Friday, June 21, 2013
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.
Saturday, May 18, 2013
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.
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.
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
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.
Saturday, May 4, 2013
Creating A Woodland Shade Garden
What is a woodland shade garden? How is it different from any other shade garden? There are several different types of shade gardens each one is dictated by the amount of light or sunshine available to the garden. It is understood in quantifying hours of light that it is calculated from mid-morning (10:00am.) to evening(6:00pm.). In defining the light shade garden the area would be completely shaded for only 2-4 hours within the time frame of mid- morning to evening. For filtered shade gardens the garden would be shaded completely throughout the day with the sun's rays penetrating through the tree canopy. The more open the tree canopy is the more light filters down to the plants. For example, a tree canopy created of locust, birch and willow will allow a lot more light or sun rays in than one made up of oak and maple. Part shade is shade in which structures or a crop of trees planted close together cast their shadows for 4-5 hours over the garden; however; the sun shines on the area as it moves throughout the day. Full shade is dark shade prevailing all day long whether it is from a tall structure or out hangings such as a porch roof. Multi tiered forest canopies create this kind of shade. The light which does get in is from reflection off of the buildings or passive daylight. Last is dense shade. This is defined as no light reaching the garden floor. This is created by thick wood canopies of conifers, maples and heavy low branching trees.
The woodland shade garden encompasses all of the above shade categories at various times of the year and day. For the purpose of this article the woodland shade garden is going to start at the edge of the woods and incorporate the wooded area. The shade garden is well drained and has much organic matter in the soil. The soil is acidic due to the decaying leaf litter which will get amended as I plant the garden. For spring time flowering bulbs will be planted. The main flowers will be daffodils, crocus and star of Bethlehem to naturalize the garden. There is no problem with these flowers developing and getting the amount of sunlight to flower because the tree canopy is still dormant. Next Tiarella (foamflowers) and pulmonaria will be planted for they like moist soil and partial shade. Both plants have interesting leaves which are eye catching in a shade garden. Tiarella have shiny maple shape deep lobed leaves with pink or cream markings on them. Pulmonaria leaves are speckled with silver. Both plants mature to no more than 12 inches in height so should be planted in the front of the shade garden. I try to make the woodland shade garden natural looking. These plants are planted in different areas of the garden to give the appearance they grew there naturally. The hardiness zones for these plants are 3-7 and 3-8 respectively.
Naturalize the woodland shade garden with some native plants to help restore and promote their dwindling numbers in the wild. Remember not to take them out of their elements but to buy these plants and bulbs from reputable nurseries. In many states it is illegal to pick and take wild flowers. There are many natives to choose from depending on where your residence is. Here in the northeast (I live in New York) zone 6b, are some of my choices: bloodroot, trillium, dog tooth violets, Virginia bluebells, lady slippers and Jack in the Pulpits. Most of these plants prefer moist soil with organic matter either compost or decaying leaf litter and good drainage.
Trillium is a flowering bulb also known as "Great White Trillium" or "Wake Robin". The plant gets a three white petalled flower with three leaves and three sepals. The plant emits a smelly odor to attract pollinators such as bees, the pale swallowtail and the Virginia White butterfly. There is also a red trillium available.
Bloodroot belongs to the poppy family. In the spring the leaf is curled around the stalk developing into a large deep lobed leaf. Bloodroot gets a single white 8-10 petal flower. The plant gets its name from the Native Americans because when the root is cut it oozes a red blood colored juice that they used to make dyes and face paint.
Goat's beard was given its name from the Latin word aryngos (Aruncus) meaning goat's beard because the plumes or flowers on this plant are white like a goat beard. This plant grows 4-6 feet in part shade and slightly smaller in full shade. It is a very showy plant once established. The leaves are clumped at the base and are fern like in appearance with the plumes rising above the leaves on tall spike branches. The plant is a dioecious plant meaning it has all male flowers or all female flowers. The male plant is slightly showier than the female. Native Americans used this plant for medicinal purposes in curing fevers and blood diseases. Goat's beard makes a good backdrop for the woodland shade garden with the appearance of flowers in May to July.
