The Great Blue Heron Experience

This autumn is one of the prettiest autumns we've had in many years in the Northeast. The trees are spectacular with their brilliant colors. The maples are stunning in their fiery reds while the cherry trees show off their vivid yellows against a backdrop of oaks in their various colors. The deer are contented with all the acorns and hickory nuts that have fallen; while the woodpeckers, titmouse and nuthatches flit in between the branches to complete a picture prefect setting. This time of year I tent my pond with netting to keep the leaves and nuts out so I don't have to do so much cleaning out in the spring. I leave the sides up a bit so birds that fly in can get out. I also leave the front open to allow other animals and the turkeys to drink from the pond. In the past if a raccoon visits, the fish go to the bottom of the pond and hide. I never seemed to have a problem in the past. Well that changed this season. The other day when I let my dogs out they became quite excited about something in the woods; that’s when I noticed movement inside the tent over the pond. Quickly tying up the one dog who doesn't listen to well I went to see what was going on by the pond. To my surprise I had a very unwanted visitor who could or did wreak havoc with my fish. I had a Great Blue Heron now trying to get out of the tent. Hoping the Great Blue Heron wouldn't ensnare itself in the netting, I tried to lift the sides higher so he could walk out but that wasn't working. The Great Blue Heron decided to try to fly and ended up at the back of the enclosure with its wing now caught up in the netting and its bill twisted and through the netting. Working gingerly to free the croaking hissing heron was extremely difficult. He just was not co-operating. I finally released the heron hoping it would fly away but no, he decides to walk peeking the interest of the other dog who now wants to play with this huge bird. To say the least the Great Blue Heron was in no mood to play. That long "S" shaped neck was stabbing and wings were a beating as he and the dog started running through the woods. I finally managed to tie the dog up but not before “Mister” Great Blue Heron tangled himself up into the twisted brush and branches. The heron was lying so still on his back with his long neck between a bunch of twigs and branches I thought he was dead. I wanted to cry. Here I had freed this great blue heron with no injuries or damage only for him to die in the woods. Thinking maybe the blue heron still had some life in him I thought I could get him to the bird rescue place by me and save him. Just as I went to touch the Great Blue Heron he came to life. That long stabbing bill started to click and hiss at me. Those long yellow/green legs and hand size feet started to thrash in the air. How was I going to manage freeing this poor great blue heron without taking a beating myself? I decided to release a few branches from his neck then some from his body, staying away from the feet. I finally took the last branch off his neck and released the last of the twigs holding his body and jumped back anticipating Mister Great Blue Heron to spring up. To my surprise he didn't. It then occurred to me the heron couldn't right himself being he was on his back. I gently held the heron's plump body and rolled the heron over. Once upright the Great Blue stood to his full height which seemed to be about 4 feet and flapped his wings though he didn't move. I tried to shoo him away but to no avail, so I started walking through the woods towards the natural pond behind the house. The Great Blue finally started to follow me and stopped right next to me while I watched him. We continued down to the pond walking side by side as if we were the best of friends. Finally at the pond the Great Blue Heron flew to on old tree branch and I departed back to home. Though I have seen these majestic birds from a distance I never realized how big they are. I now know! The Great Blue Heron stood around 4 feet height and had a wingspan of a least 5 feet. The two tone yellow gray beak had to be 10 inches long if not longer. The heron has a very long neck when extended and large round yellow eyes. He had a very meaty plump belly too. It was a very exciting experience to be that close to such a big wild bird. It is an experience I won't soon forget. I only hope I still have some of my big fish swimming in my pond but that remains to be determined at a later date. Sometimes in trying to attract the pretty songbirds to our yards we indirectly attract other non favorable visitors such as Great Blue Heron, kingfishers and birds of prey. Unfortunately that is part of attracting wild birds to your backyard. Please visit my website at www.WildBirdSeedMart.com for many wild bird products to attract wild birds to your backyard.

