Showing posts with label bird watching. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bird watching. Show all posts

Humming Birds General Markings and Characteristics


Author: Roger Johnson
Humming Birds like to flit around where they can get nectar from feeders or plants with their long straight bills.  Folks that have nector rich brightly colored flowers or colorful feeders in their yards can see Humming Birds most every day. They make a sight as they seem to float in the air while their wings move so fast you can hardly see them. They are so small that most of them only weight an ounce or two. Much smaller than most backyard birds. But they are very fun to watch as they drink and collect nectar. With their inquisitive ways they explore woodlands and yards. They do not glide around in the air. They like to move in short hops or spurts that are so fast you have to really watch to see them at work. They usually are a somewhat drab light brown in color with lighter underbellies.  But their antics make up for the loss of bright colors.

With your binoculars take some time and look for general markings and characteristics, things that you notice right off. Do not spend a lot of time trying to memorize different aspects of the Humming Birds. Just look for general information and then you will be able to quickly recognize what group these birds belong to by noticing size, general shape, colors and their behavior.

I suggest that you keep a note book of these characteristics. You can add to it from time to time. This will help you understand and learn. But be patient and note things only one at a time. Otherwise you may get tired and discouraged because you can't remember everything at once. It will all come in time as you watch these birds. Also take a look at the field marks such as a wingbar and eyering markings to tie some IDs down.

Please remember also to note what time of year you see them as well as other kinds of birds you see in your neighborhood.  Then you will be able to keep track of them better next year when the return.

A good field book on birds will help, but do not try to memorize everything in it all at once. Just learn about your specific bird of interest.

Humming Bird
Size & Shape
A small size, with a long straight bill, flat head and large eyes, short pointy tail
Color Pattern
Subdued light brown above, with gray-white underbelly, distinct necklace line and gray-brown wings
Behavior
Inquisitively explores woodlands and yards, moves in short hops or spurts
Habitat
Forest edge, woodlands, urban and suburban parks and yards

Birding is a great sport, especially watching Humming Birds. Their antics and activities will keep you busy for hours. With some enjoyable work in preparation by learning a few basics about them and with a good pair of bird watching binoculars you can have many hours of pleasure with your family or by yourself.

Roger Johnson


Online Bird Feeder Webcams


Author: Ariana R. Cherry
If you are an avid bird watcher, or don't have access to see many birds in your area, you can see them online. There are a variety of bird webcams and even bird feeder cams online that many bird lovers post on line to share with the world. Some are streaming webcams while others update their images every so many minutes (which could be anywhere from one to ten minutes at a time).
One fun bird feeder webcam to watch is located in Lawrence, Kansas. The webcam hosts use a variety of birdseed that attracts many kinds of bird species. Some of the feeders have sunflower seeds, Nyerere and black oil sunflower and suet. Some of the birds that you will see include cardinals, chickadees, goldfinch, mourning doves, sparrows and even a few robins here and there.
If you love to watch nature up close, this webcam is an absolute delight to watch.Another bird feeder webcam to view is in Estes Park, Colorado. It seems as if the webcam is set somewhere out in the country with mountains out back. With the available trees in the area, the webcam draws plenty of interested birds throughout the day. Also on the webcam page, you can view the current weather in the Estes Park, Colorado area, and even see a flash video of the past twenty-four hours. If you are an astronomer buff, you can even see the current phase of the moon too.On Justin.tv, you can spot an active bird feeder webcam set up in Northern Virginia.......View more online bird feeder webcams here..

