|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Our newsletter, J.J. Cardinal's Notebook, is published twice each year & mailed free on request (spring & fall). It offers a variety of birding and nature topics, community announcements, new product info, and good cheer. Regular updates: "J.J. Cardinal's Calendar" are also available in the store and online. We've distributed the Notebook since 1991; some of the most popular, and timeless articles are available here. See the index below. |
||
J.J. Cardinal's Calendar featuring upcoming activities and new product news |
Our newsletters are online!
|
J.J. Cardinal's NotebookMailed to customers on-request,
|
| Birds | Flying in the Vee
Formation J.J. Cardinal’s Notebook Vol. 1-5, October 1992 Why geese and ducks are seen flying in a V-shaped formation has always been somewhat of a mystery. Theories suggest that the lead bird can gain lift from the air-currents produced by the bird in front of them. But most scientists agree that flying in the Vee formation is mainly for maintaining visual contact with the rest of the flock, and avoiding collisions: because in practice, Canada Geese for example, are not in formation that allow the best flight efficiency. [  top] Hawk at the Bird
Feeder! The small accipiter (accipiter is Latin for "bird of prey"), Sharp-shinned hawk, is well known for consuming other birds. The Audubon Encyclopedia of North American Birds states Sharp-shinned hawks diets are predominantly smaller birds. Sharpies stand about 10-14 inches tall (about the size of a Blue Jay), and with a short wing span and long tail the Sharpie is equipped with rapid acceleration when in pursuit of its prey. Sharpies can be identified easily by looking for their small rounded heads, and square shaped tail tip with a thin white band at the end. These hawks are fairly common but shy with a preferred habitat in forests. Another common hawk seen at bird feeders is the Cooper's hawk. Cooper's appear very similar to the Sharp-shinned but are larger, 14-20 inches, have thicker legs, and a rounded tail with white band at the end. Cooper's also have a slightly square shaped head. In flight, the Cooper's hawk beats its wings rapidly but they can also be seen soaring high above gliding on level wings. Only about half of the Cooper's diet is other birds. Both hawks are year around residents in Michigan. The only thing we can do to shelter songbirds at bird feeders is to offer plenty of cover nearby. Dense shrubbery is best. Law protects birds of prey, so there is really nothing
you can do, legally, to lessen their presence. Their predation on songbirds really has no
great effect on their populations. Their behavior has been part of nature long before
people began feeding birds as a hobby. Their activity is part of the natural laws: they
eliminate the sick and weak birds from the population, which in turn helps keep nature in
balance. Is It A Purple Finch or House Finch?
The House Finch was first seen in Michigan in 1981, and has quickly become very common and well loved because of its beautiful plumage: brown with dark streaks on its belly and flanks with a red crown and bib. Their melodious song is most prevalent during breeding season. Many of us have been entertained by an amorous singing male, warbling out a tune to entice a female high atop a tree in spring. Behavior and slight plumage differences will help set the House Finch apart from the Purple Finch. The Purple Finch is somewhat nomadic. They will visit your feeders in small flocks of 3 to 5 birds and eat but likely not stay. You may only see them once and not again until the next winter. Purple Finches breed during summer months in Southern Canada, and winter in Southern U.S. If we have a mild winter, you may see them throughout the year. House Finches, on the other hand, feed and roost in flocks and will stay within a territory to breed and migrate only in the harshest of conditions. Michigan is their year around territory. The plumage differences of the Purple Finch can best be described as a bird turned upside-down, and dipped in cranberry juice. Their coloration is more blue-red, extending down across the wings. Their belly is also absent of the stripes seen on the House Finch. The Purple Finch's underside is lighter in color. Also, the Purple Finch is heavier than the House Finch. In females the differences are more apparent. The female Purple Finch has a distinctive white eye stripe. House Finches, also known as Linnet, have been spotted with an orange variant to its coloration, or occasionally yellow, but it is very rare. House Finches are attracted to weed seeds like thistle, dandelions, as well as some fruits and insects. They nest well in man-made bird boxes in wooded settings placed 5-7 feet off the ground. They breed from February through August, and usually lay 4 or 5 speckled blue and white eggs. Purple Finches are also mostly seed eaters, but will eat
raspberries, blackberries, tree seeds from elm, red maple, and love sunflower seeds! They
nest from April to July on branches in dense foliage in a bed they build of fine twigs,
grass, moss, and snakeskin lined with hair and wool. Their eggs are pale greenish-blue
with dots or spots covering the shell, but concentrating at the base of the egg. Kirtland’s Warblers:
Michigan’s Challenge The program was not popular. The thought of killing cowbirds to save the warbler seemed redundant. Like the Kirtland's warbler Brown-headed cowbirds like open grassy conditions with scattered pine trees. Cowbirds do not build nests of their own. They lay their eggs in other birds' nests, and their young are raised by their hosts, often at the expense of the hosts' offspring. Cowbirds are very successful at this and pull the same trick on other species. Before the program began, each pair of warblers were producing on average less than one young per year; now they raise over four, more than any other American warbler species. Yet, the numbers of breeding pairs has started falling again. In 1987, it's estimated only 170 pairs were returning to breed. So something is happening to the young Kirtland's warblers, possibly during migration to the Bahamas. Another theory suggests that the limited breeding habitat, now restricted to just six Michigan counties, is too small a 'target' for inexperienced migrating birds, or there may be a change in their wintering grounds unrecognized by ornithologists. Most of the warbler's breeding grounds are now in public hands, and suitable breeding and management to halt the natural grasslands progression to that of mature pinewoods is increasing nesting habitat for them. This is done by systematic cutting and burning of the Jack Pine forests of Northern Michigan. Perhaps this will be enough. The mysterious loss of so many young birds, somewhere on their long migration to the Bahamas, reminds us that a migrant bird needs more than just safe nesting grounds to survive. What are the causes for decline in bird population?
