10 TIPS TO HELP BIRDS IN HOT WEATHER

 

Birds need water to drink,

and bathe.

"Hey, where's the towel and the frozen daquiris?"

Orange halves are a refreshing treat in warm weather for this Gray Catbird.

An extra roof cools off the bird house above and below.

This baby American Robin cooled off the only way it knows how, by panting. Birds have no sweat glands and so cool themselves by rapid respiration with their mouths open.

I used the mister setting on the hose to cool off the robin nest by misting the air and foliage above.

Hummingbird Feeder with shade roof.

The weather has been crazy, ranging from one extreme to another. Here in NH we just had 90 degree summer weather, now it has cooled off a little. Much more hot weather is coming as we go into summer. So when the temperature climbs, here's some tips to keep your feathered buddies cool:

1. Bird baths, bird baths, bird baths! Birds need water to bath and drink in hot weather so buy a bird bath. You can even use any wide flat container for a bird bath, such as the lid of a trash can or a large saucer that it used under a flowerpot.

2. Choose a bird bath that is shallow and has a non-slip surface. Small birds do not like to bathe in deeper water. You can add flat rocks to a bird bath that is too deep in order to create a shallow ledge for small birds to land on to drink and bathe.

3. Add a dripper, bubbler or to your bird bath. The sound of moving water will be a magnet for the birds and alert them to the presence of a water source.

4. Keep the water in your bird bath cool by adding ice cubes several times a day, or refilling the bird bath with a hose. You can also put out refreshing treats like cold orange halves which many birds, such as orioles and Gray Catbirds, will enjoy.

5. Birds will feel safer if the bird bath is placed in a more open area so no predators can hide nearby. Provide a stake or branch placed in the ground near the bird bath, if no landing places exist near it, so birds have a place to wait their turn at the bath.

6. Air condition your bird houses by adding a second roof for shade. We nail on a piece of plywood, using long nails and only nailing them part way into the original roof. This leaves an air space between the two roofs of about an inch. The second roof shades the first roof plus the airspace between the roofs acts as an insulator, keeping the bird house cooler. In some cases we have just shaded the roof of a bird house with piece of cardboard.

7. Misters are coolers. Misters can be bought to attach to a bird bath, or clip to shrubs near a bath. They spray a fine mist that birds can fly though, or rub against the wet shrubbery. Hummingbirds will often fly through misters, or even a garden sprinkler.

8. Use a mister on a hose. Our hose has a mist setting on the nozzle. We have misted the foliage and area above a robin nest to cool off the babies in extreme heat.

9. Think Shade. Birds will seek out shady areas and lie low in the worst heat of the day. If you do not have shade on your property plant some shade trees and big shrubs. Place bird feeders in a shady area during summer.

10. Shade hummingbird feeders. Place them in shade. Some feeders, comes with their own shade/rain roof, including an ant moat on the roof. You can also buy baffle-type shields and hang them above a feeder. Don't forget to change your hummingbird nectar solution every 2 days in really hot weather.

And tips for you....

Stay out of the sun and heat in the middle of the day, wear a hat and sunscreen when you do go out and, at the end of the day, after you have taken care of the birds, relax in a shady place, get out your binos and The New Stokes Field Guide to Birds: Eastern or Western Region, watch your birds and have a nice cold drink ,,,aaahhh!

Bluebird Nesting Cycle, what you should know!

 

Birds are in full time breeding mode right now. Many birds do mate-feeding as part of their courtship and nesting. Males will get food and feed it to the female. She may quiver her wings as she is getting fed. In bluebirds mate-feeding continues from the start of pairing on into the nestling phase. Cardinals and other birds also do this. Whether it's just part of the pair-bonding, extra nutrition for the female or other reasons, it's just fascinating to watch.

People do not always understand a bird's breeding cycle. Someone just asked us

"I put my bluebird house up late. They did start making a nest about a week and half ago. I haven't seen them around for a whole day. I did check the nest I could not see any eggs. Could they have possible left the nest by now?"