A Shot Of Echinacea Is Medicine For The Garden

Echinacea, widely known as coneflower, belongs to the family of Asteraceae. They are daisy like in appearance sporting a large cone seed head which feels spiny. The Native Americans gave the coneflower its name Echinacea because the seed head reminded them of “spines of angry hedgehog”. The Greek word Echinus refers to spiny or prickly also. Echinacea has a long history in the medical arena. The native plant was used by the Native Americans for healing skin infections, sore throats, coughs, snake bites and even used it to heal their horses’ ailments. They would take the root of the Echinacea plant before the plant flowered and dry it. They then would use the powder for tonics, tinctures and poultices. In the late 1800’s a Nebraska salesman by the name of Joseph Meyer made the Echinacea tonics famous through his antics of enticing a rattlesnake to bite him. He would then drink the tonic and not get sick from the snake bite. His potion became known as snake oil. Mr. Meyer did try to determine the actual medicinal property of the Echinacea plant that was responsible for preventing and curing infections. He enlisted the help of a doctor/ professor/ herbalist back East to analyze his tonic. Professor King wanted Mr. Meyer to send him the Echinacea plant which he did. The only problem was the good doctor was trying to cure his wife’s ailment of cancer so he shelved the tonic and plant. After several months of treating his wife with the then best medicines her condition did not improve: however, a couple of months later she had a full recovery. Well the good doctor started patting himself on the back ‘til she explained to him she was taking the snake oil tonic that he had shelved and that’s what helped her. After that he did start investigating the plant and found it shrank tumors. Echinacea was widely used in medicine ‘til the 1930,s when Penicillin was discovered. At that time too the medical profession decided Echinacea had no medical attributes. Not agreeing or bending to the political atmosphere a German doctor named Gerhard Madaus decided to research the plant and came to the States to collect samples of Echinacea Angustifolia. This was the popular plant at that time; however, unbeknownst to him, he had collected Echinacea Purpurea instead. Back in Germany he made a preparation from the plant’s leaves, stalk and flowers which is called Echinanin. This is still the most popular product used today in the herbal markets of Europe and the United States. It is believed Echinacea is an immune enhancing drug that jumps starts the T cells and increases the activity of the immune system. It should only be used for a short period of time (no more than 2 weeks) then give the body a rest for two weeks before starting the cycle again. Echinacea should never be used in combination with goldseal or any product with goldseal in it. It must be noted immune conditions such as Tb, HIV, and Multiple Sclerosis should not use this product either. There are nine native varieties of Echinacea but only three have any medical properties. They are E.Angustifolia, E.Pallida and E.Purpurea. Echinacea or coneflowers are easy to grow. They thrive in zones 3-8 with full sun. They will tolerate some shade and grow in just about any soil as long as their feet aren’t soggy. They are drought tolerant, deer resistant thus making them a great plant for xenoscapes to a more established garden. The market offers many new colors and shades to add excitement to the garden especially at this time of the year when most plants are fading in the summer heat. Echinacea grows into the fall attracting many types of butterflies and wild birds. Add their dried seed to bird seed mixes too. These plants are medicine to the garden as an uplift as well as nutritional food for wild birds and other wildlife. As for their medicinal value to humans please research and ask you doctor about Echinacea before using it. Remember herbal medicines are not regulated as approved medicines are. Please visit my website www.WildBirdSeedMart.com for any wild bird products you may need as well as bird books and birdbaths.

