Tale FeathersFall 2006
IN THIS ISSUE:

FALL CLEANUP!

IT'S TIME TO BEGIN PREPARING FOR WINTER

Invite birds now for the winter
It's difficult to think of winter during early fall when there is no sign of cold weather. However, wild birds are actually preparing for the harsh winter ahead. Here are some suggestions on how to attract and keep the birds in your yard during the long, cold winter.

FALL CHORES

We suggest you take down all of your feeders and give them a good, thorough cleaning. Scrub all plastic tube and bowl feeders with soap and hot water, rinse thoroughly and let them dry. Wooden platform feeders should be scraped to remove all debris and also scrubbed thoroughly.

To help make cleaning easier we suggest a long handled feeder brush which can reach all parts of the longest tube feeders (including the Droll Yankee 36" Finch Feeders).
                   
Simple Green is a great non toxic product to use to sterilize your feeders and we also have a new product called Ecological Labs Birdhouse and Feeder Cleaner available in easy to use 8 oz spray bottles. Be sure to rinse the feeders and let them dry completely before refilling.

By now, wild birds that nest in houses (cavity nesters) have completed the breeding season. Thus, it's important to also clean nest boxes. Be careful not to breathe the dust from the nest and handle any remaining nesting material with gloves. Scrape the inside of the box to remove the old nesting material. Carry all of the material away from the box so that it does not attract predators. If you find that the woodpeckers or squirrels have eaten out or enlarged the entrance opening, we have metal portal protectors that can fix the problem and prevent future occurrences. Sizes include:

Wren - 1 inch Nuthatch - 1-1/4 inch
Chickadee - 1-1/8 inch Bluebird - 1-1/2 inch


Leave your nest boxes up because many cavity nesting birds will use them for roosting on cold winter nights. These birds include chickadees, titmice and nuthatches as well as some woodpeckers. I have a downy woodpecker who spends the night in one of our bluebird boxes! An inch or so of fresh dry grass in the bottom of the box will provide additional insulation.

THINK WINTER IN THE EARLY FALL

Although there are increased supplies of natural food available during the fall, there are several reasons to keep your feeders full during the autumn months.

First, juvenile goldfinches and other birds are active at feeders in the fall. It is important to keep fresh nyjer seed in your finch feeder. We recommend shelled sunflower seed in your tube feeders and a high quality blend like our Wild and Free mix in your open platform feeders for these young birds. Further, there is an increased chance of enjoying migrating species in your yard, for example, yellow-rumped warbler. Also, some permanent residents are likely to return more frequently to your feeders such as tufted titmice, chickadees, woodpeckers, etc. Learn more about titmice in our next article.
Some wild birds begin feeding actively in September and October in order to begin building extra body fat to help them through the harsh, cold winter months. Having a consistent, ready supply of food for wild birds is the most effective way to establish and keep winter resident birds in and around your yard.

It is also very important to offer a constant supply of fresh water. Wild birds rely on water not only to avoid dehydration, but also for bathing. It is vital that they clean their feathers frequently so that they can maintain both effective and efficient flight. Further, water should be consistently offered throughout the coldest winter months because many backyard birds must bathe year round. One way to avoid ice in your birdbath is, of course, to go out and chip it out. The easiest and most reliable way to avoid ice is to install a high quality, efficient and safe deicer. This device is energy efficient since it only prevents freezing rather than keeping water warm. Enjoy the wild birds in your yard throughout the fall and upcoming winter!

BIRD OF THE MONTH

TUFTED TITMOUSE

Tufted Titmouse is one of perhaps five dozen species worldwide of the family Paridae, others of which include the closely related chickadee varieties of North America. They are among the most common and familiar songbirds of the eastern deciduous forest, especially oak woods. They are readily seen at feeders here in Maryland.

A little more than six inches long, the tufted titmouse is easily identified. Male and female look alike, gray above, and lighter below with rusty/russet/buffy flanks. A black bill and forehead set off the gray crest, which may or may not be raised. But the real give-away of a titmouse's presence is the big black eye, made larger by the black ring surrounding it.