Conservation must start at home. The more we succeed in getting our children interested
in nature the better our chances are of producing a society with respect and understanding
for our environment. Michigan’s Woodpeckers
With short legs and long strong toes, woodpeckers cling to bark and use their tail feathers as a prop against the tree surface. They use their hard pointed, chisel-shaped bills to peck and hack into bark looking for insects, larvae, sap, and insect eggs, or to excavate a hole in a tree for nesting or nighttime roosting. A tough outer membrane protects the brain in the woodpecker’s skull. It also acts as a shock absorber from the pounding of the bill as the woodpecker excavated holes. Woodpeckers depend on their sense of hearing to locate insects. They have extraordinarily long, worm-like tongues, which are bordered with bristles. Most adult woodpeckers eat wood-boring beetles, ants, aphids, caterpillars or acorns, pine nuts, and seeds. Woodpeckers you may see are the common flicker, most noted for its yellow gilded wing linings seen during flight; they also wear a black necklace across their chest. Both male and female have red on the back of their nape, but a black cheek mustache patch can distinguish the male. Downy and hairy woodpecker look similar. Downy woodpeckers get their name from their soft, fluffy appearance; they are our smallest woodpecker, measuring only about 6 inches, have ladder-backs (alternating black and white striped feathers), and are easily confused with their larger cousins, the hairy woodpecker. Red-bellied woodpeckers are mistaken for the red-headed woodpecker, but males have less red on the head. Females also have a red nape but up only halfway. Measuring up to 10", these magnificent birds make quite an impression at the bird feeder. Red-headed woodpeckers, just as the name implies are completely red-headed, male as well as the female. Sometimes seen on golf courses, they prefer open deciduous woods. Their numbers are seriously in decline because of the European starling who competes for nest sights. Pileated woodpeckers are almost gone. This species is absent from
agricultural areas, small wood lots, and requires large territories of mature forests and
parks. They started to reappear in the 1920's after reforestation rehabilitated nesting
sights. A few sighting have occurred in this area. There is no mistaking this species. At
16-19" long and wingspans up to 30", you know when you have seen a pileated. Nature’s Door Knocker People often mistake this rapid drumming as the woodpecker looking for food, envisioning huge gaping holes all over the wood siding of their home. But, if you ever observe the Downey Woodpecker looking for a tasty insect grub, their search is slower, and more probing in manner. Usually when we think of bird sounds, we often think initially of bird songs. Drumming is actually another way of communication. It identifies the chosen territory, and is an important part of the Downey’s courtship display. However, if you do notice holes about your home, chances are Woodpeckers are probing
for insects. The experts tell us that the Woodpecker wouldn't expend the energy to
excavate the siding of your home unless insects were present. To rid your home of this
activity you need to create a deterrent. Try hanging pie plates or colorful wind socks in
the area. A customer told us that if you slap the inside wall loudly, it will scare the
woodpecker from returning to that area, and we have experienced that if your offer an
alternate food source like suet at your feeding areas this may lure them away. A product
called Ropel has also been somewhat effective. A natural insecticide would be your last
choice. J.J. Cardinal has learned recently that the Downy woodpecker will excavate holes
in siding not only to look for food but to also excavate roosting sites. Downy woodpeckers
excavate holes year round, and because they are timid, if another species shows interest
in the site the Downy will move to another location and start all over again. The Great Gray Owl Their range is the spruce forest along the Yukon River in central Alaska, and south to the United States border. Breeding ranges take them to as far south as California, but even there it is estimated only as few as 50 birds exist making it a very rare sighting indeed. In Michigan, it is uncommon to see them south of the Upper Peninsula. If we experience a winter with deep snow cover and bitter cold, our chances improve of catching a glimpse of one in Lower Michigan. Because of the Gray's plumage, they blend in perfectly unnoticed with the trunks of trees and because of this, they hunt their prey both day and night. Their diet consists mainly of mice, voles, and pocket gophers. They will sit high atop a perch, and look over a clear-cut area or meadow, listening intently for prey. Once seen, they will fly down, pounce, and cup their huge wings around the catch (called mantling), then deliver the fatal, crushing bite to its prey. Owls swallow their prey whole. Later they will regurgitate the bones, hair, and remains. Scientists use these pellets to analyze and learn about owl’s diet and feeding preferences. Owls breed March through May, and usually lay 2-3 white eggs. For the Great Gray, incubation is done by the female only, and lasts 30 days. During this time, the male feeds the female. When nestlings are small, the male presents the food to the female, which is fed to the young. Later the male will feed them directly. The young leave the nest at 21-28 days but will return to the nest to roost at night or when alarmed. There are over 140 owl species worldwide. The North American Elf Owl is the smallest in the world. Their sight and hearing are most exceptional. Their ears are more remarkable than their eyes: they can detect sounds to determine exactly where their prey is, both in direction and distance! Law protects owls, and enemies of the owls are mostly humans who shoot and trap them.
