recognize the different bugs that eat leaves can help gardeners respond with the right treatment before damage … Read more