At backyard feeders, titmice favor sunflower seeds, nuts, suet and live food such as mealworms. Like chickadees, titmice love black oil sunflower seeds, similarly holding them between their feet and pounding them open with their bill.

However, two-thirds of their diet comes from the wild: seeds, invertebrates, caterpillars, beetles, ants, bees, wasps, flies, insect egg cases and spiders. On the job full time, titmice rank with the best of man's allies in insect pest control. During the fall and winter, they cache food for later use.

Paired year round, titmice nearly always nest in cavities, whether natural, old woodpecker holes or man made nest boxes. The female takes about four days to build a nest, usually by the end of April, and then lays from three to eight white, speckled eggs. The nest is made of moss, bark, hair and other soft material (the hair from your pet brush works well). The male feeds the female during the two week incubation period. Nestlings fledge about 18 days after hatching.

During winter months, titmice form flocks that include parents and young, usually 3 to 6 birds. They travel a range of 15 to 20 acres. You may have one or more flocks visiting your feeder during winter. The titmice do not migrate and can sometimes be heard singing on cold winter mornings. Their song is a loud, pure one or two note whistle: "Peter! Peter! Peter!" or "Here! Here! Here!" Among the extensive repertoire of call notes, the most familiar is not unlike the chickadee.

It is interesting to observe the dominance hierarchy at backyard feeders. The dominent bird is the one that chases off others or takes their place at a feeder. In the winter flocks, males always dominate females and juveniles. The alpha male and female usually are the ones that bred in the area during the past season. Beyond that, titmice are well down the pecking order. For example, hairy woodpeckers dominate downy woodpeckers, downies dominate white-breasted nuthatches and these birds dominate the titmice. Titmice have to settle for dominating chickadees!

You can encourage these birds to nest in your yard by providing a nesting box with a one and one-quarter inch opening placed 5 to 10 feet above the ground in deep cover. The Wildlife Authority has several styles to choose from.


Titmouse Stats
Migration Status: Permanent resident
Breeding Habitat: Woodland
Nest Location: Canopy nesting
Nest Type: Cavity (1 1/4" opening)
Clutch Size: 4-8
Incubation Time: 13-14 days
Days to Fledge: 15-18
Number of Broods: 1 or 2
Diet: Insects, nuts, seeds, fruit

The Wildlife Authority is your

gift & stocking stuffer supplier!


This holiday season, give the gift of nature!


We have hundreds of bird feeding products and nature related gifts. Our knowledgeable and friendly staff will help you find the gift that is right for everyone on your shopping list. Need stocking stuffers? We have lots to choose from--kid’s sticker books, coloring books, beginner field guides, tattoos, plush singing birds, light up squeeze frogs, bookmarks, magnets, magnetic note pads, thistle socks, ant moats, garden stakes, jewelry, suet and seed bells, and MUCH, MUCH, MORE!

Adults like stuffers too!



NEW BOOKS!

 


ASK TOM

Q. Where did all the birds go—I am not filling my feeders as often as I use to. Has the seed gone bad?
A. The birds are probably taking advantage of the abundance of natural food in the area (berries, mature seed heads). Make sure the seed in your feeder is not wet or moldy. Activity at the feeders will pick up as the weather gets colder and the natural food is depleted.
Q. How do the birds survive the cold nights?
A. Birds need additional energy for the cold nights. We recommend that your feeders be well stocked at the end of the day and ALSO at daybreak as the birds need to replenish lost energy in the morning. Cavity nesting birds will flock together in a natural cavity or bird house and take advantage of the group’s body heat to keep each other warm. We carry a roosting box which offers perches for the birds and features an entrance hole at the BOTTOM of the box to minimize heat loss. We also have roosting pockets to hang in a sheltered area to offer the birds a cozy spot out of the wind!


PART TIME HELP NEEDED

Are you an energetic person looking for a part time job where you meet interesting people all day, work with a friendly staff and get great employee discounts? If so, send us a resume. The Wildlife Authority is looking for a sales associate for weekends and some weekdays. If interested, see Cathy at the store or send us an email.



email: wildlifeauthor@comcast.net