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Category Archives: Bird Feeding Solutions

Attracting Orioles to Your Yard

Posted on April 12, 2021 by Rosann Kovalcik

Graffius Oriole 3 small


In search of an adequate food supply to raise a family, thousands of Baltimore Orioles migrate from Central America to Michigan during springtime. What does it take to attract these vibrantly plumaged orange and black birds to our yard?

When the male arrives, he is in search of a territory that will provide the basics – food, water, shelter and places to raise young – those elements allow him to carry on his genetics, the sole purpose of migration.

 

Undoubtedly, you will hear Orioles before you see them. The male Baltimore Oriole’s song consists of a short series of paired notes, repeated 2–7 times, lasting 1–2 seconds. The pure, liquid, flute-like sounds have a full, rich tone. Once you accustom yourself to its song, you will be able to search for them visually.

Orioles can be found in open woodlands, woodland edges, and riparian woodlands and in our shade trees in suburban neighborhoods. They do not prefer deep forests.

Because of Orioles’ habit of feeding at treetop level, consummate birder Pete Dunne nicknamed them The Eastern Arboreal Oriole. So why the nickname? This is a bird that is wedded to dense leaf canopy. Males sing from exposed perches to warn other males of proclaimed territory. Both the male and female land on the tallest point of a tree before slipping into the dense canopy to begin foraging for insects. These include caterpillars that emerge to eat unfurling new growth on trees.

Oak trees in particular offer more diversity of caterpillars than any other tree in Southeast Michigan. While an oak may not mature to full size during your lifetime, planting it for its food value to birds is an investment in the future of birds. Orioles eat many pest species, including tent caterpillars, gypsy moth caterpillars, fall webworms, spiny elm caterpillars, and the larvae within plant galls. Larger caterpillars are a challenge for some birds, but the Oriole has many strategies for eating them. The birds’ beak is quite pointed and is used to slice through the exterior of a caterpillar, allowing it to eat the nutritional insides. Orioles often have a feeding limb, a favored place to feed, as can be attested to by dried caterpillar skins accumulated on the branch. Orioles eat other insects as well including beetles, crickets, grasshoppers, moths, and flies and non-insects including spiders, snails, and other small invertebrates.

Baltimore Orioles sometimes use their slender beaks to feed in an unusual way, called “gaping”: they stab the closed bill into soft fruits, and then open their mouths to cut a juicy swath from which they drink with their brushy-tipped tongues. Fruits that are especially attractive to Orioles are those that are dark in color. A variety of these plants can offer the high lipid fat that the birds need for fall migration – dogwoods, chokeberry, elderberry, and viburnums. Native plants grow native caterpillars in abundance and therefore, are the perfect choice when planning your bird-friendly yard.

Orioles also have an early spring feeding strategy– they drink from the wells of Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers. These woodpeckers create purposeful holes to encourage sap to run, which in turn attracts insects, an additional food source for the birds.

 

For a closer look at Orioles, you can place feeders in your yard that offer the same types of foods they find in the wild. Dark grape jelly can be offered in plastic and glass dishes, oranges can be placed on pronged feeders, and nectar feeders will round out the offerings.

Mealworms are another great food source to offer – the birds will take the worms back to their young as well as bring the young to the feeders once they are fledged. Your feeding station will be most successful if it is some distance away from other feeding stations. Your feeding station should be set up before the first week of May to attract the abundance of Orioles that migrate at that time. Once migration is over and the local birds have established their territory, you may find that the mated pair (or two if you are lucky) near your home can be very skittish at feeders. As a bonus, other birds will enjoy these offerings including House Finches, Cardinals and Rose-breasted Grosbeaks.

Female Orioles are responsible for the building of the nest that will hold their eggs and resultant young, usually four in number. Long strips of plant material are the backbone of their nest. Most frequently they use milkweed and dogbane, clipping the plant at the base just above where they are holding it firmly in their feet. Pulling up, they create strips that are then flown to the nest site and tied in place. Leave last years’ milkweed and dogbane standing into the spring so that these birds can utilize them, or clip it and add it to your nesting material basket. Elms were the favorite trees of Orioles for nest building before Dutch elm disease took its toll on them. Now, they favor maples, willows, poplars and oaks. Placed at the tip of branches, the sock-like structure has the advantage of being difficult for predators to reach.

