Roger J. Lederer, PhD
Ornithologist
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Co-authored Articles (46)
How to
Tell the Age of a Budgie
Figuring out the age of a budgie can be easy! You can tell whether a budgie is a baby, an adolescent, or an adult through several telltale signs. Start by looking for striped or clear cap feathers. Then look at the bird...
Does My Bird Have Mites? Common Signs, & What to Do
Learn to spot mites on parrots, parakeets, cockatiels, and other birds Certain bird species, like parakeets, parrots, and finches, are more likely to contract mites. Bird mites feed on your bird’s blood, can live and t...
How to Buy Binoculars for Your Favorite Outdoor Hobby
Pick the best size, magnification, and features for your price range Binoculars are fantastic tools that make activities like bird-watching, star-gazing, concerts, and sports more enjoyable. However, not all binoculars a...
How to Tell the Sex of a Lovebird
Learn the difference between male and female lovebird sexes Whether you want to find the perfect name for your lovebird, or are trying to breed them (or keep them from breeding), you’re probably interested in finding ...
How to Identify a Male or Female Duck using Appearance and Behavior
Sorting the drakes from the hens in Mallard and other duck species Whether you’re spying them through binoculars or pairing them up to brood, sorting the males ducks (or “drakes”) from the females (often called “...
How to
Attract Crows
Crows are very bright creatures, one of the most intelligent animal species, and a group of crows, called a "flock" or a "murder," can be a useful addition to your yard. A small flock can keep plants free of insects and ...
How to
Care For a Bird That Has Hit a Window
According to the Bird Conservation Network more than 100 million North American birds die every year from window collisions. These accidents are most common during spring mating season. It is illegal to keep a wild bird ...
3 Ways to Tell If a Duckling Is Male or Female
Learn to identify a duckling's gender at various stages of development It can be difficult to tell the sex of a baby duck visually, as both male and female ducklings tend to look similar. Luckily, there are several easy ...
How to Tell the Difference Between Male and Female Robins
Identify male & female American, Australian, & European robins The robin is a beautiful migratory songbird that many believe brings tidings of the spring season. Robins are quite common throughout Europe and North Americ...
How to
Make a Bird Nest
A bird's nest makes a wonderful mantelpiece decoration, and can make use of almost anything you find along a nature hike, or in your front yard. Wild birds usually prefer to make their own nests, but you can lure many sp...
How to
Make Emergency Baby Bird Food
Seeing a hungry baby bird can certainly pull at your heartstrings. Ideally, a wild a baby bird should be left in its nest or taken to experts at a wildlife rehabilitation center. However, you may need to feed a baby bird...
How to
Calibrate Binoculars
Seeing detail from a far distance is almost impossible without a good set of binoculars. If you’re trying to birdwatch or see something from far away, you’ll need to make sure your binoculars are correctly calibrated...
How to
Spot Signs of Disease in Conures
You think your conure might be sick, but you’re not sure what to look for. Generally speaking, you can check for changes in their appearance, odd behavior, or digestive problems. These symptoms could indicate a number ...
How to
Tell if a Bird Egg Is Infertile
Whether you're looking to ensure your bird eggs are viable for breeding or you're just curious, checking to see if an egg is infertile can be quite easy. In most cases, it's possible to ensure your eggs do not grow into ...
How to
Choose a Cage for a Budgie
With so many cages of different shapes and sizes advertised for small birds, it can be intimidating to know which cage is best for your feathery friend. While budgies may seem like small and low-maintenance pets, they st...
How to
Help a Baby Bird That Has Fallen Out of a Nest
When you see a baby bird survive after falling from the nest, your first instinct may be to help it. Most well-meaning people do more harm than good when they attempt to rescue baby birds. Before you act, it’s importan...
Nighttime Chirping: Why Do Birds Do It?
All the reasons why you're hearing birdsong after darkBirds are famous for chirping at sunrise, but they sleep during the night—right? Hearing midnight chirping can be a little unnerving since most of us don't expect i...
How to
Catch a Duck
Ducks can be caught to relocate or for study in a humane way. During certain points in a duck’s life cycle, such as after mating, ducks are flightless and much easier to catch. Use food and other attractants like decoy...
How to
Care for a Bird
A complete guide to housing, feeding, & socialising your bird Birds are extremely social by nature, and thrive on company, nurturing, and frequent interaction. Many species of birds make fun, engaging pets. If you're con...
How to
Feed a Baby Sparrow
If you find a baby sparrow that appears abandoned, you can take it into your home and feed it. Many wildlife refuges and concerned people care for injured and orphaned sparrows until they are old enough to fly. Before at...
