Backyard Birds

Our backyard bird feeders have seen a big jump in activity over the past two to three weeks, and I am filling the feeders at least once a day.  We have three feeders out all year: include mixed nuts, fruits & seeds, black oil sunflower seeds, and thistle.  In winter, we add a fourth feeder with a variety of suet types.  There is also a birdbath, heated in winter, in addition to the small pond behind our house.  The heated birdbath guarantees fresh water all year, even when the pond freezes.  We also have plenty of cover for the feeders with two large Austrian pine trees and a small multi-stem Amelanchier tree.  There are plenty of other bushes and trees on neighboring properties, all within 50-70 yards of our feeders.  Our garden plants provide berries and seeds from sunflowers, coneflowers, Amelanchier tree and honeysuckle vine.

The bird species we see change from season to season as summertime birds migrate south at this time of year and winter birds move into the area to take their places.  Food sources change, winter shelter requirements are different, and water availability becomes much more important when freezing temperatures arrive.  Within the last few weeks, I have noticed that many of the summer resident birds have left the area including the house wren, chipping sparrow, killdeer, ruby-throated hummingbird, green heron and great egret.  A few may still be sticking around until it gets really cold, but most individuals have already headed south to follow the warmer temperatures.

Year-round residents include red-bellied woodpecker, house finch, mourning dove, black-capped chickadee, white-breasted nuthatch, northern cardinal and American goldfinch.  But, we are already starting to see some winter only residents at our feeders including dark-eyed junco and purple finch.  These two species spend their breeding season farther north, but return to this area during winter as they move around in search of food.  All of the birds visiting our backyard in the winter will eat seeds, although some of the insect foragers are still checking out our trees and garden soils.  The red-bellied woodpecker and white-breasted nuthatch scurry over the trunk and limbs of our two Austrian Pines checking out all of the crevices and nubs and knobs.  Goldfinches primarily eat thistle seed, but can also be observed on many coneflowers in the garden.  The mixed nuts and fruit blend attracts the white-breasted nuthatch, the red-breasted nuthatch, and the red-bellied woodpecker.  I have observed all of the species, at one time or another, eating black oil sunflower seeds.  Most species are comfortable with the perches available on the different feeders, although the mourning dove is mainly a ground feeder, scavenging for dropped seed along with squirrels and ducks and the occasional skunk.

We tend to think that birds live in nests.  However, nesting is primarily a breeding season activity, encompassing early spring to mid-summer in our area.  Many of the birds in our backyards spend winter periods as close to food sources as possible.  Habitat in our area includes several distinct micro-environments offering differing levels of protection and accessibility.  Medium sized shrubbery, thick with many small stems and twigs, is used by sparrows, finches and other small birds.  Evergreen trees and bushes provide cover for cardinals and mourning doves.  Large oak, linden and maple trees are favored by woodpeckers and nuthatches.  Areas of tall, thick grasses may be used by all species during daytime foraging activities.  All of these habitats provide shelter from wind, cold and predators. 

Water availability is another prime concern for over-wintering species.  Birds need water every day to maintain a healthy metabolism to keep their body temperature and hydration level normal.  They use water in the process of preening their feathers to maintain an outer covering that is waterproof and provides good insulation for their bodies.  They will travel long distances to find open water.  If none can be found, they may resort to eating snow, if that is available.  We provide a heated birdbath which I fill at least once a day and clean every two to three days.  Dozens of birds visit each day and it can be one of the highlights of bird observation in our own backyards.  Providing food, water and shelter for the birds in our neighborhoods can provide a daily dose of rich and rewarding fun for your family. 

If you are looking for ways to get further involved, consider looking into all of the information and citizen science opportunities at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.  Their Project Feederwatch (click on name to link to URL) offers a fun way to observe and report on action at your own backyard bird feeders.