Healthy Sunflower Recipes For Good Eats

Have you ever grown sunflowers? Sunflowers are so easy to grow and carefree. They add bright color to any garden and attract wild birds and wildlife by the dozens.The huge sunflower seed head offers a plentiful amount of seed which are good eating for human and wild birds. Sunflower seeds are high in nutritional value and meet the high energy caloric levels needed for wild birds and wildlife to survive. Besides those facts sunflower seeds are equally nutritious for people are full of vitamin E and selenium. Their Omega-3 fats are polyunsaturated and are known for their anti-inflamatory and blood thinning properties. These antioxidants greatly reduce the risk of cancer,cardiovascular diseases and help in weight reduction. I bet your wondering why are sunflower seed recipes being offered on a wild bird seed product site. My site indeed sells sunflower seeds for wild birds and wildlife but I know people enjoy sunflower seeds too as a snack. If you grow your own sunflowers and are lucky enough to get the seeds, they are easy to roast. It is my experience however, that you need to be vigilant to grab the seed heads before the wild birds get it. Good luck! The are ready when the back of the heads are brown. I cut them when the backs are 3/4s brown and hang them in a cool spot to ripen a bit more. If growing sunflowers is not an option, which it probably isn't for most people buy plain sunflower seeds in the grocery store or health food store. It's definitely easier and you will have enough seeds for eating. Here are two easy recipes I think you will enjoy with sunflower seeds in them. The first one is from the National Sunflower Association. Blend together or process thoroughly -4oz Muenster cheese and 4oz cream cheese. Blend in 1/2tsp. Worcestershire sauce, 1/4tsp.paprika and 1/8tsp. red pepper. Chill for at least 1/2 hour. Make cheese balls and roll them into crushed sunflower kernals. Chill for another 2 hours and serve. I substitute Colby Jack or Asadero cheese for the Muenster and sometimes put in 1 chopped jalapeno pepper instead of the red pepper. Instead of making balls I shape the cheese into logs, chill them and cut them into slices for crackers. I have also mixed ground sunflower seeds into the cheese mixture and spread it onto wraps. I then roll the wraps, making slight cuts into them and chill the wraps in plastic wrap. Just before I serve them I slice them and serve as an appetizer. Sunflower Seed Butter - Remove sunflower meat from the shells. Place the seed meat into a food processor. Run the processor on the high speed for 30-45 secs. until a paste forms. Check the consistency of the paste. If a chunky paste or butter is desired leave some sunflower seed pieces in it, for a smooth butter process it til smooth. If the paste is crumbly or dry add a small amount of vegetable oil to the paste and blend thoroughly for a few seconds. Store in an airtight container. This butter can be use in many recipes for cookies, breads, cakes or as a spread. This recipe is from the Huffington Post and is flourless : Sunflower Seed Cookies - Combine 1cup sunflower seed butter, 1/2cup packed brown sugar and 1/4cup sugar. Add 1 egg. Mix well. Add 3/4tsp. baking soda, 1/2tsp. salt and 1/2tsp. vanilla mixing well. Shape into walnut size balls placing them on a parchment lined cookie sheet 2inches apart. Flatten cookie with a fork. Bake in a preheated 350*F oven til set (10-12 mins) or til edges are lightly brown. Cool for 5mins before transferring to wire rack to cool completely. Store in an airtight container for 5 days. I hope you enjoy these recipes and throw out the crumbs to the wild birds. If you wish to attract a wild bird such as goldfinch, cardinal or grosbeak plant a few sunflowers or offer them sunflower seeds. Please visit my site www.WildBirdSeedMart.com to purchase wild bird products such as sunflower seeds, birdbaths and nesting boxes. The site offers many guide books to help you identify the wild birds attracted to the backyard and to the gardens.

