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Attracting Birds: Seed Preferences

Editor — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 10:58:53 +0000

There is no better way to decorate your garden than with a collection of wild birds that bring color and song to the trees and landscaped areas. Luring a variety of birds to a garden is not always as easy as it may sound. Most birds know exactly what they like and will travel to an area where they know they can eat their preferred seed or form of food. Fortunately, if you know what birds you want to attract, you can purchase the seeds and items that draw these species into your garden.

It is important to fill a variety of bird feeders and place them in different locations throughout the garden. This way birds will not be fighting to get to the food and a greater number of birds will frequent the feeders. Putting out their favorite foods is the best way to ensure that they will continue to return, and in winter bird feeders assist a great number of birds to survive the cold weather. Wild birds will not usually eat artificial pellets or processed seeds as they are not accustomed to them, so natural seeds are the key.

Sunflower seeds are generally a safe bet, as a wide variety of birds will eat them, such as chickadees, nuthatches, finches, cardinals, grosbeaks, sparrows, blackbirds, jays, woodpeckers and titmice. All these birds, with the exception of the sparrows, blackbirds, jays and woodpeckers, will also eat Safflower seeds. When trying to lure ducks, geese, mourning doves and quails, cracked corn will do the trick; and woodpeckers, titmice and chickadees are also known to eat unsalted peanuts. Nyjer (or Thistle) will attract redpolls, doves and pine siskins; while orioles, thrushes and hummingbirds prefer nectar. Fruit is another option to use in combination with seeds as mockingbirds, bluebirds, thrushes, cedar waxwings and orioles will enjoy the treat. The preferred food for juncos and towhees is millet. Setting out a mixture of seeds, fruits and nectar will have any garden filled with birds in no time, allowing home owners to enjoy the beauty of these winged creatures and relax to the melodies of their cheerful songs.

Feed the Birds Day 2009

Editor — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 14:42:56 +0000

On the 24th and 25th of October 2009, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds will be trying to offer more than a hundred locations for bird enthusiasts to get together to take part in the Feed the Birds Day 2009 project. Visitors to the event will learn how to take care of the wild birds in their gardens, being educated on food, nests and a variety of other ways the public can assist in the conservation and protection of wild birds, from the comfort of their own back yard.

For more information on your nearest venue location and the Feed the Birds Day 2009 initiative, kindly visit the Royal Society of the Protections of Birds website at http://www.rspb.org.uk/feedthebirds/index.asp or contact them on 01767 680 551 (office hours).

Date: 24 – 25 October 2009
Venue: Various
City: Various
Country: United Kingdom

Attracting Birds

Editor — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 12:50:35 +0000

Attracting birds to your garden can be a most rewarding activity, providing countless opportunities to enjoy bird watching in your own back yard. There is no need for a bird cage to gain pleasure from viewing and listening to these beautiful winged creatures.

There are three basic requirements for attracting birds to your garden, namely: Food, water and shelter.

Food for garden birds can be provided in two complimentary ways. First, is by the use of a bird feeder or a bird table. Consider the species you would like to attract to your garden and provide feed accordingly. A variety of bird feeders spread throughout the garden will encourage a wider variety of birds to visit. Consider a bird table for ground feeding birds; a hanging feeder for perching birds and a suet feeder for insect eating birds. Pet shops, garden centers and even some supermarkets will sell a range of bird feeders as well as a variety of foods suitable for different types of birds. Consult a good bird guide to get an idea as to what certain birds will be interested in i.e. are they seed eaters, insect eaters, nectar eaters etc. Secondly, consider planting a bird-friendly garden. Visit your local garden centre and look for indigenous plants that will produce berries, nuts, seeds and other food all year round. Such plants will meet the needs of local garden birds. Indigenous plants will also attract insects on which insect-eating birds can feed. Avoid the use of insecticides as these may end up poisoning the very birds you have invited to your garden.

Next to consider is water. Birds will thoroughly enjoy splashing around in a water feature. A bird bath will be just as much appreciated. When purchasing a bird bath, ensure that the surface is rough so that the birds will have something to grip onto. Remember to keep the bird bath or water feature clean so that the bird’s health will not be adversely affected.

Shelter can be provided in the form of a bird house (nesting box) or by planting indigenous trees and shrubbery. Pet shops and garden centers should be able to provide you with a suitable bird house for the different species.

By meeting these three basic requirements, you can enjoy bird watching from the comfort of your home.

Wild Birds

Editor — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 12:50:35 +0000

Wild birds are found throughout the world. They vary in shapes and sizes from tiny finches to the majestic condors of America.

