http://backyardbirdshop.com/index.php/site/index/ en mollye@comcast.net Copyright 2012 2012-03-13T21:32:47+00:00 http://backyardbirdshop.com/index.php/site/article/red_breasted_nuthatch/ http://backyardbirdshop.com/index.php/site/article/red_breasted_nuthatch/#When:20:32:47Z A favorite backyard bird is a small (4-1/2") bird with a distinctive shape -- compact and tapered at both ends! The bill of a Red-breasted Nuthatch is narrow and sharp while its wings are fairly long and pointed.  A nuthatch’s tail is short but broad, with short legs and long toes with sharp, strongly decurved claws.  Blue-gray above, the male has the characteristic red breast, while the female is more muted underneath. The Red-breasted Nuthatches’s name is the first clue to its distinctive feeding style, referring to its practice of securing a nut, or seed,  in a niche and hammering it open with its bill.  Nuthatches like conifer and other seeds and enthusiastically feed on black-oil sunflower seeds at backyard feeding stations.  They readily take to suet and peanuts as well! Nuthatches are food-storing birds.  Watch for a nuthatch carrying off pieces of suet:  it may be hiding the suet in bark crevices.  After hiding the food, some nuthatches will cover the stash with bark or lichen. Nuthatches engage in “courtship feeding.”  A female nuthatch during breeding season may not adequately feed herself prior to egg-laying, possibly because she is too heavy with eggs to hunt effectively.  Her nutrition needs increase during this time period, however.  Courtship feeding, the act of a male feeding a female, increases the odds of successful reproduction. In the fall, look for nuthatches in mixed flocks of finches, chickadees and woodpeckers.  Bird feeders offering black oil sunflower seeds, and suet feeders, are popular with the onset of colder weather.  With shorter days and colder nights, birds spend virtually the entire daylight period searching for food. Meet the Birds 2012-03-13T20:32:47+00:00 http://backyardbirdshop.com/index.php/site/article/warblers/ http://backyardbirdshop.com/index.php/site/article/warblers/#When:04:00:20Z Among the most beautiful birds in the Western Hemisphere are the wood warblers. These tiny birds appear in a dazzling array of yellows, blues, greens, reds, and grays Photo of Townsend’s Warbler by Susan Green, from Spring 2010 Photo Contest Article by John Rakestraw Among the most beautiful birds in the Western Hemisphere are the wood warblers. These tiny birds appear in a dazzling array of yellows, blues, greens, reds, and grays. The warblers spend much of the year in the tropics of South America and the Caribbean. But every spring, they return to the north to nest, much to the delight of bird watchers across the continent. About 54 species of warblers can be found in North America. While the majority of these birds are found in the eastern half of the continent, western birders can find their share of these colorful little sprites. Since warblers’ diets consist mostly of insects and fruit, these birds do not often visit feeders (a few warblers will take suet, peanut butter, or sunflower chips). The best way to attract migrating warblers to your yard is to provide good cover and water. A birdbath with a mister or dripper often proves irresistible to warblers. Listed below are descriptions of five species of warblers most likely to be seen in an average yard. But keep your field guides handy, as any one of a dozen species might make an appearance on a spring morning. Yellow-rumped Warblers (photo above) sport bluish gray plumage on their upperparts. Their underparts are white with dark streaks. They get their name from the yellow patch on their rumps. Yellow patches also appear on their sides and on the top of their heads. Two races of Yellow-rumps can be seen in the area. The Myrtle race shows a dark cheek patch and white throat, while Audubon’s race has a plain gray face and yellow throat. At first glance, the Black-throated Gray Warbler might be confused with a Chickadee. Gray above and white below, this warbler has a black cap, cheeks, and throat (females usually have a white throat) with black stripes running down the sides. Look for the small yellow spot between the eye and the bill. Orange Crowned Warblers are a rather drab yellowish olive color with no obvious markings. The orange crown patch on the males, which gives the species its name, is rarely visible. At close range, look