 

The nest is a work of art, a suspended pouch woven as two separate walls. The female uses a shuttling motion to create the walls and then stitches the two halves together. The inside plant material can consist of dandelion fluff, the downy material from willows and poplars and short strips of grape bark. Natural materials can be placed in a suet basket and placed where you can enjoy these beauties helping themselves. Short strips of natural fibers (avoid polyester), hair, and string may be used by Orioles in nest construction. Fishing line and dryer lint are two materials not to be used. The fishing line is too thin and can easily entangle the bird. Dryer lint has materials that will hold moisture and would cool eggs and babies instead of keeping them warm as natural materials would. The female builds the nest over a period of about eight days. Nests are not reused, although some of the nesting material might be used in the new structure.

Graffius Oriole 2 small

Males keep a watchful eye on the female as she works, mating with her when she allows. Incubation is done by the female entirely, lasting a period of 12 to 14 days. Both parents feed the young for the next two weeks, during which time the naked hatchlings develop into fully feathered adult sized birds.

Now it is the male’s turn to take over as the young follow him for lessons on where to look for food. The female spends her time eating to regain the weight she lost and preparing herself for fall migration.

Orioles leave early back to their southerly home, our yards quieter without their songs as early as the end of August.

Oriole Father feeding baby

Well worth the effort to attract, Orioles make our time in the yard a special time indeed!

Thanks to Bill Creteau, John Graffius, Wayne Hoch and Randy Repicky for  sharing their photos

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Posted in Bird Feeding Solutions, Spring, Summer, Wild Bird Facts | Tags: baltimore oriole, Bird Feeding, birds, fun facts, orange, orioles, Spring, summer, wild birds unlimited | Leave a comment |

Squirrel Appreciation Day is January 21st

Posted on January 20, 2020 by Rosann Kovalcik

Squirrels: An Introduction

Soft, fluffy and entertaining – the definition of a squirrel. In our area we have both Fox Squirrels and Gray Squirrels. You may also see black squirrels, color variants of Gray Squirrels. Both species mate December through February. You may have noticed “chasing”, which is part of the mating ritual. Females give birth to naked, helpless young about 45 days after mating. They nurse the young until about three months of age. They will also mate again in May to June. Males do not help with the raising of the young. Squirrels build nests of twigs and leaves about 35 to 40 feet up, often in the sturdy crotch of a tree.

Food: Dining, Stashing, Chewing

Squirrels are omnivores and will eat all types of seeds including acorns, hickory, walnut, mulberry and hawthorn seeds. They will also consume bird eggs, birds, insects, arthropods and carrion.

Squirrels gather and stash seeds, an important job in the ecosystem. Some of the seeds are never refound, instead sprouting into new trees. These small mammals also serve as a food source for Red-tailed Hawks, Coopers Hawks, owls, coyotes and fox.

Another amazing aspect of squirrels is their teeth. They grow continuously and are very effective at chewing, as those of us who have them around well know.

Other Fun Facts

Those who feed the birds know of the squirrels’ leaping abilities. They can leap ten feet from a solid object such as the side of a tree as well as any man-made structure. It seems as if the only surface that they are unable to climb is glass.

Here is your word of the day – vibrissae. These thick hairs (whiskers) are found on the chin, nose, above and below the eyes, and forearms of squirrels. Squirrels rely on these hairs to enhance their sense of touch.

The Flip Side of Appreciation

However, many people are quick to exclaim about “those darned squirrels!” Who cannot relate to the success of squirrels at our bird feeders? Getting into the feeders is their full-time occupation and they are relentless in their efforts. Looking to keep them out of your feeders? We have answers for you at Wild Birds Unlimited in Grosse Pointe Woods!

Deterrents: Feeders

There are some very effective squirrel resistant feeders including the Eliminator. This feeder has a perch that closes with the weight of a squirrel. The length of the feeder prevents the squirrel from hanging from the top of the feeder or reaching the seed ports below.

Baffles

Placement of feeders that do not have a weight device is important if you do not intend to feed the squirrels. If using a pole system, there are steel baffles that are too wide for their paws to get a sufficient grip and too long for them to over reach the baffle. This type of baffle needs to have its top at five feet off of the ground with all feeders hanging so that the bottom of the feeders are above that five foot position. We do not recommend plastic baffles, as squirrels can easily chew through this material. This type of baffled pole system is only effective if placed ten feet from any object the squirrel can jump from. This includes trees, patio furniture, pots, grills and other feeding setups. When using a baffle above a feeder, the baffle needs to be quite wide or shaped to create a slide assisting the squirrels’ exit. Both types of baffles are carried at WBU GPW.