Enhance Your Backyard Bird Watching


Author: Raja
Backyard bird watching is one of the most relaxing and inexpensive hobbies you can persuade along with family and friends. It is fun and at the same time educating as you can learn a great deal about your environment and survival from backyard bird watching.
The Must Have Equipment for Backyard Bird Watching: Birds are very sensitive to sound and presence of humans and therefore you must place yourself as far away as possible in order to watch the bird behave in their original manner and the only way to observe them closely from a distance is through binoculars. Most of us who take backyard bird watching seriously will also keep a journal to record all types of birds you see in and their different behavior as well. It is fascinating to go through the pages of your journal each year and observe some of the same birds returning at almost the exact same time of the year; you will find yourself waiting for them and predicting the time of the year by the types of birds you see in your backyard.
Attract Birds to Your Backyard: There are many ways in which you can attract birds to your backyard so you can observe different types of species and the most common practices are installing a fountain or birdbath where they can find relief from the scorching summer sun or quench their thirst; you can provide a feeding cage where you can place seeds that will attract a wide range of birds year round as they learn of its existence and you can provide some nestling facilities, which birds may adopt as their home and return every winter to it. Backyard bird watching can turn into an adventure everyday if you dedicate time to this hobby. You will find yourself almost recognizing the different types of birds each year without having to look up its description. You will also learn their behavior and habits.
Helpful Tips: When preparing for backyard bird watching, ensure you have plenty of water and some high energy snacks especially when you plan to spend several hours under cover entertaining your hobby. Hats during the summer time and a baseball cap in winter will protect you from the sun and cold respectively. Birds are fascinating creatures to observe and with time you will find yourself planning for bird watching vacations especially if your family enjoys the same backyard bird watching hobby as you do.
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Tips on Feeding Birds in Early Spring


Author: Mary Fesio
It may not seem like spring with the word "snow" still popping up in weather forecasts.  But the calendar says "yes, it is really here".  Not only the calendar, but birds are, also, proclaiming that spring has arrived.  Early in the morning, their chirping is declaring that spring is upon us and our wild feathered friends are going to be looking to us for aid once more.  The chickadees and cardinals are belting out their mating calls for potential partners to hear and it's feeling more and more like spring.
The birds have had a rough time with the winter's bad weather.  Food sources such as seeds and berries are bent over from snow pilings and freezing weather has frozen over many water supplies.  Hopefully, there were many kind people feeding the birds during the winter and providing water that was free of ice.  But the poor birds are going to be under additional stress looking for their own territories and mates.  This will require even more energy.  Following is a list that one should follow in order to insure healthy birds and broods in the spring:
  • Suet is a very good staple to offer the birds in early spring.  Sue is rendered beef fat and it is a very important staple during cold months.  Birds are very fond of it and it gives them plenty of calories in a concentrated form.
  • Seed mixes that contain more than half black oil sunflower seeds should be chosen.  The fat content per seed is greatest in these seeds and gives the birds the greatest amount of calories to get them through this stressful time of year.
  • Another form of high fat and high protein foods is nuts such as peanuts, pecans, almonds, walnuts and other types of tree nuts.  Fruits are, also, enjoyed by birds.  Bananas, apples, blueberries, chunks of apples and dried cranberries offer birds a wonderful and healthy treat.
  • Fresh water cannot be overlooked.  In the winter, birds may be forced to eat snow or drink water from dripping icicles.  They use a great deal of energy warming snow or cold water to body temperature—energy that can be used for other needs such as foraging for food and keeping warm.  Heated water from a heated bird bath helps birds conserve energy and when the weather is warm enough, the birds may even delight in a warm winter bath.  Clean feathers provide better insulation from the winter cold.
  • Leaving the bird houses up through the winter is a considerate move because birds that do not migrate will be able to use these homes as shelter during cold, wintry nights.  Stuffing the ventilation holes with rags or hay is, also, a good idea.  If this was not done this winter, it is something to keep in mind for the next.
  • Another consideration to be given the wintering aviaries is a winter roost.  They are built with entry holes at the bottom.  This allows the warmer air in the box to rise to the top where the birds perch.  This is something that should be considered during the summer months.  Having several winter roosts in the yard would be a blessing for those that stay around in the winter. 
  • Another excellent haven for wintering birds is a brush pile.  This does not have to be anything more than a pile of dead branches, weeds and sticks piled up in one corner of the yard  It gets covered up with snow forming air spaces providing a draft-free place for birds to seek shelter.
The main points to be taken are to have plenty of nutritious food in the feeders and fresh water flowing with nice, warm habitats.  Your bird friends will be most grateful to you and will enchant you with their songs and antics come the warmer days of spring.