Wild columbine is an early spring native wildflower which tolerates most soils even drier soils. It performs best in part to filtered shade yielding red and yellow blossoms. The flowers are nectar rich so it attracts pollinators such as hummingbirds, bumblebees and butterflies. The plant is the host plant of Duskywing butterflies. Native Americans made washes with the various parts of the plant including a infusion for poison ivy. Hopefully their remedy is better than the stuff on the market today.
Bleeding hearts and Dutchman's Breeches are native herbaceous plants that bloom in April to June. These flowers resemble upside down pantaloons of pink and white or maroon and white on three parted fern like leaves They prefer moist shady areas (they will melt in the hot sun) growing to about 10 -12 inches high. They spread via underground roots from a scaly bulb. They are toxic to many animals if eaten thus given the name stagger plant. Both these plants add softness and grace to the woodland shade garden.
The bones of the woodland shade garden are azaleas and rhododendrons which like the acidic moist soil. The more light they get the more flowers they will produce but they do not like the hot or full sun. These are good choices if you wish to attract wild birds because they provide shelter and protection with the dense branching habit. Many a cardinal or robin nest can be found in them.
Summersweet Clethra or Pepperbush flowers profusely for 4-6 weeks in July to August. This upright 4-8 feet shrub hails bottle brush spicy scented flowers in the summer when few trees and shrubs flower. The plant does spread sending underground rhizomes throughout the area so it needs to be kept in check occasionally. Clethra likes to be near water and likes moist organic soil. It will tolerate a sunny location. It develops brown seed pods that persist for 2 years on the bush. This shrub does make a good hedge row or perimeter border.
Ligularia works well in the woodland shade garden. It can grow 8 feet high with a width of 6 feet if the conditions are what the plant likes. They like very moist but well drained organic fertile soil. The leaves are interesting and eye appealing. Some ligularia have heart shaped rounded coppery leaves while others have deeply toothed bright green leaves. The flowers range from orange to yellow daisy shaped to high tall spikes of blooms. They add wonderful bright color to the garden throughout summer to the fall season. These plants do not tolerate sun and will melt so provide them with water if necessary and they will give you bold bright flowers and satisfaction.
Adding ferns to the shade garden helps soften the garden and adds texture. Ferns can be found in many different leaf shapes from delicate looking leaves to big ostrich leaves. Their colors can go from the two toned painted fern look to the brilliant orange red coloring of the cultivar Autumn fern, Brilliance. Place ferns such as deer fern or hart's tongue with hosta, tiarella and coral bells which like filtered sun and make the shiny fronds shimmer in the light. Ferns are a good choice for holding ground on a slope because of their spreading or creeping rhizomes which helps in erosion control.
The woodland shade garden does not have to be dull and boring just because of the shade. Many wild birds will seek the shelter of the tree canopy above the garden to forage for insects or spiders. Several of the woodland shade plants offer berries and nectar providing food for wild birds and wildlife through the nesting and general season. The plumes and fern leaves are good nest building material too. Place bird baths in strategic spots so the wild birds can get fresh water for bathing and drinking. Add a path with dried leaves, mulch or pine needles that leads to a nice sitting area to watch the birds and wildlife. Grab a good book and relax or keep handy a wild bird field guide to look up the wild birds that come to visit. Remember to check the plants that are being planted so no invasives are added to the landscaping and use legal plants to restore them to their natural habitat. Please go to the website www.WildBirdSeedMart.com for any of your wild birds needs. We offer many different products including birdbaths and seed from some leading wild bird companies.
The woodland shade garden encompasses all of the above shade categories at various times of the year and day. For the purpose of this article the woodland shade garden is going to start at the edge of the woods and incorporate the wooded area. The shade garden is well drained and has much organic matter in the soil. The soil is acidic due to the decaying leaf litter which will get amended as I plant the garden. For spring time flowering bulbs will be planted. The main flowers will be daffodils, crocus and star of Bethlehem to naturalize the garden. There is no problem with these flowers developing and getting the amount of sunlight to flower because the tree canopy is still dormant. Next Tiarella (foamflowers) and pulmonaria will be planted for they like moist soil and partial shade. Both plants have interesting leaves which are eye catching in a shade garden. Tiarella have shiny maple shape deep lobed leaves with pink or cream markings on them. Pulmonaria leaves are speckled with silver. Both plants mature to no more than 12 inches in height so should be planted in the front of the shade garden. I try to make the woodland shade garden natural looking. These plants are planted in different areas of the garden to give the appearance they grew there naturally. The hardiness zones for these plants are 3-7 and 3-8 respectively.
