Roger J. Lederer, PhD
Ornithologist
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Co-authored Articles (50)
How to
Use Binoculars
Binoculars are simple devices that are easy enough to use, but if you don't know how to adjust them, it can be tough to find the right settings. Whether you're using binoculars to birdwatch or just like taking in the sce...
How to
Tell the Difference Between Crows and Ravens
Although crows and ravens are in the same family of birds and look alike, they actually have some pretty big differences. To tell the difference between a crow and a raven, you’ll need to examine the bird and look at t...
How to
Feed Pigeons
Pigeons, also known as rock doves, are found on every continent in the world except Antarctica. No matter where you live, you can get a chance to feed them by visiting cities and other urban areas. They are smart, gentle...
How to
Identify a Mourning Dove
Aspiring ornithologists or even those looking to get into amateur bird watching should know how to identify Mourning Doves. These birds are common throughout North America (except for the northern regions of Canada) and ...
How to
Keep a Bird and a Cat in the Same House
If you have a cat and want to adopt a bird, or vice versa, you may be worried about whether the 2 animals will get along. Because cats are natural hunters and tend to prey on birds, it’s inherently dangerous to keep th...
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 Duck Eggs Are Dead or Alive
Maybe you are raising duck eggs in an incubator so they can develop into baby ducklings, but you are not sure if your eggs are dead or alive. Or perhaps you stumbled upon duck eggs in the wild and are wondering whether t...
How to
Feed Wild Baby Ducks
There's a lot that goes in to caring for wild ducklings, like satisfying their huge appetites. If you’ve recently rescued some baby ducks, it’s important that you get them on a regular, nutritious diet so they grow i...
How to
Keep Birds Out of Trees
While birds may look pretty and sound nice in your yard, you may want to prevent them from taking up permanent residency in your trees. Birds will often eat fruit like apples or oranges on trees. Certain birds, like magp...
How to
Keep Birds Off the Roof
Whether it’s pigeons, magpies, sparrows, or a different breed entirely, birds can be a major nuisance when they decide to take up residence on your rooftop. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to get these flying fowl...
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 Age of a Parakeet (Budgie): A Step-by-Step Guide
Determine how old your budgie is with these methodsBudgies, or common parakeets, don’t show obvious signs of aging the way mammals do, so it can sometimes be tricky to figure out exactly how old your bird is. Luckily, ...
How to
Keep Birds Off Your Porch
Birds are bound to fly into your yard, but they can leave a mess if they make themselves at home on your porch. If you're tired of cleaning up after birds, deter them with objects from your home or with store-bought spik...
How to Tell If a Parrot is Male or Female
The most accurate ways to check your parrot’s gender Telling the sex of parrots can be difficult, as some species have no visible differences between males and females (monomorphic). For these breeds, the only way to d...
How to
Save Birds
Birds are an important part of our ecosystem, but they’re also beautiful and fun to watch. Unfortunately, birds are especially vulnerable to changes in their environment, like ground, water, and air pollution, or the d...
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...
How to Stop Birds from Attacking Your Windows
Tips for hiding reflections, deterring landings, & distracting angry birdsSome territorial birds will attack windows during their breeding season. When they see their reflection, they think another bird has entered their...
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
Attract Hawks
Learn how to create an attractive environment for hawksHawks belong to the group of predatory birds known as raptors. Besides being beautiful to look at, they are also great natural exterminators! Try attracting hawks to...
How to
Attract Pigeons
Pigeons are a common sight in cities and parks, and feeding them can be a fun experience. If you’re near a city or around rocky cliffs where wild pigeons roam, you can even attract them to your yard. It’s often as si...