To help you better understand bird behavior, in general here is some basic information on the breeding cycle of birds. This is generalized information for most songbirds, certain species may vary from this.

Breeding begins by a male singing, forming a territory and trying to attract a female. If he is lucky, a female bird will choose him and join him on the territory. He then usually diminishes or stops singing.

The female builds the nest and it may take a day or several days. There may be a pause before the eggs are laid. The pair will mate, then the female lays 1 egg per day until the clutch is complete. Most songbirds lay 3-6 eggs. She usually lays the egg in the morning and does not stay near the nest the rest of the time. So if you see 1 or 2 eggs in a nest it does not mean it is abandoned, chances are the female will come back the next day and lay another egg until she has a complete clutch.

Then incubation begins. It is done mostly by the female and usually lasts about 12 to 14 days (12-18 days for Eastern Bluebirds). During this time the female is quiet and the male stays somewhat near and does not sing.

When the eggs hatch both parents become very active bringing food to the nest. They carry away from the nest fecal sacs, little white packages that are the droppings of the young. This keeps the nest clean. The young, called nestlings, stay in the nest for about 12-14 days (longer for birds thart nest in birdhouses, for Eastern Bluebirds it's 16-21 days). The young at first have very few feathers. Then they have "pin feathers", feathers enclosed in sheathes. By the time they are ready to leave, the feathers have broken out of the sheathes, the young are fully feathered, and they call loudly.

When the young "fledge", or leave the nest they are called "fledglings". At first they may not be able to fly that well and for the first few days stay in the vicinicy of the nest. They are still fed by the parents for another several weeks. The fledglings often stay scattered in trees and call constantly. So if you hear constant chirping and see adult birds carrying food to different bushes or trees, chances are they are feeding fledglings. During the fledgling phase the adults may start a new brood. The male may sing again, mate with the female, and she will start a new clutch of eggs. even while he is still feeding fledglings from the first brood. The fledglings will eventually learn to feed themselves and the parents stop feeding them. and so the whole thing starts over.

Bluebird Babies!

                      

Daddy bluebird feeding his fledgling baby mealworms from a feeder. Sooo cute! Soon the fledgling will learn to use the mealworm feeder itself. In cold, rainy weather when the insects the parents also feed the young are less active, the mealworms are a welcome help to the busy parents. Love the bluebirds it is such a special treat to have them breeding right by.

Stokes Guide to Finches of The United States and Canada, Just Published!

 

The Stokes Guide to Finches is published Sept. 17, 2024! One of the most special moments in an author's life is when they open the package with huge anticipation and a bit of trepidation, and hold their new book in their hands for the first time. My reaction to my copy (with coauthor Matthew A. Young) and my 36th Stokes Guide, was WOW!! It is everything I hoped for – stunningly beautiful thanks to the amazing photographers whose work we used, gorgeous design, packed with information on all things finch from ID, life history, vocalizations, irruption and migration info, creative essays, the latest range maps, scientific research, a special section on finches of Hawaii, how to feed and garden for finches, and much more. My wonderful coauthor, finch expert Matt Young, is at a birding festival so he will see his copy when he gets back (sorry Matt but I know you will love the book). The publication date is September 17, 2024 when copies will be available at all retailers. This is a book for anyone who likes birds, from backyard birders to the most avid crossbill fans. I can't wait to introduce them to this amazing group of birds.

If you are a reviewer and want a review copy let Matt or I know. Email contact form is on the top right of this blog.

Order now The Stokes Guide to Finches of the United States and Canada

Migration in full swing, Oriole and Tanagers have arrived!

 

Scarlet Tanager

Baltimore Oriole 

Oriole Nest 

Birds, birds birds, migration mania and warbler mania are all squeezed into May. I am enjoying it all. A few images grabbed on the go while co-leading the mother's day bird walk at Walden Pond State Reservation. The Scarlet Tanager was in trees over the parking lot and the oriole nest was near the visitor's enter. Orioles were everywhere and we located another nest being built. I was able to grab the photos then show them to others on the walk. Get out there in May, for in June the migrants will be gone to their breeding areas, then you can enjoy your local breeders.