With a wingspan of 54 - 60 inches, the Great Gray Owl may be the largest owl but its
weight is exceeded by the Great Horned Owl and Snowy Owls. The Northern Cardinal: America’s Best Loved Songbird With its special combination of brilliant plumage, rich song, and its human-like adoration to its mate as they stay together throughout the year, it's easy to understand why America is in love with the Northern Cardinal. In fact, the Cardinal is the state bird in seven states: Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, N. Carolina, Ohio, Virginia, and W. Virginia. The Cardinal's name came from a Latin word, "cardo"- meaning "important". The Cardinal is also known as "Grosbeak", "Cardinal Bird", "Big Red", "Crested Redbird", and other various names in other localities. However, it is most affectionately known almost everywhere as simply "Redbird". You don't need to be an Ornithologist to identify a male Northern Cardinal. Almost everyone can easily identify the male, but surprisingly, many do not realize the female is drab olive-brown in color with red accents. The juveniles (youngsters) look a lot like the female but lack the orange beak. Once thought of as a "southern" bird, the Cardinal has been expanding its range steadily northward; many experts claim that bird feeding has some effect on this. You will see Cardinals now into our Upper Peninsula and extreme Southern Canada, and as far south as the Honduras and Guatemala. Cardinals were also introduced in Hawaii in the 1920's; Cardinals are now well established on almost all islands. Cardinals have been in Michigan for only the past 100 years or so. This time of year, November and December, you will see Cardinals flocking together, a common behavior at the end of the breeding season for many bird species. Flocks have a better advantage when it comes to foraging for food and protection from predators. Like the old saying goes: "birds of a feather, flock together". A dependable food source, like a well-stocked sunflower feeder is so important for the birds in cold weather! When we feed the birds, we become somewhat responsible for them to continue to offer food, shelter, and water. Cardinals prefer the easily cracked, black-oil sunflower seed, placed four to five feet off the ground, preferably on a "platform" feeder or a "hopper style" feeder. In addition to sunflower seeds, Cardinals like: cracked corn, cooked rice, the buds from Elm trees, wild fruits, and insects. Cardinals use stems, twigs, bark strips, and grasses to build their nests and place them two to ten feet off the ground in dense shrubbery like honeysuckle and evergreen. Nesting occurs from March through August, and they lay two to five gray to buff white speckled eggs. After the female incubates the eggs 12-13 days, they hatch and mature to leave the nest
in only 11 days! While the female incubates the next brood, the male supplements feeding
the juveniles from the first batch. Recipe for Cardinal Crunch Two cups ground beef suet;
two cups dried breadcrumbs; one half-cup black-oil sunflower seeds; one-cup raisins, and
one half-cup crunchy peanut butter. Mix all ingredients into a bowl, and melt in a double
boiler or microwave oven on medium. Let mixture harden thoroughly until it is solid white;
melt a second time. When semi-hard, pack the suet into a log (with perches) drilled with
1-2" holes and hang, or cut into pieces and place on a platform feeder. (Melting suet
twice will cause the mixture to become very hard, ideal for birds to peck into.) American Kestrel: Swift Flyers This swallow-like falcon (it has long pointed wings like swallows) is about the size of a Blue Jay, averaging nine to twelve inches in length. Its plumage (feathers) are very striking. No other falcon has such a rufous colored back or tail; it’s a rich cinnamon color. The wing coverlets are slate- blue and both sexes have black markings about the face that suggest a mustache. Kestrels have also been called Sparrow Hawk, which is really incorrect because the Kestrel diet is mainly insects. Occasionally Kestrels will catch and eat small birds, so if you plan to place a nest box for Kestrels, do not place it near other birdhouses or feeders in your yard. They prefer an open habitat with a mixture of trees and shrubs. We often see them when driving along the expressway perched erectly atop a dead tree limb or street sign looking for prey. Like hummingbirds the Kestrel has the ability to hover in flight allowing them to
aerially forage for insects! This rare flight ability is also shared with the Belted
Kingfisher. Kestrels are common around the state of Michigan in the summer, according to
the Bird Finding Guide to Michigan, and during winter months they are considered uncommon
because of Southern migration habits. Belted Kingfisher: A Regal Angler Such is the life of the Belted Kingfisher. A single Kingfisher could never accomplish this feat all by itself, so a mated pair work at it together on their stubby legs, taking as long as three weeks to complete the project. They use their bills as picks, digging in the ground and their feet to kick out the dirt. Then Belted Kingfishers can be seen around ponds and streams. This chunky bird, with its too-large head and top feathers that look like a bad
haircut, make identification easy. Their plumage is slate gray-blue above, with a white
throat and underside. The female has a rust colored band across her breast, making her one
of the few bird species more colorful than the male. Nesting usually starts around May,
laying typically five to seven eggs. The young hatch featherless and as their plumage
develops, each feather is encased in a sheath, so for a time they walk around their borrow
looking like little porcupines. After the sheaths come off, they resemble the adults
without the rust colored breast band. To see Kingfishers, look around the edges of a calm
pond or stream. They like to perch on a dead tree branch over the water as they hunt for
fish, so named “Kingfisher”. Birds of Prey Fun Facts ....that the turkey vulture’s wings, with uptilted tips seem best suited for
soaring ;
Blue Jay has its quiet moments Blue Jays are a strikingly beautiful bird-with vibrant blue, black, and white feather patterns; they posture themselves tall and strong, with raised crest when alarmed. Once we get past the behavior they exhibit, few of our native bird species can compare in beauty of plumage. Although not a true migratory species and considered somewhat resident, Jays have been observed gathering into flocks of dozens or more, moving about in fall and winter, remaining relatively silent when compared to their noisy cousins, the Crow. W. Bryant Tyrrell (1934) describes a striking assembly of Blue Jays at Whitefish Point, Michigan. He says: I saw hundreds-if not thousands-of Blue Jays. There was a chilly northwest wind blowing off Lake Superior. The Blue Jays made very little noise. I did not see a single flock actually start to fly off across the lake, but by morning there was hardly a bird to be found. Blue Jays prefer to live in mixed woods, and are fond of oaks because acorns, in fact, Jays gather acorns and actually cache a variety of foods year round. J.J.Cardinal had flying squirrels take up residence in a nesting box on his property. One day he observed a Jay putting whole peanuts into the nest box. J.J. suspected the Jay thought he was caching food, when in reality the Jay was feeding the squirrels! Many customers of J.J. Cardinal’s have enjoyed feeding peanuts to Jays, too. Grand
Blanc [MI] residents Carl and Shirley C. found Jays to be very intelligent in their food
selection, siting that Jays visiting their feeders actually lift and weigh the peanuts
knowing the heaviest is the meatiest! They tried an experiment: remove the peanut from the
shell and fill the shell with peanut butter. The Jays caught on right away! And, Frank K.
