Home › Archives for February 2013

Photo Share: Canada Goose and Mute Swan Cygnets


Joshua Chrisman (Creator and Admin of Michigan's Wildlife on www.facebook.com/MichigansWildlife) sent us lots of  of lovely pictures that he took last year. Most of the pictures are taken around the Greenville, Grand Rapids, Stanton, and Saginaw areas. Some also taken in the Upper Peninsula as well. I will be posting them gradually over the next few weeks on our Friday Photo Posts.

Thank you for sharing your photos! If anyone else would like to share a photograph of nature send it to bloubird@gmail.com and I'll put it on the Friday Photo posts. 
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Photo Share: Woodpecker tongue close-up

Hi Sarah,
This is our first Hairy Woodpecker. We’ve always had the Downys, there is no mistaking these guys once you see one, a huge difference in the size. I couldn’t believe his tongue. ~ Holly



Woodpecker Tongue | ClipArt ETC
Most people know woodpeckers use their beak like a chisel searching for insect larvae in the barks of trees. But the bugs don’t want to get eaten and they tuck tight in tiny crevices to hide. That’s when the woodpecker has to pull out a secret weapon, his tongue. Holly managed to capture a beautiful close-up of a Hairy Woodpecker’s tongue at her suet feeder.

Woodpeckers’ tongues act like a spear with sticky barbs that can extend up to 4 inches. The tongue starts out on top of the mouth, passes through the right nostril, between the eyes, divides in two, arches over the top of the skull and around the back part of the skull passing on either side of the neck, coming forward through the lower mouth.

Tiny bones within the entire length of woodpecker's tongue fold up like an accordion. When a woodpecker contracts his muscles the tongue is propelled out of the bill. When the muscles relax the tongue shortens. The woodpeckers' tongue is also super sensitive. It contains muscles that move it side to side as well to search for food and feel for unseen insects behind dead wood.

Thank you for sharing your photos! If anyone else would like to share a photograph of nature send it to bloubird@gmail.com and I'll put it on the Friday Photo posts.  

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Why should you clean out your bird house

I have a couple of bird houses that wrens nested in last year. Will they come back to nest in the same place and is now a good time to clean out the old nest?

If you haven’t already cleaned out your birdhouses, that should be done as soon as possible. By cleaning out a nest box you help deter parasite infestation, a predator’s ability reach a nest and it’s a good time to evaluate the house’s condition.

You should definitely clean out all bird houses at least once a year. I like to clean them in the fall after nesting season. But if you didn't get a chance to clean house in the fall you should do it as soon as possible.

You can clean out bluebird boxes after each nesting or at least every fall because they aren’t good excavators. Bluebirds just build on top of old nests until the babies are sometimes too close to the entrance hole and fall out before they are ready to fly. A high nest is also easier for predators to reach in and disturb a nest.

Wrens can clean out their own box and the presence of a used House Wren nest may actually encourage wrens to re-nest. But you should check to make sure the nest doesn’t have any unhatched eggs or pests. If it’s a mess inside and the drainage holes are plugged go ahead and clean it out. You can leave some sticks below the house to help them rebuild.

To clean the nest box I usually place a plastic bag over the nest and just sweep everything in and twist the bag shut. You can rinse out the house with a water hose or diluted bleach spray. Make sure the drainage holes are unplugged and leave the house open to dry for a couple days. Finally dispose of the old nest in the trash and wash your hands thoroughly.

Whether the same bird comes back to your nest is determined by several factors. Is the nest box clean and still in good condition, did they have a successful breeding season last year, and did they get there early enough to claim the nesting sight again and defend the territory? It’s possible to have the same wren family move in the same house year after year or a wily chickadee or sparrow may spot the house and try to claim it first.

 
WARNING: Please remove all winter wreaths from your doors. We get calls every spring about birds making their nests in holiday wreaths. Anyone who places hanging plants on a covered porch in the spring or leaves a holiday wreath hanging on the door may find that by April a female House Finch has begun to build a nest in it.

