May 03

Competitive Birding for Conservation

By Brian Cunningham Big Day, Birds, Events, Warblers Leave a Comment »
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John Schaust, Chief Naturalist Wild Birds Unlimited

John Schaust, Chief Naturalist Wild Birds Unlimited

Brian Cunningham, Product and Hobby Education Manager Wild Birds Unlimited

Brian Cunningham, Product and Hobby Education Manager Wild Birds Unlimited

Rob Ripma, Wild Birds Unlimited Sales Associate, Nuttybirder.com Author and Blogger

Rob Ripma, Wild Birds Unlimited Sales Associate, Nuttybirder.com Author and Blogger

119 species in 2011

143 species in 2012

300 species in 2013?

Team Wild Birds Unlimited is participating again in our local Audubon’s Birdathon. We found 119 species in a single day two years ago, 143 last year and hope to find close to 175 this year.

Recently, a Birdathon team from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology made North American history with 294 species recorded in a single day on April 25, 2013 in Texas. With around 400 bird species found in Indiana in a calendar year, Team Wild Birds Unlimited could only dream of that kind of number.

But, it’s not just about the number of species seen for a Birdathon team. It’s about bird conservation.

Birding teams do these Big Day Birdathon events to raise funds for much-needed bird conservation and education. Funds pledged this year for our Wild Birds Unlimited Team go toward bird habitat protection, research and education; particularly for the beautiful and vulnerable Cerulean Warbler. Check out the projects or make a pledge by clicking the links.

Will we surpass 150 species this year? 175? Follow our Big Day Birdathon progress on May 16 via the Wild Birds Unlimited, Inc. Facebook page. We’ll start the day at 3:00 a.m. EDT and will post updates throughout the day.

Make a financial pledge, wish us luck and follow our progress!

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May 22

Warbler Magic

By John Schaust Big Day, Bird ID, Birding, Birds, Events, Warblers Leave a Comment »
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Pine Warbler

Pine Warbler

Townsend's Warbler

Townsend’s Warbler

He must have had a strong premonition!

A few weeks ago (May 3) my colleague Brian posted a blog entitled, “Competitive Birding for Conservation.” He wrote about Team WBU’s upcoming Birdathon with high hopes and expectations and he questioned if we could surpass a total of 150 birds.

The reality is that we tallied exactly 150 birds! He must be psychic!

The Birdathon was a tough 24 hours of hardcore birding filled with exciting discoveries of uncommon birds and heartbreaking misses of some common ones.

But one of the constants throughout the day was the quest to count as many of the 40 potential species of warblers that can be found in Indiana during spring migration. While some warblers nest in the state, most of them are just passing through. So, you always revere every sighting of these colorful songsters.

We ended the day with 23 warbler species…not as many as we had hoped to find; but, enough to make for some exciting birding.

Warblers are truly the door prize for bird watchers! And while these insect-eating birds are not typically attracted to seed feeders, they can be attracted to your back yard with suet products, mealworms and/or water.

It is truly a magical moment when you glance outside and see your first Townsend’s warbler visiting the suet feeder or a Pine Warbler munching down on mealworms. And I don’t think I have to be psychic to assume that Brian would agree that attracting them to feeders is a whole lot easier than spending 24 hours chasing them all around the state!

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Apr 16

Amazing Memory

By Brian Cunningham Birds, Hummingbirds, Migration, New Products 3 Comments »
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Immature Female Rufous Hummingbird

Immature Female Rufous Hummingbird

WBU High Perch Hummingbird Feeder

WBU High Perch Hummingbird Feeder

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Did you ever wonder how a hummingbird will show up in your yard and check out the hummingbird feeder or hanging nectar plant that was there last year but hasn’t been put out yet this year? How do the birds know? It’s almost like they remember the nectar-rich food source. It is amazing that a bird would remember, especially one with the brain the size of a BB. Consider what a hummingbird does each year. They migrate great distances going south to winter in southern Mexico and northern Panama. They travel as far north as Alaska and Canada for breeding. Up to a 2,500 mile trip one way. An impressive feat performed by such a small-brained bird weighing about one penny. Bird banding records show many hummingbirds pass through the same yards, on the same day, year after year. Males return to stake claim on the same territory as the previous year. Females return to the same tree for nesting and sometimes re-use last year’s nest. One study found a female reused her nest for five years in a row. It is amazing how the smallest bird in the world can be so formidable with its memory and come back to feed from a nectar feeder it remembers from last year.

Hang your hummingbird feeders now and keep the nectar fresh. Those amazing jewels of nature are migrating back for the summer.