Naturalize the woodland shade garden with some native plants to help restore and promote their dwindling numbers in the wild. Remember not to take them out of their elements but to buy these plants and bulbs from reputable nurseries. In many states it is illegal to pick and take wild flowers. There are many natives to choose from depending on where your residence is. Here in the northeast (I live in New York) zone 6b, are some of my choices: bloodroot, trillium, dog tooth violets, Virginia bluebells, lady slippers and Jack in the Pulpits. Most of these plants prefer moist soil with organic matter either compost or decaying leaf litter and good drainage.
Trillium is a flowering bulb also known as "Great White Trillium" or "Wake Robin". The plant gets a three white petalled flower with three leaves and three sepals. The plant emits a smelly odor to attract pollinators such as bees, the pale swallowtail and the Virginia White butterfly. There is also a red trillium available.
Bloodroot belongs to the poppy family. In the spring the leaf is curled around the stalk developing into a large deep lobed leaf. Bloodroot gets a single white 8-10 petal flower. The plant gets its name from the Native Americans because when the root is cut it oozes a red blood colored juice that they used to make dyes and face paint.
Goat's beard was given its name from the Latin word aryngos (Aruncus) meaning goat's beard because the plumes or flowers on this plant are white like a goat beard. This plant grows 4-6 feet in part shade and slightly smaller in full shade. It is a very showy plant once established. The leaves are clumped at the base and are fern like in appearance with the plumes rising above the leaves on tall spike branches. The plant is a dioecious plant meaning it has all male flowers or all female flowers. The male plant is slightly showier than the female. Native Americans used this plant for medicinal purposes in curing fevers and blood diseases. Goat's beard makes a good backdrop for the woodland shade garden with the appearance of flowers in May to July.
Wild columbine is an early spring native wildflower which tolerates most soils even drier soils. It performs best in part to filtered shade yielding red and yellow blossoms. The flowers are nectar rich so it attracts pollinators such as hummingbirds, bumblebees and butterflies. The plant is the host plant of Duskywing butterflies. Native Americans made washes with the various parts of the plant including a infusion for poison ivy. Hopefully their remedy is better than the stuff on the market today.
Bleeding hearts and Dutchman's Breeches are native herbaceous plants that bloom in April to June. These flowers resemble upside down pantaloons of pink and white or maroon and white on three parted fern like leaves They prefer moist shady areas (they will melt in the hot sun) growing to about 10 -12 inches high. They spread via underground roots from a scaly bulb. They are toxic to many animals if eaten thus given the name stagger plant. Both these plants add softness and grace to the woodland shade garden.
The bones of the woodland shade garden are azaleas and rhododendrons which like the acidic moist soil. The more light they get the more flowers they will produce but they do not like the hot or full sun. These are good choices if you wish to attract wild birds because they provide shelter and protection with the dense branching habit. Many a cardinal or robin nest can be found in them.
Summersweet Clethra or Pepperbush flowers profusely for 4-6 weeks in July to August. This upright 4-8 feet shrub hails bottle brush spicy scented flowers in the summer when few trees and shrubs flower. The plant does spread sending underground rhizomes throughout the area so it needs to be kept in check occasionally. Clethra likes to be near water and likes moist organic soil. It will tolerate a sunny location. It develops brown seed pods that persist for 2 years on the bush. This shrub does make a good hedge row or perimeter border.