Once a House Finch pair has built a nest in a hanging plant, on a wreath, or over a light fixture, etc., there is little to do but enjoy the experience and wait for the young to fledge (three to four weeks). You can continue to use the door or water the plants but the nest should not be relocated. 

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Watch birds raise a family this year

I really want to watch birds raise a family this year in a bird house. When do I put it up and do you have houses in stock? ~ Lansing, Michigan

It's never too early or too late to put up a bird house. If you listen, you've probably already noticed the excitement in the air. Every day the sun is rising a little earlier and the days are getting longer. Pretty soon when I wake up in the morning, I'll be able to watch the birds outside my window sitting on the tips of branches and breaking out in song to mark their territory.
Home Tweet Home
It's hard to believe, but a lot of the birds that winter in Michigan have already begun to scout for good nesting areas. At Wild Birds Unlimited we can help you choose a good, functional bird house that is right for where you live. Not all birds are going to use birdhouses. Depending on where you live, some birds that use houses are House sparrows, wrens, chickadees, titmice, woodpeckers, flickers, bluebirds, Tree Swallows, Purple Martins, Screech Owls, American Kestrels and Wood Ducks.
Best Nest
Just like feeders, it's best to find a house that is designed well and easy to clean. Look for homes with an easy clean out, proper ventilation, drainage holes, untreated wood, or recycled plastic houses with the proper design. Not all birdhouses are equal. Studies show the inside dimension, the shape and the diameter of the opening determine what birds it will attract. Wild Birds Unlimited - East Lansing, Michigan store always has a wide selection of functional bird houses available.
Create Habitat
People provide bird houses or "nest boxes" because in nature most of these birds use tree hollows or old woodpeckers' nests. But today we are quick to remove dead and decaying trees with holes because they could become dangerous and fall in storms. So we help Mother Nature by providing alternate homes.
In return the birds will do their best to decimate the bug population in your yard by stuffing their kids' mouths. And they are also educational and entertaining to watch!
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Short-tailed Grackles or Piggies with black feathers

What are these short-tailed grackles that are starting to come to my feeders? Did they just migrate here? ~ Lansing

They are European Starlings. They are here in mid-Michigan year round but tend to flock and eat fruit and nuts in the winter just like American Robins and Cedar Waxwings instead of coming to feeders regularly.

The European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) molts its feathers in the fall and the new black feathers have tips that are whitish, giving the bird the appearance of “stars” covering their body. Over the winter, sunlight and weather dulls the speckled look and the bird becomes uniform dark brown or black.

Both sexes also have reddish brown legs, and seasonal changes in bill color (yellow in the spring, black in the fall). Males sport a bluish spot at the base of their beaks, while the female displays a reddish pink speck. Juvenile birds are large dull gray or black.

At the end of February the birds begin to look for nesting territories. You may notice that the infrequent visits in the winter increase to overwhelming hoards in the spring. The European Starling is insectivorous when breeding and typically consumes insects including caterpillars, moths, and cicadas, as well as spiders.

Right now they’re all excited! Nesting season is near! Like at a start of a race, there is energy in the air and it feels like it’s going to burst! Unfortunately most of the bugs (their favorite summer food) haven’t appeared yet and in March there are still slim pickings for a lot of birds. So they turn to feasting at your feeders.

Unfortunately most of the bugs (their favorite summer food) haven’t appeared yet and March means slim pickings for a lot of birds. So they turn to feasting at your feeders.

While I love all the activity, I know most normal people don’t. So what can you do to deter the starlings and blackbirds, but still attract cardinals, chickadees, finches, and all the other less boisterous backyard birds?

