Wednesday, June 27, 2012

The Wild Turkey

NOVEMBER IS THE TIME TO THINK OF TURKEYS, THOSE WONDERFUL ONES WE EAT AND THOSE ONE MIGHT BE LUCKY ENOUGH TO SEE IN THE WILD. 
 
 THE WILD TURKEY IS THE LARGEST OF THE UPLAND GAME BIRD SPECIES, IT IS A DARK BIRD WITH A NAKED, BLUISH HEAD. THE MALE OR TOM IS BROWNISH BLACK WITH AN IRIDESCENT SHEEN. THE WINGS HAVE BLACK AND WHITE BARRING. THE LONG TAIL HAS A WIDE, BLACK BAND NEAR THE END, WITH A TIP OF VARYING COLOR. THE TOM HAS FOLDS OF RED SKIN , CALLED WATTLES, UNDER THE CHIN; FLESHY , WARTLIKE CARUNCLES ON THE NECK; AND A FINGERLIKE SNOOD DANGLING BESIDE THE BILL. A 4 TO 10 INCH PROJECTION OF HAIRLIKE FEATHERS, CALLED A BEARD, EXTENDS FROM THE BREAST. 
 
 THE HEN IS SMALLER AND BROWNER THAN THE TOM , AND LACKS THE TOM'S HEAD ADORNMENTS. THE JUVENILE MALE, OR JAKE, AND THE JUVENILE FEMALE, OR JENNY, RESEMBLE HENS BY FALL, ALTHOUGH THEY HAVE A DULLER, OR MOTTLED COLOR. BUT AFTER THE FIRST YEAR, JAKES ARE LARGER THAN HENS, AND HAVE BEGUN TO DEVELOP A BEARD. 
 
 THERE ARE FIVE SUBSPECIES OF WILD TURKEY IN NORTH AMERICA AND TWO ARE FOUND IN TEXAS. ONE IS THE EASTERN WILD TURKEY WHICH IS FOUND THROUGHOUT MOST OR THE EASTERN UNITED STATES. IT HAS A COPPER-BRONZE SHEEN, AND ITS TAIL HAS A CHOCOLATE-BROWN TIP. THE OTHER WILD TURKEY FOUND IN TEXAS IS THE RIO GRANDE WILD TURKEY. IT IS AN OPEN-COUNTRY BIRD AND IT'S OVERALL BODY SHEEN IS A PALE COPPER, AND THE TAIL HAS A YELLOWISH TIP. 
 
 TOMS BEGIN THEIR BREEDING DISPLAYS IN EARLY SPRING WITH TAIL FANNED, FEATHERS FLUFFED AND WING TIPS DRAGGING, THE TOM STRUTS BOLDLY WHILE EMITING LOW-PITCHED HUMS. HE REPEATS THE DISPLAY, COUPLED WITH THE CHARACTERISTIC GOBBLE CALL UNTIL HE ATTRACTS A HEN. THE HENS SCRAPE A SHALLOW DEPRESSION , LINES IT WITH LEAVES AND TWIGS AND LAYS 8 TO 14 BUFF-COLORED EGGS. 
 
 THE POPULATION OF WILD TURKEYS IS INCREASING DUE TO RESTORATION EFFORTS BY WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AGENCIES, NORTH AMERICA HAS MORE WILD TURKEYS NOW THAN IT DID DURING PRESETTLEMENT DAYS. 
  

The House Finch

Now is the time of year when we see many baby birds at our feeders. Just this week a saw three different baby birds at my feeder in the back yard. One way you can tell they are baby birds, even though many are the same size as the parents , is that they flap their wings and open their mouths for the parents to feed them. 
 
 One of the babies I saw was a house finch. House finches are about 5 1/2 inches tall. The male has red on its head and upper breast and it has broad brown streaking on its lower breast and flanks. The female has a uniformly brown-streaked head and broad brown streaking on her breast and belly and her white undertail is usually streaked. They both have a short bill. They eat weed seeds, blossoms, fruits, buds and they love sunflowers at your feeder. If your hummingbird feeder is shaped so that this short billed bird can get into it they will also drink the nectar. 
 
 They make a nest of twigs, grasses, leaves, and debris in natural cavities such as foundation plantings, vines, hanging planters and occasionally birdhouses. They lay 2 to 6 eggs which are bluish white with speckles and have 1 to 3 broods a year. The babies are out of the nest and flying with the parents in about 12 to 16 days after the eggs are laid. 
 
 Sometimes in winter house finches form flocks and they are native to the western states. The house finch was introduced to the East in the New York City area in 1940 when pet dealers, being arrested for illegally selling House Finches as "Hollywood Finches" released the birds. Since then they have spread throughout the East and South. 
 
 Hope you see a baby bird at your feeder. Happy Spring. 

The American Robin - A Sign of Spring

Robins are a sign of Spring and even though we here in Houston are in the year round range of the Robin we seem to see more at Springtime. The American Robin is the most widespread songbird in North America ranging from Alaska, Canada, and New-foundland to the highlands of Mexico and Guatemala. 
 
 The male Robin is dark gray above, orange-brown below, white under the tail and has a bright yellow bill. The female Robin is similar to the male except she has more brown above and is pale reddish brown below. Their song is a lively ringing whistle which sounds like "cheeryup cheerily" and their calls include a "teek" and "tuk tuk tuk." The Robins nest is made of grass and mud and is usually placed on a limb of a tree or a building ledge. They have 3 to 7 light blue eggs with incubation taking 12 to 14 days and the nestlings fledge or leave the nest in 14 to 16 days. Robins will have 2 to 3 broods per season. 
 