of Grand Blanc has actually trained a Jay how to come into his library for a nut: he
places peanuts one after another until the Jay is actually into his home. J.J. Cardinal
wonders just who has trained who? Bluebird Behavior & Activity Tracking Tool
Care of Abandoned or Injured Wild Birds With each new breeding season, we receive scores of phone calls concerning emergencies that arise when a bird’s nest is blown out of a tree or disturbed in some way. Eggs, newly hatched eggs or half-grown birds are found scattered on the ground. What should one do for help? If the nest and contents are not harmed, place it securely back from where it came. It’s better to let the bird parents go about the job of raising their young, after all they alone are best suited. If the nest has been dismantled, a new nest can be formed of dried grasses, cupped to form a snug surrounding. They can be also placed in a basket with nesting material where the bird parents can come to feed or incubate their young. It is a myth that birds will abandon a nest or their young if touched by human hand. Birds’ sense of smell is the least developed of all their senses and their instinct to tend to their offspring is very strong. A young bird found alone is seldom abandoned. If you do not see parental activity after four hours, then capture the bird if you can place the nestling in a box, perhaps with grass, lined in soft cloth or tissues. Keep the box warm by covering with a cloth to protect them from drafts. The job of being a foster parent is continual. Young birds need to be fed in 15-minute intervals at least 12 hours during the day. Nighttime feeding is not usually necessary. Basic Food Recipe - This should be given only in the event that a
licensed wildlife rehabilitator cannot be reached immediately. Mashed yolk of hard-boiled
eggs with finely sifted breadcrumbs that have been slightly moistened with milk or
cod-liver oil. This recipe agrees with blue jays, cardinals, robins, and most other small
songbirds. Exceptions are hummingbirds and pigeons, to name a few. Leave these species to
the experts. Small birds may be killed by forcibly giving them water or milk. In the wild
they receive sufficient moisture from the foods they ingest. But, in captivity they may
not. Feed them a little water with an eyedropper. Injured birds need to be placed in a
secure place. Frequently birds will fly into windows and stun themselves. If the bird
lands in an unnatural posture, right the bird to ensure open airways and place in a secure
area or in a covered box until it recovers. If the bird fails to recover soon, call us for
a wildlife rehabilitator in your area. Cedar Waxwings - Masked Marauders Cedar Waxwings (Bombbycilla Cedrorum) were named “waxwing” because of the brilliant red, tear drop shaped “wax-like” substance that ends at the adults secondary wing feathers. These colorful protrusions are actually an extension of the feather’s shaft. Scientists cannot determine why Waxwings evolved with this unusual characteristic. The Cedar Waxwing’s feathers are so soft and silky; they look “fur-like” and are light brown to dark gray-brown in color. They sport a “mysterious-looking” black bandit mask that’ll remind you (those old enough to remember) of Zorro. Their tail is tipped with yellow feathers and their sleek body style gives them a regal stance. Generally found in tight flocks around coniferous forests from S.E. Alaska to Newfoundland and South from California to the Gulf of Florida, their lifestyle is somewhat nomadic, not strongly territorial in their search for food and shelter. Cedar Waxwings prefer to feed on wild berries, crab apple, small fruits, insects and as mentioned in our “Summer” newsletter (1993) - flower petals. To attract them, plant such favorites as fire thorn, mulberries, the mountain ash. Having one to two broods (families) per year, Cedar Waxwings nest mid-May through September. Their nests are placed usually four to 50 feet up in the fork of a horizontal tree limb, and made of fine twigs, grasses, paper, pine needles and stems. Sometimes they (both male and female assist in nest building) line the nest with moss and caterpillar silk. Their eggs are light gray with speckles, and a typical clutch size is two to six eggs. After only 14 days of incubation by the female only, they hatch (it has been noted that sometimes the female eats the egg shells, possibly for the calcium they contain?) and are fed protein-rich insects for the first few days then they switch to berries. After only about 15 days, the young nestlings are fully developed and ready to leave the nest, (J.J. Cardinal always finds this completely amazing) with the gentle prodding by the adults and completely on their own after only ten days, ready to join other youngsters in small flocks. You’ll hear Waxwings before you see them. They have a rather high-pitched
"Seeeeee" call which they sing almost continually during flight, which is
undulating and graceful. The oldest recorded (banded) Waxwing found was five years, seven
months old. Downy Woodpecker The Downy Woodpecker is black and white with a bold white stripe down its back. Its bill is shorter than its cousin the Hairy Woodpecker, and no longer than the width of its head. Female Downys lacks the red nape patch; juveniles may have reddish to yellowish crown that is lost with the first complete annual molt in fall: July through September. Most woodpeckers glean insects from the bark of trees and are known as “one of our most useful species” because of the insect food selected. Almost all insect species selected by the Downy are economically harmful and because of this you should welcome them to your habitat. To attract woodpeckers try one of our feeders featured (right). It will attract all
“tree-clinging” species like woodpeckers, nuthatches and titmice. Our Woodpecker
Delight™ seed blend mixed with lard and crunchy peanut butter is just right for this
feeder. Hooting good time (great horned owl) The largest owl, and the one most frequently described in literature, is the great horned owl. Great horned owls hunt from dusk until dawn (nocturnal), and have such an acute sense of hearing they can actually detect their prey under heavy snow cover. Their primary prey is a small mammal such as mice and rabbit; they are completely carnivorous, and they will eat large insects, too. Great horned owls are an important element in our gardens and habitat as they eat varmint, sometimes as many as five to six a day that would otherwise create a problem. Special wing feathers silence an owl’s flight and muffles the sound of the air rushing over the surface of their wings: this allows an owl to hunt by taking their victims by surprise, it also allows the owl to listen for prey movements while still flying. Wingspans of a great horned owl can be as much as 60 inches; the females are slightly larger. Owls use their enormous sharp talons (claws) to catch and carry off their prey, devouring them whole or shredding them to smaller bits. Great horned owls are fairly abundant and common; they are non-migratory. Typical range
size is about two miles, however great horned owls are seldom seen, they are often only
heard at night. A soft five-note hoot is a male great horned owl; a seven-note hoot is the
female. Because owls can see well in the dark, they were once believed to possess
supernatural powers and why owls are often seen as Halloween icons. Nature’s flying jewels In the wild, hummingbirds have two main sources of food: flower nectar and tiny insects, such as gnats and spiders, which provide protein. They gather insects from flowers or snatch them out of the air as they whiz around looking for nectar. Hummingbirds readily use nectar feeders, and since ninety percent of their time is devoted to finding nectar, you really should have one or more of these specially designed feeders in your yard. There are two basic feeder styles: saucer and vacuum. They come in a wide range of capacities, materials and designs, and are easily hung from a tree limb or pole. They also can be mounted directly to the outside of a window. Saucer style feeders are basin feeders covered with a lid, have several feeding ports, and an advantage over vacuum style feeders: they do not leak; lids lift off completely for thorough cleaning. When selecting a hummingbird feeder look for:
Sidebar: Bees and ants are attracted to the same sugar water mixture
as hummingbirds, often creating a nuisance to feeding birds and even fouling the nectar.