Ligularia works well in the woodland shade garden. It can grow 8 feet high with a width of 6 feet if the conditions are what the plant likes. They like very moist but well drained organic fertile soil. The leaves are interesting and eye appealing. Some ligularia have heart shaped rounded coppery leaves while others have deeply toothed bright green leaves. The flowers range from orange to yellow daisy shaped to high tall spikes of blooms. They add wonderful bright color to the garden throughout summer to the fall season. These plants do not tolerate sun and will melt so provide them with water if necessary and they will give you bold bright flowers and satisfaction.
Adding ferns to the shade garden helps soften the garden and adds texture. Ferns can be found in many different leaf shapes from delicate looking leaves to big ostrich leaves. Their colors can go from the two toned painted fern look to the brilliant orange red coloring of the cultivar Autumn fern, Brilliance. Place ferns such as deer fern or hart's tongue with hosta, tiarella and coral bells which like filtered sun and make the shiny fronds shimmer in the light. Ferns are a good choice for holding ground on a slope because of their spreading or creeping rhizomes which helps in erosion control.
The woodland shade garden does not have to be dull and boring just because of the shade. Many wild birds will seek the shelter of the tree canopy above the garden to forage for insects or spiders. Several of the woodland shade plants offer berries and nectar providing food for wild birds and wildlife through the nesting and general season. The plumes and fern leaves are good nest building material too. Place bird baths in strategic spots so the wild birds can get fresh water for bathing and drinking. Add a path with dried leaves, mulch or pine needles that leads to a nice sitting area to watch the birds and wildlife. Grab a good book and relax or keep handy a wild bird field guide to look up the wild birds that come to visit. Remember to check the plants that are being planted so no invasives are added to the landscaping and use legal plants to restore them to their natural habitat. Please go to the website www.WildBirdSeedMart.com for any of your wild birds needs. We offer many different products including birdbaths and seed from some leading wild bird companies.
Saturday, April 27, 2013
Planting A Sun Garden to Attract Wild Birds
As previously discussed (refer to Planning A Garden Blog ) there are several fundamental issues that need to be addressed before planting a garden. In quick review they are: the plant hardiness zone temperature, drainage, light exposure soil type and the type of garden you wish to have. For the sake of this article I am going to plant a full sun garden with average soil and drainage. It will be an informal garden with various heights,and colors. The garden bed will be approximately 20 x 20 ft. and exposed on all four sides . The soil is slightly on the dirt side so will need some remediation with manure, garden soil, peat or topsoil. The plant hardiness zone is 6b and will be created to attract wild birds and wildlife. I prepared the dirt with garden soil and manure turning and raking the soil until all the big clumps are out. I've taken the winter weeds out also. I am going to plant on one side towards the back a kousa dogwood and opposite that a weeping crabapple off setting the plants Both trees grow well in full sun and offer three season appeal. The weeping crabapple gets profuse amounts of pinkish flowers attracting wild birds, butterflies and bees. As the seasons change the tree yields small red fruit which provides food for wild birds such as mockingbirds, jays, robins, and cedar waxwings. The leaves turn brilliant red in the autumn. The kousa dogwood blossoms are white four petaled flowers with a 'wolf eye' in the center. Nectar sipping wild birds and butterflies are attracted to the nectar rich flowers . In the fall the tree bears plump red raspberry like fruit devoured by woodpeckers,thrashes and sparrows. Before planting the tree make sure you read the nursery tag for directions. When planting trees and shrubs make sure the hole that's dug is twice the size of the root ball or container. This allows the roots to grow without exerting extra energy to set roots. Once the hole is dug place the tree in it to ensure the size is correct. Next untie and cut the burlap and remove it carefully. Many planters or nursery personnel tell you the burlap can stay on , just untie it and it will disintegrate. I have never had any success with the burlap disintegrating; thus the roots don't spread, they fail to thrive and tend to rot. I strongly recommend burlap removal. Back fill the hole adding whatever corrective soil medium the ground needs with water. Take time to dislodge any air pockets working the soil to keep the roots and tree in place. Tamp down the soil around the tree to secure it. Most of the time the tree's crown ( where the trunk meets the roots ) should be exposed. Next plant the shrubs in the same manner placing them where they will not interfere with the trees. Both trees grow 15 ft. tall and wide