Nearly 20 species of hummingbirds migrate from Mexico and Central and South America to the U.S. to nest every spring. Their high metabolism rate requires that they eat half or more of their body weight each day, so attracting hummingbirds to your yard is not as difficult as you may think. The bills and tongues of these tiny jewels are adapted to suck nectar—their primary diet—but they eat small insects, too. Their ability to hover allows them to … [Read more...]
Tips for Planting Wildlife Food Plots
Wild animals are professional food finders. They know what they’re looking for, and they know where to find it. But we often change things up so much when doing what we want with the land that the food supply for wildlife can get pretty sparse. That’s probably why you’re thinking of helping them out a bit, if you have the space to do it, by planting some wildlife food plots. There are lots of sources of information on the topic, especially for … [Read more...]
How to Get Rid of Sparrows
Whether we deserve it, or not, European house sparrows seem to love us. While most birds seek only the seed and other things we intentionally offer, house sparrows choose to live as close to us as possible, benefiting from unintentional offerings around our homes and eateries. As their name suggests, the European house sparrow is not native to the U.S. During 1890 and 1891, some hundred birds were brought over and released in New York, to … [Read more...]
How to Get Rid of Birds
Many people spend a ton of time and money trying to attract birds for the sheer enjoyment of watching and listening to them. Nonetheless, there are times when, for one reason or another, someone is looking for a way to get rid of birds. Round up the usual suspects—European starlings, house sparrows, crows, chimney swifts, and pigeons—not because they are “bad birds” but simply because there are circumstances that sometimes place us in conflict. … [Read more...]
What’s Up With the Wild Birds of Autumn
You’ve heard of “the boys of summer?” Well, now you’re going to hear about the birds of autumn! Why are they worth knowing about? As it happens, the birds you see in autumn may include both the regulars (birds living in your area year round) and species from points north, migrating southward for the winter. Even the bird species you usually see and are familiar with are busy with their autumn activities. Here’s what to watch for, along with some … [Read more...]
Bird in Chimney? Could be Migrating Chimney Swifts
You may not think of yourself as a landlord, but if you have an uncapped chimney, you may have chimney swifts as temporary boarders—either nesting in your chimney in spring or summer, or roosting there in late summer to early fall on their way to Peru, where they spend the winter. If humans had not cut down nearly all the large trees they prefer to nest in, chimney swifts would not have had to adapt to using chimneys. Still, you may find their … [Read more...]
Feed Wild Birds & Avoid Wildlife Conflicts
Most of us feed birds because we enjoy bird-watching and want to help wildlife in some way. But did you know that feeding wild birds may actually create conflicts with other wild animals or perhaps even harm the birds? Here are a few things to consider when feeding wild birds to avoid conflicts and unintended harm. Avoid the bird seed buffet Let’s face it - birds are not the tidiest eaters. Some rake through what is being offered to find … [Read more...]
Bird in House? Get Her Out Safely
How’d you wind up with a bird in house? And, what’s the fastest way to get her back out before she gets hurt? First, don’t panic. You’ll be able to get her safely back outside with the steps explained below. Afterward, see if the tips on ways to make a repeat situation less likely might be relevant for your home. What to do about a wild bird in your house… A bird will naturally fly toward light when trying to get out of an enclosed area, so … [Read more...]
Looking to Get Rid of Pigeons?
Pigeons nesting, roosting, and walking about add life and amusement to neighborhoods and city parks. But when vast numbers of them hang out in a small area —usually due to deliberate feeding or infrequent cleanup of food spillage and garbage near eateries—it can become unpleasant. If you’re looking to get rid of pigeons, the approach you take to address the problem will make all the difference in whether or not you succeed. Read on for what works … [Read more...]
Why Birds Attack
You may have noticed birds accidentally striking your home’s windows after becoming confused by the reflected sky and trees they see in them—a real and very large problem for birds in urban areas. But seeing birds attack a window, car mirror, or other reflective surface looks pretty wacky, especially when it is for extended periods of time! What are they thinking? This happens most often in spring and summer, when males are busy fending off … [Read more...]