for blurry olive streaks on the underparts and a short dark line through the eye. The face and underparts of Wilson’s Warblers are bright yellow, while the wings, back and tail are yellowish olive. The beady black eye really stands out on the yellow face. Male Wilson’s Warblers sport a neat black cap, which is lighter or lacking on females. This warbler appears slender and long tailed. Townsend’s Warblers are found in the area all year and are frequently seen at bird feeders in the winter. This boldly patterned warbler shows a dark cheek patch on a yellow face, with a dark crown and black throat on the male. Black streaks extend along the sides of the yellow breast and white belly. Watch for the two white wing bars and white outer tail feathers that flash when the bird flies. Identifying warblers can be a challenge. Males and females often look different, and some species look different in the winter than they do in the summer. But if you take the time to study your field guide in advance, you will be amply rewarded by the sights and sounds of these colorful little birds from the tropics. Meet the Birds 2012-02-23T04:00:20+00:00 http://backyardbirdshop.com/index.php/site/article/hummer_cozies_affordable_way_to_keep_nectar_from_freezing/ http://backyardbirdshop.com/index.php/site/article/hummer_cozies_affordable_way_to_keep_nectar_from_freezing/#When:05:34:36Z We are pleased to offer Hummingbird Feeder Cozies, an affordable way to keep your hummingbird feeder thawed during the day. No electricity required and easy to use! Hummer Cozies are hand made in Washington State! by Michele Dupraw Hummer cozies come in different sizes and colors, with two Little Hottie Handwarmers that work for 8 hours.  It’s a great way to keep that feeder thawed during our freezing days!  Affordable, attractive, and easy to use (no electricity required), this is sure to be a popular item this season!  Come by a shop and we’ll be glad to show you how wonderful these little cozies are!  Or, if you live outside the Portland metro area, phone one of our shops and we can take your order and discuss shipping options with you.  Happy Winter Hummingbird Feeding! There are two styles available: Wrap-Around Cozy —comes in various sizes and is made to velcro around a jar-style hummingbird feeder (illustrated above). Pocket Cozy —velcro it to the base of a saucer style feeder, such as a Hummzinger Hummingbird feeder (illustrated below). Hummingbirds 2011-12-09T05:34:36+00:00 http://backyardbirdshop.com/index.php/site/article/meet_michele_dupraw/ http://backyardbirdshop.com/index.php/site/article/meet_michele_dupraw/#When:03:43:03Z Michele Dupraw has worked for the Backyard Bird Shop since 2000 and has been feeding birds since childhood. She photographs and writes about her backyard at http://www.naturenutnotes.com.  Michele Dupraw can usually be found at our Beaverton Backyard Bird Shop, offering her expertise and enthusiasm to backyard bird and insect lovers alike.  Not only is Michele well versed in bird, squirrel, and bat-related information, she’s our number one expert on Mason Bees! She’s an indispensible member of our team, and a great naturalist and writer as well! Meet our Website Contributors 2011-12-09T03:43:03+00:00 http://backyardbirdshop.com/index.php/site/article/northern_flicker/ http://backyardbirdshop.com/index.php/site/article/northern_flicker/#When:22:49:33Z The Northern Flicker is one of the most striking birds observed in our backyards. Article by Mark Fitzsimons Photo by Steve Berliner A Northern Flicker’s bold markings, a combination of black bars, spots and chest bib on a golden brown background make it easy to identify. We are often first aware of its presence when we hear a high piercing “kee-yer” or a series of laugh like “kwick-kwick-kwick-kwick-kwick” calls.  This may be followed by the distinct ratatatatat drum roll sound of bird beak on wood or metal.  Flickers beat on wood or other materials for three reasons: drumming, cavity excavation, and foraging. Since drumming is used for communication, it’s usually done on a surface with good acoustic properties in brief, fast paced volleys. Both males and females drum; it attracts other birds to the location and is followed by territorial or courtship interactions. Drumming typically occurs from mid-March through June.  The growth of cities has reduced the availability of snags (dead or dying trees) needed by flickers to excavate their nesting cavities and they also have to compete with Starlings for them.  