Feeder Choices
  • Squirrel Buster Plus- This feeder is guaranteed Squirrel and large bird proof. You can exclude large nuisance birds with this feeder by rolling in the perches to make them short. You can also adjust the tension on the spring mechanism to have the feeder ports shut when large birds land. Blackbirds weigh twice as much as cardinals.
  • Upside Down Suet Feeder- a feeder that dispenses suet from the bottom doesn’t phase a woodpecker but will deter most blackbirds.
  • Finch Feeders- I’ve never had a problem with the blackbirds on any finch feeders that are filled with straight nyger thistle seed.
Food Choices
  • Use pure beef suet with no seeds
  • Switch to straight safflower seed: Start by offering safflower gradually, mixing it with the seed you currently use. Over time increase the amount of safflower until you are feeding straight safflower. The seed looks and tastes different from other bird seed, so it may take your birds some time to adjust. Safflower is a small, white seed that is high in protein and fat. Many favorite backyard birds - including jays, cardinals, chickadees, finches, doves, woodpeckers, titmice and nuthatches- savor safflower. Blackbirds, starlings, and squirrels typically refuse to eat safflower seed.
Related Articles:
·        What are those birds that sit on the wires? http://bit.ly/y608rz
·         Fun Facts About European Starlings http://bit.ly/rSQtFD
·         How do thousands of European Starlings fly without colliding? http://bit.ly/vwM3Ra
·         What birds like Safflower seed? http://bit.ly/w3ZBGa
·         What do grackles eat? http://bit.ly/xBhX3j
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Advantages to flocking bird behavior

Have you noticed the increased activity of the starling flocks lately. Many birds form flocks year round like starlings, doves, waxwings, crows, jays, and goldfinches. Some species form flocks just during the winter like cardinals, bluebirds, chickadees, titmice, and nuthatches. Flock numbers can vary from a few birds to millions depending on the species. While other birds prefer to remain solitary like hummingbirds, woodpeckers, hawks, and wrens.

Advantages to flocking bird behavior:
Flock of American Goldfinches
1) Protection - When birds join forces to flock together they can spot predators quicker and then mob, distract or confuse attackers.   
2) Foraging efficiency – Sometimes scout birds are sent out in different directions and report back to the flock where the best food can be found. You can hear Blue Jays and American Crows call out in the mornings, signaling to fellow flock members where to find the best food.
3) Finding mates – After nesting season, young chickadees fly off to find a flock to winter with along with a mate for next spring.
4) Continuing Education – Young bluebirds form family groups in the fall. Parent birds continue to teach their young how to survive until they disperse in the spring to find their own mates.
5) Fly in formations – Certain birds’ aerodynamics conserves energy and allow flock members to see each other and communicate while in flight.
6) Roosting – When large flocks congregate at night, their shared body warmth can help them survive extremely cold temperatures.
Advantages to solitary bird behavior:
Solitary Northern Flicker
1) Protection – Single birds are quieter and attract less attention from predators.
2) Foraging efficiency – A solitary woodpecker or hawk can search for food without any competition from any flock members. Birds with low reserves forage alone, but birds with lots of food available flock.
3) Finding mates – Hummingbirds and wrens can find multiple mates while guarding a territory. Birds in flocks have an increased intensity in competing for mates.
4) No pecking order – Solitary birds depend on themselves to survive. If there is a food shortage, dominant birds in the flock feed first and subordinate birds may go hungry.
5) Stay Healthy – There is less risk of disease spreading between birds if they have little contact with each other.  
6) Roosting – Tiny areas can be used to roost at night. A flicker can find a small spot under the eves to spend a chilly night with some protection and little notice.

Related Articles:
-          Northern Cardinals Flock in the Fall http://bit.ly/yzzIAI
-          Do hummingbirds migrate together? http://bit.ly/Asq1WR
-          How to Attract Cedar Waxwings http://bit.ly/AlxIQX
-          Where Bluebirds go in the Winter http://bit.ly/y2frQD
-          Have you ever heard of a wedge of geese? http://bit.ly/zDuqdp
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Fun Facts on the Eastern Bluebird