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Mar 29

Nesting Foods

By Brian Cunningham Birds, Chickadee, Eastern Bluebird, Nesting Leave a Comment »
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Carolina Wren

Carolina Wren

Though the recent snow storm in the Midwest doesn’t reflect it, spring officially sprang last week. Have you been listening to the ever increasing dawn chorus (see March 4 post)? It’s a sign that birds will soon be nesting. Your chickadees and bluebirds may have already started new home selections which means precious, little eggs aren’t far behind. Do you have the right nesting-food resources to help birds thrive?

Foods that nesting birds seek include protein and calcium and are found in a number of WBU offerings such as any of the WBU Plus Blends, Jim’s Birdacious Bark Butter Bits and mealworms.

WBU Plus Blends, compared to other blends, provide a more balanced nutritional offering at feeding stations to meet the needs of nesting birds and increase the frequency of visits to feeders. Not only do they provide much needed supplemental energy for the high demands of the nesting season, but also the added calcium is the perfect ingredient to help strengthen egg shells for nesting birds and an essential building block as baby birds grow.

Bark Butter Bits are high in fat, protein and calcium and are a convenient nugget way to attract a wide variety of birds and know you are providing the desired nutrients for nesting season.

Mealworms are quite a treat for the birds and you. Birds naturally eat insects for the high-protein value, and much of a nestling’s and fledgling’s diet is insects. Offering mealworms provides that stable supplement. Mealworms are not slimy or icky. They’re like a caterpillar without the fur. Besides, you don’t have to touch them. Use a plastic spoon to scoop them into a feeder.

It’s the perfect time to offer nesting foods to help birds thrive, and you get to enjoy attracting them to your yard for a more intimate look while they raise families.

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Mar 22

Bluebird Alert!

By John Schaust Birds, Bluebirds, Hobby Fun 1 Comment »
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It is hard to imagine, but the Wild Birds Unlimited corporate office sits in the middle of a fairly sterile suburban setting.

It wasn’t always so.

When WBU, Inc. moved into its current office space almost 20 years ago, the area surrounding it was mostly undeveloped fields, pasture and woodland. Prime bluebird habitat.

But as the years passed almost every one of these open spaces was developed into housing and office complexes. As a result, our bluebird boxes went unexplored and empty for many years. Even seeing a bluebird became a very rare event.

Until yesterday!

The buzz began around mid-morning with the first sighting literally outside our front door, a pair of bluebirds sitting on the sidewalk not more than three feet away!

As the bluebird alert filtered throughout the building, the front windows became the place to be. Our staff photographer grabbed his camera and began shooting away. There was a rush to the bird food closet to prepare a Bark Butter Bits® treat for our visitors. Dozens of staff members came out of their offices to get a glimpse of the royal couple.

Throughout the remainder of the day any gathering space with front windows became a tough place to meet as the bluebirds proved to be a strong and yet delightful distraction.

I am happy to report that the bluebirds are still distracting us today.

Needless to say, those of who make a living helping to bring the joy of birds to your backyard sure got excited when these bluebirds came to ours!

We have had a number of reports that seem to indicate that bluebirds are utilizing urban habitats more than in the past. Do you have bluebirds in your neighborhood?

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Feb 08

Harbinger of Spring?

By Brian Cunningham American Robin, Birds, Migration 2 Comments »
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It has often been said that the first sign of an American Robin foraging on the lawn means spring is on the way. But is the robin still a harbinger of spring?

Robins typically gather in flocks in autumn to migrate south to escape harsh winter weather. However, times seem to be changing.

More and more robins seem to be overwintering in more northern states and southern Canada. Even range maps show them to winter in the States including coastal Alaska and coastal and southern Canada. Check out the robins’ range map by clicking here.

Robins are not a typical feeder bird; but, they are known to visit feeders in lean times such as periods of harsh weather. Open water is always very attractive to robins and they can be enticed to some foods. Some of my favorite robin foods include the following.

* Raisins or currants soaked for a few minutes in water
* Live mealworms are a great treat and those in more northern areas can offer them in a heated dish filled with sphagnum moss
* Bark Butter Bits
* Sunflower chips

Foods are best offered in tray feeders whether on the ground or hanging. A hopper feeder with a wide platform works well. My personal favorite is the Dinner Bell feeder for offering food to robins because it has an accessible tray and a protective dome.

Are robins still a harbinger of spring? For the most part, I think they are. However, don’t be surprised to see a few robins around your neighborhood before spring arrives.

Where are you seeing robins?

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Jan 16

Touched by Owls

By John Schaust Bird Calls & Songs, Birds, Great Horned Owl Leave a Comment »
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I sometimes question my decision to live and work within the boundaries of a large city.

The need for daily interaction with nature is inescapable for me, and that can be tough in a suburban setting.

That is why I love this time of year when one of my most spine tingling interactions with nature often occurs right outside the window of my home.

It happened last night as I was nodding off into that twilight zone between dreams and reality. Just outside the bedroom window, filtering down from the hillside trees…whooo…whoo-hoo….who..who. Great Horned Owls!