Stop ants by putting a barrier, such as water filled moat, between the ants and the
nectar. Bees and wasps have short mouthparts, so bee guards over the end of feeding tubes
help deter their reach. Newer designs in feeders make it difficult for bees and wasps to
get at the nectar. Hummer’s marvelous proficiency of flight The Ruby-throated hummingbird has the largest range of all North American hummingbirds covering almost two-thirds of the United States. These small, sprite-like birds are white below and radiant green above. Males have a brilliant flame-red throat that flashes when the sun strikes it. Hummers advance north when their favorite flowers open. In our gardens bee balm is the most attractive to hummingbirds. Diantha Martin, naturalist at ForMar Nature Preserve in Burton, MI says “when you see the forsythias with their welcomed early yellow blooms, its time to put out your hummingbird feeders.” There’s a plethora of hummingbird feeders available. Hummingbird feeders deliver nectar: a sugar and water solution. Some feeders are designed better than others with features that allow for easy cleaning, built in ant traps and bee guards. J.J.Cardinal’s has a wide assortment of feeders we feel deliver the nectar in the safest and most natural way. This year we will once again offer a pre-packaged hummingbird food (there was some concern about the use of certain additives in years past) which contains no preservatives, food colorings or other additives. What it does contain are two simple sugars: ones that will most closely mimic the natural sugars found in flowers. [Editor's Note: though written in 1998, J.J.Cardinal's continues to sell this popular product.] It is still very important to change the solution often-in hot temperatures every day.
Earliest reports of Hummingbirds in Michigan are April 28th; a lot depends on weather and
growth of natural food available. Placing feeders out early might ensure success in seeing
them as they move into our area. The Gentle Mourning Dove Mourning Doves are very easy to attract to feeding stations because they’ll eat just about any grain. Ideally low, large platform style, screened or unscreened, covered feeders should be used. Mourning Doves roost together sometimes in groups of fifty or more during most winter months. Though not migratory, they will move about in flocks in search of food. In A Guide to Bird Behavior, volume two, by Don and Lillian Stokes, flocks in northern states seem to have a higher percentage of males and contain a social hierarchy with “peck-dominance,” in which certain birds are dominant over others. Doves produce one to two broods per season with usually two eggs that hatch in 14 - 15 days. Both the male and female incubate nestlings. Mourning Doves use their beaks like a straw to sip the water. Most birds require a head-tilt backward to drink. In March courtship behavior and song will begin: a sure sign spring is on its way. Suggested reading for more information on Mourning Doves: The Audubon Society
Encyclopedia of North American Birds, and: The Birder’s Handbook, a Field
Guide to the Natural History of North American Birds available at your favorite
nature book store: JJCardinal's! Species profile: Pine siskin (Carduelis
pinus) Finding and identifying pine siskins among wintering flocks can be exciting, and a challenge; their appearance in our area is very “irregular.” They look very much like the female house finch, but upon closer observation you may notice their bills are a bit pointed instead of chunky and conical, and their wing edges and rumps are tinged in yellow. They are also “high flyers” and are seen flitting from treetop to treetop; flight is undulating as with the American goldfinch. Siskins seem almost tame. They will accept niger (thistle) seed from finch feeders, and will let you approach quite close before taking wing. According to National Geographic Society Field Guide to the Birds of North America, the
pine siskins’ range is north to mid Canada and across the United States. They prefer
mixed woods and coniferous forests in summer, forests, shrubs, and fields in winter. Songbirds and salmonella Tests are underway at the USDA’s Veterinary Services and until tests identify cause they say people who feed birds should not blame themselves for the outbreak-still three precautions are in order: 1) Clean bird feeders with a 10 percent bleach solution, 2) Do not try to rehabilitate sick birds without the legally required permits from federal and state authorities and, 3) If you handle dead birds wrap and place in outdoor garbage container. It is also suggested we should clean feeders on a regular basis and to provide several feeders so the birds aren’t competing for the same food. The Cornell scientists suggest that people with suspected salmonella cases contact the
wildlife conservation office in their home state for directions. “We’d like to
know what stressors are making birds susceptible this year,” says Cornell
veterinarian Barry Hartup. “Maybe the mild winter with a few severe storms?” Screech Owl: They Could Teach a Horse How to Whinny One of Michigan’s smallest Owls, 7-10” with ear tufts, can be seen in red or gray colored plumage. Screech Owls are a familiar and common resident preferring open woodlands and deciduous forests. You can attract Screech Owls with a nesting box. These large boxes with a three-inch opening can be securely mounted on a large tree or utility pole. Males are attentive during nesting, feeding the females during incubation and, the pair will often nest and roost together. After a group hatching that takes place during the evening hours, the young will stay in the nest box and in the same tree for most of the summer season. Live snakes have been known to be brought into the nest where they live with the young owlets...feeding on insect larvae and, may reduce harmful insects that thrive in nests. It has been noted that baby owlets from nests that have snakes grow quicker and healthier than nests without snakes! Our Eastern Screech Owl was put on the “Blue List” in 1981, apparently because of declining populations in the Midwest. One theory is that utility poles (a favorite nesting spot of Screech Owls), once soaked with creosote, caused nesting casualties. The National Audubon Society created the “Blue List” in 1971 to provide us
with an early warning of species that were undergoing reductions in populations or range.