• The name “bluebird” is actually a bit misleading. Most bird colorations are due to pigments deposited in their feathers. A Northern Cardinal is red because of the red pigment called carotenoids. Crows are black because their feathers contain a dark pigment called melanin. In contrast, bluebirds do not have a single molecule of blue pigment in any of their feathers. The top transparent layer of each bluebird feather is filled with miniscule pockets of air. When sunlight strikes these pockets, all of the other visible wavelengths of light are absorbed. Only blue escapes and it is scattered in all directions for the eye to see.
• Males will carry nesting material during courtship, but the female is the one that completes the nest alone in two to five days. Bluebirds have also been observed coming and going during several weeks before completing one nest.
• Nests are light and airy, consisting of fine grass or pine needles, hair and maybe a few feathers, with a small cup shape in the center.
• Pesticides; (pyrethrins or rotenone or any others), are not recommended as bluebirds are thin skinned and sensitive to toxins.
• Swallows have been known to help bluebirds raise their young and then use the nest box once the bluebirds have fledged.

Also check out The Michigan Bluebird Society website: http://www.michiganbluebirdsociety.org/. It is a group of individuals dedicated to helping bluebirds and other cavity nesting bird species in the state of Michigan.
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Is it too early for the robins and bluebirds?

Hello, I have several bluebirds in my yard and I've never had them before!  Are they migratory?  Why are they here now?? I also had a robin yesterday! Kind of worried about them, should I be? ~ Marcia

There is no need to worry. Some America Robins migrate but if you look at the range map you’ll see that there are winter populations of Robins in most states year round. Robins are surprisingly hardy birds, capable of surviving temperatures well below zero. But that doesn’t mean sightings are common.

After nesting season has ended, they usually form large nomadic groups that roost at night in the woods. Their diet changes from mostly worms and insects to fruit, nuts and berries.

I’ve seen them devouring our crab apples, Mountain Ash tree berries, and sometimes under my feeders looking for nuts. They also appreciate open water in the winter. If you have a pond or heated birdbath they may show up for afternoon drinks.

The Eastern Bluebirds also gathers in large family flocks at the end of nesting season and live more in the woods. They forage on fruit, nuts, and berries. If you have fruiting trees or bluebird feeders and a reliable source of water, you may host the bluebirds year-round.

With the lengthening of daylight the birds are becoming more active. Nesting season is just around the corner. Make sure your houses are ready and feeders and baths are full.

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Photo Share: Crane and Grouse

Found mainly in woodlands with small clearings, the Ruffed Grouse is a year round resident of Michigan. They differ from other grouse species in their courtship display by relying entirely on a non-vocal acoustic display, known as drumming.

The drumming itself is a rapid, wing-beating display that creates a low frequency sound, starting slow and speeding up (thump...thump...thump..thump-thump-thump-thump). Even in thick woods this can be heard for a quarter mile or more

The Sandhill Crane is a summer resident in Michigan. They are among the first birds to return in mid February in the southern parts of the state and a month later in the northern areas. Once almost completely gone from Michigan waters, the Sandhill Cranes are now flourishing and have become a popular sight around our lakes.

Cranes live about 25 to 30 years and wait to choose a mate until thy're 4-years old. Crane families stay together for awhile, then young birds begin to hang out together in groups of 20, called a "bachelor flock."

When sandhill cranes are ready to mate, they begin a unique courtship ritual that starts with bowing and jumping movements that increase in tempo until the whole flock is dancing.

While they dance, the pair lets out a series of loud calls. The male utters a note followed quickly by the female's two-note answer. Sometimes you can hear them from 2 miles away on quiet spring mornings.

Joshua Chrisman (Creator and Admin of Michigan's Wildlife on www.facebook.com/MichigansWildlife) sent us these lovely pictures that he took last year.

Thank you for sharing your photos! If anyone else would like to share a photograph of nature send it to bloubird@gmail.com and I'll put it on the Friday Photo posts. 
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This week's focus is on Aspects’ Quick-Clean Nyjer Tube Feeders

At Wild Birds Unlimited you can choose from a variety of the very best feeders. Most are made in America and have a lifetime guarantee.

This week's focus is on Aspects’ Quick-Clean Nyjer Tube Feeders. They combine heavy die-cast metal caps and base with a clear UV stabilized polycarbonate tube that won't yellow with age and will lasts a lifetime.  

