Just so you know, there is an Audubon Society request for folks to take their feeders down here on the east coast until a pathogen that's been killing songbirds has been identified. Sorry to be the bearer. I didn't know. Thanks for telling us, John. That's really too bad. I'll miss my birds. I've seen red-winged blackbirds hanging out with other plain blackbirds. Also, around here, if you see a cattail you'll probably see a red-winged blackbird.
You're not understanding me. It has nothing to do with Ken or SO. It's my email server closing me down at random times. Punishment for my twitter comments about Pedo Joe, I guess.
We don't have any bird feeders except for hummingbirds. A few years ago we did have seed feeders, but the squirrels scattered everything and my flowerbeds were full of weeds and junky sprouts, so we ditched 'em. I do have a birdbath close to my kitchen window where I get to watch them splashing and playing most days.
You feed hummingbirds some kind of sweetened liquid or something, right? What kind of container holds the fluid? I'm vague on all that, as is obvious. I ask because I've always seen hummingbirds as impossible and wonderful.
Yes, hummingbird feeders hold sweet liquids. You can see hundreds of styles of feeders on Amazon or in big box stores garden centers, as well as the mix for the liquid. We also have a hummingbird bush in our back yard that attracts them all summer. They are precious to watch.
Now, now, Beth. I don't know that much about hummingbirds, but I'm pretty sure they come from eggs, not bushes. Seriously though, I'd like to have a hummingbird feeder myself.
John, you seem to be up on this stuff. Should a moratorium on feeders apply to hummingbird feeders as well?
I've not seen anything about hummingbirds, Dwight. The pathogen seems to affect certain songbird species, and the concern is that congregating at feeders may provide a point of transmission and mass-infection. I've not seen anything about hummingbirds being at risk, since they don't congregate with other birds. I just posted a question to hummingbirdcentral.com and will let you know what they say. None of the hummingbird sites I looked at have anything posted about this issue, and they all post current data as they track each year's migration and sightings. One would think they would be all over this if it were of concern. ps: If you have a bird bath in use, wash it frequently with a diluted bleach solution.
I don't have a bird bath now but might put one in later if this virus stuff subsides. Thanks so much, John. You're a gentleman and a scholar. Btw, if I do put in a birdbath, should I include tiny bars of soap and little showercaps?
Gee, I forgot how much I missed you, Dwight These soaps would be perfect. Get them at EyeTawtEyeTawAPuddyTat.com
They are territorial as hell. The fights over feeder rights are brutal...and noisy. Put feeders at opposite ends of the yard if you want to mess with the head of the aggressive ones...they can't be 2 places at once.
My feeders have been down for the last 5 months but when they were up these are the birds that visited: Northern Cardinal Mourning doves Downy woodpecker Northern Flickers Starlings Chickadees Gray Catbird Brown-headed Cowbird Blue Jay Hummingbird American goldfinch Carolina Wren Northern Mockingbird Sparrows (Song, House) Fish crow We've had other birds visit but not to the feeder like ducks, heron, red-winged blackbirds, Hawks, pigeons, and Baltimore Orioles.
There's too many to list. I have a bird book close to my front bay window and watch them a lot I'd say at least 50 kinds have come along. I have a bird bath a few feet away from the feeder, and wash it out every day with fresh water. Its hard to keep the squirrels away and also the chip monks off my walkway. I spread some seed on the walk way, which goes past the feeder and bath, and I have a deer that comes by at dusk and again early in the morning. I use the dried corn mix I get a Tractor Store in 50 lb bags, and my deer loves it. I'm going to enjoy her while she is still free from danger (before the deer season gets here)
What a avian guilt trip I'm getting! I took down all my feeders to bring them inside for sterilizing. Now the birds are lined up, perched on my windowsill looking in at me with sad eyes. And where did they get those little begging cups?