My Little Chickadees

Black-capped Chickadee

I have been actively feeding wild birds for well over a quarter of a century, and one of my perennial favorites is the delightful Black-capped Chickadee.  These year-round Wisconsin residents are one of seven chickadee species in North America.

Easily attracted to feeders with a variety of seeds and suets, the Black-capped Chickadee's quick movements often make them a tough target to shoot with a camera.  The photo taken here is one of very few images I have of a Black-capped Chickadee that isn't just a blur of feathers.

Getting chickadees to utilize a nesting box takes a minimum of effort.  A box with a 1-1/8" hole is large enough for chickadees, yet small enough to keep out the more aggressive House Sparrow.  I have had the opportunity to witness the raising of several clutches of chickadees in the nesting box located right on my back deck. The amount of energy exerted by both of the parents in feeding their hungry nestlings is truly entertaining, and I am often exhausted just watching them. The number of insects that can be consumed in just a few minutes of observation is simply amazing.

Every season here in Southeastern Wisconsin I am guaranteed to see and hear these pint-sized favorites. In most cases, chickadees mate for life, with the male chickadee starting his breeding calls as early as mid January, as they start exploring nesting sites early.  This sweet sound is very welcome during the cold, silent months of winter.  Black-capped Chickadee Calls

Not only are these birds well suited for surviving harsh winters, but recent studies have shown that chickadees in northern climates actually have the ability to grow more brain cells during the cold months.  This added brain power allows chickadees to find the stash of seeds they stored away prior to the beginning of winter.  Chickadee brains in winter

Black-capped Chickadee Watercolor Image - Belinda Abendschein

Happy Birding!

I am available for birding presentations for your business, club or organization. For more information, visit my website at:  Belinda's Website

Serving Up Suet

Female Red-bellied Woodpecker

Variety is the spice of life, and it should always be considered when feeding wild birds as well.  In addition to traditional feeds like black oil sunflower, safflower, nyjer seed and quality mixes, suet can add a whole new dimension to your birding experience.

Suet is inexpensive to provide, and will bring a variety of birds that you may not be attracting with other feeders, including:

• woodpeckers
• nuthatches
• wrens
• warblers
• creepers

  

  Pine Warbler at Suet Feeder
  

Traditionally, suet is the fat from the kidneys and loins of beef.  It can be offered raw, but is safe to use only when temperatures are cooler.  In recent years, manufacturers have created rendered suet recipes that prevent melting and make it safe to use all year long in many climates.

That is where the variety comes into play.  In addition to blends that offer a mix of seeds, there are suet mixes available that include a variety of different nuts, berries, citrus and even insects to attract more species of birds.  The Pine Warbler (above) was a welcome surprise to my suet feeder and allowed me the opportunity to observe a bird that normally would not come near a traditional feeding station.

Like me, if you have a yard full of squirrels where a suet cake will last only a few days, try offering suet that is mixed with hot pepper.  Unlike mammals, birds do not have the taste receptors to detect the capsaicin in peppers that makes them hot. The birds will love it, while squirrels and other mammalian pests will leave it alone.

Having issues with starlings at your suet feeder?  Then switch to a feeder that has a "roof" over the top.  Starlings do not like to feed upside down, and therefore, will be discouraged from a feeder that allows access only at the bottom.

Want to attract some of the larger species of woodpeckers?  Then look for a suet feeder that has a tail prop to help support them while feeding.  There are several varieties on the market that are environmentally friendly and made from 100% recycled plastic (below right), as well as sustainable bamboo.

Plastic Tail Prop Feeder

Downy Woodpecker

Want to blend in with your environment?  Why not offer suet in the form of a log feeder (left). This provides the most natural setting for woodpeckers and other birds that routinely feed off of insects on dead or dying trees.

Manufacturers now offer suet to custom fit these log feeders in a variety of mixtures, including "hot pepper".

If you are not already offering suet, you need to do so today!  Not only will it bring more birds, but will provide them with needed nutrition throughout the winter months.

Happy Birding!

I am available for birding presentations for your business, club or organization. For more information, visit my website at:  Belinda's Website

Snowbirds are on the Move

Male Slate-colored Junco
 (photo courtesy of Wikipedia)

No, not the mass migration of retirees to Florida, Arizona and other warm climates. I'm referring to the adorable member of the sparrow family known as the Dark-eyed Junco.  They are also affectionately called Snowbirds by many due to their "reappearance" each fall just before the first flurries fly.

Juncos breed in the coniferous forests across Canada, in the western and eastern United States and in the Appalachian Mountain area. Here in Southeastern Wisconsin, they head north in the spring, with the promise to return in late September and October.

There are multiple subspecies of juncos with different color variations throughout their range.  However, the adults in this part of the country are easily identified by the following:

•  dark slate-colored head and chest
•  white belly
•  pale "pinkish" bill

Tichigan Lake, WI 2015

Juncos prefer to forage on the ground looking for dropped seeds.  I have had a great deal of success attracting juncos to the area around my fly-thru feeder mounted to my deck.  The junco (at left) was photographed resting during a snowstorm just inches from the feeder and deck.

Scattering seed on the ground or in a low dish or ground feeder is a great way to lure them in.  Juncos are fond of cracked corn and white proso millet, as well as black oil sunflower.  However, in order to discourage nuisance birds and sparrows, I fill my feeder with just Golden Safflower seed, and I have plenty of visitors.

Happy Birding!

Original Watercolor by Belinda Abendschein

I am available for speaking engagements to groups and businesses.  For more information, visit my website at:  Belinda Abendschein  

How Sweet the Sound

Baltimore Oriole

I love that technology has given us many options to listen to music on demand. Most of the time you will find me listening to my favorite artists on Pandora at home or in my car. However, there are certain times of the year (Early Spring and Summer) that I enjoy unplugging my devices and simply listen to the sound of the birds.

Early May is when I listen carefully for one of my favorites...the distinct song of the Baltimore Oriole.  Not only does this song signal the official start of Spring for me here in Southeastern Wisconsin, but it also reminds me that it is time to fill my hummingbird feeder, as well as set out the oranges for the orioles. 

As the season progresses, it is the incessant trill of the House Wren that fills the the days of late May and early June.  The raucous sound of the Blue Jay often warns of intruders in the yard, and the song of the male Northern Cardinal (when whistled back) will often bring them closer to inspect the new rival to their territory.

House Wren

Listening for the first song in the pre-dawn hours often takes the edge off of insomnia.  It is relaxing to see which bird's song will emerge first each morning and how quickly others follow suit.  

Take advantage of this opportunity to immerse yourself in a symphony of song that has been perfected over the ages. The months of Summer will be over before you know it, and the birds will become less vocal. Taking time in the morning or early evening to relax with a cup of coffee or glass of wine and take in the intoxicating sounds of nature is one of my favorite "guilty pleasures".

Happy Birding!

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology has a great site for identifying bird songs and calls.  Songs & Calls

I am available for speaking engagements to groups and businesses.  For more information visit my website at:  Belinda Abendschein