January 2017 -

Carolina Wren by Andrea Rose

For us humans, bird song is often associated with the coming of spring. With it being a mild winter so far, many are wondering if an increase in bird song is an indication that birds are confused about what season it is. As a matter of fact, this is not the case. In reality, birds are more in-tuned with the cycle of the seasons than many of us are. Their tendency to sing more frequently is a result of incrementally lengthening daylight hours. After December 21st (the winter solstice), the shortest day of the year, daylight begins to stretch out longer. The increased light affects the pineal gland of a bird’s brain.

Located in the center of the brain, the pineal gland produces melatonin, which helps maintain circadian rhythm and regulate reproductive hormones. Melatonin is a simple hormone which is special because its secretion is dictated by light. Its two primary functions are to help control circadian rhythm and regulate certain reproductive hormones. We too produce this hormone, but our modern-day lifestyles often interfere with our response to it. After all, many of us rise before the sun and fall asleep in the midst of the artificial glow of TVs and cell phones, long after the sun has set. Birds, on the other hand, are very much in-tuned with their natural rhythms, and their behaviors change accordingly and responsively.

Simply put, it is longer daylight, not increasing temperature, that prompts the reproductive hormones in your resident birds, causing them to sing.

My earliest record of a Northern Cardinal singing is January 19th. This year is no different, as witnessed by many customers who have reported hearing bird song already.

Northern Cardinal by Andrea Rose

Sending a message loud and clear to his mate from last year, the Cardinal is letting her know he is proclaiming a territory fit to breed in this year. He is also marking his territory with the boundary of song, letting other males in the area know where his space begins, and that they need to heed these markers.

Take a moment to listen to this harbinger of our lengthening days. Bird song is one of the best ways to keep our spirits lifted!

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In summer, they’re bright yellow bursts of sunshine, in winter, they’re pale sunlight poking through dense clouds of snow… American Goldfinches, backyard beauties we all so love to attract.

American Goldfinch by Andrea Rose

So how do we attract this little drops of sunshine? For years, the conventional recommendation has been to offer Nyjer seed, in tube feeders with small openings specially designed for a goldfinches’ tiny beak. It should be noted, however, that while Nyjer is also referred to as “thistle”, it is actually an entirely different crop from the thistle we see growing on the sides of the road. Thistle, in fact, is a member of the daisy family, complete with purple flowers and prickly parts. Nyjer, however, is a crop which is imported from Ethiopia and Nigeria, and is heat treated for sterilization purposes. This heat-treating process prevents any foreign seed materials from sprouting beneath your feeders.

It is true that Nyjer makes excellent food for finches, including American Goldfinch, Redpolls, Siskins, House Finches, and others. High in fat from oil, it makes for a great energy source, especially during these cold winter months. On the other hand, there are some things to consider when offering Nyjer. Firstly, it works best in our specially formatted finch feeders, designed to prevent spillage and waste. In addition, it is important not to buy more than a few weeks’ worth of seed at a time (though of course the exact amount varies by the level of activity at your feeders). Nyjer is a seed that will spoil after 3-4 weeks’ time, and once it does, it will likely be turned down by finches who are known to have quite discerning palates! Finally, Nyjer contains a shell. Although small, this shell must be cracked open by the finch, leaving a minute amount of uneaten seed.

American Goldfinch by Andrea Rose

Overall, Nyjer is still one of the best types of food to feed your finches, especially when offered in the correct feeders and within the appropriate window of freshness. But are there other options for hungry goldfinches? Turns out, there are!

As a franchise, we are now beginning to recognize the benefits of another kind of food that is well-liked by goldfinches- Sunflower Chips. This alternative has many of the benefits of Nyjer seed, as well as a few of its own added perks.

Sunflower Chips, like Nyjer, are small enough to fit through the openings of our finch feeders, and can also be offered in other specialty feeders such as our Dinner Bell Feeder. These chips are well-liked by goldfinches and other birds, and they don’t have a shell, meaning no mess and no waste! In addition, these chips are even higher in fat than Nyjer seeds, which is so important for birds’ metabolism during the colder months.

American Goldfinch (males) enjoying WBU Finch Blend

Our Wild Birds Unlimited Finch Blend includes a mix of Nyjer and Sunflower Chips, a combo your goldfinches will not be able to resist! Rosann herself has recently made the switch from straight Nyjer to the Finch Blend, and she has found her little yellow friends to be quite pleased with the switch.

Come talk to us today about switching to Finch Blend, and keep your yard full of sunshine all year long.

Enjoy your Birds!

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Monthly Archives: January 2017

What does Bird Song Mean? Spring?

Beyond Thistle: Tips for Attracting Goldfinches