Place a Flicker Nest Box in your yard as a suitable alternative!  Though a woodpecker, its feeding behavior can be very un-woodpecker like; over 75% of its diet consists of insects and 50% of that is ants.  It spends much of its time on the ground foraging and after eating, it will often preen its feathers with ants held in its beak.  The ants secrete formic acid which acts as a deterrent to pests and parasites.  Flickers also delight us with visits to our Suet and Premium sunflower seed feeders.  Observe them carefully; you may see one of the much less common eastern sub-species during migration or in the winter.  Instead of red feather shafts under their wings and tail, these flickers sport bright yellow ones! You may also see hybrids between the two sub-species that have red “mustaches” or chevron shaped patches of red feathers on the back of their necks.  Meet the Birds 2011-11-08T22:49:33+00:00 http://backyardbirdshop.com/index.php/site/article/fat_chance_for_backyard_birds/ http://backyardbirdshop.com/index.php/site/article/fat_chance_for_backyard_birds/#When:17:25:35Z Low fat diets may be good for people, but not for birds! Birds metabolize fat more efficiently than seed, so it helps birds maintain their high body temperatures. In the wild, birds scavenge animal fat from carcasses. Suet is a fancy name for fat!  It’s the term used for the energy-rich kidney fat from cattle.  Suet cakes can be made of that fat, or from lesser fats like tallow or even soybean oil (vegetarian).  An earlier generation of backyard bird watchers could purchase suet from butcher shops and set it out for birds.  Today it can be difficult to find, and tough to deal with since raw suet spoils easily.  It’s easiest to buy commercially-prepared suet cakes with rendered suet – the impurities have been boiled away to prevent spoilage. Many Birds Eat Suet: Insect-eaters: Bushtits, Downy Woodpeckers, kinglets, warblers, kinglets and wrens Seed-eaters: Chickadees, nuthatches, Northern Flickers When you shop for suet: Check the ingredients!  For the highest quality, highest energy content fat, look for kidney beef suet.  Less costly alternatives include tallow and shortening.  Additional ingredients may make the suet more attractive:  nuts and peanuts appeal to Northern Flickers, Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers, and chickadees.  Berries and sunflower seeds appeal to almost all birds.  Insects are a very attractive protein source, especially in the winter when fewer insects are available to backyard birds.  Watch out for too many filler seeds with too little suet, though:  it’s the way manufacturers reduce the cost of a suet cake, but a seed-filled suet cake will not provide as much fat, may not be as attractive to suet-eating birds, and may not last as long since it’s more likely to rinse away more quickly in the rain. Suet Feeding FAQs Q: What kind of feeder do I use? A: A suet cage, vinyl suet bag or even mesh produce bag will suffice.  You can even smear it on a pine cone, or press it into tree bark.  A good bet is a feeder designed to prevent unwanted visitors like starlings or squirrels. Q: Where do I place a suet feeder? A:  Some feeders hang from the branch of a tree, others are designed to lean against a tree trunk or post, so woodpeckers can brace their tails for balance.  There’s even a hanging suet feeder with a “tail board” built in. Q:  What do I do if starlings try to take over my suet? A:  Try a starling-resistant feeder.  Those require birds to hang upside down to feed – easy for most songbirds to do, but difficult for starlings. Q:  Can I feed birds, but not squirrels? A: First, choose a suet with no nuts or seeds.  Oregon Suet Block is a great choice, with high quality fat and insects for protein!  Second, consider a squirrel-proof suet feeder that allows birds to feed but excludes furry visitors! Make Your Own Suet 2 lbs. lard 6 cups cornmeal 3 cups wheat flour 4 cups oatmeal 2 cups peanut hearts or sunflower chips Soften the lard.  Stir in other ingredients a little at a time until mixture is quite thick.  Freeze in tuna cans or plastic tubs about 4” x 4” or smaller.  Suet cakes can be hung frozen (they’re less messy to handle this way), and they fit nicely in wire suet cages. … Originally published by Audubon Society Suet, a Food for all Seasons: Winter brings cold days that increase birds’ energy needs.  