The Benefits Of Sunflowers In Today And Future Society

Much to the delight of wild life, wild birds and we human, sunflowers are starting to gleam our backyards and fields. Why such an attraction to these flowers? As an individual flower they are gangly, lanky and not really attractive. Nothing special, that's for sure. A patch or field of sunflowers makes an awesome sight and a brilliant statement. One can't help but smile while gazing over a field of sunflowers with their huge yellow flowers bobbing in the breeze. Sunflowers (Helianthus annuus) are native American annual plants. There is evidence sunflowers were first domesticated in Mexico and brought to Europe by the Spanish. The sunflower's resemblance of the sun prompted the Aztec and Otomi civilizations as well as the Incas of South America, to use the sunflower as a symbol for their solar deity. Medicine men of several cultures chewed the dried or fresh root of the plant before sucking the venom out of a snake bite. They then applied a poultice of sunflower to the bite site. The plant's petals made paint and dyes. Sometime in the 1800's the Russian Orthodox Community made sunflower oil popular because of its acceptable usage during Lent. All parts of the sunflower can be used. To fully appreciate the plant let's dissect its features. The flower head or flower as most people refer to it as,is really made up of many individual flowers which yield an abundant amount of seeds. Due to the flower head resembling the sun the outer petals are called ray florets. These are sterile petals and come in various shades or hues of yellow, orange and red. The individual flowers inside the circle are known as disc florets. It is this part of the sunflower that actually yields the seeds. In 1979 H.Vogel discovered the sunflower petals had a specific number of spirals and pattern. The sunflower's seeds are technically the fruit of the plant but for this article's purposes we will refer to them as seeds. Many products are produced from the seeds. Oil is extracted from them for cooking and bio diesel with the leftover cake going to livestock feed. The seed meats are used in food products for breads, cakes, snacking food and flavoring. The sunflower's heart shape leaves have a coarse saw-toothed edge. They are single band and alternate on the stem. The leaves are used for cattle feed. The stem or stalk has a cortex and pith which contain fiber that's extracted to make paper. The latex in the stalk is now being researched as an alternative crop for non allergenic rubber. The root of the sunflower is considere a dicot. The taproot develops from the seed expanding into primary and secondary tissues. These tissues then develop into roots which specifically determines the plants length (primary) and girth (secondary). These tissues are vital to the plant's growth and strength. The root in past cultures was used for medicinal purposes. Sunflower root is still used in some modern medications. One of the main benefits of the sunflower's root is its ability to neutralize toxins in the ground. It has been known to extract lead, arsenic and uranium from contaminated soils. Both the Russians and Japanese planted sunflowers after their nuclear disasters. It was found through rhizofiltration the sunflower was able to neutralize the radionuclids caesium-137, stronkum-90 and other harmful bacteria from water and soil. Sunflowers not only attract our attention for their beauty and their bounty of seeds but they've contributed to many cultures throughout the centuries. From the seeds yielding oils for cooking, fuel, flour, bird and livestock food to the roots used in toxin removal, the sunflower has proven its worthy of our respect and admiration. As you can see sunflowers are quite beneficial. Plant a few sunflowers to brighten the garden and rid the lawn of fertilizer toxins. The high oil content of the seeds provide a good food source for wild birds and wildlife. Be sure to plant sunflowers away from the house for the fallen seeds may attract some unwanted wild life. Check your local pest or invasive weed list to be sure sunflowers can be planted. If you can plant sunflowers please do, this way, even on a rainy day you'll still see the sun. Please visit my website for many other wild bird products. My website is www.wildbirdseedmart.com.

