Blog - Wild Birds Unlimited of GPW

How to Feed the Birds but not the Squirrels

Posted on October 6, 2014 by admin

On a daily basis at Wild Birds Unlimited in Grosse Pointe Woods, we hear about the abilities of squirrels to successfully turn bird feeders into squirrel feeders. Even though we advise customers as to the capabilities of squirrels, some insist that the squirrels won’t be able to climb the feeder pole they are purchasing. We smile knowingly when they are back within days to admit that the little rascals easily shimmied up the pole and are monopolizing the seed. Squirrels are members of the rodent family. The Latin word rodere means “to gnaw”, as we can see in the damage these critters cause to our new feeders. Did you know that squirrels gnaw in order to keep their teeth sharp

How Birds Survive the Winter Cold

Posted on October 6, 2014 by admin

Wild Birds that do not migrate have interesting strategies for survival in the cold winter, both natural and some that are provided by our caring customers at Wild Birds Unlimited in Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan. Those customers often ask what they can do to help winter resident birds survive, such as Cardinals, Black-capped Chickadees, and White-breasted Nuthatches that they see in their yards. Birds survive winter in part by using layers of feathers that they fluff out, trapping air which then insulates them. Fall molt is when birds increase the number of feathers that they have, growing as much as 30% more feathers than in warmer months, adding to their ability to keep out the cold. Smaller birds have more

Feed Birds Suet During Winter

Posted on October 6, 2014 by admin

With the winter approaching, birds need a higher fat diet in order to endure the colder temperatures. Here in Michigan at Wild Birds Unlimited of GPW, we are ready with a stockpile of suet to help. This is the time of year to beef up your wild bird feeding station – literally! Beef fat, or suet, has been a favorite winter-feeding strategy for those who love to watch the birds. Pure rendered beef fat is great to use when you can’t keep the squirrels out of the suet feeder. Without added nuts or seeds, the pure suet isn’t high on the list of a squirrel’s priorities for food. If you can place a suet feeder out of the reach of

Ten Things You Can Do to Save Song Birds

Posted on October 6, 2014 by admin

For a bird lover like me, there is not finer time to be out watching wild birds than during Spring migration. The wood warblers have arrived as they settle in to breed or more likely, carry on further north to do so. Their fabulous colors and patterns, their diminutive size and their fascinating song all combine to keep me in awe of their journeys from Central and South America. As joyful as it is to watch them, it is also heart breaking to know that millions of song birds are lost yearly as a result of the actions of humans. One of my mentors in the world of birding and environmental awareness was Fred Charbonneau. He loaned me a

Black-capped Chickadees

Posted on October 6, 2014 by admin

I’ve seen Black-capped Chickadees work their wonder on even the toughest of men. Once they begin to talk about these birds and their visits to their bird feeders, words like “cute” and “adorable” start to become part of their conversation. And rightly so! This is one of the best parts of my job as the owner of Wild Birds Unlimited in Grosse Pointe Woods! Black-capped Chickadees are the darlings of the bird world. This tiny bird, only five inches in length and weighing .3 to .5 ounces, has a short neck and large head, giving it a distinctive, rather spherical body shape. The tail is narrow and long, which can be noticed at a distance. The short bill is one

Get Ready for Fall and Winter Bird Feeding

Posted on October 6, 2014 by admin

Let’s talk about the importance of cleaning your bird feeder At Wild Birds Unlimited, of Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan, we know with the change to cooler temperatures, many people will be getting their yard ready for fall and winter wild bird feeding. At Wild Birds Unlimited of Grosse Pointe Woods, we can help you review your feeding strategy in order to get the most enjoyment from the hobby of bird feeding. Good, quality seeds are the staple of any feeding station in the colder months. Once natural seeds have been depleted, birds will look to supplement their diet with the bird seed at your feeders. The most favored seed is the black oil sunflower, favored by more birds than any

Which Wild Birds Visit Your Yards During Fall Migration in Michigan

Posted on October 6, 2014 by admin

This fall can be so relaxing and rewarding in our yards because of the changing bird activity. At our Wild Birds Unlimited in Grosse Pointe Woods, we are hearing from customers that they are seeing a good number of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, visiting both flowers and hummingbird feeders. This is their time of year to fatten up before they make their way back to Mexico or in some cases, as far south as Costa Rica. Hummingbird feeders should be kept up through mid-October in Michigan, the latest date that we get reports of these birds. Goldfinch numbers also swell as youngsters accompany their parents, making their presence known by the constant “chippee, chippee”, their begging call for food. In many yards,

Why Molting Birds Need Fat and Protein

Posted on October 6, 2014 by admin

Here at Wild Birds Unlimited in Grosse Pointe Woods we have had customers reporting that their finches are beginning to lose their bright summer plumage. Molting is the process by which a bird replaces its feathers. In preparation for winter weather, birds in this area grow a fuller body of feathers and consume bird food that is higher in fat and protein to accomplish this feat. When a bird replaces all of the feathers on its body, it is described as a full molt. A partial molt may occur between full molts for some species of birds as they replace only a portion of their feathers. An example of a partial molt is when American Goldfinches obtain their bright breeding

Wild Birds Secret Hiding Places for Winter Food

Posted on October 6, 2014 by admin

Here in Michigan we know as temperatures cool and the change of season is upon us, birds in your garden are looking for secret hiding places for their winter foods. Many wild bird species store food for winter as a precaution against potentially meager food supplies in the colder months. This activity is called caching, and it typically takes place in the late summer and fall months when food is abundant. If you have trees full of nature’s bounty of acorns or a birdfeeder filled with seeds, you can witness firsthand the numerous quick trips being made by your garden birds between those food sources and a secret hiding place. Bird species that frequently cache foods include jays, chickadees, nuthatches,