Editorial Policy
Our approach
Every guide is written for beginners in plain language. We aim to be accurate, practical and honest about uncertainty, especially in bird identification, where several features and local knowledge are needed.
Research and sources
We base guidance on publicly available information from established organizations, such as Project FeederWatch (Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Birds Canada), the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, the National Audubon Society and the American Bird Conservancy. We only link to sources whose pages we have opened and checked. We do not invent statistics, sightings or expert quotes.
Who reviews content
Guides are written and reviewed by the BackyardBirdAtlas editorial team. We do not claim that guides are peer reviewed or approved by professional ornithologists, and we are not affiliated with the organizations we cite.
Dates
Each guide shows a published date and a reviewed date. The reviewed date changes only when we check the guide again against current public guidance.
Bird welfare standards
- We never give medical, medication or rescue treatment instructions. Injured or sick birds should go to licensed wildlife rehabilitators.
- We discourage disturbing nests, repeated recording playback and anything that draws birds into danger.
- We do not promise that any feeder, food or plant will attract particular or rare species.
Images
Photographs on this site are illustrative images created for BackyardBirdAtlas. They are chosen to show species and scenes accurately, but they are not records of specific sightings. Rely on field guides for detailed identification marks.
Independence
We do not sell products, use affiliate links or accept payment for coverage. Brand names are avoided in our guides.
Corrections
If you spot an error, please tell us through our contact page. We review corrections against public sources and update the guide and its reviewed date when a change is needed.