Attracting Wild Birds- The Kingfisher

Attracting wild birds is a favorite past time for me. My yard is landscaped to attract wild birds of various groups and types as well as wildlife. There are approximately 26 feeders on the property offering seed, suet, nuts, fruit and nectar. I offer all these foods all year long though in smaller amounts. The reason is at this time of year the yard yields so many natural fresh foods that wild birds. Fruit trees and berry bushes abound attracting fruit eating wild birds such as robins. catbirds, cedar waxwings and mockingbirds. Woodpeckers peck at the figs to entice ants to the fruit so they can lap them up while the flickers feast on the insects attracted to the droppd fruit on the ground. At dusk the bats and swallows swoop in to rid the yard of mosquitos and gnats due to the dampness from the woods behind the yard and the wild trek of garden we created and then let nature do its job. During the day the purple martins, tree swallows and warblers flit by, feeding off the insects in the trees, grasses and flower beds. The salvias, honeysuckle and monarda attract butterflies and moths as well as hummingbirds. The nectar from various flower petals and flowers themselves attract the nectar loving birds such as orioles and hummers. The pond and birdbaths are our water features that help attract wild birds offering fresh water for drinking and bathing. Our pond has a large spillway going to a waterfall and a small brook. There is also a shallow bog area for mud baths and frog nappings. The brook and waterfall create trickling sounds which attract wild birds and creates a certain amount of relaxation for us. Waterlilies shade the fish below while irises, catmint and creeping jenny attract butterflies, dragon and damsel flies. The pond has attracted several frogs which cohabitate with the fish as well as some garden snakes and turtles. On occasion the frogs do grab an unsuspecting victim for dinner but for the most part there seems to be a nice balance of natural tranquility. Well that seemed to go to the wayside today. It seems in our quest to attract wild birds (songbirds and perching birds )for the immediate backyard we have attracted other types of wild birds...hunting birds. While grilling dinner we heard a rattling sound in the tree. Both my husband and I searched the trees trying to find what bird was making the noise. Then we spotted it; we had attracted a belted kingfisher. He was perched on a branch over the pond rattling away while we stood with our eyes watching him to see what we thought he may do. He didn"t disappoint us as if on cue,he dove into the pond scaring everything in and around the pond but thankfully exiting without any fish. I never thought a belted kingfisher would be attracted to the pond. We have had blue heron and night heron eye ball the pond from the roof but never going in it because of the way the pond was constructed. I thought I had planted enough vegetation in the pond to cover the fish and dissaude attracting water hunting wild birds. I have since learned that belted kingfishers are attracted to garden ponds which contain fish and have a perching area for them to dive from. I thought kingfishers liked salt or brackish water but it turns out they like any type of water. They prefer shallow waters such as ponds, streams, rivers and coastline areas. Kingfishers also don't dive completely into the water but break the surface head first to get fish or invertabrates. Kingfishers can also hover the water and dive in to get their food. These wild birds have a long thick spearlike bill to grab their prey. They then flip their prey up in the air and swallow it. Belted kingfishers are shy and usually they are heard before they're seen. That being said, I guess we were fortunate to spot the belted kingfisher in our yard. Luckily he didn't make out with any of the fish though maybe that's why some of the baby fish are disappearing. The belted kingfisher is one of three kingfishers in the United States. Two of the three kingfishers are the green kingfisher and the ringed kingfisher both those are found in Texas and Mexico. Belted kingfishers are not rare but are shy and usually found by their woody rattle noises while in flight. They will protect their territory which is about 500 yards in range. Though our intentions were to attract wild birds to the backyard meaning songbirds and perching birds,we have attracted a differnt group of wild birds inadvertently making bird watching a little more exciting. Though "our" belted kingfisher is a welcomed but yet an unwelcomed guest, for the fish, he has provided us with several visits plunging into the pond and coming out emptied billed. I think he just likes to get a little quick refreshing dive. The Wildlife Federation would be proud of us for creating such a garden spot for attracting wild birds. To attract wild birds to your backyard please visit the website www.WildBirdSeedMart.com. The website offers products to help attract wild birds such as seed, birdbaths and nesting boxes for wild birds. By providing food, water and shelter in your yard you will be helping wild birds and make your yard a wild life sanctuary.

Wild Birds' Beaks or Bills

       Wild birds' beaks or bills (used interchangeably) are used for various functions other than eating.  That is the primary purpose of the beak or bill is for eating.  The type of beak or bill a wild bird possesses determines what food its diet primarily consists of. The beak is used as a wild birds tool for prying, drilling and probing.  In the breeding season several wild birds (puffins for example) beaks display brighter or different colors than their norm to attract a mate.  Storks and cranes use their bills in mating rituals by bill clapping or dancing while the bills are touching, while grouse and other wild birds drum with their beaks to attract a partner.  Beaks or bills are important in nest construction whether it be picking up materials for the construction or the actual forming of the nest.  Beaks come in various sizes, shapes, and types.  Sometimes the beaks look quite similar but upon closer inspection there are subtle differences  which is specific for that particular wild bird.  I have tried to simplify the types of birds beaks by placing them in five general categories.  Most wild birds have their niche but several types of wild birds will go between the groups.  The general categories are: seed eaters, insect eaters, fruit and nectar eaters, fish eaters and meat eaters    It is my intent to familiarize you to the world of wild birds beaks and to their function.
