I got quite a few messages from our birders who were stunned to see orioles visiting their bird-feeders this month. Is this possible? In the past few winters, these golden gems have increasingly been spotted...
There should be a sign: Animals are sleeping here! Not only bears hibernate in the winter. A wide variety of animals have adopted this mechanism to save themselves from perishing in the cold.
It’s always incredible to see birds sensing the season changes. With inner mechanisms and systems like alarm clocks, the birds intuitively know: it’s time to fly south.
The way they sense the shifts in the seasons is by their internal barometer. They can sense changes in air pressure or the dropping of temperature. But no one knows exactly how they sense it, a conundrum that has left many scientists scratching their heads. For instance,birds know hours ahead of time when a storm is coming,which helps them decide on where to feed, hide or fly away. A mystery, but it’s true.
Ahhh, it’s that time of year where the streets are lit up for the holidays!
But there are a few extra guests that want in on this super extravaganza: your local birds!
As temperatures fall, there is less food for the birds to peck on. There are less insects and other protein sources, like there are in warmer climes. Survival for our birds is getting tougher.
There’s a nasty rumor going around that bird-feeders can spread diseases and therefore are best avoided all together. Well, it can be partly true, at least the disease part. But we need to shed light on the fact that bird-feeding canbe safe and that we don’t have to give up on such a fulfilling pastime that keeps millions of Americans happy and millions of birds cheerful.
Bird feeding can be done year-round, all over the world. So naturally, many myths have grown up around it, some of which are bad for our feathered friends’ feeding habits and can even harm them.
Let’s debunk a few myths and find out the true facts so that we can stay on the up and up with our avian guests.
Living in the big city where there are more sky-scrapers than tall trees, one would think that birds would be few and far between. But at the end of the day, birds will go wherever food is offered to them, even if you live on the 26th floor.
Most of us city dwellers would love to see more nature through our windows to complement the billboards and grey skyline. By simply providing a spot on your window or terrace with food and water, you may just find a few curious creatures nibbling on your seeds and keeping you company.
It’s all fine and dandy buying your bird feeder, filling it withseeds and just waiting for the birds to arrive. What happens if they don’t? And what happens if they do come but you are actually doing them more harm than good?
Here are 8 easy tips to enhance your bird watching experience, enjoy more of their company, attract many more kinds of species while keeping the wildlife around you safe and sound.
For birds, apart from the social aspect of preening or cooling off from the heat, bathing is really important for their survival. Their feathers need to be washed and cleaned and in pristine condition. Water cleanses them from dirt, parasites, bacteria and other unpleasantries. This is important because should their feathers stay unwashed, these pests can damage their feathers, cause infections and disease and perhaps even kill our poor flyer.
Wouldn't it be great to look at your hummingbird feeder and “get to know your regulars?”
The hummingbird is one of the most popular birds in North America - as well as one of the cutest and tiniest. There are over 300 species flying around the globe but only 20 of those species visit us in North America and Canada. Out of that 20 - only a handful stay year round.
Many define grackles, as well as starlings and pigeons, as pests. Crop growers see their fields being damaged by crows and blackbirds. Homeowners see them as bullies. Grackles scare their beloved songbirds from their bird feeders and steal their food.
We at Nature Anywhere don’t believe in inhumane treatments such as poison and lethal traps. Crop growers commonly use poison as well as other harmful chemicals to “get rid” of the grackles. But not only is it inhumane, it also doesn’t work. Grackles have the power of numbers! Poisoning birds who roam in large flocks is a lost battle.
Hopping and chee-chee’ing around our grasslands, bobolinks are the only member of the genus Dolichonyx. Unfortunately for us they are in decline.
This is truly saddening as no other North American songbird has such a beautiful white back and black underparts, or such sweet sounds as the melodious male chirp - not to mention the unique blonde wig on his head!