Oh Man! I love it!

I am not sure why this pair has chosen my trees from which to declare their bond to each other, but I hope they are as stirred by each others calls as I am by theirs.

Great Horned Owls will begin nesting in my area in the next few weeks. Courtship is in full swing and apparently I am lucky enough to have a box seat for their musical duet.

Odds are good that you too have a pair of these large and long-lived owls living nearby. Able to thrive in virtually any habitat found in the United States, Canada and Mexico, they are equally at home in wilderness or suburban settings.

So listen as you go to sleep, or bundle up and go outside, you too may be touched by the magical call of your own neighbor…the Great Horned Owl.

And if you are, please consider sharing your experience here.

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To help learn the call of the Great Horned Owl, visit allaboutbirds.org to hear a great audio clip.

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Jan 10

Finch ID – Take a Closer Look

By Brian Cunningham Bird ID, Birds, Cassin's Finch, House Finch, Purple Finch Leave a Comment »
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Take a closer look at that finch on your feeder. Are you sure it’s what you thought?

Distinguishing between House, Purple and Cassin’s Finches can be a bit tricky. But, there are clues to help make positive identifications much simpler.

First of all, determine which finches are in your area. Click the bird names below to see range maps.

Second, check out the coloration and/or face patterns.

You can tell the male finches apart mostly by body coloration.

Male House Finch
Red to orange (and sometimes yellow) coloration
Coloration most brilliant on the forehead
Brown cheek patch, back and wings (no red)

Male Purple Finch
Coloration looking like the bird was dipped head first into raspberry jam or red wine
Reddish on cheek, back and wings

Male Cassin’s Finch
Bright red crown – contrasts with lighter red face and chin
Whitish eye ring

You can tell the female finches apart mostly by face coloration.

Female House Finch
Basic brown and white streaked bird

Female Purple Finch
Bright white eyebrow and mustache stripe bordering a brown cheek patch

Female Cassin’s Finch
Faint white eyebrow and mustache stripe bordering a brown cheek patch

Check out the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s helpful web page on Tricky Bird IDs for more tips on the difference between House, Purple and Cassin’s Finches.

Take a closer look. Which finches are at your feeders?

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Nov 29

A Bird in the Hand

By Brian Cunningham Birds, Hand Feeding, Mountain Chickadee 2 Comments »
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Jim Carpenter hand feeding a Mountain Chickadee

A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush; especially, if the bird is eating from your hand.

This is the perfect time of year to teach birds like chickadees to eat from your hand. Here are some suggestions to create this amazing experience.

If the birds hang nearby while you fill your feeders, try putting some food in your hand and wait patiently with your hand near the feeder. You can help to speed up the process by covering the ports on one side of the feeder to help guide the birds to your hand on the opposite side. It is amazing how often a chickadee will land on your hand with no fear or intimidation.

If the birds are not adventurous enough to check out the food in your hand with this method, then try setting up a bird-feeding “double” of yourself. Just think of a non-scary scarecrow. Stuff some clothes with paper or something and “sit” your double in a chair by the bird feeders. Rest an arm on the chair’s armrest with a glove filled with food. Finish it with a hat and sunglasses.

Once the birds are comfortable feeding from your double’s hand, don the clothes and sit in the chair with food in your hand.

Patience is key; but, the rewards are so worth it.

Tell us about your bird-in-the-hand feeding experience?

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Nov 21

Out of Town Guests

By Brian Cunningham Bird ID, Bird Irruption, Pine Siskin, Purple Finch, Red-Breasted Nuthatch Leave a Comment »
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Red-breasted Nuthatch

Pine Siskin (Left), American Goldfinch (Right). Photo courtesy of Nancy Castillo.

Purple Finch, male

The day before Thanksgiving is the busiest single travel day of the year, for people; but, what about birds? This year there are many out of town birds that are enjoying being backyard guests.

It’s already been an exciting season of new birds at feeders and more backyards are being visited every week. Check out the information below on the more irregular guests showing up at feeders.

Red-breasted Nuthatch (eBird location map)
With southward movement that began in mid-summer, they are being seen in all provinces and lower 48 states. Watch for them at feeders. They prefer seed blends with sunflower, peanuts and tree nuts and they like suet products.

Pine Siskin (eBird location map)
These opportunistic nomads are still moving into many areas. Watch for them at feeders; especially visiting with goldfinches. They prefer Nyjer and sunflower chips. Click here for identification clues to quickly determine if there are any Pine Siskin on your feeders.

Purple Finch (eBird location map)
Expect strong southward movement this year. Be aware that their numbers have been declining in recent decades. Watch for them at feeders. They prefer Nyjer and sunflower. Click here for identification clues to quickly determine which finches are on your feeders: House Finch, Purple Finch or Cassin’s Finch.

What out of town guest birds are entertaining you?

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