Blog - Wild Birds Unlimited of GPW

Killdeer – our most common Plover returns

Posted on March 26, 2023 by Rosann Kovalcik

Another early Spring migrant, Killdeer have returned to Michigan for purposes of breeding. This common plover is the shorebird that is most associated with our neighborhoods and can be found in fields, playgrounds and golf courses. They are a shorter distance migrant as their range map shows; hence, the early return. Hearing their call overhead as they fly, their name-sake “Kill-deer, kill-deer”, brings an uplifting feeling to me. This bird has made the journey successfully and hopes to find a suitable place to nest. Nesting for killdeer is a very plain affair – a simple scrape to lay the eggs in, with the male bowing

Red-tailed Hawks, the Common Buteo

Posted on March 20, 2023 by Rosann Kovalcik

Did you know that Michigan holds the nationwide record for the most Red-tailed Hawks seen at one observation area east of the Mississippi River? In 2019, a total of 22,420 Red-tailed Hawks were counted at the Mackinac Straits Raptor Watch. Locally, we have a pair that can frequently be seen on the lamp posts along I-94, most commonly from Moross to Eleven Mile Road. Why would Red-tailed Hawks be drawn to the side of an expressway? The trash that is discarded by vehicles draws mice and rats to the area and those rodents are food for the hawks. Sitting and observing is one of the ways that a Red-tail locates food, using its excellent vision to see movement below. Unfortunately,

Bald Eagles –

Posted on February 27, 2023 by Rosann Kovalcik

There is perhaps no other bird that elicits such strong emotions in us as a Bald Eagle. Truly majestic in appearance, we are so fortunate that their numbers have increased from 30 nesting pairs in Michigan in the 1950’s to 900 pairs currently. Thanks to Eric H. Wolff for this photo of Bald Eagle with fish The use of DDT, a man-made chemical that seeped into streams and rivers, affected the fish that Eagles ate, causing their eggshells to become so fragile they would break before hatching. After DDT was banned, we have seen the dramatic recovery of this species. Bald Eagle pairs are currently nesting at Belle Isle, the Country Club of Detroit, Stoney Creek Metro Park and on

What other owls can you find ?

Posted on February 12, 2023 by Rosann Kovalcik

While Screech Owls would be the most common owl in south east Michigan, there are other owls that have been sighted and may surprise you with an appearance. The most likely would be the Great Horned Owl. This very large owl is 22 inches tall with a wing span of 44 inches. They need a large tree that has a flat area for purposes of nesting, such as a broken off main trunk. In the past, there have been a pair that have nested in the field across from The Ford House, the only place that fulfills that nesting need. Food supply in our area is not an issue as Great Horned Owls will eat squirrels, racoons, possum, rats and

Eastern Screech Owl

Posted on January 31, 2023 by Rosann Kovalcik

What flies silently in the night, has eyeballs that are 5% of their total body weight, and has ear flaps (operculum) that can be closed to block out sound during the day when they sleep? It’s the Eastern Screech Owl, the most abundant owl in our area, found in open woodlands, readily accepting parks and suburban neighborhoods. Their breeding territories range from ten to 15 acres in wooded suburban areas, depending upon food supply. Screech owls are 6 ½ to ten inches tall with a wingspan of 18 to 24 inches and a weight of only four to nine ounces. Male Screech Owls are smaller than females, and are more agile fliers and hunters. However, the female with her larger

Why are Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers important to Ruby-throated Hummingbirds?

Posted on April 13, 2022 by Rosann Kovalcik

Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers are a type of woodpecker. True to their name, these birds drill concentric, evenly-spaced holes on trees in order to get them to weep sap. This is the first food available for hummingbirds when they arrive in spring. Ruby-throated Hummingbirds also eat the flying insects attracted to the sap wells. The hummers dart about and use their tongues to snatch the insects in mid-air. Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers are 8 1/2 inches from beak to end of tail and have a wingspan of 16 inches, yet weigh only 1.8 ounces. Sap comprises 20% of the annual diet and during certain periods it may be the only food consumed by Yellow-belled Sapsuckers. The brushy tongue is a great

Northern Cardinals – Courting and Nest Creation

Posted on March 10, 2022 by Rosann Kovalcik

As the male Cardinal establishes his territory, he also courts the female by feeding her. This is one of the most rewarding behaviors to observe as you watch your feeders. Keep in mind that the Cardinal couple are the first at your feeders in the morning and the last at night. I have observed them as daylight is just breaking, coming to breakfast as a pair. Once the Cardinal pair have bonded, nest building can begin. Cardinal nests are not created inside of nest boxes so there is nothing that you can offer in that regard. The pair search for potential sites together, carrying nest material in their beaks and calling back and forth to each other. They will

Northern Cardinal Nesting – the Song

Posted on March 9, 2022 by Rosann Kovalcik

Nesting for Northern Cardinals begins with the male claiming territory. Each year, I anticipate him singing in my yard, with the soonest date I have recorded being January 19th. That’s right, that early in the year. Why is that? Northern Cardinals do not migrate. Being permanent residents, they can begin the nesting process early and choose the best nesting sites. The song of the Northern Cardinal is extremely varied. Sometimes, it starts with clear whistles that may have a few second in between them – “Cheer, cheer, cheer”. Descriptions from field guides vary in how they describe the songs of Cardinals including “Birdie, birdie, birdie” and a much longer song “wooit, wooit, wooit, wooit, chew, chew, chew” where each “wooit”

Brown Creeper – Delicate, Hardy, Unique

Posted on December 31, 2021 by Rosann Kovalcik

Delicate. Hardy. Unique Those three words first came to mind when describing the brown creeper. The habits of this bird are what endear it to me. When I find a brown creeper, I feel fortunate to be observe its uniqueness. Brown creepers prefer a vertical point of view and are built especially for that way of life. At the end of short legs are incredibly long toes that support long curved claws. The tail is also noticeably long in relation to the birds’ size. Its lengthy design allows the tail feathers to support the bird as it hitches up the bark of the tree. And therein lies part of the essence of this bird. Typically starting at the bottom of

Goldfinches – Plant It, and They Will Come

Posted on September 5, 2021 by Rosann Kovalcik

For as many summers as I can recall, I have had one pair of American Goldfinches nesting in my yard. The male displays over the open space above my back yard, singing as he flies and then alighting in the birch trees at my neighbors. All of the activity to and from the grove of birches by both the male and female goldfinches would be a strong indication that they choose it for their nest site. When the female goldfinch is on the nest it is obvious, as only her male will be coming to my feeder. In fact, he comes more frequently as he brings food to her as she sits on the nest, incubating the eggs. Once