In contrast, by the time a species makes it to the “Endangered” list...it is
often thought to be on its last legs. Species profile: Purple finch (Carpodacus purpureus) In A. C. Bent’s Life Histories of Familiar North American Birds, the purple finch is described as follows: the male, above, is pale geranium-red (often carmine or brick-red), hoary on the nape, the feathers of the back with dusky shaft lines and broad greenish buff edgings. Below, a hoary geranium-pink blending into white on the abdomen, and the flanks are buff colored with a few dusky streaks. Purple finches are easy to identify by their color; no other finch is so rosy red. The female purple finch is actually easier to distinguish from the house finch in that it has a distinctive white stripe above and below the eye. Purple finches are quite outgoing, especially in winter, they are quite friendly at times, except when feeding causes rivalry. Providing several well-spaced feeding stations will reduce this behavior. Purple finches have been known to wander as far south as Louisiana in winter in search
of food. You will find them in mixed flocks of goldfinches, house finches and pine siskins
on catkins, weed seeds and at feeders. White-Breasted Nuthatch: Topsy-Turvy Bird The White-breasted Nuthatch is five to six inches long with short tail, short legs and a strong "tree-clinging" feet. Their bill is chisel-shaped like woodpeckers. The sexes are similar with blue-gray cape across the shoulder and back with clear breast, white face and neck. Under the tail is tawny colored feathers. Females lack the black cap and nape. Nuthatches are easily tame. When hungry, they'll land on a hand for sunflower seeds or a peanut half. They prefer a platform type feeder or a peanut feeder to a perch-type feeder and will readily accept peanut butter or suet smeared on a tree limb. Nuthatches like to hang around with the Black-capped Chickadee and Tufted Titmouse and sometimes the Brown Creeper joins them in winter. You'll see them all feeding together in a flocking behavior that ends with the onset of the breeding season in the spring. Nuthatches will use nest boxes. They prefer to nest quite high up, usually 15-50 feet in a big tree. In making or purchasing a nesting box, make sure the entrance hole is 1-1/8 inches in diameter and the inside floor dimension is four or five inches square; nine to twelve inches high. Although they don't use nest boxes as readily as other species, it's worth the try. Nesting begins in mid-March for the Nuthatch. It depends on the weather. They'll use shreds of bark, rabbit's fur, and feathers; they have also been seen nabbing a few hairs off the neighborhood squirrels! A typical egg count is eight per clutch. You'll know they're Nuthatch eggs if it is white marked with browns, purple and gray. Incubation takes only twelve days and is usually the responsibility of the female--in some rare instances, the male joins in. The oldest White-breasted Nuthatch on record is one caught in Longmont, Colorado when
it was 9-years, 9-months old. Nuthatches have some strange nicknames. They're also known
as: Topsy-Turvy Bird, after their feeding habits; and also as Yank, probably after their
nasal “yank-yank-yank” call. Where Are All My Songbirds? March through September is the usual courtship and breeding season for many species that frequent our back yard bird feeders. All the beautiful songs we hear in early spring announce the start of territorial divisions. Songbirds sing to communicate. Some songs proclaim that this is their chosen breeding and nesting domain. Donald and Lillian Stokes have published a series of books called Bird Behavior, available in three volumes. In these books, the Stokes’ have been able to identify territory sizes through careful and lengthy field observations. The Black-capped Chickadee, for example, almost demands a full ten-acre breeding range! The flocks of Chickadees you may have enjoyed all winter have now split up and established boundaries. You may only see two Black-capped Chickadees in early summer. Small Chickadee families return in late summer. The same is true for the Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch and several other species. Robins, on the other hand, require only 1/4 an acre for breeding and nesting. This is why they seem so common. Another reason you may see fewer birds at the feeder is most songbirds’ diets change dramatically during active nesting. Nestlings develop very fast; Chickadees leave the nest in only twelve days! Seedeaters turn into bug eaters for the rich protein they provide. When they leave the nest, be on the alert-mother and dad may bring the young ones to the “fast food restaurant” in your back yard! Blue Jays, so noisy and gregarious in Spring, become silent and secretive during nesting season. Just about the time you notice you have not heard Blue Jays in awhile, they’re back with a vengeance. Heavy use of lawn & garden pesticides and herbicides sprayed to cut down on insects and weeds are other factors that may alter populations of songbirds. If there is no food present, the birds go where it is. You may also have a predator in the area, i.e., cats, hawks, etc. Our area has experienced rapid growth. If new construction is taking place near your habitat, this may also influence the birds' territorial patterns. Keeping your bird feeders full and clean year round is the best way to attract an
abundant crop of colorful back yard buddies. The nature of bird behavior Most bird’s skills are inherited, but many are instinctive behaviors that are learned through their experiences. The Ruby-throated Hummingbird, for instance, seeks out red colored flowers not instinctively but because most red flowers produce larger nectar pots; hummingbirds have found through experience that red flowers have more food. Instinctive behaviors allow for quick responses: life-saving in predacious circumstances. Other instinctive behaviors are finding a mate, foraging and locating food, rearing of young, and seasonal movement. Birds act in predictable manner in certain situations, while we humans have the ability to consider other options and contemplate outcome. We acquire new information by learning, by experience, and by exposure to certain conditions; so do birds. In A Golden Guide to Bird Life by Stephen W. Kress, birds that eat a variety of foods are usually the quickest to take advantage of new food sources and consequently must be considered the most intelligent. For example, gulls, crows, and ravens have diverse diets; their bills are multi purpose. These birds are quicker to learn and thought of as very intelligent. Another behavior humans and birds have in common is the desire to play. Young children