Finding enough food to maintain their high body temperatures requires extra effort.  Insects are scarce, so suet is an excellent substitute. Spring is nesting season for Northwest songbirds.  Some bird parents know how to make the most of a suet feeder!  Watch chickadee and other bird parents make trips between the suet feeder and their birdhouse, feeding their offspring a quick meal. Summer fledglings, still learning to find food, entertain with their antics.  Watch for full-sized birds tagging along with adults, flapping their wings and squawking for mommy to feed them! Autumn brings shorter days and fewer insects.  Feeder action increases as insects become scarce. Bird Feeding 2011-11-03T17:25:35+00:00 http://backyardbirdshop.com/index.php/site/article/what_seeds_seed_lovers_love/ http://backyardbirdshop.com/index.php/site/article/what_seeds_seed_lovers_love/#When:04:06:09Z It’s true, black oil sunflower seed is the best choice for attracting the widest variety of birds. It's also true that going beyond black oil sunflower may bring new “diners” to your feeders. Here’s a tip: one type of seed per feeder reduces waste and mess. Birds rifle through seed mixes, dropping everything but their favorite. Another tip: don't buy "wild bird seed mixes" with stuff in them that Portland area birds won't eat -- like milo, for example. Backyard Bird Shop takes pride in offering the cleanest, freshest seeds you can buy for the best price you can find them!Black Oil Sunflower American Goldfinch Band-tailed Pigeon Black-capped Chickadee Black-headed Grosbeak Chestnut-backed Chickadee House Finch House Sparrow Mourning Dove Northern Flicker Pine Siskin Purple Finch Red-breasted Nuthatch Steller’s Jay Scrub Jay Song Sparrow White-breasted Nuthatch Nyjer"Thistle” American Goldfinch Brown-headed Cowbird House Sparrow Mourning Dove Pine Siskin Purple Finch Song Sparrow Sunflower Chips American Goldfinch Black-capped Chickadee Brown-headed Cowbird Chestnut-backed Chickadee House Finch House Sparrow Mourning Dove Pine Siskin Peanut Pieces Black-capped Chickadee Chestnut-backed Chickadee House Sparrow Northern Flicker Scrub Jay Steller’s Jay Cracked Corn California Quail Duck Mourning Dove Ring-necked Pheasant Rock Dove Scrub Jay Steller’s Jay White Proso Millet Brown-headed Cowbird California Quail House Sparrow Mourning Dove Oregon Junco Pine Siskin Red-winged Blackbird Ring-necked Pheasant Song Sparrow Varied Thrush White-crowned Sparrow Suet Bushtit Black-capped Chickadee Chestnut-backed Chickadee Downy Woodpecker Northern Flicker Red-breasted Nuthatch White-breasted Nuthatch Whole Peanuts Scrub Jay Steller’s Jay Bird Feeding 2011-11-03T04:06:09+00:00 http://backyardbirdshop.com/index.php/site/article/bird_houses_and_roosting_pockets_attract_cold_weather_use/ http://backyardbirdshop.com/index.php/site/article/bird_houses_and_roosting_pockets_attract_cold_weather_use/#When:16:00:23Z Introduce a Roosting Pocket or Roost Box to your backyard to help birds stay warm and protected through autumn and winter. by Steve Jaggers Shelter on a cold night can be very inviting to backyard birds to help them get out of the rain or wind, or simply to stay warmer.  Your spring nest box, if cleaned out, may be discovered and utilized during colder months.  Or you can introduce a Roosting Pocket or Roost Box to your backyard, to help birds stay warm and protected through the colder, darker days of autumn and winter.  I have observed a Bewick’s Wren using my Roosting Pocket these last few days in early October. The Roosting Pocket is simply hung on a fence in my side yard.  The wren arrives around dusk and spends the night safe and sheltered. I do not know how long it has been using this spot.  I became aware of its new night roost at least 5 evenings before I made this photograph.  I happened to hear the bird calling as it approached the site.  I know it has been at least 5 nights in a row that it has used the Roosting Pocket. Bird Houses and Nesting Information 2011-11-01T16:00:23+00:00 http://backyardbirdshop.com/index.php/site/article/new_feeder_heater_available_itll_change_your_life_and_that_of_your_annas_hu/ http://backyardbirdshop.com/index.php/site/article/new_feeder_heater_available_itll_change_your_life_and_that_of_your_annas_hu/#When:15:46:14Z Finally! Thanks to local inventor Bob Saunders, and his "hummingbird fanatic friend", Marie Wheeler, Backyard Bird Shop now offers a Hummingbird Feeder Heater, which can make life easier for you and your Anna's Hummingbirds on frigid days. by Molly Evans Photographs by Bob Saunders This morning I woke up to frozen hummingbird feeders.  