Each species of wild bird is adapted to thrive in its own evironment. For example, hummingbirds are adapted to feed on nectar from tubular flowers, while eagles are adapted to prey on animals using their strong talons. Ducks are adapted to swimming and vultures are adapted for flight by using thermals.

Wild birds also differ in how they nest. Weaver birds will create intricately woven nests that hang from the branches of trees. Certain birds, such as plovers, will build nests on the ground. Doves will often build very messy nests. Wild birds need to protect their nests and themselves from predators. They will do this by swooping down upon predators whilst issuing alarm calls to other birds in the area. Wild birds will sometimes form mob attacks on predators.

When it comes to breeding season it is important for male birds to establish and maintain their territory. This is done by means of song. Males will also attack intruders into their territory. Wild birds have many strange and wonderful mating displays. Male birds of paradise will perform an intricate dance to attract females. They will sway and bend or stand upright, and certain species will even hang upside down.

It is likely that the wild birds you will see will be those in your garden. To attract more wild birds to your backyard, you may want to provide a variety of feeders and types of food, some shelter and a bird bath.

In increasing number of people are joining the ranks of enthusiastic birders and taking pleasure in viewing wild birds. Perhaps you too would enjoy this popular activity.

Common Redpoll (Carduelis flammea)

Editor — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 10:50:35 +0000

The Common Redpoll (Carduelis flammea) is a fairly small bird that is commonly found in open subarctic coniferous forest and scrub during the breeding season. In winter it favours open woodland, scrub, weedy fields and suburban areas. It generally avoids dense forests, and displays an irregular migratory pattern, migrating only every few years during the winter months when wild food may be scarce on their normal winter grounds. Though they generally spend most of the time in the upper half of North America and Canada, they have been known to fly as far away as Europe and Asia.

This little bird is between 12-14 cm in length and has a wingspan of 19-22 cm. They weigh only about 11-20 grams and have highly variable plumage characteristics. Generally speaking, the Common Redpoll is a small finch with a small, conical-shaped yellow bill. It has a black chin and lores, red forehead and pale brown body with streaks. The eye line is dark and the cheeks are a paler in colour than the rest of the head and nape. The wings and tail are dark in colour and there are two white wingbars on each wing. Flight and tail feathers are grey with buff-colored edges while the rump is pale and also streaked with grey. Males may have a pink to deep rose wash across their chest. Females do not have this pink colouration.

The Common Redpoll feeds on a variety of small seeds such as birch, willow, alder, grasses and weeds. They generally feed on small branches, using their feet to hold the food down while they pick it off with their beaks. They also have foodpouches which they can use to temporarily store seeds, allowing them to gorge themselves quickly before they fly away to a safer spot to enjoy their food at leisure. The Common Redpoll has also been known to frequent bird feeders. Their nests are made of fine twigs, rootlets and grasses which they weave together into a cup-like shape. They may use feathers or hair to line the nest which is usually found in a small tree or shrub. The female may lay between 4-6 spotted eggs out of which small, helpless and fairly featherless chicks hatch a few weeks later. Once they have lost their down feathers, the immature Common Redpoll resembles the adult bird.

Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)

Editor — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 10:50:35 +0000

Also known as the ‘Redbird’ the Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) is one of the most popular birds in the United States. Easily identified by its bright red coloring, this pretty little bird is a common sight on snow-covered bird feeders across most of eastern USA. Its range even extends as far as southeastern Canada, Mexico, Belize and even Hawaii, though it has spread to New York, New England and Hawaii in more recent years. The less colorful female is generally more vocal than the male; however, both sexes sing and can be heard year round. The Northern Cardinal is a nonmigratory bird, though some movement may occur in summer and autum.

The Northern Cardinal is fairly easy to identify. It is a small bird with a length of 21-23 cm. The wingspan may vary between 25-31 cm and the bird weighs between 42-48 grams. In general the bird has a large, conical bill, a crested head and along tail. It is the male that bears the bright red plumage that is so commonly associated with the species. This plumage is dullest on the back and wings of the bird. The male has black coloration around his face and at the base of his bill. The bill is also a brilliant red. The adult female, in contrast, is mainly a greyish-tan color. Only her crest, wings, tail and bill show some red and this is much less bright than the red found on the male. Juvenile birds are similar to the female in colour but they have a darker bill and crest.