Beautiful Male Evening Grosbeak Just Arrived!!

 I got my wish! Yesterday I hoped the male Evening Grosbeak would show up today (two females showed up yesterday) and magically this morning there he was! Don't you love it when that happens? He is the FOS (first of season) male to arrive here!

Rose-breasted Grosbeaks Have Arrived!

 Happy Day, FOS (first of season) Rose-breasted Grosbeaks showed up today, two females!! I will be looking for the males tomorrow. The male has been described as wearing a tuxedo with a red tie (sometimes it looks like a red heart, the males' red patch varies enabling you to individually identify them), the female's white eyebrow helps identify her. Both male and female sing (their song sounds like a robin in a hurry) and both give a call note that sounds like a sneaker squeak on the gym floor! Listen for it.

Bluebird of Hope

 

“Hope” is the thing with feathers -

That perches in the soul -

And sings the tune without the words -

And never stops - at all -..

Love this poem (by Emily Dickinson), it reminds me of bluebirds. They have just build a nest in the box in my yard!!

Purple Finches are on the Move, Watch for Them!

                                                    Purple Finch, male 

Purple Finch, female 

House Finch, male looks similar to Purple Finch, male

 I'm excited that it's getting really finchy here in eastern MA! Finally, Purple Finches are coming through, had two males yesterday, a female the day before and a male and female today, plus Pine Siskin yesterday. The last photo is a male House Finch. Notice the difference with the male Purple Finch who is suffused all over with a more raspberry red and has little flank streaking, whereas the male House Finch has red on head, breast and rump, heavily streaked flanks and a shorter more curved bill. We have a special section in the new The Stokes Guide to Finches of the United States and Canada (pub. Sept. 17, 2024, available for preorder now on amazon and more) on telling the confusing red finches apart.

Much of the East Under Severe Weather Threat.

"Severe" (fill in the blank; tornadoes, snow, wind, sleet, rain, flooding) seems to be the new norm as much of the eastern part of the country is under weather threats today and tomorrow.

Stay safe, hunker down and fill feeders beforehand.

 

HAPPY EASTER!!

                                      HAPPY EASTER COTTONTAIL!!

                                              ENJOY YOUR EASTER

DO YOU HAVE GOLDFINCHES NOW?

If you came to this blog post because you were expecting answers about why you are not seeing goldfinches in any year, here is the answer.
Goldfinches are erratic about where they occur. They move around in winter depending on food sources. They may not appear in winter, spring, summer or fall in areas where they were previously. So at any time of year you may not be seeing them when you saw them before.
In addition, Goldfinches breeding range includes most of the northern two thirds of the country and into Canada. In winter, they leave the northernmost part of that range and are found in the rest of the U.S. including down into the South. Thus do not expect to see them in the far northern area of their range in winter, or the most southern part of their range in summer. Goldfinches change color in winter from their breeding yellow plumage to a brown-gray.
The best way to attract goldfinches is to keep feeders full of hulled sunflower, one of their favorites, or you can use thistle (nyjer) seed, make sure it is fresh. I have a new book coming out this fall, Sept. 17, 2024, The Stokes Guide to Finches of the United States and Canada. It includes everything about American Goldfinches and all the other finches; ID, breeding, food, migrations, conservation, and more. You can Pre-Order it now HERE!

HAPPY 1ST DAY OF SPRING!!

 

Happy First Day of Spring! Early arrivals that have been spotted, Tree Swallows and Eastern Phoebe. These insect eaters will have to contend with the roller coaster weather in New England, warm, sunny, and windy today, then next week rain, cold, and even possibly a snow shower. They are a welcome sign that things are moving forward, bring on the other migrants!

Hummingbirds are Coming!!

 

Believe it or not, hummingbirds have already started arriving in the southern part of the U.S. Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have been spotted in Florida, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi and Texas, so time to get the hummingbird feeders up in those areas. If you're in the northern parts of the country, it seems like a long time before hummingbirds will be enthralling you. These photos may help you dream about it. You can track their progress and see other people's spring hummer sightings at eBird.org.