Seeds

Safflower seed used alone is another effective remedy against feeding squirrels as most do not prefer its’ taste. Hot pepper treated seed is also a good deterrent.

Whether you watch them and have names for the ones in your yard or are among those that wave your fist as you exclaim “Those Darned Squirrels”, let’s commend them on Squirrel Appreciation Day.

 

Posted in Bird Feeding Solutions, Squirrels | Tags: Bird Feeding, bird feeding solutions, Grosse Pointe Woods, solutions, squirrel, squirrel appreciation day, wild birds unlimited | Leave a comment |

Where are the Juncos?

Posted on January 9, 2020 by Rosann Kovalcik

Dark-eyed Junco by Kevin Murphy, Eliza Howell Park, Detroit

Where are all the Juncos?

We have had a number of customers recently ask where the Dark-eyed Juncos have been. Many have not yet seen them at the feeders this winter. My best experience with Juncos this year has been when we had a recent small snowfall. They were perched on the stems of plants I leave up all winter to provide seeds for the birds.

Now that we are not experiencing snow cover, the seeds available to Juncos make their visits to our feeder less of a necessity. I have been missing their subtle gray coloration and their white “snowy” bellies. I also love that their two outer tail feathers are white on each side, looking like a cheerleader skirt as it flies or spreads its tail.

To attract them to your yard, offer White Proso Millet on a tray feeder. The feeder can be on legs and close to the ground, or on a pole system and higher off of the ground. Either way, this stable platform allows them to eat in a way that true sparrows prefer, simulating their groundfeeding preference.

Enjoy this winter visitor while you can!

Rosann Kovalcik, Owner

Wild Birds Unlimited, Grosse Pointe Woods

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Posted in Bird Feeding Solutions, Winter | Tags: climate, dark-eyed junco, Grosse Pointe Woods, junco, millet, seasonal, snow, sparrow, weather, wild birds, wild birds unlimited, Winter | Leave a comment |

Decluttering Your Bird Feeders… Or Not

Posted on March 25, 2019 by Rosann Kovalcik

Much has been written about decluttering lately. And so, of course, my thoughts turn to bird feeders.

A common bit of wisdom regarding decluttering is to ask yourself if an item brings you Joy.

Cylinder Feeders

Blue Jay on Cylinder Feeder (Photo by Lisa Vreede)

When I fill my cylinder feeder with a new No-Mess seed cylinder, I notice Blue Jays coming in groups. Perhaps the first jay to discover the gleaming peanuts will stand atop the pole and give a little bounce up and down as he calls to the others in his tribe. Then the hammering begins; the birds’ feet holding on tightly, their heads moving back and forth, excavating each peanut with precision. Then off the Jay flies to a branch to eat its prize. Or maybe it plans to stash the peanuts. The flurry of blue from feeder to tree branches is so beautiful to watch.

Okay – Joy with the cylinder feeder… keep it!

Suet Feeders

Pileated Woodpecker on Double Tail Prop Feeder

Then I consider my suet feeders. I have a lot of those. Tail prop feeders – I have two of the extra-large version. Last time I filled them with Nuts and Berries Suet I was in Boyne City, and when I was done, I called out to the woods ,“Hey Buddy (my male Pileated Woodpecker’s  given name), I just filled the feeders for you!” And I kid you not; within two minutes, he flew into the woods along the road and hammered away at one of his favorite trees, doing some serious excavation. Then, as I backed away from the feeders, he came in on his landing tree. By the time I was in the house, I had the Pileated Woodpecker on one of the double tail-prop suet feeders, and a Hairy Woodpecker on the other one.

Okay –  true Joy with the double tail-prop suet feeders – keep them. All of them.

Finch Feeders

American Goldfinches

Next I reflect on my finch feeders. Yes, that’s plural as well. This past winter, it was so exciting to watch for finches of all varieties. The Winter Finch Forecast predicted we would have many irruptions into our area. This happens when seed crops are not optimal in Ontario, so irregularly occurring species move south in search of plentiful food sources. Pine Siskins can be identified at a distance by their very pointy beaks, looking like just-sharpened pencils. Careful observations need to be made to notice the potential Common Redpoll – such a dainty bird with the sweetest red cap. Of course, these winter visitors mix in well with American Goldfinches who visit the feeders all year long. As we move into spring, I watch my goldfinches carefully with binoculars to note when I see the first hint of yellow feathers as they molt into spring plumage.

