Here comes the Eurasian Collared Dove

Eurasian Collared Dove

A bird that’s rapidly becoming at home in north Texas is the Eurasian Collared Dove.  Prior to the mid ‘80s, it wasn’t even in most field guides. But after it was introduced to the Bahamas in the ‘70s, it quickly spread out and is now one of the most frequently-seen birds in the southeast, and is expanding its range westward. It was first reported in the U.S. in 1982 - just north of Miami. Interestingly, there is actually an increase in the native dove populations when this non-native dove takes up residence.  In north Texas, that includes the Mourning Doves.

 
A Mocker’s diet     About half the diet of a Northern Mockingbird (our state bird!)  is fruits and berries. The other half is insects (including insect-flavored suet, sometimes). The Mockingbird won’t ever eat at a seed feeder, although it may hang around the same area. As a practicing Landscape Architect in Texas, I’ve seen that they’re partial to native hollies, beautyberry, agarita, soapberry and Mexican plum.

 

 

Seen any of these "urban birds" lately?

House Finch

There are more birds living in and around north Texas cities than you may think. Especially since there is far less "rural" land now, and more and more built-up land. Of course all of these species won’t be in all yards. And some birds (like Goldfinches & Juncos) are winter-only, while others (like Orioles & Swallows) are summer-only. These are the most numerous year-‘round urban birds; 

□House Finch Sometimes called a red-headed “Hollywood Finch”

□Red-winged Blackbird Travels and feeds in large flocks

□American Crow Extremely intelligent, for a bird

□American Robin Actually lives here year-‘round

□European Starling Not a native bird; imported from Europe 

□House Sparrow Not a true North American sparrow

□Dove Several species, all with memorable songs

□Killdeer Likes to nest on ground, near pavement

□Rock Pigeon Well-adapted to city life

□Carolina Chickadee Small, inquisitive bird

□Tufted Titmouse Takes readily to birdhouses

□Grackle Their range is expanding northward

□Wren Several species of this active, loud bird

□Northern Mockingbird Official state bird of Texas;  eats bugs

□Blue Jay Large, noisy bird that loves nuts

Killdeer

While it's certainly not winter here yet, a few of north Texas' "winter birds" have already arrived. Readers tell me they've seen Juncos, Flickers, Chipping Sparrows, Red-breasted Nuthatches, Orange-crowned Warblers and Ruby-crowned Kinglets.         In my own yard I've seen some of these plus several White-throated Sparrows.


 

The bird we all love to hate; Starlings

Starling (winter)

Starling (most of the time)

Starlings are interesting birds, found here in north Texas and in all continental U.S. states. Curiously, they are not native birds (the full name is "European Starling "). They were first brought to New York in 1890-91 by a group that wanted to import ALL animals mentioned in Shakespeare's work.

Now that there are so many of them, they often flock together with other birds such as Grackles, Red-winged Blackbirds, Crows and Cowbirds. A flock can encompass 100,000 birds.

An important thing to remember; they are extremely aggressive and often return, the following year, to nest in the same place. You should never allow one to use a birdhouse in your yard, since they will aggressively evict native birds and each other; even killing others' newborns and destroying eggs. A pair of Starlings can build a nest in 1 to 3 days.

After molting, Starlings often show spots (this happens in the winter). Most of the time, however, they are a glossy black. They live anywhere there's food and water except dense forests (this may be because there's too much competition).The jaw/beak, unlike most other living things, is stronger when opening than when closing. So it can pry open tiny cracks (like in tree bark or eggshells).


THE DANGER ZONE.      Many birds are killed by crashing into windows. There are situations, however, where it's OK to put a birdfeeder near a window. A feeder closer to a window than 2 feet (including on the window itself) is safe. This is where the bird is in "a landing pattern"  and is fully aware of the surroundings. A feeder farther away than 7 feet is OK too.

The "danger zone" of between 2 and 7 feet should be avoided. You may still have a few bird strikes on windows, however, when a bird just isn't paying attention. Like if it's being chased by a hawk, and is looking behind him.

 

Attracting birds to bare trees with Tree Goop

A tree without leaves looks gloomy and uninviting, but a simple trick can liven things up and attract birds. Modify the trick and you can even attract birds this fall and winter if you have NO trees in your yard.

