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...

Category › Friday Photo

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 Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 Woodpecker Tongue | ClipArt ETC /* Style...

Category › Friday Photo

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,...

Category › Bird Basics

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, MichiganIt'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...

Category › Nature up close

Short-tailed Grackles or Piggies with black feathers

Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 What are these short-tailed grackles that are starting to come to my feeders? Did they just migrate here? ~ LansingThey are European Starlings. They are here in mid-Michigan year round but tend to flock and eat fruit and nuts in the winter...

Category › Question of the week

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...

Category › Quick fun Facts

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...

Category › Bird of the week

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? ~ MarciaThere is no need to worry. Some America Robins migrate but if you look at the range map you’ll see that there...

Category › Bird Basics

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...

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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...

Category › Product Highlight

Birds of Chilika : Series 5

Small KingfisherScientific Name: Alcedo atthisResident Bird of ChilikaIUCN Status: Least ConcernOccurrence at Chilika: Very Common Terek SandpiperScientific Name: Calidris temminicki Migrates from Siberia in WintersIUCN Status: Least ConcernOccurrence at Chilika: Common across all the sectors Temminck's StintScientific...

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Birds of Chilika: Series 4

Peregrine FalconScientific Name: Falco peregrinusWinter Visitor to the Chilka lake....breeds throughout the Eurasian region including the Indian subcontinent. IUCN Status: Least ConcernOccurrence at Chilika: An uncommon visitor to the Lake. Occasionally recorded in Nalabana area. This pic was clicked in Mangalajodi...

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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...

Category › Nature up close

Birds of Chilika :Series 3

 Grey headed LapwingScientific Name: Vanellus cinereusMigrates from North East China and JapanIUCN Status: Least ConcernOccurrence at Chilika: Frequently sighted....numbers have increased over the years in MangalajodiLittle CormorantScientific Name: Phalacrocorax nigerIUCN Status: Least ConcernOccurrence at Chilika:...

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