so stagger the bushes accordingly. Working from the middle of the garden out to the periphery plant shrubs that will stay smaller or lower in height to give depth to the garden's look. Hollies, dwarf conifers, blueberries or roses are all good choices offering berries, pine seeds or rose hips to attract wild birds. These plants provide shelter and protection for our feathered friends too. The next section should be lower in height and flower at a slightly different time so the garden is continually having color and interest. Maybe some flowering quince that bears quince which are good for human consumption or for the wildlife would and some nice color and interest due to its leggy habits. This is a good place to add plants and flowers that thrive in the sun. Echinacea (coneflowers) come in various colors and yield lots of seeds in the fall for goldfinch, buntings and many other songbirds. Group plants in a bunch to give the flowers their due justice. Garden phlox are liked by butterflies especially by swallowtails. Hummingbirds will frequent phlox too. Plants need the same attention as trees when planting however you may need to do one other thing before planting them. Many plants or flowers in containers become root bound so it may be necessary to score or cut the root. This allows the roots to spread . Just make one or two cuts and tease the roots before setting the plant in the ground. Near the perimeter plant low growing plants,Daisies, candy tuff, creeping phlox and lavender work well. Butterflies and moths are always landing on these plants. Lavender smells so good when you pass by it. Walk on me plants such as thyme or oregano emit nice scents when they are crushed and stepped on. These plants make great hiding spots for garden toads and ground birds. Ornamental grasses can be used to give a different look and added texture to the garden. My concern with many of the grasses is they spread and take over the garden. To avoid this from happening plant the grasses in the pots containing their roots. Wild birds (quail, buntings and bluebirds ) eat many of the seeds throughout the season. The grass seeds will get eaten by other critters well into the winter. Many insects besides butterflies and moths like these plants and flowers. They help cross pollinate and pollinate the plants however they well become part of the food chain with swallows or purple martins munching them up, After all the plants and flowers are in assess the garden. If there are a few bare spots that need addressing use annual flowers ( cocks comb or salvia ), garden art, bird feeders or bird baths to make the garden more eye appealing.If you wish to keep the weeds at bay, place newspaper down in the unplanted spots and cover with mulch. Cardboard works well too. Water the garden well now and then probably 2-3 times a week till the plants start to grow. For any birdbaths or bird feeders please see the website at www.WildBirdSeedMart.com. .
Saturday, April 13, 2013
Basic Thoughts For Planning A Garden
Springtime is a great time for planting a garden. Yes the daffodils and hyacinths are up as are other early Spring flowers but the rule of thumb for planting a flower garden is to wait until Mother's Day. Why? In most areas the hard frost has past so it won't harm the plants. If you are trying a flower garden for the first time or have been unsuccessful in the past here are a few tips before getting started which hopefully will save time and money.
First look at the area where the flower garden is going to be made. Decide if this is going to be a garden just for the season or for many seasons or years. This decision makes a difference in the plants needed for the garden. If you can't decide do an experimental garden. For this type of garden choose annual plants to give you an idea of how the flower bed will appear. Annual plants do not come back year after year; they are a one shot plant but they do tend to re-seed themselves. These flowers tend to be cheaper by buying them in flats giving you many flowers to plant with. A perennial garden is one where the flowers or plants come back every year. These plants mature with age and need room for growing and spreading. When planting a perennial garden most people tend to plant alot of plants in the space because it doesn't "look right" or "full enough". Don't over plant, it will just lead to a waste of money time and frustration. If the spaces bother you put a few annual flowers in between the perennial ones to give the garden a fuller look.
Secondly for at least a week observe how much light or sun the area gets. If the area gets 8 hours or more of sun it is considered to be a full sun area. Plants which need full sun tolerate the heat better than a part shade plant. The full sun flower will not wilt or melt in the heat where as the shade plant will and will probably need more attention,such as watering much more to survive. Part sun plants usually require 6-8 hours of sun while part shade plants need 4-6hours. Full shade flowers need very little sun light. These plants mainly have small or inconspicuous flowers but their leaves usually add texture or color to the garden.
