Working With Wild Birds: A Conversation with Falconer Kenny Elvin

Working With Wild Birds: A Conversation with Falconer Kenny Elvin [Photo: Kenny on the job with his helper, Gauge, the Anatum Peregrine] Here at the Los Gatos Birdwatcher, we spend a lot of time watching and celebrating birds. But there’s another, lesser-known way humans interact with birds—working alongside them. We spoke recently with Kenny Elvin […]

Seeing More Cooper’s Hawks in Your Neighborhood?

Seeing More Cooper’s Hawks in Your Neighborhood? If it seems like Cooper’s Hawks are showing up in your yard more often lately, you’re not imagining things. We’ve been hearing from many customers across the South Bay who have been seeing these raptors perched on fences, roofs, and branches or gliding through their neighborhoods. Late spring […]

Spring Migration in the Bay Area: Backyard Birds to Know

Oriole at feeder by Tony Woo In April, we can find some of our most exciting spring arrivals. Each of these birds has traveled from wintering grounds in Mexico or Central America—with more on the way. Allen’s Hummingbird – A flash of copper. They prefer coastal habitats Black-headed Grosbeak – They come to seed feeders and […]

Why Birds Are Good for Your Brain and Mental Wellness

The world feels noisy. Our attention is pulled in every direction. And yet step outside, even for a few minutes and something shifts. A chickadee calls. A hummingbird zips past. A finch lands at the feeder. Your breathing slows. Your shoulders drop. You feel better. This isn’t just a feeling. It’s biology. [Photo: Mockingbird singing […]

What Is an Egg? Facts About Birds, Nature, and New Life

A Tiny Miracle of Engineering At the Los Gatos Birdwatcher, we spend our time talking with customers about backyard birds, wild bird feeding, and the joy of birdwatching in Los Gatos and beyond. But behind every chickadee, hummingbird, or grosbeak you see at your feeder begins something extraordinary: an egg. A bird’s egg is one […]