Learning Center

Thinking of the new year ahead?

Maybe a change is exactly what you need. Changes don’t have to be big. They can also come in small doses, like seeing other songbirds at your feeder! 

This can be done by any of these 4 simple options:

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. 

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.

Woody Allen famously defined them as “rats with wings” in his movie Stardust Memories, though It was originally coined by Thomas Hoving, New York City’s parks commissioner, in 1966. The movie, however, spread the negative rap on pigeons like fire. They were ״officially״ bullying parasites who spread diseases.  

Thankfully there are many who, despite the gloomy pigeon outlook, still spread bread crumbs in their town square. Washington square - NYC, Trafalgar Square - London, Melbourne/Sydney - Australia, Buenos Aires - Argentina, Mumbai - India…the list goes on. 

Makes you think: these guys have taken over the world!

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.

Squirrels. Love ‘em or hate ‘em, they are a very common part of our wildlife. To some they are purely “annoying” pests hogging and stealing from bird feeders, and to others, fun creatures to look at while strolling through the forest. 

Whichever camp you're in, it’s worth learning a thing or two about their behavior and quirky personalities.

It’s all fine and dandy buying your bird feeder, filling it with seeds 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.