Top 6 Bird Feeding Mistakes to Avoid


Author: Mary Fesio
Many bird fans try to encourage wild birds to come to their website.  But, not knowing the care wild birds need, mistakes can be made which can, actually, hurt the birds.  Below, are feeding strategies that can cause illnesses to birds.
  1. Feeding on the ground in the same place all winter—If you feed on the ground in the same place all winter, you will create a stinky, messy, unhealthy place that will be difficult to clean up in the spring.  The best thing to do is to change the feeding spot frequently, especially when the weather is wet.
  2. Ignoring the cleanliness of the feeder—Even though it's cold outside, cleaning those feeders on a regular basis is very important.  You should make it a ritual to clean the feeder in a light bleach/water solution, at least, on a monthly basis.  Then rinse the feeder thoroughly and let it air dry.
  3. Taking your feeders down so birds would migrate—It is not true that bird feeders keep birds from migrating.  Bird feeders or no, the birds know when it is time to fly south and bird feeders will not keep them from going.  No matter how well your feeders are stocked, when it is time to go, the birds will go.
  4. Feeding birds stale bread—Birds may seem to love bread.  But bread to a hungry bird is like feeding popcorn to a hungry child.  The stale bread is filler but has very little nutritional value.  A better feast is fruit like oranges, apples, mealworms or rendered suet.  The birds will be very appreciative.
  5. Going to the grocery store to buy seed—Most seed mixes from the grocery store is not of a good quality.  If you notice that most of the seed are wheat, barley or milo, you need to find some other place to shop.  A good seed mixture should be comprised of cracked corn, millet or sunflower.
  6. Feeding seed left over from last year—Seed ages like any other food.  Weevils and moths get into it and contaminate the seed.  It gets full of flour moths and cobwebs.  The solution is to throw it out and get fresh seed.
By following these few pointers, you will find that your visitors will come to visit frequently.  You will feel good for helping them stay happy and healthy, causing them to visit your yard frequently.  You will be a popular person with the bird community.  That will make a wonderful win/win situation for the birds and the bird watchers.  We wish you happy bird watching right through the winter.

Different Types Of Wild Birds Have Their Own Unique Characteristics


Author: GKM
The types of wild birds that you may find in your yard are extremely varied and will differ depending on your geographic location. There are some birds that have a wide range of areas they can be located in while others are very limited to area in which they reside. The seasons also have a direct effect on the types of wild birds and the popularity of these birds.
Since many birds migrate for the winter the type of birds that you will find in the winter will vary greatly from those you will find in the summer. However there are some species where not all the birds of that species will migrate. There are also some species that do not migrate at all regardless of the weather.
There are about as many different sizes of birds as their types of wild birds. Although there are many different types they tend to fall into different categories. While there are literally thousands of different species of wild birds there are about 3 dozen or so families or categories of birds.
In many cases it is easy to see the association in these families such as the duck and the goose being in the same family. However there are some families of birds that cannot be so easily associated. Many of the smaller species of birds closely resemble each other and it is often hard to tell the difference on quick glance, unless you are a seasoned bird watcher.
There are also those birds that fall into the category of game birds, or birds that are hunted for food or simply recreational pleasures. The most common game bird is probably duck or turkey, but it is also popular to hunt grouse, partridge and quail.
There are some wild birds that closely represent each other but are actually in different families, one example of this is the quail. While the old world quail falls into the same family as turkeys, the new world quail are in a category their own. Both families are birds that rarely fly, but the new world quail category of birds mostly resides in the western United States.
There are some types of wild birds that are associated with particular regions of the country. A perfect example of the is would be the Pink flamingo who is clearly associated with Florida, and the great white eagle which is believed to be located mostly in the mountainous areas. Some birds evolve to their surroundings such as the falcons that live among the sky scrapers of Manhattan.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/bird-watching-articles/different-types-of-wild-birds-have-their-own-unique-characteristics-5142074.html
About the Author
Birds Help can help you get more info about birding and bird watching so please visit us at http://www.birdshelp.com, thanks!

Bird Watching Is Good For The Soul!


