The phrases below have something in common. Can you determine what it is?

1. ALWAYS WANTED
2. ARMY-NAVY
3. STARTED OVER
4. POPULAR KIDS
5. HALF-INCH
6. SNOW LEOPARD
7. LOW RENT
8. THE RONDO IN C MAJOR
9. CRAVE NEW EXPERIENCES

Bonus Question: Signs of spring and the theme of this puzzle.

HINT:
The answer involves hidden words:

Answers:

Each phrase conceals the name of a bird:

1. alwayS WANted
2. arMY NAvy
3. starteD OVEr
4. popuLAR Kids
5. halF INCH
6. snOW Leopard
7. loW RENt
8. tHE RONdo in c major
9. cRAVE New experiences 

Bonus question: NESTING BIRDS 

Credit: LA Times Crossword
May 24, 2015
Mark Bickham