When it comes to nesting, it is the female that usually starts building the nest. The nest is reasonably small and made of small twigs and grasses. It is usually built in a shrub or brushy tangle and once it is built, the female will lay between 3 and 4 eggs in it. These are incubated by the female in just under two weeks. After this, the male shares in the responsibility of raising the young. A pair may raise as many as four broods in one breeding season with the male tending one brood while the female starts incubating the next one. Male Northern Cardinals are fiercely territorial and those with brighter red plumage generally have better breeding grounds and greater reproductive success.

Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor)

Editor — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 10:50:35 +0000

The Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor) is located in the eastern regions of the United States, but there are indications that the population is beginning to spread to the northern regions as well. Conservationists can only assume that the growing numbers in these regions is due to humans feeding the birds. The Tufted Titmouse frequents bird feeders and will often chase other birds that try to use this convenient facility. This little Titmouse was originally only found along the Mississippi river basin and the Ohio river basin. Over the years, the sightings have been recorded as they started to spread across the country. The Tufted Titmouse is between 4.5 to 5.5 inches in length and both the males and females are similar in appearance. They have dark to black foreheads, gray heads and white plumage covers the under body parts such as their throats, faces and bellies. The flanks are a rusty color and the upper parts such as back and wings, are a light gray. Bills are short and black, and have dark eyes. The Titmouse will often be seen in small flocks.

Titmice will feed on a large variety of foods that include blackberries, nuts, acorns and sunflower seeds, and insects such as ants, wasps, caterpillars, spiders and snails. Insects will mostly be eaten in the warm summer months, while fruits and nuts will be eaten in the winter months.

Breeding season for the Titmouse is from April to July. The Tufted Titmouse will mate for life and will build their nests in the cavities in trees that are left by Woodpeckers, natural hollows or created by a fungus. Nests are constructed from almost anything they can find. Building materials can include cloth, grass, moss, bark, leaves, hair and feathers. Titmice feel no shame in ripping some fur from a passing squirrel or even plucking a few strands from a human head, to complete their homes. The female will lay five to six eggs that are white in color and are speckled with brown. The incubation period takes approximately fourteen days and both parents will assist in the feeding of the chicks until they are ready to fledge the nest at 16 days.

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Squirrel-proofing Bird Feeders

Editor — Tue, 13 May 2008 05:52:29 +0000

Most bird lovers will put up a bird feeder in their garden hoping to attract a variety of wild birds to their immediate environment so that they can enjoy the curious antics of these delightful creatures from the comfort of their own home.

The plan may initially seem to be a good one and birds may soon flock to your feeder in every size, shape and color. Unfortunately this is not the only creature that may discover the new abundance of food and you may soon find yourself waging war on some pesky but cute squirrels. While these creatures are adorable, they tend to devour your bird seed, destroy your feeder and chase away all the birds you hoped to attract in the first place. Action needs to be taken from the start to ensure that your bird feeder continues to be the exclusive domain of birds instead of being overrun by squirrels.

For those who are not too fond of the DIY approach, there are a number of effective squirrel-proof bird feeders already available on the market. These include a caged feeder that allows small birds to have access to the seed but keeps squirrels out. You can also buy a squirrel baffle – a large, smooth dome that is fitted over the top of the feeder which makes it very difficult for squirrels to gain access to the feeder. If you do not want to spend too much money, there are a few home-remedies you can try. The first is mixing cayenne pepper in with the birdseed in your feeder. This does not seem to affect the birds in any way but is a major deterrent to squirrels. The same can be said of safflower seeds. If your feeder is on a stand you can cover the stand with a length of PVC pipe which seems to be slippery to squirrels and makes it difficult for them to climb. You can also coat the existing pole with something slippery, such as petroleum jelly, for the same reason.

Another, even cheaper alternative is using empty soda bottles to keep these pesky critters away. The bird feeder will need to be strung up in the air, at least five feet from the ground and twelve feet from the nearest potential launching point. A hole is made at the base of each bottle and the string is then strung through the mouth of the bottle and the hole at the bottom. There should be bottles on each side of the bird feeder. These then rotate if a squirrel is able to make his way onto the string that is holding up the feeder.

You can also try making peace with your squirrels by providing them with their own separate feeder which caters specifically to their tastes. Their favorite foods in order are: whole raw peanuts, sunflower seeds and whole or cracked corn. Limiting the quantities of these items in your bird feeder at the same time will also help. This may not keep them out of your bird feeder all together, but it might lessen their visits since they will already have everything they need in easy reach. In addition to this, squirrels are very territorial so once they have discovered their feeder they will likely mark it and keep other squirrels away for you.

