Birdwatching is a popular hobby in Alabama, where birds are enjoyable to watch and also reveal much about environmental health. Examples include the Pileated Woodpecker, Red-tailed Hawk, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Cardinal, Bluebird, and American Robin. Good bird-watching practices include not disturbing nests, moving slowly and quietly, using binoculars to view from a distance, leaving pets at home, wearing neutral colored clothes, and not feeding the birds. Decreasing bird populations can signal serious environmental problems that will eventually affect humans, and protecting birds depends on protecting and maintaining a healthy diverse ecosystem.