develop motor and sensory skill while playing and so do birds. In The Audubon Society
Encyclopedia of North American Birds by John K. Terres, adult crows, ravens and magpies
have been seen playing with pebbles, and marsh hawks and other birds of prey are known to
play with their prey. Feeding birds and creating a habitat to attract birds is a rewarding
hobby. If you desire to go further in the study of birds and bird behavior we suggest the
reading material all available at J.J.Cardinal’s: A Guide to Bird Behavior,
by Donald and Lillian Stokes, Vol. I, II, and III; The Audubon Society Encyclopedia of
North American Birds, in encyclopedia treatment with abundant photos; and The
Birder’s Handbook, by Paul R. Ehrlich, David S. Dobkin, and Darryl Wheye. New Character In
The Cast In fall, one somewhat migratory bird, red-breasted nuthatch, seems to cause quite a bit of confusion because it looks very similar to its cousin, white-breasted nuthatch. Its behavior of climbing down tree trunks is similar, too, however it is smaller, has a white stripe above the eye (suggesting an eyebrow), and a reddish blush on the breast. Vocally they sound the same, except the red-breasted nuthatch’s call is higher pitched, and sounds nasal-as if the bird has a cold. In, The Birds of Michigan, author Stan Tekiela reports the name “nuthatch” comes from the Middle English “nuthack,” referring to the birds’ habit of wedging a seed into a crevice and chopping at it with its bill to open. Nuthatches seldom eat their meal at the bird feeder: they will snatch a seed, fly away, and look for a vice to wedge the seed into; closely-related black-capped chickadees do the same thing but usually use their feet as the wedge. If you would like to attract red-breasted nuthatches to your feeding station, their favorite foods include black-oil sunflower, peanut butter spreads, and shelled peanuts. Nuthatches also communally roost in tree crevices in winter to keep warm. Installing a “roosting box” (a box with inside perches and bottom entrance hole), away from birdfeeders, will attract the attention of nuthatches and chickadees, too. The life expectancy of the red-breasted nuthatch is only 10-months to two years
(because of its northern lifestyle), and we can help the nuthatch survive harsh conditions
by offering food, water, and a place to keep warm in winter. |
||||||||
| Bird Feeding | Summer Bird Feeding J.J. Cardinal’s Notebook Vol. 2-3, June 1993 Every year about this time, customers inquire about summer feeding--should stop feeding the birds or continue? Two fears are it will cause wild birds to become overly dependent on the human-supplied offerings, thus they will loose their natural abilities to forage for food in the wild. The second anti-feeding argument suggests that the availability of easily obtained food might lure migratory birds to linger longer at the feeder, causing them to miss their optimum chance for a successful trip south. As reported in a recent Wall Street Journal article, bird experts reject both theories. The rhythms of migration are hormonally driven, and no amount of food, no matter how tasty (even J.J.'s Suet recipes!), will delay a bird's takeoff to warmer climates. The idea that birds lose their natural abilities to survive or that their young will not learn to eat naturally because of our offerings has been firmly disapproved by scientists. As reported in the spring 1992 issue of the Journal of Field Ornithology, wildlife ecologists at the University of Wisconsin carried out a controlled experiment involving two groups of Chickadees. One bunch well fed at feeders for three years was left to fend for themselves, the other a carefully monitored Chickadee flock that had no possible experience with feeding stations. These two groups were compared during a harsh winter, and the former-feeders proved to have the same survival rate as the feeder-virgins. We put up feeders of course to feed the birds, but also for our pure enjoyment, education, and the entertainment of watching nature up close. So, do not put away that bird feeder this summer. Keep it filled and enjoy the show! [ top] If you place it, they will come If you choose to provide feed throughout the winter, it is best to begin in mid-autumn prior to wintering birds’ decision on territory and flocking choices. Many species of birds will “flock-up” during winter months-these species include: Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, and White-breasted Nuthatch to name a few. We are often asked which kind of food is best to attract birds-our answer is usually “a variety.” The birds visiting feeding stations generally fall into three major groups: those who feed mainly on seeds, those who choose insects, and those who eat both. J.J.’s Best Mix (one of five Quality Custom Blended™ mixes we offer), will satisfy any seed-eating species who visit feeding stations. J.J.’s Best Mix contains a mixture of seeds shown to be highly attractive during field testing sessions. In the National Audubon Society Birdfeeding Handbook you will see a variety of foods recommended: nut meats, peanut butter, bread crumbs, pancakes, doughnuts, raisins, fruits, etc. In essence, the more variety you have, the more types of birds you will attract. If you want to attract a gaggle of birds, you will need more than one feeder. A good feeding set-up would include: a platform feeder for offering a mixed seed blend; a tube-style feeder for offering sunflower seeds, or mixture of seeds; a thistle feeder for finches; a suet feeder for insect eating species, and fruit feeder. Variety and location are very important. Variety will not only increase overall numbers but also species. Inevitably, you will have wild mammals visiting your feeding stations. Be assured, there are effective, inexpensive devices to deal with this if it becomes a problem. In addition to offering seed, suet, and fruit, consider adding plants that will not only supply food for birds but offer shelter and nesting sites. Viburnums, mulberries, birches, cherries, elderberries, dogwoods, grapes, and bayberries are good choices. We invite you to provide our naturalists a simple plan of the site you wish to develop into a wildlife feeding area including: home and tree placement, types of plantings, and types of feeders (if any) present. This will help determine what would be necessary to round-out the habitat for the species of wildlife present in your area. [Note: In the fall of 1999, Cornell Institute of
Ornithology recommended spacing feeders well apart to thwart the spread of disease. In
years when birds migrate widely, also known as “interruptive” years, the
movement stresses the birds and makes them more susceptible to illness. We had high
numbers of salmonella and lost large flocks of Common Redpolls, and Pine Siskins in 1999.