       Wild birds beaks or bills consist of two bony structures the upper mandible and the lower mandible.  These structures are covered with a thin layer of keratin.  In the wild birds' world the keratin gets replaced many times due to wear.  Due to the various functions a beak or bill plays in the life of wild birds their bills don't need trimming or cutting as with domestic birds.  Though wild birds beaks or bills look heavy, the structures are hollow and lightweight so the bird can still fly.  Now let's explore the world of wild birds beaks
       Seed eaters fall into two groups.. large seed eaters and small seed eaters.
       Large seed eaters have a large powerful heavy looking conical beak.  This beak or bill has the ability to crush large seeds for maples, pines, spruce and sunflowers.  On the outer ridge of the mandibles (upper and lower bony structures of the beak) there are ridges called Tomia that help slice the shell of the seed so the bird can eat the seed kernels.  Cardinals and grosbeaks are just two wild birds that have this type of beak.
       Small seed eaters have a much smaller heavy beak to crush smaller seeds such as millet, milo,grass seed and thistle.  Sparrows, juncos, buntings and goldfinch are some of the wild birds in this group.
       Nectar eaters have long straw like thin bills used to probe flowers for the nectar.  The bill has a slightly downward curve which allows the bird to get further inside the flower to reach the sugary substance.  Hummingbirds will "sip" nectar from tubular flowers using its long beak and tongue.  The beaks actual purpose is to protect the bird's extremely long tongue which has troughs or grooves along it so nectar gets pulled from the flower through capillary action, feeding the bird and looking as if it is sipping the nectar.  Oriole get their nectar by eating the petals of flowers of fruit trees such as apples and cherries.  They will also visit nectar feeders.
       Nectar and fruit eaters bills tend to be longer and narrower than the seed eating group but not as long as the hummingbirds' beak.  Scarlet tanagers, orioles and vireos all fit into this category using their beaks to pick pieces of fruit for their eating pleasure.  Toucans are fruit eaters possessing a very colorful large bill which has the ability to crush large seeds and pick large fruit such as avocados off of trees.  
       Insect eating birds have very short beaks but can open their mouths very wide enabling these wild birds to catch insects or bugs on the fly.  The beak has bristles around it to aid in catching or netting   any bugs as they fly past the bird or any bug in the birds path.  Inside the mouth of these wild birds are backward bumps which directs the food downwards.  Swallows, swifts and nighthawks belong to this group.  Warblers, vireos, kinglets and gnatcatches have short pointed bills.  The bills are tweezer like and slender allowing the birds to pick or tweeze the bugs off of tree branches and leaves.  This group of wild birds is very beneficial due to the amount of insects they consume. The beaks in the insect eating class are extremely small compared to the bird's head. 
       Probers possess longer and pointed beaks than insect eating birds.  Their bills look slightly heavier and thicker in depth though they are hollow inside making them lightweight.  Robins, grackles and flickers use their bills to probe the ground for grubs, insects and larvae.  Many waterbirds have probing beaks though theirs tend to be even longer and heavier than land bird probers.  Ibis, curlew, wimbels, snipe and godwit possess thick long pointed beaks with a downward curve to probe the mud or shallow waters. for invertebrates and aquatic insects.  Other wild birds stir the water with their beaks to find food particles. They use their beaks in a tweezing motion to put water droplets into their mouths which then releases the water and the bird gets to eat the food particles.  Avocets on the other hand have upward turning bills that they swing from side to side in the water feeling for crustaceans, insects, seeds and other prey.  Dowitchers have a thick long straight beak for probing the water in a sewing machine motion for their dinner. 