Joy with the finch feeders – keep those too!

Hopper Feeders

Female Northern Cardinal at Hopper Feeder

Time to evaluate the large hopper feeder, which holds an abundance of seed. I am relieved when the birds visit first thing in the morning, proof they made it through another challenging night. I feel so fortunate to be able to provide them with readily available food that has no shells, allowing for quick energy. If it’s cold enough, birds can go through all of their fat reserves in one night just to keep alive.

More Joy with the foundational hopper feeder – keep it.

Specialty Feeders

Red-breasted Nuthatch (Photo by Bill Rapai)

Then there is the peanut feeder, a draw for specific birds. It is certainly a favorite of Red-breasted Nuthatches that cling on upside-down.  I love to watch their bodies teeter back and forth like little sledge hammers as they pound away to extract a peanut. They make the dearest sounds, similar to small squeak toys. It has been an irruptive season for Red-breasted Nuthatches and I wouldn’t want to miss a moment of them.

Joy with my peanut feeder – keep it!

Tufted Titmouse on Dinner Bell Feeder

Finally, my thoughts turn to the variety of foods I offer the birds when I’m in a time crunch. For example, I can simply open a bag of Bark Butter Bits and pour them into my Dinner Bell feeder. This feeder is the most versatile and I dare say one of my absolute favorites. I can lower the weather dome so just the smaller birds fit between the tray and the dome, even excluding House Sparrows if low enough. It gives the Black-capped Chickadees a place they can dart to, picking up the beak-sized Bark Butter Bit and flying off to a branch. It is so fun to watch as they hold it in their feet and eat it with dainty bites. The Dinner Bell is also great for mealworm feeding. Mealworms give birds the protein they need for feather production when molting and for calcium when they are ready for egg-laying season.

Okay – Joy with my Dinner Bell Feeder – keep them.  Both of them.

So much for ridding myself of the “clutter” of bird feeders. Anything that bring me this much Joy is a keeper!

Posted in Bird Feeding Solutions, Spring, Wild Bird Facts | Tags: bird feeder, birds, blue jay, chickadee, declutter, finch, Spring, tidy, wild birds, wild birds unlimited, Winter, woodpecker | Leave a comment |

The Joy of Feeding Birds with Seed Cylinders

Posted on August 27, 2018 by Rosann Kovalcik

What type of bird food satisfies birds, is easy to use, keeps birds in place for longer views and leaves no mess to clean? The answer to all of the above? Seed cylinders!

One of the true benefits of owning the local Wild Birds Unlimited is that I get to try out all of the products! Seed cylinders are convenient as they are held together with a natural gelatin, easy to unwrap as well as easy to place into a feeder.

With a tray on the feeder there is no seed on the ground which is certainly a benefit when trying to avoid mammals under the feeders. Seed cylinders are available with a hot pepper coating so that they won’t be attractive to mammals with sensitive taste buds, while birds do not react adversely.

Watching The Birds – Nuthatch Style

Birds need to peck the seeds apart from the cylinder, which means they spend more time at the feeder. And that’s one of the true benefits – the long looks at the various behaviors. I love the way the Red-breasted Nuthatch lands upside down and with the thinnest of beaks, chips away at the seed until it can fly away with a piece in its’ beak. I watch the bird then fly to the safety of the foliage in the tree above, further pecking the seed down into smaller pieces.

Red-breasted Nuthatch Chooses The Perfect Seed (Photo by Lisa Vreede)

There’s No Missing those Jays!

Blue Jays are always excited to see the feeder newly filled. It is as if they are prompted by the sight of the pieces of nuts to scream out for Joy! They really hammer at the pieces with their larger beaks, tossing them down their throat and going for more. Jays have a gular pouch in their throat which allows them to store food and then bring it back up for eating or caching.

Blue Jay Proclaiming His Joy! (Photo by Lisa Vreede)

All of the woodpecker species love to eat at cylinders.  It seems as if the pecking at the seed satisfies their urge to feed in a way that is already natural for them.

Chickadees – Crowd Pleasers

Black-capped Chickadees usually grab a loose seed and quickly scuttle back to the safety of tree branches. With a seed cylinder, they have to work a little longer which is a great way for you to be able to observe them for longer periods of time. The one in this photo looks as if it is having a seat while working on its’ meal.