A built-in seed deflector in the base allows birds to remove every last seed. While the revolutionary removable base makes cleaning the feeder a snap!

You can add a seed tray to attract more birds, or protect the feeder from the elements with an Aspects’ weather dome.  

The finch feeder is available in three sizes and colors at the Wild Birds Unlimited store in East Lansing, Michigan.


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Birds of Chilika : Series 5


Small Kingfisher

Scientific Name: Alcedo atthis
Resident Bird of Chilika
IUCN Status: Least Concern
Occurrence at Chilika: Very Common

 Terek Sandpiper

Scientific Name: Calidris temminicki
Migrates from Siberia in Winters
IUCN Status: Least Concern
Occurrence at Chilika: Common across all the sectors
 Temminck's Stint
Scientific Name: Calidris temminicki
Migrates from Siberia in Winters
IUCN Status: Least Concern
Occurrence at Chilika: Common across all the sectors
 
Whiskered Tern
Scientific Name: Chlidonias hybridus
Resident Bird of Chilika along with migrating birds from other parts of the sub continent
IUCN Status: Least Concern
Occurrence at Chilika: Very Common and widespread presence throughout the year
White breasted Kingfisher

Scientific Name: Halcyon smyrnensis
Resident Bird of Chilika
IUCN Status: Least Concern
Occurrence at Chilika: Very Common

 White Wagtail
Scientific Name: Motacilla alba
Winter Visitor to the Chilka lake
IUCN Status: Least Concern
Occurrence at Chilika: Can be found out along the bunds
 Yellow Wagtail (Br)
Scientific Name: Motacilla flava

Winter Visitor to the Chilka lake
IUCN Status: Least Concern
Occurrence at Chilika: Can be found out along the bunds
Wood Sandpiper
 
Scientific Name: Tringa glareola
Migrates from Siberia in Winters
IUCN Status: Least Concern
Occurrence at Chilika: Common across all the sectors

Please note that not all the Pics have been actually shot at Chilika and is for academic purpose only.
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Birds of Chilika: Series 4

Peregrine Falcon

Scientific Name: Falco peregrinus
Winter Visitor to the Chilka lake....breeds throughout the Eurasian region including the Indian subcontinent.
IUCN Status: Least Concern
Occurrence at Chilika: An uncommon visitor to the Lake. Occasionally recorded in Nalabana area. This pic was clicked in Mangalajodi which is a new record.
 Lesser Pied Kingfisher
Scientific Name: Ceryle rudis
Resident bird
IUCN Status: Least Concern
Occurrence at Chilika: Very Common

 Pheasant tailed Jacana

Scientific Name: Hydrophasianus chirurgus
Breeds in Chilika
IUCN Status: Least Concern
Occurrence at Chilika: Frequently sighted
Purple Heron
Scientific Name: Ardea purpurea
Breeds at Chilika
IUCN Status: Least Concern
Occurrence at Chilika: Very Common
Purple Moorhen
Scientific Name: Porphyrio porphyrio
Breeds in Chilika
IUCN Status: Least Concern
Occurrence at Chilika: Very Common
Richard's Pipit
Scientific Name: Anthus richardi
Migrates from Siberia and Korea
IUCN Status: Least Concern
Occurrence at Chilika: Frequently sighted along the bunds

 Rudy breasted Crake
Scientific Name: Porzana fusca
Migrates from other parts of the subcontinent
IUCN Status: Least Concern
Occurrence at Chilika: Frequently sighted in the marshes

Ruff
Scientific Name: Philomachus pugnax
Migrates from Siberia
IUCN Status: Least Concern
Occurrence at Chilika: Very common
                                                             Glossy Ibis
Scientific Name: Plegadis falcinellus
Migrates from Central Asia and Eurasia. Some of Individuals have started residing in Chilika itself.
IUCN Status: Least Concern
Occurrence at Chilika: Used to be very uncommon visitor to Chilika, but recently individuals numbering around 200 have been sighted in Mangalajodi.

