~News and Upcoming Events~



• Add a Water Feature to Your Yard



• Information About Bird Mortality Events from the Idaho Department of Fish and Game

• Cassia Crossbill Interpretive Sign unveiled at Diamondfield Jack Campground in the South Hills

• VOLUNTEER! Sign up for the Statewide Milkweed and Monarch Survey! Conduct 1-3 visits to a site between July 1st and August 15th. More Information

• Check out Cornell Lab of Ornithology BIRD ACADEMY Courses! New courses! Some courses discounted up to 40%! Free courses!
  https://academy.allaboutbirds.org/course-list/

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Create a Backyard Oasis: Just Add Water!

It's HOT out there! Birds need water every day for drinking, bathing, and keeping their feathers in top condition. It is one of the most important habitat features you can provide during the heat of the summer and you will be rewarded for your efforts. While feeders attract familiar visitors, a well-maintained water feature will draw a greater diversity of species, including many that may never visit a feeder.

Whether you install a classic birdbath, a hanging waterer, a shallow pond, or a bubbling rock fountain, keep birds' safety in mind. Shallow water with gently sloping edges or a few partially submerged rocks allows birds of all sizes to bathe and drink comfortably. A rough surface provides secure footing, and placing the feature where it receives morning sun and afternoon shade helps keep the water cooler and slows algae growth.

Birds appreciate nearby perches, such as small trees, shrubs, or branches, where they can survey the area before approaching the water and pause afterward to preen. Native shrubs and other vegetative cover offer protection from predators and shelter from the weather, helping birds feel secure enough to use the water regularly.

Many people worry that birdbaths create mosquito problems, but this is easily avoided with proper maintenance. Mosquitoes need several days of undisturbed water to complete their life cycle. Simply changing the water every two or three days or adding gentle movement with a dripper or small fountain prevents mosquitoes from breeding while making the water even more attractive to birds.

Regular cleaning

is essential for maintaining a healthy water source. Scrub the basin weekly with a stiff brush and clean water to remove algae, droppings, and debris. Avoid soaps or chemical cleaners, which can leave harmful residues. Fresh, clean water is far more inviting to birds and helps reduce the spread of disease.

As bird watchers, we know that observing birds begins with creating quality habitat. By providing clean, reliable water, safe cover, and regular maintenance, you can transform your yard into a welcoming oasis that supports birds throughout the seasons.

A simple bird bath with a small recirculating pump is easy to build and has two advantages over a still bird bath: moving water attracts more birds, and circulation helps keep the water fresher.

Here's a great little video that shows you how to make your own recirculating bird bath!!

Cassia Crossbill Interpretive Sign unveiled at Diamondfield Jack Campground in the South Hills

idfg-Kenzie.Baratti

Monday, June 15, 2026 - 3:15 PM MDT

Visitors to the South Hills can now learn more about one of Idaho's most unique bird species through a new interpretive sign installed at Diamondfield Jack Campground.



The sign is the result of a collaborative effort between the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Idaho Bird Observatory, Boise State University, and retired University of Wyoming professor Craig Benkman. Over the last two years, the group has worked together as part of the Cassia Crossbill Working Group to develop a habitat management plan and increase public awareness of the species and its habitat in the South Hills and Albion Mountains.

The new interpretive panel highlights the Cassia Crossbill, the only bird species found exclusively in Idaho. Cassia Crossbills rely almost entirely on the seeds found within lodgepole pinecones. Their uniquely crossed bills allow them to pry open cones and access seeds that other birds cannot easily reach.

While lodgepole pine forests are common throughout the Rocky Mountains, the Cassia Crossbill is found only in southern Idaho's South Hills and Albion Mountains. Unlike other lodgepole pine forests, these mountains lack red squirrels, which are the primary competitors for lodgepole pine seeds in most areas. This unique ecological relationship allowed the Cassia Crossbill to evolve into a distinct species found nowhere else in the world.

"Sharing information with the public about Idaho's unique wildlife helps people understand the importance of conserving the habitats these species depend on," said Lyn Snoddy, Idaho Fish and Game Wildlife Diversity Biologist. "This interpretive panel highlights the special connection between the South Hills landscape and the wildlife that call it home."