Whatever method you choose, you will need to remember that squirrels can jump and climb incredibly well. They are also problem solvers and will work incessantly at figuring out the problem that you have spent hours creating for them. Because of this the best defense is often a combination of feeding them and squirrel-proofing your bird feeders.

Benefits of Project Wildbird

Editor — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 09:12:39 +0000

In 2005 the board of directors of the Wild Bird Feeding Industry (WBFI) took the initiative to establish a not-for-profit foundation to undertake research relating to food and feeder preferences of the wild birds in Canada and the United States. Running from September 2005 through to August 2008, Project Wildbird, funded by the WBFI Research Foundation, is one of the most ambitious and comprehensive bird feeding studies ever undertaken.

Project Wildbird aims to gather scientific data on seasonal wild bird feeding specific to each of the thirteen geographic regions in the United States and Canada. The advantages of this information, which will be available to suppliers and consumers, are numerous. Bird enthusiasts will be able to attract birds to their backyards in greater numbers by offering them feed and feeders according to their preferences. It is anticipated that this will encourage more families to take an interest in their local bird communities. Bird lovers who have been unsuccessful in attracting birds in the past are sure to have more success when offering area and season-specific food. Feed suppliers can make use of this information in their marketing strategies, production planning and distribution of their products.

Project Wildbird is making use of two different approaches – observational and experimental. Both approaches encourage bird enthusiasts to register as Citizen Scientists and collect data by observing bird activity in their own backyards.

The observational approach takes into account the fact that people lead busy lives and often have limited leisure time. The data required is not complicated and does not take up much time. Citizen Scientist observers need to monitor the birds in their yard during all four seasons of the year. Specific dates have been selected according to peak distribution of birds relating to breeding, wintering and migratory seasons of various geographic regions. Observations need to be recorded by various species, the feed offered and type of feeder used.

The experimental approach of Project Wildbird requires that Citizen Scientists dedicate additional time to the project and follow a well-defined system. Participants are provided with various feeds and feeders and need to monitor the birds that visit these feeders in a study that also spans the four seasons of the year.

The response to Project Wildbird has been very positive. Whether bird enthusiasts choose to participate in the observational or experimental approach of Project Wildbird, they can have the satisfaction of knowing that they are making a significant contribution to the welfare of wild birds in Northern America – to the benefit of themselves, their children, grandchildren and all future generations.

Birding in Madera Canyon, Arizona

Editor — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 06:58:46 +0000

The beautiful Madera Canyon, located in the Santa Rita Mountain Range in southern Arizona, is considered by many to be a bird-watcher’s paradise. The terrain on the approach to Madera Canyon is grasslands, which gives way to mountain forest. The area is renowned for its abundance of bird species and the relatively easy access to watch and photograph birds that are generally not seen elsewhere.

In the grassland area it is not uncommon to see the occasional roadrunner as well as several species of hawks. Western and Cassin’s Kingbirds have also been spotted. Approaching from north to south, the first recommended bird-watching area is the Proctor Road Trail which follows a creek bed with plentiful bird life, especially when it has rained and there is water in the creek.

The very best area for bird-watching and photographing is the Santa Rita Lodge, with a wide variety of species attracted to the platform feeders set up in various areas. All year round residents include the Mexican Jay, Acorn Woodpecker and White-breasted Nuthatch, with an Elf Owl as a long-time permanent resident of a utility pole near the highest cabin. Birds that are prevalent in summer include Black-headed Grosbeak, Bridled Titmouse, Lesser Goldfinch and Scott’s Oriole. More than twelve species of Hummingbirds have been sighted, with the Black-chinned, Broad-billed and Magnificent Hummingbirds being the most abundant. In the winter months the Dark-eyed Junco and Yellow-eyed Junco, as well as Cassin’s Finch take up residence in the area.

Regular bird-watchers in the area recommend getting an early start, especially for photography. The sun arrives in Madera Canyon about an hour after daybreak and this is the hour that affords the best photography opportunities. If you miss this hour, however, even in full sunlight there are shaded areas which are good bird-watching vantage points. It should also be noted that the sun leaves the canyon an hour or two before sunset.

Visitors to Madera Canyon are advised to bring their own food and refreshments and plenty of drinking water. Also, bearing in mind that exposure to the Arizona sunshine can quickly result in sunburn, it is recommended to use a minimum SPF30 sunscreen at all times. Sunglasses and a sunhat are also recommended. Bird-watchers who have visited Madera Canyon generally agree that a visit to this popular birding area is a very rewarding experience.