Feeder cleanliness is also stressed.] New Bird Feeder Suggestions
Remember to keep the ground under the feeder free of seed husks. If you are seeing a
lot of uneaten seeds on the ground, check with us to make sure you are using the right mix
of seeds for the species you are attracting. Bird droppings mixing in with this mess can
harbor bacteria that could be potentially harmful to the birds and other wildlife eating
at the feeding area. If you have any questions concerning bird feeding, species
identification, or any other topic about birds, please feel free to call J.J.
Cardinal’s. We will try to answer your questions, and if we do not have an answer, we
will find it for you. Birds at my Window When a bird selects a nesting site, the immediate area becomes its territory and it assertively protects it by driving other birds away with aggressive behavior and calls. Birds have a strong instinct for territory protection, especially during breeding season. This instinct helps curtail competition for food and nesting sites. Songs and calls, usually sung by adult male birds, are familiar indicators of nesting territoriality in birds. A species' typical song, sung from chosen perches in its territory, says, in effect, "Here I am. This is where my mate and I plan to nest; others of my species respect my boundaries." The size of territory varies with the time of year (breeding or non-breeding season), species, and the availability of food in the area. If you are feeding birds during nesting season do not stop feeding. Birds will depend on your offerings; populations may be inflated because of food offered. Plentiful food means smaller territories, and less food means birds have to forage for food over a larger area. Birds defend their territories most insistently during the nesting season when they are protecting a nest site. It is during this period, usually April through August, when most birds begin their courtship, breed, build a nest, and raise their young (probably 2 or 3 broods), that most "window fighting" takes place. Territories vary in size; a typical suburban songbird such as an American Robin requires only approximately ¼ acre for its territory while a pair of Black-capped Chickadees will chase off trespassers in an area of eight to seventeen acres. When a bird sees its reflection in a window or other reflective surface (birds have also been known to fling themselves at other shiny objects), it takes it for a rival and tries to drive the other bird off. Unlike a real bird, which would normally back off, the rival in the glass appears to fight back as often as it is attacked. Birds have no ability to reason or to comprehend the concept of reflection. To a male cardinal, for instance, its own reflection is a rival and he has no choice but to attack it until it leaves. Territorial behavior at windows occurs most often in birds that frequent yards and have nest sites in trees and shrubs near houses. The birds mostly frequently reported displaying the behavior are the American Robin and Northern Cardinal. During their search for a nest site these birds probably catch a glimpse of their reflection in a window and the battle begins. Despite the forceful appearance of this behavior from the other side of the window, the birds rarely kill themselves. An individual may, however, become very stressed because the other bird keeps reappearing and, if the behavior continues, cause injury to its bill. The breeding season (the time in which birds mate, build
nests, lay eggs, and rear young) is the time when birds are most territorial. For
cardinals and robins the breeding season may total five or six weeks; but the window
bashing could continue off and on between May and August as two or three broods are
hatched during that time. The best solution to the problem is to cover the outside of the
window with a non-reflective material such as a sheet of plastic. A medium-weight, plastic
painter's drop cloth (available in hardware stores and home centers) works well; it is
clear enough to allow light into the room but cloudy enough to eliminate reflection.
Attach the plastic to the top of the window and allow it to hang freely over the outside
of the window. The bird will no longer be able to see itself in the window, and the
movement of the plastic will frighten it as it blows in the wind. Bluebirds’ Diet
Bluebird Food Recipe A basic recipe that you can adapt by adding your own ingredients as seen in The Bluebird Book by Donald and Lillian Stokes:
Add chopped raisins, nut meats or peanut hearts. Raisins, especially those that have been softened by soaking briefly in boiling water are appealing to Bluebirds. Other foods to try are small pieces of suet, currants, sunflower hearts, mealworms, or berries such as those of dogwood, multiflora rose or sumac. Bluebird Organizations Books, Journals, and Newsletters about Bluebirds
Videos Internet Sites Even the Board of Health Would Approve Update 9/18/00 Feeder Cleanliness Almost everyone who feeds the tiny hummingbird knows the importance of keeping the feeder sanitary. Experts suggest changing the nectar (sugar and water solution) daily, or certainly every two or three days in cooler temperatures. When you offer grains and seeds at the bird feeder, be aware of the dangers of spoilage and act accordingly. If you erect a feeding station, be responsible for it. You would not eat a slice of moldy bread-so why would you offer moldy seed to wildlife? When you fill your feeder, don’t just routinely “top” it off. Remove the old seed at the bottom of the feeder. Even just a little moisture can cause seed to spoil. Usually the birds will stop eating the food or eat enough to become exposed to some illness. Salmonellosis is the most prevalent at dirty bird feeding stations and is usually fatal. To reduce the risk of this disease and other disease, we offer these tips:
When using platform feeders, the good rule of thumb is not to offer more food that birds can eat in a day. Hanging tube feeders can be cleaned by loosening the screws at the bottom and removing the perches. Long-handled bird feeder brushes make tube cleaning a breeze. Brushes only $6.95. Keeping your back yard feeding stations clean and free from avian disease should be as high on your list of importance as keeping your feathered friends fed, watered and well! The practice of peanut feeding has become very popular.
When offering shelled peanuts it is especially important to make sure the peanuts are kept
dry. Wet peanuts may expose birds to a toxic mold. Even humid hot conditions should be of
special concern. If the peanut feeder you have is not emptied in a few days-do not fill it
completely until feeding activity increases. [Editor’s
Note: prices mentioned above are subject to change.] J.J. Cardinal’s Notebook Vol. 7 Issue 1 Spring, 1998 Did someone decide for you this past holiday that bird feeding would be your new hobby? Chances are (if you’re typical), you received a bird feeder or critter feeder as a gift. Perhaps you may not have figured out what to do with it, yet. Creating an attractive wildlife habitat is an easy task with the appropriate tools, information, wildlife food and advice you’ll find at J.J. Cardinal’s Wild Bird & Nature Store. If this new hobby turns into a passion, you are in good company. According to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, more than 65 million people are feeding and enjoying birds and wildlife in North America.
| ||||||||