NEW! THE STOKES GUIDE TO FINCHES OF THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA, PREORDER NOW!

 

THE STOKES GUIDE TO FINCHES OF THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA                                         By Lillian Stokes and Matthew A. Young 

PREORDER NOW, CLICK HERE!

Learn all you need to know about identifying and attracting finches with this comprehensive, gloriously colorful new STOKES guide.
(Pub. date 9/17/24)

With The Stokes Guide to Finches of the United States and Canada, you can gain expert knowledge on these beautiful birds and bring them into your own yard. This fully illustrated guide tells you all you need to know about attracting, identifying, observing, and protecting finches.
This book includes:

- Complete life histories including breeding behavior, food, habitat, range, migration, and conservation. 

- Detailed identification information with beautiful photos of males, females, immatures, breeding and winter plumages, subspecies, songs, and calls. 

- A special section on endangered Hawaiian honeycreeper finches, plus other rare and vagrant finches 

- How to attract and garden for finches with the right feeders, seed, and plantings 

- The most complete and up-to-date range maps, including maps of core occurrence and irruption ranges for all red crossbill call types, which have never before been published in a book 

- Scientific studies on finch migrations and conservation 

- More than 345 stunning full-color photographs and over 50 range maps covering 43 species 

- Spectrograms of crossbills calls and innovative charts of their food preferences 

- Engaging creative essays, unique to any guide, introducing each main breeding 

 ADVANCE REVIEWS!

“This finch guide, the latest in the remarkably long series of Stokes books for birders, breaks new ground in how seamlessly it melds field guide expectations with cutting edge ornithology, all focused on a charismatic group of birds.  Brilliantly conceived, magnificently illustrated, and full of information that any birder would devour, it would not surprise me if this unique guide earns the rank of top bird book of 2024. My opinion.”                                 

John Kricher, author of Peterson Reference Guide to Bird Behavior and The New Neotropical Companion. 

 
" WOW! This gorgeously illustrated, rigorously researched, beautifully written field guide is ground-breaking! This is THE most comprehensive and engrossing book I have ever read on these fascinating, flashy, important birds. It really knocks my sox off! No nature lover should be without it.” 

Sy Montgomery, author of Birdology and The Hummingbirds’ Gift

“The Stokes Guide to Finches of the United States and Canada resets the bar as a template for future avian monographs and it compiles for the ages a tour de force of what is known about finches and Hawaiian honeycreepers.  The authors’ linguistic mastery, creative formatting of comprehensive text, engaging use of high-quality color graphics and photographs, and thoughtfully chosen anecdotal imagery make this book both a pleasure to read and a delightful compendium of information about these handsome, often song-worthy, and frequently itinerant passerines.  Lillian Stokes and Matt Young have made a spectacular contribution to North American ornithology.” 

Wayne R. Petersen, Massachusetts Audubon Director Important Bird Area (IBA) Program

 “From backyard feeders to remote wilderness peaks, finches are among the most fascinating birds in every setting, the more we learn about them, the more remarkable they become. In this new volume — detailed, accurate, and beautifully illustrated, like every Stokes guide — Lillian Stokes, a gifted communicator about the natural world, joins forces with finch expert Matthew Young to provide an essential reference for everyone curious about birds.” 

Kenn Kaufman, author of The Birds That Audubon Missed

 
“More than just a Guide to Finches, this cutting-edge book provides guidance for better living through birds. This book is so magical, I spent an entire morning savoring the read, experiencing and reliving the sheer joy of the finches I've encountered in my years of noticing them. To me, this book embodies so much hope and joy, but along with those emotions, a bridge between our personal well-being and bird identification- something so important in truly getting to know the birds. Also striking is that this book is for everyone - from novice to expert, bundled in an incredible layout of sections and a gallery of images that are dynamic and engaging. Well done!!”                                                                                                             

Holly Merker, co-author of Ornitherapy for Your Mind Body and Soul, and founder of the Mindful Birding Network