       Chiselers have an ever so slightly curved heavy thick pointed bill.  The beaks or bills on these wild birds are used to chisel out holes for nesting sites and raising a family.  The beak hits an object at approximately 6-7 m/sec.  Woodpeckers are probers and chiselers.  They probe trees for bugs while chiseling and hammering the tree trunk for food and dwelling.  Yellow bellied sapsucker drill holes in trees to extract sap from the tree which it will sup upon. The sap will then attract other insect eating wild birds such as flickers.
       Tearing and ripping bills are considered possessions of wild birds that hunt. The bills are thick and heavy looking and hook at the end.  The hook is extremely pointed and sharp.  The hook's job is to pierce and tear.  These wild birds have a little tooth on the upper mandible and a corresponding space on the lower mandible which pierces and severes the spinal cord of the prey.  The tooth aids in securing the prey while the bird is in flight.  The pointed hook then rips or tears the catch into pieces the bird can eat.  Hawks, eagles, osprey and owls are all  hunters and possess this kind of bill.  Vultures though not hunters but opportunists feeding on dead carrion also fall into this category.
       Fish eaters are sub divided into several groups for simplicity sake.  The groups are the stabbers, skimmers and scoopers.    
       Stabbers have very lengthy thick pointy beaks that can gradually taper or just jumps to a point.The beak is used to stab or spear the birds dinner.  In herons and egrets the beak spears their prey and then they flip the bill upwards and the food goes down the gullet whole be it a mouse, snake or crustacean.
        Skimmers have a longer lower mandible than its upper mandible.  This allows the bird to fly over the water while keeping the lower jaw submerged till it feels a fish.  Once a fish is felt the jaw snaps shut with the upper mandible holds the fish in place.  The American or Black Skimmer with its reddish beak is the noted bird for this kind of fishing.
       Scoopers have a very extended beak with extra skin under the lower mandible that forms a net or pouch.  The pouch can hold up to three gallons of water when expanded.  When the bill snaps shut the pouch contracts draining and filtering the water out but leaving whats left for the bird to eat in one swallow.  White pelicans either swim or fly above the water and scoop large amounts of water into their pouch..  Brown pelicans dive for their food but as their exiting the water they scoop up large quantities of water also.
        Strainers or filter beaks are flatter and wider than the beaks previously discussed.  The Roseate Spoonbill has a very long  flat spoon shaped bill.  It leaves the bill partially open while it moves the beak back and forth through the water until it feels a fish. At that point the bill snaps closed capturing dinner.  The bill filters out the water so all that's left is the crustacean, aquatic insects or fish for the spoonbill's dinner.  Ducks and swan have much shorter, flatter and broader bills than most land birds.  Ducks and several other waterfowl have comb like structures on the edge of their beaks called lamella.  This structure allows the bill to seine or filter mud and water out leaving just the grasses, insects and small fish in the duck's bill.  Mergansers have a more sawtooth ridge which assists in catching and securing amphibians and crustaceans.  
        When trying to identify wild birds note the bill type and size.  The shape of the beak can give clues to what the wild birds primary diet is so it may be attracted to the backyard or spotted eating its favorite food.  Wild birds in all areas have the same types of bills as listed above so if abroad the same identification should be used to find what wild birds have been sighted.  In the spring or mating season when the wild birds return, note the bill color or the dance and bill clapping in the rituals for it is truly interesting to watch.  If you are in need of some good wild bird products such as guide books or identification books please visit the website www.WildBirdSeedMart.com.  The website offers wild bird seed and nectar products.  Feeding stations for wild birds and nesting boxes are also available.  Birdbaths which offer fresh water drinking helps to bring wild birds to the yard.  Make the yard a wild bird habitat by providing shelter, food, and water.         