Thirdly check the zone you live in. How do you do that? This can be done by using the computer or looking on the back of a seed packet. The back of the packet shows a map with colors on it. Find the color of the area where you reside and look at the number which corresponds to it. That is the zone number and tells you the average temperatures the plants can tolerate. Plant flowers for the area's zone. They will be more successful in growing. Some plants will grow outside their zones if the zones are close such as zone 7 to zone 6. These will be successful if there is a micro climate or sheltered ares in the garden. It is best to stay in the plants hardiness zone. Once you get experience d or daring try these plants.
Next check the soil the garden has. Here's where the experts tell you to test the soil for it's pH. I have never done this and have beautiful gardens. Maybe I just got lucky. What I believe is more important is the type of soil the plant is going into. Does the water drain or does it sit there on top of the soil for a period of time. Sand drains quickly where clay doesn't drain well at all. This is how I believe plants get lost because their roots either dry up like a prune or rots because it doesn't like wet feet. The soil may have to be remedied with additives such as manure, compost, topsoil, peat or mulch.
The next decision to be made is what type of garden do you want to achieve. Do you want a formal looking garden or a wild untamed one, which wild life loves or a focal garden. The choice of gardens will determine the look you need to achieve which will in turn determine the plants and flowers needed. It will dictate the amount of work, time and energy needed to get to that goal.
All gardens initially take time and energy. They all need some attention to get started and mature. You, the gardener, are the only one who knows how much time and work can be devoted to the project. Start small. The garden can evolve and can be added onto if need be. To me the garden is therapeutic. After working a stressful job it was nice to spend time in the garden mindlessly pulling weeds. As seasons pass the plants mature and there is less work to keep them looking good. Now I pass that time enjoying the gardens with my friends and wild life. Remember think big but go small at first. Be successful in you endeavors and if you need accessories for the garden please visit the website www.WildBirdSeedMart.com
First look at the area where the flower garden is going to be made. Decide if this is going to be a garden just for the season or for many seasons or years. This decision makes a difference in the plants needed for the garden. If you can't decide do an experimental garden. For this type of garden choose annual plants to give you an idea of how the flower bed will appear. Annual plants do not come back year after year; they are a one shot plant but they do tend to re-seed themselves. These flowers tend to be cheaper by buying them in flats giving you many flowers to plant with. A perennial garden is one where the flowers or plants come back every year. These plants mature with age and need room for growing and spreading. When planting a perennial garden most people tend to plant alot of plants in the space because it doesn't "look right" or "full enough". Don't over plant, it will just lead to a waste of money time and frustration. If the spaces bother you put a few annual flowers in between the perennial ones to give the garden a fuller look.
Secondly for at least a week observe how much light or sun the area gets. If the area gets 8 hours or more of sun it is considered to be a full sun area. Plants which need full sun tolerate the heat better than a part shade plant. The full sun flower will not wilt or melt in the heat where as the shade plant will and will probably need more attention,such as watering much more to survive. Part sun plants usually require 6-8 hours of sun while part shade plants need 4-6hours. Full shade flowers need very little sun light. These plants mainly have small or inconspicuous flowers but their leaves usually add texture or color to the garden.
Thirdly check the zone you live in. How do you do that? This can be done by using the computer or looking on the back of a seed packet. The back of the packet shows a map with colors on it. Find the color of the area where you reside and look at the number which corresponds to it. That is the zone number and tells you the average temperatures the plants can tolerate. Plant flowers for the area's zone. They will be more successful in growing. Some plants will grow outside their zones if the zones are close such as zone 7 to zone 6. These will be successful if there is a micro climate or sheltered ares in the garden. It is best to stay in the plants hardiness zone. Once you get experience d or daring try these plants.
Next check the soil the garden has. Here's where the experts tell you to test the soil for it's pH. I have never done this and have beautiful gardens. Maybe I just got lucky. What I believe is more important is the type of soil the plant is going into. Does the water drain or does it sit there on top of the soil for a period of time. Sand drains quickly where clay doesn't drain well at all. This is how I believe plants get lost because their roots either dry up like a prune or rots because it doesn't like wet feet. The soil may have to be remedied with additives such as manure, compost, topsoil, peat or mulch.