I ran out in my bathrobe to bring them both in,  dashed around the kitchen preparing nectar, thawing out my feeders, refilling them with LIQUID nectar and finally returning them to my yard.  I heard one hummer clicking at me furiously, as if to say, “You of all people should be more on top of this issue!” And, thanks to Portland inventor Bob Saunders, and his muse, Marie Wheeler,  I will be on top of this issue after today.  I’m going to visit one of my 7 favorite Backyard Bird Shops and purchase Bob’s new Feeder Heater. Marie introduced Bob to a need that only Pacific Northwest backyard birders face:  a way to keep hummingbird feeder nectar liquid on those winter days that see temperatures plunge into the 20’s and lower.  Marie and some of her “hummingbird-fanatic friends”  looked at various designs that Bob came up with, and suggested changes and improvements.  . The result?  Bob’s patented, Feeder Heater is a high-quality unit from which almost any hummingbird feeder can hang!  It keeps your humming bird feeder from freezing in cold weather (down to about 15 -20 degrees F., or 12 - 17 degrees below freezing.)  Just locate the Feeder Heater near an outdoor electrical outlet, and then suspend your hummingbird feeder below. In most of North America, hummingbirds migrate away in the fall, to spend the winter in warmer climates.  But Anna’s Hummingbirds remain in the Portland/Vancouver area 12 months of the year.  We have all noticed the increase in bird feeder activity when it is cold and icy here – I see a tremendous number of chickadees, nuthatches, woodpeckers, wrens and other birds at my seed and suet feeders on those days.  But unless we keep our hummingbird feeders flowing with nectar, there is little we can offer to help sustain our Anna’s Hummingbirds. I’ve heard from staff members and customers who’ve tried out Bob’s new Feeder Heater that not only does it keep the food liquid, it also provides a space for the birds to warm themselves.  As a nice bonus, the birds look incredible under the light; their iridescent feathers explode in color under the light of the feeder heater! So, come in a shop and we’ll show you how great Bob’s invention is!  Or if you liveoutside of the Portland/Vancouver area, please phone a shop and we can discuss shipping options with you. Hummingbirds 2011-11-01T15:46:14+00:00 http://backyardbirdshop.com/index.php/site/article/winter_hummingbirds/ http://backyardbirdshop.com/index.php/site/article/winter_hummingbirds/#When:06:08:38Z Here in the northwest we have Anna's Hummingbirds that stay here year round. How do these little tiny birds survive in the cold weather? Here is some interesting info about them. by Michele Dupraw • When it is cold, hummingbirds can go into a state of torpor that allows them to conserve energy. It is almost like sleeping. During torpor, the tiny bird’s body temperature can drop almost 50 degrees. The heart rate may slow from 500 beats per minute to fewer than 50, and breathing may briefly stop. They are able to lower their body temperatures by 95%, just above the level of hypothermia. Awakening from torpor takes about 20 minutes and happens about 20 minutes before dawn. • Hummingbirds drink nectar but nearly 50% of their diet is made up of insects. Even during cold weather, there are insects that are active that they can eat. • There are over 330 species of hummingbirds in existence and more are being discovered in tropical regions occasionally. • Anna’s Hummingbirds have only been in this area (north of Baja California) for the last fifty years or so. It is believed that the planting of more exotic species has made it possible for them to live here throughout the year. • There is not a commercial no-freeze hummingbird feeder available on the market, but come to one of our shops and we’ll help you develop something to help you through the few, freezing winter days in the Portland area! Sources: Journey North Hummingbird, North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, All About Birds http://www.learner.org/jnorth/humm/index.html http://www.naturalsciences.org/funstuff/faqs/hummers.html http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Annas_Hummingbird.html#coolfacts Hummingbirds 2011-11-01T06:08:38+00:00