The interpretive sign provides visitors with an opportunity to learn about the Cassia Crossbill while exploring the area where the species lives. The panel also highlights ongoing conservation efforts and the importance of maintaining healthy lodgepole pine forests for future generations.

The Cassia Crossbill Working Group continues to collaborate on research, habitat management, and public education efforts aimed at conserving this unique Idaho species and the landscape it depends on.

Summer Bird Mortality Events

From Lyn Snoddy, IDFG Diversity Biologist:

Summer is in full swing and WHL (IDFG Wildlife Health Lab in Eagle, ID) is starting to see an increase in bird mortality reports. We have had a positive detection for Pigeon Paramyxovirus in Canyon County. Pigeon Paramyxovirus (PPMV-1) is a highly contagious, often fatal viral disease affecting pigeons, doves, and sometimes backyard poultry. It spreads through direct contact or contaminated environments and causes severe neurological distress, digestive issues, and sudden mortalities.

In Idaho, the leading causes of songbird mortality are domestic cat predation, window collisions, and ‘backyard bird’ diseases. To protect local wildlife, keep cats indoors, apply Window Alert Decals to your glass, and regularly disinfect bird feeders using a 10% bleach solution.

During summer months, it is common to see an increase in songbird mortalities around feeder due to ‘backyard bird’ diseases: Pigeon Paramyxovirus, Salmonellosis, ‘House Finch Eye Disease’ (Mycoplasmosis), Avian Pox, Botulism, ‘Canker’ (Trichomoniasis), and Aspergillosis. Due to recent outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5N1) affecting dairy cattle and wild birds in Idaho, caution is strongly advised. The transmission of ‘backyard bird’ diseases is often exacerbated by crowding and unclean conditions at feeders and baths.

To protect your local bird population from any of these ‘backyard bird’ diseases:

• Clean Regularly: Scrub birdbaths and feeders at least every other day with a 10% bleach or vinegar-water solution and let them dry completely.
• Space Out Birds: Use multiple feeders to reduce crowding and fecal contamination.
• Remove Feeders if Sick: If you spot sick birds at your feeding stations, take down all feeders and clean them thoroughly, keeping them down for at least two weeks to allow the local population to disperse.

If encounters of sick or dead wild birds are reported:

• Report sightings: Submit your observations to the Idaho Fish and Game Wildlife Health Lab.
• Safe disposal: If you need to remove a carcass, wear gloves, a mask, and place the bird in a double-bagged trash bag before washing your hands thoroughly. Do not handle sick birds directly.

If you've noticed specific symptoms or an increase in deaths in your region:

• What species of birds are involved?
• How many mortalities have you found?
• Do they have any bird feeders or baths currently active?

WHL submissions are recommended if this is the first mortality event within designated area involving >5-10 birds or your region has specific mortality concerns they would like diagnosed.

WHL submissions in backyard bird mortality events to complete necropsy investigations:

• Carcasses in good condition (Larger birds: 5 carcasses; Smaller birds: 10 carcasses)
• Location: Address or lat/long; association with any landscape features or facilities of note
• Clinical presentation: Any specific symptoms and mortality details (listed above)

A Dive into a Coevolutionary Arms Race

a review by Owen Robertson from

aba.org/pdfviewer/birding-april-2026

Crossbills & Conifers: One Million Years of Adaptation and Coevolution

by Craig W. Benkman

Pelagic Publishing, 2025

224 pages, paperback edition released on July 14, 2026

Charles Darwin once wrote that in the Galapagos Islands, “We seem to be brought somewhat near to that great fact—that mystery of mysteries—the first appearance of new beings on this earth.” Darwin’s famous “finches” (actually tanagers in the family Thraupidae) stand as testament to this legacy, acting as some of the most powerful examples of evolution known. Now, a genus of genuine finches is poised to take the spotlight.

