Most birds aren't faithful at all

Ruddy Ducks

Carolina Wrens

It may come as a surprise, but very few birds are monogamous. There's a lot of hanky-panky going on in the trees, wetlands and shrubs of north Texas.  Recent DNA research shines a light on the "playing around".

Of course, birds' primary concerm when mating is passing on good genes; those that enable better flying, more endurance, better hunting for food etc. In a typical nest of four nestlings, only about two have the genes of the parents raising them.  The other two have a different mother or father or both (usually it's the father that's different - for logistical reasons).

In other words, it's not uncommon at all for a bird to copulate with a bird that's not its mate; sometimes birds will even incubate an egg laid by another bird. It's all for the sake of the genes!

Passenger Pigeon (extinct)

Early in the last century, Passenger Pigeons were found in great numbers - in most parts of the country. Millions and millions of them - flying wild in their rural habitat.  Now the bird is extinct.

It was hunted to death, and its natural habitat (and food sources) was going away. The last one died in a zoo in 1914.

Which reminds us, especially during a cold spell like north Texas is having now, to make sure your birdfeeders are full, and (when the weather's better) to plant more "birdscape" plants to provide fresh food for our birds.

Go ahead; pick up that baby bird if you must

Carolina Wren

Fledgling

Fledgling

Bunting

Momma can't "smell" if someone has handled it.  That's just a silly myth. In truth, birds have no sense of smell (although Vultures can smell somewhat, to locate food). But the songbirds we see in north Texas (Bluebirds, Wrens, Cardinals, Robins, Titmice etc) just can't smell at all.

So pick up the bird if it's absolutely necessary. But don't "kidnap" it. Keep in mind that the vast majority of the time, a "fledgling" bird  is being monitored carefully by a parent in a nearby tree. Most young birds spend around a week on the ground, still unable to fly, after emerging from the egg and growing larger and stronger.

If a human frequently goes and looks at it though, the human will leave a scent trail that a hungry predator (raccoon, snake??) can follow.


Ninety-five percent of Texas' Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge (in the lower Rio Grande valley) was obtained through the purchase of "Duck Stamps", which are used not only for Duck habitat, but for acquiring habitat for all kinds of birds.

Lessening the number of birds smashing into your windows.

Bird strikes into windows kill or injure a ton of birds each year, especially during spring migration (starting about now). Short of redesigning your house or renovating your windows, you can take actions to lessen this;
First, identify the windows that are the major culprits; probably the most reflective ones.
Second, apply patterns to the windows (see above) using water-color paint or tape or window films.  They'll say "careful - there's something here"
Third  an option is to fasten something onto the window that will move around in the breeze. Motion is what alerts birds. You might try long foil strips, ribbons or balloons.
Fourth, keep in mind that there still may be a few bird strikes due to birds "not looking where they're going" (sound familiar, parents?).

The window pattern is limited only by you and your imagination. It addresses the fact that birds have no understanding of "glass". Feeders near windows should be OK if they're within 2 feet of the glass, or farther away than 7 feet.


Suggestion to add something to your backyard birdwatching:  Keep a 'Yard List".  All the species you see within the confines of your yard (or maybe a neighborhood park?).  You're not competing with anyone or trying to set some sort of record; it's just for interest's sake.


In north Texas, you might start with the very common birds - maybe Chickadees and Wrens. Of course, reducing the size of your lawn and adding "birdscape" plants will almost certainly lengthen your yard list.

Why Ducks are big on north Texas / Toxic birdseed?

Wood Duck (male)

Wood Ducks  (male, female)

Mallard & chicks

Wild Ducks, particularly Wood Ducks, must love north Texas. They love to eat acorns, and north Texas is naturally covered with Oak trees. Every fall, the Oaks produce millions and millions of delicious acorns.