The next decision to be made is what type of garden do you want to achieve. Do you want a formal looking garden or a wild untamed one, which wild life loves or a focal garden. The choice of gardens will determine the look you need to achieve which will in turn determine the plants and flowers needed. It will dictate the amount of work, time and energy needed to get to that goal.
All gardens initially take time and energy. They all need some attention to get started and mature. You, the gardener, are the only one who knows how much time and work can be devoted to the project. Start small. The garden can evolve and can be added onto if need be. To me the garden is therapeutic. After working a stressful job it was nice to spend time in the garden mindlessly pulling weeds. As seasons pass the plants mature and there is less work to keep them looking good. Now I pass that time enjoying the gardens with my friends and wild life. Remember think big but go small at first. Be successful in you endeavors and if you need accessories for the garden please visit the website www.WildBirdSeedMart.com
Monday, April 1, 2013
Attraction to Wild Birds-Spring Attention to Attracting a Mate
What is it about Spring that makes us desire it to come? What's its real attraction? Is it we're fed up with winter and its weather or are we tired of staying in the house and need a change? When is Spring Spring? If we go by the calender Spring arrived March 20-21st but to me Spring starts to arrive when the snowdrops and crocuses start to bloom. The discovery of the first Spring flowers popping up in the garden attracts our attention and starts us thinking about Spring. The awareness of change, but wait,something is missing! The main attraction hasn't arrived yet, that of the wild birds flying overhead migrating to the new destinations to breed. Here in my area (Long Island,New York) early Spring starts with the arrival of the red-winged blackbirds coming to the feeders and the males flashing their intensely vibrant red wing patches The Ides of March has us searching the skies for the familiar wild birds to arrive. It's now past St.Patty's Day and still no symbols in the sky of Spring. Where are they? Then the familiar calls and cries and the attraction we've been waiting for has arrived, The Ospreys! Our eyes are attracted to the sky searching for their whereabouts. Spring has now officially arrived here The wild birds grab our attention. The male cardinals wear their vibrant red coats proudly hoping to attract a mate. Yesterday for the first time I actually experienced seeing a male turkey puff himself up and display his tail feathers to impress the ladies in the flock. He puffed himself up so much he looked twice his normal size and definitly looking to attract a mate. It was really quite impressive.
The attention to wild birds may be in their coloring and songs. Many of the male wild birds have attractive and brilliant colors to attract a mate. For instance the Baltimore Oriole or scarlet tanagers males have beatiful lively oranges and red respectively to attract a mate. To hear a familiar song draws our attention to the treetops to scan for the wild bird who owns the song. The songs are usually sung by the male to attract a mate or for staking out his territory. The songs can range from short and simple to complex and lengthy. The female is searching for a mate who is a better singer. In the wild bird world the more complex the song the better the males chances because it shows maturity and strength to the female. Thus leading to better brooding success.
The real attraction to wild birds is observing their courtship rituals. Many wild birds use different behavior to attract a mate. Sometimes they use a combo of behaviors to achieve this. Besides color and songs some wild birds perform dance routines, head bobbing, wing flapping or bill clicking to get the girls. Many hawks and birds of prey sky dance. Hawks put on a fabulous sky show to attract a mate. They fly high in the sky and then dive to earth as if they were free falling. Once attracting a female they mate in the air also while performing these maneuvers. Western grebes neck bob and then simultaneously dance and skip across the water. Cranes and birds of paradise wing flap and dance on the ground to attract a mate. The albatross bill clicks with its mate to asure pairing. All of these routines displayed by wild birds are fascinating to watch if you ever get to experience them.
Wild birds will also display their colors and feathers to attract a mate in different ways . For instance the peacock will spread his tail feathers displaying the circles of colors on the tail( the "eyes" so to speak). Who would not be attracted. The woodcock will strut his stuff and fan his tail shaking it and doing a little dance. Frigate birds puff out their air sac so a potential mate can see his red sac displayed
and choose him.
Other birds use preening as their ritual. They preen each others feathers and lean into their mate to show there is no aggression towards them and to bond. Sounds familiar . Humans do the same thing . Birds such as cardinals will feed their mates seed by placing it in her beak or mouth to show he is a good provider and would make a good "husbird" in rearing a brood.
