Species library

Field marks, habits, and camera tips for the wildlife that visits backyard habitats.

1–36 of 184 species

african sumac

african sumac

Searsia lancea

A resilient evergreen with a graceful, weeping silhouette, the African Sumac is a cornerstone of biodiversity that pr...

Trees
Alaska yellow cedar

Alaska yellow cedar

Callitropsis nootkatensis

A majestic and resilient icon of the Pacific Northwest, the Alaska yellow cedar is famous for its elegant weeping bra...

Trees
alligator juniper

alligator juniper

Juniperus deppeana

Defined by its iconic checkered bark and resilience in the face of drought, the Alligator Juniper is a sentinel of th...

Trees
American persimmon

American persimmon

Diospyros virginiana

Often called the 'sugar plum' of the forest, the American persimmon is a hardy native tree famous for its sweet autum...

Trees
Ashe juniper

Ashe juniper

Juniperus ashei

The rugged backbone of the Texas Hill Country, the Ashe juniper is more than just a tree—it is a vital sanctuary for ...

Trees
Atlantic white cedar

Atlantic white cedar

Chamaecyparis thyoides

A spire-like sentinel of the Eastern wetlands, the Atlantic white cedar defines the mysterious beauty of coastal swam...

Trees
Australian Cheesewood

Australian Cheesewood

Pittosporum undulatum

Famed for its sweet, jasmine-like scent and vibrant orange berries, the Australian Cheesewood is a magnet for backyar...

Trees
baldcypress

baldcypress

Taxodium distichum

A prehistoric sentinel of the American South, the baldcypress is a rare deciduous conifer famous for its moss-draped ...

Trees
balsam fir

balsam fir

Abies balsamea

The aromatic icon of the North American wilderness, the Balsam Fir is famous for its perfect conical shape and silver...

Trees
balsam poplar

balsam poplar

Populus balsamifera

The balsam poplar is a fragrant giant of the North, famous for its resin-scented spring buds and its vital role in st...

Trees
bigleaf magnolia

bigleaf magnolia

Magnolia macrophylla

The bigleaf magnolia is a prehistoric giant hiding in the American South, boasting the largest leaves and flowers of ...

Trees
bigtooth aspen

bigtooth aspen

Populus grandidentata

A fast-growing pioneer of the North American woods, the Bigtooth Aspen is famous for its fluttering golden leaves and...

Trees
bishop pine

bishop pine

Pinus muricata

A rugged icon of the California coast, the Bishop Pine is a fire-adapted survivor that turns harsh sea winds into a t...

Trees
bitternut hickory

bitternut hickory

Carya cordiformis

The bitternut hickory is the most widespread of the North American hickories, famous for its striking sulphur-yellow ...

Trees
black ash

black ash

Fraxinus nigra

A champion of the wetlands, the Black Ash is a vital tree that thrives where other hardwoods fail. While currently fa...

Trees
black cherry

black cherry

Prunus serotina

The Black Cherry is the ultimate backyard wildlife hub, offering a seasonal feast for everything from songbirds to fo...

Trees
black cottonwood

black cottonwood

Populus trichocarpa

The titan of the riverbank, the black cottonwood is the largest poplar species in the Americas, famous for its fragra...

Trees
Black Gum

Black Gum

Eucalyptus aggregata

A hardy survivor of Australia's frost-prone tablelands, the Black Gum is a vital refuge for high-altitude wildlife. I...

Trees
black peppermint

black peppermint

Eucalyptus amygdalina

A Tasmanian icon, the black peppermint is famous for its mint-scented leaves and elegant, weeping canopy. This hardy ...

Trees
black pine

black pine

Pinus nigra

Rugged, resilient, and reaching for the clouds, the black pine is an evergreen icon that provides vital shelter for o...

Trees
black spruce

black spruce

Picea mariana

The resilient sentinel of the north, the Black Spruce thrives where other trees fail, anchoring the vast boreal ecosy...

Trees
Black thorn

Black thorn

Senegalia mellifera

A masterpiece of dryland survival, the Black thorn is celebrated for its intoxicating honey-scented flowers and feare...

Trees
Blakely's red gum

Blakely's red gum

Eucalyptus blakelyi

A cornerstone of the Australian bush, Blakely's red gum is a majestic evergreen known for its smooth, mottled bark an...

Trees
blue spruce

blue spruce

Picea pungens

The blue spruce is the crown jewel of the Rocky Mountains, famous for its striking silvery-blue needles and perfect p...

Trees
box elder

box elder

Acer negundo

Often called the 'Manitoba Maple,' the Box Elder is a fast-growing North American native that bridges the gap between...

Trees
broadleaf peppermint gum

broadleaf peppermint gum

Eucalyptus dives

An aromatic icon of the Australian tablelands, the Broadleaf Peppermint Gum is more than just a tree—it's a thriving ...

Trees
Butternut

Butternut

Juglans cinerea

A rare gem of the North American forest, the Butternut is beloved for its rich, buttery nuts and distinctive silvery ...

Trees
California bay

California bay

Umbellularia californica

The California bay is the pungent sentinel of Western forests, known for its spicy aroma and dense evergreen canopy. ...

Trees
California incense-cedar

California incense-cedar

Calocedrus decurrens

The California incense-cedar is a titan of the West, recognizable by its aromatic, reddish bark and unique 'wine glas...

Trees
Camel Thorn

Camel Thorn

Vachellia erioloba

The Camel Thorn is the undisputed king of the Kalahari, a hardy giant that provides life-saving shade and food in Afr...

Trees
Candlebark

Candlebark

Eucalyptus rubida

A masterpiece of the Australian tablelands, the Candlebark is famous for its glowing white trunk that blushes deep pi...

Trees
Cape Ash

Cape Ash

Ekebergia capensis

A majestic African evergreen with a sweeping canopy, the Cape Ash is a cornerstone of biodiversity that transforms an...

Trees
Cape Fig

Cape Fig

Ficus sur

Often called the 'supermarket of the bush,' the Cape Fig is a massive, fast-growing tree that produces spectacular cl...

Trees
Carolina hemlock

Carolina hemlock

Tsuga caroliniana

A rare and rugged gem of the southern Appalachians, the Carolina hemlock stands as a resilient sentinel on rocky moun...

Trees
Ceylon cinnamon

Ceylon cinnamon

Cinnamomum verum

The legendary 'true cinnamon' of Sri Lanka, this aromatic evergreen is as beautiful in a garden as it is essential in...

Trees
Cheese Tree

Cheese Tree

Glochidion ferdinandi

Famous for its whimsical fruit that looks exactly like miniature wheels of cheese, this Australian native is a bustli...

Trees

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