Before 2017, Red Crossbills were one of the easiest birds in the ABA Area to identify. Large, brick-red finches with bizarre bills were unique, it seemed. But groundbreaking research by Dr. Craig Benkman of the University of Wyoming showed that a little-known population of crossbills in southern Idaho formed a distinct species, and birders across the country became fascinated with crossbill flight calls—the only diagnostic field mark for the newly-minted Cassia Crossbill. Now, in his new book, Crossbills & Conifers: One Million Years of Adaptation and Coevolution, Dr. Benkman presents a comprehensive overview of the ecology, evolutionary history, and not-too-certain future of crossbills across the world, illuminating one of the most complex genera of birds in a book accessible to all readers.

Benkman begins with basic crossbill biology, outlining in detail how seeds are removed from conifer cones, husked, and consumed by hungry crossbills. This seemingly simple interaction is central to a crossbill’s life, and Benkman frames the rest of the book through a pleasingly simple lens: how can crossbills maximize seed intake rates? And what happens when they do? Answering these questions is the real focus of the book. Having such a solidly mathematical basis for the more abstract theorizing that follows is just one way that the book makes its science approachable. Of course, that has more to do with the crossbills them-selves than the writing, but nevertheless, the book keeps the science logical and clear at all times.

Two other assets quickly become clear. First is the genuine enthusiasm Benkman feels for these birds. All science is in some way personal, and the book hits a sweet spot in terms of personal touch, making it an even more enjoyable read. Even if you aren’t a total crossbill nut at the start, Benkman’s infectious wonderment at these birds is quick to rub off. Secondly, it’s about conifers just as much as crossbills. Conifer phenology, ecology, and biology are all major topics, so if you’re more intrigued by ponderosa pines than ponderosa pine (Type 2) Red Crossbills, this book is still for you! Benkman dives deep into the complex and utterly absorbing coevolution between conifers and their dependent crossbills, all while remaining grounded in the concrete experiments and observations that inform his dramatic ecological conclusions. And indeed, both experimentation and drama are on full display. Every chapter seems to showcase a different study that could take up an entire book, demonstrating just how dynamic crossbills can be. For example, Cassia Crossbills have been found to be evolving a more distinctive flight call, in real time, with measurable differences detected over just a few years, and “new” and “old” flight calls produce consistently different responses when presented to crossbills of different types. Such an example of evolution on a human time scale is remarkable (though not unheard of) and is just one of many striking ways in which crossbills seem to flout much of what was known or assumed about avian evolution. This book would be worth the sticker price just as a vehicle to appreciate Benkman’s knack for experimental design!

Special attention is rightly paid to the Cassia Crossbill. While some readers may remain skeptical about bestowing species status on this bird, Benkman’s in-depth research and engaging account of decades of study seem solid. One point to be clear on, however, is that this book is not a traditional field guide. It won’t help you visually separate Cassia and Red crossbills, but there is information on how to differentiate the call types, which should aid in identification.

In addition to Benkman’s comprehensive study of crossbill origins and diversification, attention is duly paid to the all-too-uncertain future of these lovely birds. Benkman details how climate change affects the phenology of conifer seed shedding and is directly responsible for both well-established range limits of Parrot Crossbill and for year-to-year population declines in Cassia Crossbill.

The book is also filled with high-quality charts and photos, displaying foraging crossbills and graphs of seed intake rates, call type plasticity, reproductive isolation, and dozens of other variables. Because crossbill ecology is so tied to the basic physics of foraging, these clear and well-designed diagrams are immensely useful in understanding the evolutionary pressures and responses described in the text.

Overall, this book is a landmark in science writing, and its contents are (in my opinion) some of the most dramatic findings in evolutionary biology. It is quite simply one of those rare, near-perfect bird books, uniting a user-friendly approach with some of the most sophisticated science in evolutionary biology right now. It’s not quite the next On the Origin of Species, but it would blow Darwin’s mind.

Statewide Milkweed & Monarch Survey

A community scientist driven effort to understand milkweed patch distribution, health, and monarch use in Idaho.

Co-lead by Joel Sauder, Casey McCormack and Tempe Regan

To sign up and get more information

CLICK HERE