Black-capped Chickadee Hanging On Tight! (Photo by Lisa Vreede)

 

Enjoy your Birds!

Rosann Kovalcik, Owner

Wild Birds Unlimited,

Grosse Pointe Woods

 

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House Finches – A Beautiful Introduction

Posted on March 31, 2018 by Rosann Kovalcik

House Finch male (Photo by John Graffius)

 

One of the most surprising facts about House Finches is that they are not native to the Eastern United States.  They were originally found only in the western U.S. and Mexico. In the 1940’s, humans intervened, capturing a small group of these birds to sell on Long Island as pets. After the sellers got caught, the finches were released, leading to their eventual expansion.

House Finches “Branch Out”

Taking advantage of the friendly habitat, House Finches bred and have since become one of our most populous birds, with an estimated 267 million to 1.4 billion individuals. Their presence is always a welcome addition. Their songs are cheery and melodious and their colors warm and beautiful.

House Finch male (Photo by Tim Lintz)

Fun Facts

The red coloration of the breast and eye-stripe in the males comes from pigments contained in their diet, which consists of nuts and seeds. House Finches dine enthusiastically on dandelion seeds, their bright red plumage contrasting against the yellow blooms – a cheery sight indeed! Females prefer to mate with the brightest, reddest males. Females are much less conspicuous, an overall gray-brown color with indistinct streaks. According to bird banding data, the oldest known living House Finch was a female, reaching 11 years and 7 months.

House Finch female (Photo by Tim Lintz)

Nesting

According to the book, Birds of Michigan, the first House Finch nest was found in Southfield, MI in July of 1981. House Finches are very adaptable when it comes to nesting, building in trees and shrubs near human habitation and, to the delight of many homeowners, even on door wreaths! Their nests are constructed of grass, twigs, leaves, hair and feathers.  Leave plant material in the yard this spring instead of cleaning up, and place hair and feathers in suet baskets to help House Finches create their nests.

Nesting begins in late March and can continue through August. The females lay 4-5 eggs which they incubate for 12-14 days. House Finches breed 2-3 times per breeding season. The young fledge from the nest approximately 9-11 days after hatching. This is one of the few bird species that feeds their young only plant matter, as opposed to adding insects, a common food source for most fledglings.

Attracting House Finches

House Finches are frequent feeder birds; attract them by offering Sunflower Seed (either in or out of the shell).  These birds are adaptable enough to also eat Safflower or Nyjer Seed (thistle). For some reason, this species is more prone to conjunctivitis than other species of birds – a good reminder to keep those feeders clean! Sterilize feeders using either vinegar (my personal preference) or a diluted bleach solution. Rake areas under feeders (if offering seeds with shells) to prevent the spread of disease, especially since House Finches are known to feed from the ground. Better yet, use Sunflower Chips (sunflower out of the shell) and add a tray under your feeders so the area stays relatively mess-free.

House Finch on a Seed Cylinder (Photo by John Graffius)

 

As the days get longer and the sunlight prompts territorial song, listen for the cheery, long song of House Finches, a welcome addition to any yard (click here to listen)!

Enjoy your birds!

-Rosann Kovalcik

Owner, Wild Birds Unlimited, Grosse Pointe Woods

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Posted in Bird Feeding Solutions, Wild Bird Facts | Tags: bird feeders, Bird Feeding, birds, finches, house finch, songbirds | Leave a comment |

Maintaining a Clean Bird Feeding Station

Posted on September 6, 2017 by Rosann Kovalcik

The onset of autumn is a great time to check your feeding stations for cleanliness and functionality. With feeding the birds comes the responsibility to reduce the risk of disease and illness and keeps pests away (this is good for your birds and for you)! The following tips should help you achieve these goals.

This time of year, I find the non-migrant birds such as Chickadees, Cardinals, House Finches, and Nuthatches come to the feeders less often, as they feast on the natural foods that are in abundance. Once those seeds and insects start to lessen, birds look to supplement their diet with feeder offerings. The most favored seed option to offer is black oil sunflower, preferred by more birds than any other seed. Using sunflower as the main seed in a blend and adding other favored seeds including white proso millet will satisfy the needs of the local bird population as well as the migrants. Birds that perch while they eat prefer the sunflower, whereas the ground feeding birds (like doves, juncos, and certain sparrows) prefer the millet that falls to the ground from the feeder.