Author: Gini Bond
Have you ever seen someone look up at a bird in wonder as it soared overhead? I have. In fact, I've done it myself! Birds are the only creatures in this world that are able to sail across the sky and literally look down on the rest of us with a complete sense of freedom. That may be one of the main reasons why a lot of people watch our winged friends so intently—sheer envy! Bird watching has the unique ability to put your mind and your senses in a relaxed state of awe. You almost feel as metaphorically lifted up as these creatures are literally! It allows you to be a participant in the beauty of nature.
Bird watching is not just an ordinary hobby that anyone can do. It requires more than just a physical presence; this is one of those rare pastimes that requires an involvement on an almost spiritual level as well. In other words, your heart must be in it too! Serious bird watchers have a love for nature and a fascination for how our feathered friends interact with each other and with their own environments. It can also be extremely exciting as you begin to discover species you've never run across, along with new behaviors, and even songs you've never before heard. Many species have almost exotic courtship rituals that are extremely interesting, and you can even observe how many gently and protectively care for their young.
This hobby does require some equipment, but nothing extraordinary. A good pair of binoculars, a field guide, a notebook, and a camera are really all you need. The main requirement is a passion for birds!
As you begin to pursue this hobby you will find an amazing sense of pleasure and satisfaction. They are fascinating, astonishing animals, and you may soon find yourself addicted to this great sport. You'll become aware of just how wonderful our world really is, and soon you may even find yourself wanting to play an active role in protecting their habitats.
You can find out much more about this extraordinary hobby at http://BirdWatchingToday.info.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/bird-watching-articles/bird-watching-is-good-for-the-soul-5141832.html

Tips On Wild Bird Feeding


Author: GKM
Feeding wild birds can be rewarding. Not only is it rewarding, but it gives them just what they need, especially when their natural food sources have been limited. When you offer your birds some food, you will surely get to look at some species that you would not normally see. If you are interested in wild bird feeding, then below you are going to find some helpful tips:
Did you know that birdseed is just like all other food, it does have an expiration date. Many individuals do not realize this one. Before you refill those feeders, it is important that you remove any old, clumped or moldy seed. Giving the feeder a good shake has a tendency to dislodge any of those clumps from the tube. There is also a handy feeder mop that you can use to reach those hard to get to areas. An old spoon or spatula will help get those messes or clumps from the platform feeders.
If you have children that would like to help out, then introduce them to feeding birds with suet. What is suet? Suet is prepackaged suet cakes that you can easily install into their feeders. They are the right size for those little hands and they do not make much mess.
Before you just go out and purchase a feeder for wild bird feeding, you need to think about where you would like to put it. You will want to place it in some place where you can easily see it and add some seed to it when the weather is harsh. You will also want to place it in an area where droppings and discarded shells will not be a problem to clean up.
The hummingbird feeders should be left filled with nectar. They should be visible for two weeks after your last hummingbird sighting.
This will allow them to replenish their energy before they migrate south. To prevent leaks from occurring in the stopper type feeders, put a stopper inside of the feeder and leave about one fourth of the length outside the feeder.
If you have only one feeder and only one type of seed, then you may want to make it into a tube feeder with some sunflower seeds in it. With this, you are going to attract cardinals, chickadees, finches, nuthatches, siskins and many more. For those squirrels, you should offer them a separate feeder full of nuts for them to enjoy, so that they will leave the bird food alone.
wild bird feeding is a great way to be able to do your bird watching right in your own yard!
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/bird-watching-articles/tips-on-wild-bird-feeding-5142076.html
About the Author
Birds Help strives to help others learn more about birding and bird watching. Please visit us to learn more today at http://www.birdshelp.com