Nest building and nest selection can be viewed as a courtship behavior. The male arrives in Spring earlier than the female and starts his architectural expertise in nest building and placement. When the females arrive they check out the nests and its placement. If they like the nest, the male has attracted his mate. Many times the female will add to the nest or select to build a new nest with the Male's help. This can be seen with ospreys and wrens.
Now we can say Spring has arrived and renewal of life has begun again. Some wild birds mate for life while others need to attract a mate. No matter what, all of them partake in their courtship rituals and setting up house Maybe we humans should follow suit though many of us do Spring clean and get our homes in order. Now is the time to attract wild birds to the yard and gardens by turning our attention to what these wild birds need. Set out a bird bath with fresh water. Clean, repair or replace feeders and fill them with the food for the wild birds you wish to attract. Provide nesting boxes or houses for the birds to start their housekeeping and give them shelter and protection. By providing these basic necessities attracting wild birds to the backyard will increase your odds. If you need any of these products please visit my website www.WildBirdSeedMart.com.
The attention to wild birds may be in their coloring and songs. Many of the male wild birds have attractive and brilliant colors to attract a mate. For instance the Baltimore Oriole or scarlet tanagers males have beatiful lively oranges and red respectively to attract a mate. To hear a familiar song draws our attention to the treetops to scan for the wild bird who owns the song. The songs are usually sung by the male to attract a mate or for staking out his territory. The songs can range from short and simple to complex and lengthy. The female is searching for a mate who is a better singer. In the wild bird world the more complex the song the better the males chances because it shows maturity and strength to the female. Thus leading to better brooding success.
The real attraction to wild birds is observing their courtship rituals. Many wild birds use different behavior to attract a mate. Sometimes they use a combo of behaviors to achieve this. Besides color and songs some wild birds perform dance routines, head bobbing, wing flapping or bill clicking to get the girls. Many hawks and birds of prey sky dance. Hawks put on a fabulous sky show to attract a mate. They fly high in the sky and then dive to earth as if they were free falling. Once attracting a female they mate in the air also while performing these maneuvers. Western grebes neck bob and then simultaneously dance and skip across the water. Cranes and birds of paradise wing flap and dance on the ground to attract a mate. The albatross bill clicks with its mate to asure pairing. All of these routines displayed by wild birds are fascinating to watch if you ever get to experience them.
Wild birds will also display their colors and feathers to attract a mate in different ways . For instance the peacock will spread his tail feathers displaying the circles of colors on the tail( the "eyes" so to speak). Who would not be attracted. The woodcock will strut his stuff and fan his tail shaking it and doing a little dance. Frigate birds puff out their air sac so a potential mate can see his red sac displayed
and choose him.
Other birds use preening as their ritual. They preen each others feathers and lean into their mate to show there is no aggression towards them and to bond. Sounds familiar . Humans do the same thing . Birds such as cardinals will feed their mates seed by placing it in her beak or mouth to show he is a good provider and would make a good "husbird" in rearing a brood.
Nest building and nest selection can be viewed as a courtship behavior. The male arrives in Spring earlier than the female and starts his architectural expertise in nest building and placement. When the females arrive they check out the nests and its placement. If they like the nest, the male has attracted his mate. Many times the female will add to the nest or select to build a new nest with the Male's help. This can be seen with ospreys and wrens.
Now we can say Spring has arrived and renewal of life has begun again. Some wild birds mate for life while others need to attract a mate. No matter what, all of them partake in their courtship rituals and setting up house Maybe we humans should follow suit though many of us do Spring clean and get our homes in order. Now is the time to attract wild birds to the yard and gardens by turning our attention to what these wild birds need. Set out a bird bath with fresh water. Clean, repair or replace feeders and fill them with the food for the wild birds you wish to attract. Provide nesting boxes or houses for the birds to start their housekeeping and give them shelter and protection. By providing these basic necessities attracting wild birds to the backyard will increase your odds. If you need any of these products please visit my website www.WildBirdSeedMart.com.
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