Choosing high-quality seed is the most important factor in crafting your tidy feeding station. The birds toss aside seeds they do not prefer, which leaves a food source for rodents. Check the ingredients within your seed blends and do not buy any blends with wheat, red proso millet, canary seed or oats as these seeds are not high on the list of bird’s favorites. A No-Mess Blend can be the best option for a pest-free, clean feeding station. With no shells under the feeder, there is no place for insects that gather under the decomposing shells. If you live near large groups of House Sparrows, it is definitely a challenge to keep seed off of the ground. If this is your situation, consider feeding only thistle, suet or seed cakes, which leave less mess. Cylinder feeding is another option for reducing seed debris, as the seed stays tightly packed in is cylinder form as opposed to loosely falling to the ground.

Regular cleanup efforts can also make for a happier and healthier clean bird feeding station. One way to alleviate messes is to attach a tray to your feeder, which catches seeds scattered by the sparrows and other feeder birds (we’re convinced they are trying to share with their brethren below!). No matter what, there will always be a least a small amount of loose seed which falls to the ground. Try to clean up any seed which has been sitting on the ground for long periods of time, as this can collect droppings, mold, and other germs which can negatively affect the birds. A hardware cloth or screen placed on the ground below the feeders can allow for a much easier cleanup. Simply pull away the cloth or screen, dispose of the seed, rinse or replace, and repeat as needed. Mulch can also be used on top of landscape cloth. When seed collects, roll it up and place dirty mulch and cloth in composting pick-up.  Start fresh for the best health of your birds.

Cleaning and sterilizing feeders should be done when you notice the feeder is getting dirty, that is whenever feeders have an accumulation of bird droppings. A good soak in some warm water will loosen all of the dirt that builds up in most tube feeders. We carry an excellent soy-based cleaner that works very well to clean feeders of oil that builds up as a result of seed as well as removing the accumulation of dirt. We also carry cleaning brushes with soft bristles, allowing you to scrub without scratching the feeders. To sterilize, add one part of vinegar or chlorine free bleach to ten parts water.  Always rinse thoroughly and then let the feeder dry completely before filling. With a wooden feeder, follow the same steps without a prolonged soak. A good alternative to wood is the recycled plastic feeders that are now being made. The plastic does not allow organic material to grow as readily as wood does.

Store seeds in galvanized cans inside of the garage or a shed. Storing seed in the house can be a bad idea, as the higher temperatures of our homes can prompt cereal moths to hatch. These moths come from eggs laid in the seed shells of the sunflower plant as it grows in the field. We recommend galvanized cans, as rodents are able to chew through plastic. Whether the little teeth of mice or the larger teeth of squirrels, plastic is ineffective at keeping rodents out.

I hope that these tips help you to enjoy the influx of fall migrants as well as the continued visits of your local birds.

Enjoy your birds!

Rosann Kovalcik

Store Owner, Wild Birds Unlimited, GPW

Posted in Bird Feeding Solutions, Fall | Leave a comment |

Beyond Thistle: Tips for Attracting Goldfinches

Posted on January 15, 2017 by Rosann Kovalcik

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.

IMG_5632a

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.

AMGOfall

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.

finch blend post

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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Bird Feeding in the Winter

Posted on December 16, 2016 by Rosann Kovalcik
Northern Cardinal

Northern Cardinal

As the seasons change and the weather gets colder, some bird species are getting ready to remain through the winter. Cardinals, Black-capped Chickadees, White-breasted Nuthatches, Tufted Titmice, House Finches, Downy Woodpeckers, Hairy Woodpeckers and Red-bellied Woodpeckers are all resident birds that remain in Michigan, expanding their feeding territories in order to find adequate food sources. All of these birds are well-loved by those who engage in the hobby of birdwatching. Their colors and antics add a dimension of joy to our lives as we view them at the feeding stations we provide.

All of these bird species can be attracted to your yard with the addition of bird feeders stocked with appropriate foods that they need. A blend of seeds high in fat and protein including sunflower (either in or out of the shell), peanuts and millet is a great place to start. If you want to attract larger bodied birds including Cardinals, a hopper feeder with a ledge or a tube feeder with a tray is necessary for them to be able to fit and reach the seed. Suet is the perfect substitute for the insects that are normally part of the diet of the Chickadees, Nuthatches and Woodpeckers. Suet is derived from the fat that surrounds the kidney of cattle. It is rendered, a process that removes impurities and adds shelf life. Extra ingredients may be added including peanuts and insects for protein. Fruit in suet is especially attractive to Red-bellied Woodpeckers. Placed in a suet cage, these birds are adept at clinging in order to feed.