Goliath Heron
Scientific Name: Ardea goliath
Migrates from Africa with some sporadic populations residing in South Asia
IUCN Status: Least Concern
Occurrence at Chilika: This single Heron pictured above used to reside in Mangalajodi till last year. This year in the Waterfowl census some individuals have been recorded in other channels of Chilika. That's a good news. Hopefully they make a return to Chilika in large numbers.

Please note that not all the Pics have been actually shot at Chilika and is for academic purpose only.
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What birds do to combat the high winds

How can small birds fly in strong winds?

The stronger the winds, the more energy the bird expends in flying. When the high winds hit like they did yesterday in mid-Michigan, a bird can exhaust itself fighting the turbulence. But they can't afford to stop on every windy day or they would starve to death.

These are the days your feeders may be empty for long periods of time and then covered in birds when there is a little break in the weather.

Birds are going to stick close to home in bad weather but when they finally have to venture out for food, you will see a lot of gliding. They don’t want to fly too fast with the wind or waste energy going against the wind. They sort of get where they’re going by riding the winds and then making a couple flaps for course correction. It's not easy.

Thanks for the really good question!

Related Articles:
-          Can birds predict the weather? http://bit.ly/w3bhs8
-          Weather is everywhere. http://bit.ly/ybOkpT
-          Where birds go when it storms http://bit.ly/xpvtC0
-       How can birds survive this cold weather? http://bit.ly/xbkaPP   
-       How can birds fly in the rain?  http://goo.gl/EkW48 
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Birds of Chilika :Series 3



 Grey headed Lapwing

Scientific Name: Vanellus cinereus
Migrates from North East China and Japan
IUCN Status: Least Concern
Occurrence at Chilika: Frequently sighted....numbers have increased over the years in Mangalajodi
Little Cormorant

Scientific Name: Phalacrocorax niger
IUCN Status: Least Concern
Occurrence at Chilika: Widespread presence
 
 Indian Bushlark
Scientific Name: Mirafra erythroptera
Breeding resident
IUCN Status: Least Concern
Occurrence at Chilika: Frequently sighted in  marshes of Mangalajodi

 
 Little Grebe ( Breeding Plumage)
 Little Grebe ( Non Br)
Scientific Name: Tachybaptus ruficollis
Migrates from other parts of the subcontinent along with a fixed resident population
IUCN Status: Least Concern
Occurrence at Chilika: Frequently sighted....Numerous floating nests are found in the Mangalajodi area between June-October
 Little ring Plover
Scientific Name: Charadrius dubius
Migrates from Siberia, China, Korea and Japan
IUCN Status: Least Concern
Occurrence at Chilika: Frequently sighted along the shores
 Northern Pintail
Scientific Name: Anas acuta
Migrates from Siberia & Central Asia
IUCN Status: Least Concern
Occurrence at Chilika: found in huge numbers across Chilika....population recorded has been over 100,000 in last couple of years
 Northern Shoveller
 Northern Shoveller Family

Scientific Name: Anas clypeata
Migrates from Siberia & Central Asia
IUCN Status: Least Concern
Occurrence at Chilika: One of the commonest birds in Chilika
 Open billed Stork
Scientific Name: Anastomus oscitans
Migrates from other parts of the Subcontinent
IUCN Status: Least Concern
Occurrence at Chilika: Frequently sighted in the paddy fields along Chilika. Notoriously famous for raiding the crops
Common Name: Gendalia
 Pacific Golden Plover
Scientific Name: Pluvialis fulva
Migrates from Siberia
IUCN Status: Least Concern
Occurrence at Chilika: Frequently sighted
 Paddyfield Pipit

Scientific Name: Anthus rufulus
IUCN Status: Least Concern
Occurrence at Chilika: Very common on bunds
Painted Stork in action
Scientific Name: Mycteria leucocephala
Migrates from other parts of the Subcontinent
IUCN Status: Near Threatened
Occurrence at Chilika: Frequently sighted


Please note that not all the Pics have been actually shot at Chilika and is for academic purpose only.
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