Birds and Squirrels

  A Bluebirds’ diet consists of insects and fruit. These birds will perch themselves on a branch looking down waiting for an insect, then swoop in on them almost like a bird of prey. If you want to feed them you can plant native plants like American Bittersweet, or you can try providing them with mealworms. These worms (which are actualy beetle larval and not worms at all) will provide them with a high source of nutrition and protein. 

  You can first try feeding them by putting the worms in a pan or cup close to one of thier favorite perches. They are quick to learn where the food is and can even be trained to come to a call or whistle. The biggest problem with feeding Bluebirds mealworms is, they aren’t the only ones who enjoy these mouthwatering treats. Solution? Try a Bluebird Feeder. With a Bluebird feeder the bird has to enter through a entrance hole where the food is and most other birds will not do this. In the end you will have plenty of hours to spend with these beautiful birds!

Quickly becoming one of America’s favorite birds is the Oriole. With their striking black and orange or yellow feathers and their unique whistles and song it’s easy to understand why. So why not bring some more color into your yard with these beautiful birds! Orioles do most of their migrating at night so by the time they get to you they’re ready to eat. 

Now how to feed them? Nectar feeders with Oriole nectar are always a good idea. But nectar isn’t the only food on the menu. Try getting a fruit and jelly feeder. Cut oranges in half and attach them to the feeder with the juicy side out. The other favorite is grape jelly, I’ve heard many people say that not only do they keep their orioles around longer (some say all winter) but the sugar content makes for a high-energy food. And if you also love Woodpeckers, Robins, Warblers and Tanagers you’ll have your yard filled with favorites. Once you get them you can try some other foods. I had one person say her Orioles and Blue jays loved popcorn! No salt please. So feed and enjoy!

  Bluebirds were once a common sight in suburban and rural areas. Much admired for their beautiful coloring and their distinctive song. The Eastern Bluebird (one of 3 types of Bluebirds’) is the state bird of both New York and Missouri.

  All Bluebirds are cavity nesters. Due to loss of nesting habitat such as tree holes, and old fence posts or orchards and the introduction of House Sparrows and Starlings from Europe in the later 1800’s the Bluebird population declined nearly 90% by 1970. But today Bluebirds growing numbers can be attributed to the many humans who are putting up nest boxes to help them. All you need is a fairly open area, along with food and water sources nearby. 

  Bluebirds’ mate in the spring and summer, with the female laying 4 to 5 light blue eggs which will take about two weeks to hatch. Both the male and the female will care for the young. In addition during the second nesting, occasionally one of the young Bluebirds from the first brood will remain to help raise the young.

Last weekend I had the privilege of watching three swallow-tailed kites flying right over my house. If you’ve  been lucky enough to see these raptors in flight you already know how elegant and graceful they are. They seldom flap their 48″ to 50″ wings while flying, but will almost continuously rotate their tails to make sharp turns, keep their heading or just make large easy circles high above, as if out for a afternoon stroll. If you don’t happen to already have them in hand, these birds will usually stick around long enough for you go grab your binoculars for a closer look. Which is always well worth it!

Kites are unlike most other raptors in that their talons and bills are not as large or strong. For this reason their diet is made up of mostly smaller weaker prey such as insects, frogs, lizards, snakes and small birds. They circle the tree tops in search of prey and will swoop down take and it on the wing. These beautiful raptors are unlike any other species and to see them in flight with their forked tails soaring high above is shear pleasure and a bird watchers treat!

  When attempting to attract Goldfinches to your yard sometimes less is more. Just plant some of their favorites like Marigolds, Zinnias, Cosmos, or Cornflowers and don’t bother to cut off the tops, Goldfinches love them. You don’t even have to weed out the dandelions these also are favorites. What a great excuse to get out of weeding!

 Of course you’re also going to want to put up some thistle tube feeders, since other than the plants you’ve planted for them they eat seed almost exclusively. Even to the point of bringing partially digested seed to feed their brood. And if you want to keep them around all year you’ll want to keep those feeders full. To keep them from competing too much over the feeder you can always put up some extra inexpensive thistle sacks. That way you’re sure to keep these golden beauties close to you with their delightful songs and charming flights.

 A Hummingbird’s nest is made out of soft material such as moss and lichen. She also uses bits of willow, animal and plant down. Then she will hold it all together with spider webs (which happens to make a great glue ). With some materials becoming harder for her to find, and having to settle for items such as dryer lint. We can help her out  with the perfect Nesting Material that we provide ourselves!  

 Hummingbirds build their nests on a “Y” of a tree branch, they are cup shaped like half of a walnut shell, and are about the size of a ping pong ball. They are camouflaged so well with their surroundings, it is often difficult to find them. One of the easiest ways to find a nest is to watch the hummer as she collects the nesting material and follow her back to the nest site. She brings a little at a time, so don’t get upset if you don’t see where she goes at first. You’ll have many more chances to find her nest!

If you want to bring North America’s largest swallow and only Martin on this continent to be a guest at your house try putting up a Purple Martin House. However  make sure when putting up your Martin House it is in the center of the most open place available, at least 30 feet from human housing and 40 feet minimum from any trees. 

East of the Rockies, Purple Martins are completely dependent on humans for their  houses. For more than 100 years Martins have nested almost exclusively in Purple Martin Houses put up by us (humans). Purple Martins  are unusual due to the fact that several pairs will nest in a Martin House with multiple compartments. Once you have attracted the subadults to your house they will return year after year to you. They enjoy the company of humans and will reward you with their beautiful songs.Purple Martins are unique that they get their food (insects) and water while in flight. They skim the surface of the  water and scoop it up with their lower bill.