Cardinal on Hopper Feeder and Pileated Woodpecker on suet.

Cardinal on Hopper Feeder and Pileated Woodpecker on Suet

Other bird species shift their locations within the United States, those farther north relocating to winter territories in the south. This includes Goldfinch, which move from Canada and the mid-states down to reach the lower states where they can be seen in the winter only. Blue Jays will migrate for the most part, with a small number of the entire population remaining behind in select territories. The same is true of Mourning Doves. Most of the blackbird species including Red-winged Blackbirds, Cowbirds and Grackles will migrate south. While many associate American Robins as a sure sign of spring, many have become accustomed to plentiful food sources in the way of fruit and remain here through winter, hedging their bets that they can make it through the cold. This strategy works for them if they can survive, as they will have the first choice of prime breeding territories to offer to the females, who leave the area altogether.

While some birds leave, a completely different set of birds arrive for the winter, leaving northern climes for this comparatively milder wintering ground. Most notably, Dark-eyed Juncos tell of the arrival of fall. The white proso millet in a seed blend is the favorite of the Juncos, which are a true sparrow and feed primarily on the ground. Other arriving sparrows include the American Tree Sparrow. This year has been a banner year for Red-breasted Nuthatches appearing at feeding stations as they settle into a winter territory. The prediction for the arrival of Winter Finches includes Pine Siskins, Purple Finches and Common Redpolls, based upon the lack of poorly available seed crops in Ontario.

Dark-eyed Junco

Dark-eyed Junco

Attracting finches can be accomplished by offering nyjer (thistle), a crop that is grown in Nigeria and Ethiopia and sterilized before it can be sold within the United States. A tube feeder designed with small holes to dispense the seed is the best way to offer this food. A blend of nyjer with small chips of sunflower is even more attractive to the Finches and to Chickadees.

Water is as essential to birds in the winter months as it is in the warmer ones. In fact, some birds visit the yard specifically for this reason alone, notably the American Robin. Using a plastic dish with the heating element built into it is the most convenient way to provide a water source. These bird baths are thermostatically controlled and will cycle on and off to keep the water at a temperature just above freezing. Another option is the addition of a heating element that can be added to a plastic or metal bird bath. Manufacturers of cement and ceramic bird baths warn against the use of heaters as those types of baths can break if a small crack succumbs to the effect of water freezing within.

Tufted Titmouse on Bird Bath

Tufted Titmouse on Bird Bath

One of the major challenges for those who want to feed the birds is the fact that squirrels don’t understand the term “bird feeder”. If the feeder has seeds or suet, they will help themselves. There are some very effective squirrel-proof feeders on the market that are made entirely of metal and close with the weight of mammals. If you prefer to use seed in a window feeder or another place that mammals can access, safflower seed has a bitter taste to mammals and can be used in those situations. Feeding stations on a pole system with a baffle mounted on the pole to prevent mammals from climbing is another answer. Placement of feeders is key, as the setup needs to be far enough so that sideways leaps cannot be accomplished. The baffle top needs to be five feet from the ground and all feeders in the zone above that five feet limit. Another alternative is to offer seed and suet that are treated with hot pepper as the mammals have more taste buds than birds and are adversely affected, whereas the birds are not.

Planning your habitat for birds in the winter would include an area in your yard or neighboring yard that includes evergreens for shelter. In poor weather conditions and during the night, birds must have these areas for roosting. Some birds use cavities for shelter, both excavated by themselves or provided in the form of a nest box. If you see the entrance to a cavity, leaving the branch is the best option for the bird. Providing a winter roost box or keeping a functional nest box outside can make the all the difference in winter survival for birds.

Many plants bear fruit that persists during the winter and provides natural food sources for birds. Holly berries need to freeze and thaw a number of times before they become palatable to birds. Insects can be found by birds in many types of plant material. The galls in Goldenrods contain an insect that will be chiseled out by Chickadees or Woodpeckers. Sumac seed heads also contain insects that the birds will find nourishing. Many of our flowers can be left as a food source for winter birds including coneflowers and all other flowers with a composite seed head. Goldenrod is the favorite food of our native sparrows that spend the winter including the Juncos and White-throated Sparrows that may call our yard home.