How to Attract Wild Birds


If you would like to attract a large number of wild birds, you will need to understand what to do in order to make birds want to live at your house. Having a number of bird feeders place about in plain view will always catch the eye of a hungry bird flying by your yard or garden. So placing a bird feeder pole as well as the bird feeder in your yard or garden is the first thing you need to do is you want an abundance of fine feathered friends.
When you place the bird food in a place that is more available for the birds, they will find it and stay around much longer. Down below are some details that will help you to figure it out.
Pick a spot in which the extra of seed, feathers, and bird droppings won't become an issue. There are certain kinds of seed that have treated with additives that will not harm the wild birds but also will not germinate so as to sprout weeds of the type of grass in your yard that you do not want. Don't forget this when choosing the place that you hang or mount your bird feeder. The peak of the bird feeder pole should be is set at a height dependent on which type of birds you're trying to attract. Do some research on this. This means you may have your feeders at different heights. Now you know that some birds favor platforms or trays to feed on as opposed the hopper or tube feeders. Make certain to you use of a couple of different types of platforms around your birding area. These platforms can sit on the bird feeder pole, or hang from a tree limb.
There are many birds that are ground feeders and can almost certainly consume up the seeds that other birds push from the feeder. This may help greatly in getting a the area cleaned up from the mess the birds generate. You will not have to set out additional bird seed for these kinds of birds. The birds that throw seed about birds will drop sufficient to feed them.
Birds locate their meals by sight quicker than finding it by smell. So make sure your wild birds can simply see the feeder in an open location.This way they are going to migrate swiftly and let other birds know where the seed is by their chirps and bird songs. Locate your feeders in areas around the property that will help the birds to feel safe and relaxed from predators like cats, but will also allow you to observe them without them being frightened by your presence. It truly is great to find yourself in a position to look at them without them knowing you are watching from a window of your house. Using this method it is possible to see the birds for several hours if you would like. It is very important that you not forget this once you are prepared to put up your wild bird feeder. You need the place to be easy to get to so you can load the feeder with fresh seed on a regular basis. Be sure that you can easily fill your feeders even in bad climate conditions, you would want to be able speedily refill your feeder when it gets low. Also, find your feeders close to some type of safety for the wild birds like trees or shrubs. By undertaking this the birds have a safe area wherever they may be perched. You will want to protect the bird feeder pole and bird feeder from being torn up or abused by squirrels or other seed eating rodents. Similarly, your outside cats really should be kept as far away from your wild bird feeders so you wont be having more problems pouncing within the birds and killing off what you have worked so hard to love and observe.
If you follow the guidelines previously mentioned, you need to look around to find a bird feeder pole and bird feeder now. You will have many hours of pleasure viewing the birds that come and go. It is also exhilarating to start a journal and document the kinds of wild birds that pay a visit to your bird feeders. This really is referred to as existence checklist by skilled bird watchers. So have a good time and put in place some feeders for your feathered close friends.
I hope this article has inspired you to want to read and learn more about wild birds. If it has please check out more of my articles.

Hanging Wooden Bird House and Its Advantages


Author: Lesley Sowers
If you are interested in getting a bird house for your back yard or garden, the following provides a number of reasons why a wooden bird house is so popular and used by many to attract birds. It is always a good idea to be informed as to the different kinds available and out in the market today and the advantages of each.
One of the benefits of having a wooden birdhouse is that they attract a number of different birds. Birds are known to be great grounds keepers as they feast on the insects and small critters that live in your yard or garden.
A hanging bird house can bring pleasure to the bird watching enthusiast in all of us. Bird watching is a great hobby for the entire family. Have you ever just sat outside and watched the birds. It doesn't matter your age, even the youngest of children are known to enjoy watching a bird or two peck at the ground or sitting in a tree. Imagine if they could watch a number of birds come and visit if a wooden bird house was available and the joy they helped would have setting up or even building. By providing a place for the feathered friends with food and shelter they are likely to return year after year.
Wood is a natural beauty, making a wooden hanging bird house naturally unique. These wooden houses help in preserving the environment by the reuse of wood and the pure source of the materials origin.
Wooden bird houses are built of cedar, cypress, or oak if you prefer the natural unpainted look and will provide many years of durability. One of the most commonly used is mahogany as well as pine. Other types of wood are fine to use as long as the birdhouse is painted to protect it from the weathering elements. If you want it weatherproofed there are a number of products available but you will want to make sure it is a non toxic material such as polyurethane and apply several coats for weathered climates.
Any one of these different types of wood can be used in their natural state or painted allowing for some beautiful works to be displayed in your yard or garden. No matter if you enjoy having a wooden bird house or a decorative painted one, you are sure to enjoy hours of bird watching.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/bird-watching-articles/hanging-wooden-bird-house-and-its-advantages-5253471.html
About the Author
Lesley Sowers offers a variety of bird houses and bird feeders for the bird watching enthusiast at BirdFeederMall. From the rustic to the decorative bird houses and feeders that await you! Come check out http://www.birdfeedermall.com for a wooden or decorative birdhouse.

Binoculars and Brid Watching: Using the Right Binoculars the Right Way


Author: Alex
An Exotic animal is usually ascarce and abnormalanimalthat is not native to acertainlieu. Exotic animals are extremelywantedamongstindividuals wishing to keep a pet. People who want to do detailsdistinctive from other people and get pride in purchasingscarce and highly-pricedgoodsoften favor exotic animals. The definition of an exotic pet may differ, pet retail outletownersare likely to classify any animalother thanthe standard pet animals like cats, canines and fish as exotic.