Muscovy Duck

Nestboxes for ducks can be rewarding; just make sure they're protected from tree-climbing predators. Ideally, putting it on a tree over water, or on a small island, works well. In Texas, avoid plastic boxes - they get very hot here, and the inside temperature can kill the embryos in the eggs.

Scotts Miracle Gro Co. has agreed to plead guilty to charges in federal court and pay $4.5 million in fines in two incidents
http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/business/2012/01/27/scotts-to-pay-4-5m-in-fines.html
The complete article from the Columbus Dispatch can be read by pasting the above address into your browser. Or by doing an internet search using the words "Scotts  guilty  pesticide  fine"

The Scotts company, makers of Songbird Essentials, will plead guilty to violations including knowingly selling birdseed coated with toxic pesticide. Charges also included falsifying E.P.A. pesticide registration numbers on their products, although the E.P.A. hadn't cleared them.

Why do Crows hang out in such large flocks?

Crows are extremely social animals. Same goes for many other animals such as most fish, wolves, caribou, lemmings, and (to a certain extent) humans. They see value in large groups for two main reasons: 1. There are many more eyes to watch for predators, and  2. There are many more eyes when searching for food.

When a member of the group spots a safe food source (like your neighborhood?) you might see several hundred Crows. This behavior is common to lots of birds. Grackles, Starlings and sparrows come to mind.

Conversely, there are anti-social animals that see value in going it alone, or hunting in very small (often related) groups.

We've all known for years that playing outdoors benefits children. Now it's been shown to be true. Outdoor play improves kids' bodies, lets them think more realistically, improves sleep, reduces obesity, increases attention and enhances learning abilities.

The National Wildlife Federation has just completed a pilot project on childrens' play in backyards, as well as in public sites like parks, playgrounds and preserves. You can read more about it at www.NWF.org/playspaces

Jan 28; House Finches

House Finch

House Finch

One kind of bird that almost everyone in north Texas has seen, but few know by name, is the House Finch.

Its head and often part of the body are red (these are the males) so the House Finch is often erroneously called a "redbird". The females are not as colorful, having brown/tan markings that make them look sort of like a sparrow. The beak, however, is the same on both sexes.  It is black, thick and sturdy - ideal for cracking open seeds and small nuts.

The House Finch is not native to north Texas, but has spread into this area, and multiplied, to the point where it's extremely common year 'round. It's now plentiful in almost all parts of the country.

Originally, the species was found in northern California, but was trapped and shipped to Long Island, New York for re-sale under the more marketable name "Hollywood Finches". This was of course, illegal. So several retailers let their "Hollywood Finches" loose around 1940 to avoid prosecution. The birds, actually named House Finches, liked their new environment and spread and multiplied rapidly.

Easily make a "suet sandwich"

Ever noticed how a typical suet feeder for birds is just a little bigger than a slice of bread? Put that bit of trivia to work for you! In a pinch you can make an ordinary sandwich with two slices of bread (I use "heels") and a cheap brand of crunchy peanut butter. Slip the sandwich into an ordinary suet feeder; the birds will love it! As long as you don't feed peanut butter all the time, it won't do any harm.

It's time to start saving nest material

Nesting season for birds will be here soon. To attract nest-building birds to your yard, start collecting bits of thread, yarn, string and such. Any color will do, but remember that birds don't want their nest to be obvious, so they seem to avoid bright, vibrant colors. "Sheddings" from your pet are also ideal.

When collecting, make sure nothing is longer than 3 inches. Longer strands can tangle birds' feet, making moving (& flying) difficult.

In addition I like to make sure there's plenty of now-dead prairie grass around. In my yard there are lengths of last year's Bluestem Grass and Inland Sea Oats. Birds seek out this dead prairie grass for nest material just as their ancestors have done for ages.



When nesting season starts (late February for north Texas) you'll want to put the nesting material where it won't just blow away. I use an old suet cage, which allows easy access for birds. A pan with 2+" sides works too, unless wind gusts are really bad.