Downy Woodpecker

Downy Woodpecker

Whatever you choose to do in your yard, the hobby of bird feeding can be a joyful one for you. The added bonus is that the resident birds will be healthy at the onset of spring, ready to claim your yard as part of their territory. With that, a new generation of birds can be a welcome addition to look forward to.

Enjoy your Birds!

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Posted in Bird Feeding Solutions, Wild Bird Facts, Winter | Leave a comment |

Wait! Wait! Don’t Clean Up Your Yard!

Posted on October 23, 2016 by Rosann Kovalcik

Getting our yards ready for birds in the winter includes cleaning and filling our feeders with quality bird food, high in fat and protein. It also includes looking at our gardens and learning what to do and what not to do to make them optimal places for birds.

stacy-american-goldfinch-female
As part of our desire to clean, we may engage in leaf raking and cutting back our perennials that are no longer in bloom. Here are reasons why we should consider modifying these fall clean-ups.
Many insects over-winter and can survive freezing temperatures as eggs, larvae, pupae or adults because they produce an anti-freeze (glycerol) in their bodies. This glycerol keeps the water in their tissue cells from freezing and ripping the cell walls. Many of our insects lay their eggs in the twigs of favored plants. For example, some katydids use their ovipositors to glue rows of eggs to viburnums and dogwoods, while others pierce the stems of goldenrods and asters in order to lay the eggs inside, safe during the winter months. The same is true of the Miridae (plant bugs), Cicadellidae (leafhoppers) and Berytidae (stilt bugs), which are all great food sources for our birds.

Photo courtesy care2.com

Photo courtesy care2.com

We are familiar with the epic Monarch Butterfly migration, but did you know that most of our butterflies spend the winter here as chrysalids? These chrysalids are attached to sticks and stems in your butterfly plants, suspended by silken pads that are spun into vertical structures or horizontally on stems. The Tiger, Spicebush and Zebra Swallowtails all spend winter in this way. If you clean out your flower beds, you are cleaning away the butterflies. Instead, leave them until spring when they will emerge as beautiful adults. Another type of butterfly, the Fritillaries, spend the winter as a first instar larvae in the plant litter that surrounds violets. That way, they are ready to use the violets as their food source in spring. Cleaning up the fallen leaves within your violet patch cleans away this type of butterfly.

Photo courtesy Kevin Click

Photo courtesy Kevin Click

Regarding raking leaves, if you imagine how many butterfly larvae are in your fallen leaves, perhaps you could consider raking them into an area of the yard for the winter months. Placing leaves in a pile, or mounding them under your hedgerow or evergreens, and placing them on top of perennial beds will give the larvae of these butterflies a chance to survive and mature. Sending the leaves to the curb for pick up creates the opposite result. In late spring (end of May), the butterflies can emerge and your clean up can begin.
Galls (abnormal outgrowths of plant tissue) are home to tephritid flies, as well as many other species including wasps, aphids, and midges. These insects are sources of food for Black-capped Chickadees and Tufted Titmice, both species capable of hanging on and chiseling into the gall for the insect inside. Hollow stemmed plants and the bases of tall grasses are also places where native bees may hibernate through the winter – another reason not to clean up.

 

Photo courtesy Lahvak (via flickr)

Photo courtesy Lahvak (via flickr)

Many of our seed-bearing plants such as Coneflower (Echinacea), and Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia) have seeds that have not been eaten and are ripe in autumn, just in time for the young goldfinches to be feeding upon them. The other day, I watched a patch of my bird-friendly garden, which was mostly brown instead of colorful, and yet the number of goldfinches feeding was astonishing to me. I counted seven of them in a little patch no larger than ten feet square. Birds have rods and cones in their eyes which allow them to see that the seeds are ripe and ready to eat. By many garden standards, these plants would have been cut back, taking away the food source that is critical for these birds this time of year. Leaving these plants without cutting them back not only provides a food source, it also adds winter interest to the garden. Snow and frost can be beautiful on these plants.
Our resident winter birds are great at finding these protein rich food sources. Watching them in your winter garden among the plants you leave is very educational and entertaining.

goldfinch-rosann-4
So sit back and enjoy the extra time you gain by not doing fall clean up – watch the birds instead!

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Posted in Bird Feeding Solutions, Fall, Wild Bird Facts | Leave a comment |

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