Exotic animals are rare animals and animal lovers take pride in proudly owning a pet that is certainlydistinctivefrom thenormalselection of pets. It is actually a pet it is possible toexhibit off in yourpals and companywhenever theyvisit you and they woulddepartreally impressed. But it surelyrequiresan awesomeoffer of care and responsibilityto help keep an exotic animal in your home. It's notconstantlya superbideato acquire an high priced exotic animal as a pet in yourchild, simply because theywould notunderstand how to care for them. But ifyour son or daughterpresently has expertise and has carried outproperlyin terms oftaking care of pets, then it mightbe considered agreatgiftfor yourcherishedone.

As exotic animals are often imported from differentnationsthey've got lived and therefore aremade use ofto somedistinctive habitat. Make certainyou've gotresearchedeffectivelyregarding the pet you wantto maintainprior to you b ring an individualdwelling. The world wide webmay be thevery bestspot toappearance for strategies and suggestionson how toappearafter these attractive animals. It is possible to also question the pet shopowner all they know about the bestial. Additionally youneed tocome to a decisionwhat sort of enclosure would greatestfit the bestial. Ensure thatit's gotenougharea. Really don'thold them in a verytiny cage, that is cruel.

Bear in mind animals are residing beings also so should you be not assured about your capability toappearancejust after an exotic animal it'sideal to not obtainan individual. It willdemand a dedication from you to look after these animals. Also discussinto aarea veterinarian and see if they can treat the species of exotic animal you hope to help keep. It really isfinestto learnexactly where to get the pet just in the event it finds it tough tomodifyto your new setting.

Exotic animals make wonderful and totallylovely pets providingyou are takingcare of them and treat them humanely.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/bird-watching-articles/beautiful-exotic-animals-5411477.html
About the Author
Alex is an expert when it comes to exotic animals read his views about animals and why your home needs one.

American Robin


 American Robin

Scientific Name: Turdus migratorius


The state bird of Connecticut, Michigan and Wisconsin, the American Robin is a familiar songbird in the thrush family. They live in towns and woodlands, and are commonly seen on suburban lawns exhibiting their "running and stopping" behavior as they gather their morning worms.
The America Robin feeds on different things throughout the day, including earthworms in the morning, and fruits and berries in the evening. They are mostly active during the day and gather in large flocks at night to roost in trees in secluded areas.
The average life span of an American Robin is 2 years, with some living as long as 14 years. Researchers have found that only 25% of young American Robins survive their first year.
Robins are considered a symbol of spring, and the color of their eggs coined the name Robin's Egg Blue. American Robins are especially fond of bathing, and are very attracted to backyard garden bird baths.

Identification Facts

Head to Tail Length: 9 - 11 inches
Distinctive Features: ruddy-orange breast and belly, white undertail coverts, dark head with semi-circle white eye ring, streaked throat, black back and wings, mainly yellow beak, the juvenile is paler in color with dark spots on its breast
Male & Female Characteristics: the male's colors are brighter and his head is black, where the female's head is gray.

Songs & Calls

The male American Robin's whistled-song is commonly described as "cheerily, cheer up, cheer up, cheerily, cheer up...". They often sing this song very early in morning and in the evening.
The American Robin uses it's "peek, tut, tut, tut..." call to warn of predators, and makes the "he, he, he, he..." call (often compared to a horse's whinny) when its nest is threatened.

Nesting Behavior



Distribution: The American Robin can be found throughout the continental United States
Nest Type: platform
Breeding Season: April - July, 2 -3 broods per season, one of the first North American birds to lay eggs
Migration: most migrate south to Florida, the Gulf Coast, central Mexico and Pacific Coast, returning north in February and March
Nest Facts: located 5'-25' above ground, commonly between tree branches, close to human habitation and is built by the female alone, clutch consists of 3-5 eggs which female alone incubates, eggs hatch after 14 days and fledglings leave the nest about 2 weeks later
Recommended Bird House: Mounted Platform

Diet


Food Type: American Robins cannot digest hard fruits or grains, and they primarily eat worms, grubs, caterpillars, grasshoppers, soft fruit & berries (grapes, blueberries). Commercially available food options include mealworms, or insect and fruit suet.
Recommended Feeders: Ground Platform Feeder, suet feeder

Similar species

the thrush family is large and includes bluebirds, rufous-backed & clay-colored robins, aztec, dusky & eye-browed thrushes.