“Birds of a feather? Perhaps more of a seed-seeking beak shape or propensity to show up here, there, and then disappear, marks the birds in this wonderfully unique guide. As many of us spend our winters waiting on evening grosbeaks to finally show up, Lillian Stokes and Matt Young illuminate the familiar backyard residents, rare endemics and irruptive visitors that bird adorers will come to know better. Although some of the rarer species passing through might only give quick glimpses, the artfully novel Quick Takes in the Stokes Guide to Finches will make the watching worth the waiting!”                                                                  

J Drew Lanham is an ornithologist-birder, award-winning writer-conservationist, and author of Sparrow Envy - A Field Guide to Birds and Lesser Beasts. 

 "Everything a finch guide should have and so much more! Great photos and useful ID tips, in-depth information, nuanced range maps, tips for feeding them safely, and important information about conservation. I particularly love that they included the Hawaiian honeycreepers to spotlight their plight. And Lillian Stokes’s and Matt Young’s accounts of personal encounters with finches enlighten and inspire. A fun, in-depth dive into a wonderful family." 

Laura Erickson, author and producer of the "For the Birds" podcast and blog

 Who knew that the finches, that most-familiar group of backyard feeder birds, hid such mystery and exciting discovery among their noisy, colorful flocks? Lillian Stokes and Matt Young are the perfect knowledgeable guides and their wonderfully informative book lays bare many of the secrets that finches have long kept. 

Scott Weidensaul, author of A World on the Wing.

Special Little Owl

 

Burrowing Owls are special little owls that live in underground burrows they dig or in a burrow they take over from a prairie dog, ground squirrel, or tortoise. They live in much of the West and in Florida in grasslands, deserts, bare lots, and other open habitats. They hunt insects and rodents. Unfortunately, their numbers are declining due to human destruction of their habitat and declining food sources. Enjoy them but don't disturb them.

Cardinal thinking of spring

 

This beautiful male cardinal was waiting his turn at the feeder but he had other thoughts in mind. Yesterday I saw him mate-feed a female! It's too early for breeding yet here in New England.

Great Backyard Bird Count Feb. 16-19th

 A global event, The Great Backyard Bird Count is coming your way Feb. 16-19th. It's easy, all you have to do is count the birds at your favorite locations. In as little as 15 minutes notice the birds around you. Identify them, count them, and submit them to help scientists better understand and protect birds around the world. If you already use eBird or Merlin, your submissions over the 4 days count towards GBBC. Learn more here,

https://www.birdcount.org/

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

 

Roseate Spoonbills

Happy Valentine's Day!

Hope your day is "Rosy"

Lillian 

Happy Groundhog Day! Early Spring Predicted!

 

Our Groundhog, maybe still asleep in its underground burrow today. But Punxsutawney Phil, the "official" weather forecasting Groundhog was trotted out on TV this morning to predict if we would have an early spring. He said, Yes, since he didn't see his shadow, we will have an early spring.

Here is a poem from Phil's website in 2007

El Nino has caused high winds, heavy snow, ice and freezing temperatures in the west.
Here in the East with much mild winter weather we have been blessed.

Global warming has caused a great debate.
This mild winter makes it seem just great.

On this Groundhog Day we think of one thing.
Will we have winter or will we have spring?

On Gobbler's Knob I see no shadow today.
I predict that early spring is on the way.

According to this website, the Groundhog legend began:

In 1887, a spirited group of groundhog hunters from Punxsutawney dubbed themselves "The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club." One member of the club was an editor of Punxsutawney's newspaper. Using his editorial clout, he proclaimed Punxsutawney Phil, the local groundhog, to be the one and only official weather prognosticating groundhog. He issued this proclamation on, appropriately enough, Groundhog Day. Punxsutawney Phil's fame began to spread, and newspapers from around the globe began to report Punxsutawney Phil's Groundhog Day predictions. Today, 20,000 fans come to Punxsutawney on Groundhog Day to experience this unique—and fun—tradition.

Happy Groundhog day. Hope Phil's prediction comes true.