Just mix up what I call tree goop" from peanut butter and bird seeds. I use cheap (often store brand) peanut butter - crunchy seems to work best. Into it I blend (with a sturdy utensil) a bunch of fresh birdseed containing black-oil sunflower seeds. The ratio is unimportant, except the more seed there is, the more it attracts birds.

Now, visit your bare trees and liberally spread a glop of the mixture on a patch of bark. (In north Texas most leafless trees are Post Oak and Cedar Elm). With the addition of some "tree goop", however, hungry birds should bring some life to your yard.

If you have no trees, try a section of log (pictured). It's simply a log about 3 to 5 inches in diameter.  Screw an I-hook into the top, spread some "tree goop" on it and hang it outside. That's all!

You could spend a lot of money buying some costly, pre-packaged mixtures where four or five companies take a percentage of the cost. If you choose to mix your own "tree goop", however, the results will be the same.
 

Birdfeeders do NOT create "dependent" birds

         Lots of people still buy into the old belief that providing wild birds with food gets them "hooked" on seed/suet from birdfeeders.    Not true!

The reality is this; food that wild birds get from feeders is less than 10% of their diet. Seed from feeders is not only convenient, it's often a matter of life or death - especially in bad weather when natural food is scarce.

Birds always prefer the absolute freshest food around. That's certainly seed from native plants growing in their vicinity.The seed these plants produce is totally fresh, of course, when birds get it. That's why the vast majority of a bird's diet is from live, healthy plants. It's also why I recommend that you plant "birdscape" plants in your yard right now.  In north Texas, now is the very best time to plant, even though you won't see any above-ground growth until spring.
    (For a list of "birdscape" plants native to this area, email me at Birdpoop@charter.net )

Monarch

WHERE DO THEY CARRY PASSPORTS?   The fall migration of Monarch butterflies is underway. Every fall they travel southward to fir forests in the Oyamel Mountains of central Mexico, funneling through north Texas. One particular butterfly may make it all the way from start to finish, but it's almost impossible for one particular Monarch to go on two migrations. They have short life spans, so when a Monarch dies during migratory flight, newborn ones (from eggs laid along the way) continue the flight - instinctively knowing where to go. These children, or the childrens' descendants will take part in the next annual migration.

 

ALL things in nature are interdependent. Including humans

John Muir

Everything in nature is affected to some degree by everything else in nature. Perhaps the naturalist John Muir said it best back in 1890-something: "There is a common thread winding through every part of nature.  Fiddle with one part and all the other parts are troubled".

Humans are a big part of nature. Bird migration is another good example. When it gets cold where birds are, and the snow or frozen ground cuts off the normal food supply, birds fly to wherever they can find food. It's a matter of survival - affected by a changing climate. Maybe that means flying all the way to South America or to north Texas  (depending largely on their diet) from a place that has no food available, like Canada or Minnesota.

Diet is important not just for a plant's yield, but for timing. Our native plants go to seed or make berries precisely when our native or migrating birds are looking for these things (exotic plants may look nice to you and me, but they produce food when our native birds aren't "in the market". Also, our native trees drop their leaves on schedule each fall, providing millions of protected hiding places for tiny bugs, which birds eat.

Also, all those fallen leaves, as they decompose they loosen the soil and add nutrients; making for more fruit/seed production in the following season.

See how every piece of nature works together with every other piece!
 

Robins have moved northward: 206 miles at last count

American Robin

There are Robins ("American Robins" technically) in north Texas all year long. But their population center is gradually shifting northward as the weather up north warms up and food is available all winter long.

Robins are so widespread that most of us haven't noticed, but Cornell's Lab of Ornithology has. In a 40-year study they proved that the center of the robin population is now in southern Kansas. The center 40 years ago was north of Gainesville - on the banks of the Red River.

So the Robins' reputation as the "first harbinger of spring" only applies, now, to northern states like Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota and the Dakotas. In Texas, Robins are here all year; just more active and likely to be seen in the spring mating season.


PIGEONS AND DOVES ARE BIRDS OF A FEATHER.   They're pretty much the same; both members of the Columbida family. But the label "dove" implies a more refined, better mannered and less germy bird. Doves are also more slender. In common usage, the farther the bird is removed, genetically, from the pigeons we've all seen in parking lots, around dumpsters and on street lights, the more apt it is to be called a "dove".

Ages and ages ago, the wild pigeon was primarily dark blue and/or dark gray. Much of this coloration has been "bred away" in doves - the Mourning Dove, for example, is beige and light gray.