A Contest For Wild Birds

When my husband ( then boyfriend) came to live with me about 17 years ago he knew nothing about wild birds or birding.  His idea of wild birds was seagulls, crows, pigeons and blue jays.  He is right, they are wild birds but there are alot more birds than that I exclaimed.  He lived by the water so I thought he would know some water loving wild birds but I guess the area was too over populated and noisy for the birds that he never saw or noticed them.  My house is by the water but located in what was once considered farm country.  As I was interested in wild birds this was a great place to live.  The farm fields would be exploding in spring with all kinds of songs and birds.  Meadowlarks would be flitting by and singing while bobwhites marched through the grass calling bob bob white.  Plovers and killdeer would be in the freshly plowed fields. It was great!  Progress started to set in and many of the wild birds of yesteryear started to disappear and haven't been seen in several years.  So I decided to attract wild birds to my backyard by planting fruit trees and flowers.  When my boyfriend moved in the poor guy took over the hole digging and grass mowing.  He knew nothing about gardening except he was allergic to grass and some other environmental stuff ( hay fever ).  He learned and he learned alot though there was a great bit of protesting.  To make things a little more fun we decided to have a contest.  First with the flowers and gardening.  A list of plants and their purpose had to be proposed by both of us though separately.  Once done it went to an arbitrator who knew nothing about plants.  You had to argue the points and then she would chose the plants to be planted.  Whoever had the most plants on her list would win and take the other one out to dinner of the winners choice.  That contest worked  so well we decided to do it for wild birds but with a smaller prize.  We still do this contest to this day though the rules have been modified throughout the years.  This years rule is finding 10 new wild birds.  By new it is meant new arrivals to the area for the season or migrating thru.  Eight of these wild birds have to be confirmed the other two can be sightings on the honor system.  Now I have to admit I have had the advantage for many years because I knew my avian friends.  So I thought.  Wild birds such as robins, nuthatches, downy woodpeckers and mourning doves are not counted because they're here all year long.  So we're waiting for the "new arrivals" to come.  The weather must not be just right because our feathered friends seem to be late in arriving.  Wild birds and wildlife have a better understanding about timing than we do but they missed their arrival date.  Usually I start seeing them come May 1st  but that date has come and gone by several days.  Oh wait ... is that a Baltimore Oriole I hear?  Where are you?  Ah Ha!   He's on the nectar feeder so I'm one step closer to winning the contest because at this point my husband and I are tied at six apiece with different birds.   I figured he's fixing the pond so he's not looking for the birds.  Silly me.  He comes rushing in an hour later crowing he won! What?  How?  I thought you were fixing the pond.  He claims he was when a male and female Baltimore Oriole landed in the white oak above him.  I contest , that's my male Baltimore Oriole.  I saw him at the nectar feeder first.  Show me the female.  As if on cue she flies right past us into the cherry tree.  All right you get that round but not the male.  What other ones did you see?  Before he could say anything I spotted a purple finch which is new to our area and had been confirmed by other "birders" they were spotted. There I thought, I showed you.  He just shakes his head, he is so good natured I'm thinking; then he springs on me you still lose.  There are two of your favorite wild birds over on the side feeder that have been visiting all morning.  I look and there he's pointing to a pair of indigo buntings.  Not only that sweetheart you missed your other favorite one, " the dinosaur bird".  He is referring to the rose breasted grosbeak.  How he and my daughter arrived at that name I can not tell you.  It's making a nest in the rhododendron literally right under my nose.  I contest! I contest!  Not fair! I'm such a sore loser sometimes.  I truly don't mind losing to him in a contest of darts or horseshoes but this is my contest. I'm the one who taught you about wild birds and birding I'm thinking.  However, I do gracefully concede, for he won fair and square.  I'll just get him back when we have  our summer contest while barb-a-queuing and looking for the insect eating wild birds.  For tonight I reckon I'll be making butter pecan ice cream for his prize.  For wild bird field guides or for any wild bird products to help attract wild birds to your yard please visit my website www.WildBirdSeedMart.com.