 Robins hop around lawns, meadows and golf courses looking for earthworms. They also eat insects, fruit and berries. They will occasionally come to feeders for fruit (raisins or berries.) They will also use a birdbath. 
 
 Robins are much beloved symbols and Connecticut, Michigan and Wisconsin have chosen them as their state bird. Canada has a pair of Robins on their two dollar bill. 
 
 Enjoy the Robins and our wonderful Texas Spring. 
  

The Great Road Runner

 would like to be a roadrunner on some of these hot summer days so that I could run really fast to the shade or the airconditioning. Here are some interesting facts on the greater roadrunner. They once lived only in dry open areas in the Southwest, but they now have expanded their range eastward to open woods and grasslands and we have them here in East Texas Greater Roadrunners are members of the cuckoo family, they have two toes pointing forward and two facing backward, making a X footprint. Their sound is a "coo,coo, coo, ooh, ooh, ooh." 
 
 They really can run fast and have been clocked up to 20mph. Early settlers named these birds roadrunners because they ran ahead of the horse-drawn wagons, catching lizards, rattlesnakes, scorpions, mice and other small animals. Male and female roadrunners appear identical and they mate for life. Both parents build a shallow 1 foot nest in a small tree or a clump of cacti. The female lays three to six white or yellowish eggs. The young will be able to catch food on their own within 3 weeks after hatching. 
 
 I hope you are lucky enough to hear the coo ,coo of the roadrunner and then to see one or have one around your yard or garden to eat any pesky varmits. 

The Penquin

WHEN OUR JANUARY WINDS BLOW COLD I AM ALWAYS REMINDED OF THE BIRD I MOST ASSOCIATE WITH ICE AND SNOW. 
 
 YES, A PENGUIN IS A BIRD. IT IS AN ANIMAL THAT HAS FEATHERS AND IS WARM BLOODED. IT HATCHES FROM AN EGG AND HAS A BACKBONE. IT HAS A BEAK, TWO LEGS, AND TWO WINGS. ANCESTORS OF PENGUINS PROBABLY WERE ABLE TO FLY BUT TODAY'S PENGUINS FLY ONLY UNDER WATER. THEIR AVERAGE SWIMMING SPEED IS 15 MILES PER HOUR. PENGUINS LIVE ONLY BELOW THE EQUATOR. SOME COME ASHORE ON ANTARCTICA, FRIGID HOME OF THE SOUTH POLE . OTHER PENGUINS DO NOT LIVE IN COLD PLACES. THEY ARE FOUND ON THE COASTS AND ISLANDS OF SOUTH AMERICA, AFRICA, AUSTRALIA, AND NEW ZEALAND. 
 
 THERE ARE 17 SPECIES OF PENGUINS AND NO TWO ARE EXACTLY ALIKE. SOME HAVE ORANGE HEAD TUFTS THAT LOOK LIKE CRAZY EYEBROWS. SOME HAVE BUSHY TAILS. SOME ARE AGGRESSIVE AND OTHERS ARE MILD-MANNERED. 
 
 PENGUINS EAT FISH,,CRUSTACEANS,SQUID AND KRILL. KRILL ARE TINY SHRIMPLIKE ANIMALS FOUND IN ENORMOUS NUMBERS AND PENGUINS EAT TONS OF KRILL EVERY DAY. SURROUNDED BY SALTWATER, PENGUINS CAN'T GET FRESH WATER TO DRINK. THEIR BODIES MAKE FRESH WATER FOR THEM. THEY HAVE A GLAND THAT REMOVES THE SALT FROM THE WATER AND RELEASES IT THROUGH GROOVES IN THEIR BILL. 
 
 MOST PENGUINS STICK TO THE SAME PARTNER. ALL PENGUIN PAIRS SING A DUET AS PART OF THEIR COURTING DISPLAY, AND IT IS NOT JUST FOR ENTERTAINMENT. THEY LEARN TO RECOGNIZE EACH OTHER'S VOICE. IT IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF LOOK-ALIKES IN A ROOKERY. CHICKS AND PARENTS RECOGNIZE EACH OTHER'S CALLS AND ALWAYS FIND ONE ANOTHER. EVEN WHILE THE CHICK IS BREAKING OUT OF ITS EGG, IT IS CALLING SO ITS PARENTS WILL GET TO KNOW ITS VOICE. 
 
 PENGUINS USUALLY LAY ONE EGG BUT MAY LAY TWO , SOMETIMES ONLY ONE SURVIVES. AS SOON AS EGGS ARE LAID, THE FEMALE HEADS FOR THE SEA TO FIND FOOD. THE MALE STAYS WITH THE EGGS. BY THE TIME THE FEMALE RETURNS, THE MALES HAVEN'T EATEN FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS. THEN IT'S HIS TURN TO EAT WHILE SHE STAYS WITH THE EGG. FOOD FOR CHICKS COMES STRAIGHT FROM A PARENT'S MOUTH. THE ADULTS RETURN WITH UNDIGESTED FOOD STORED IN THEIR CROP, A SPECIAL POUCH IN THE THROAT. A CHICK FITS ITS BILL INSIDE THE ADULT'S MOUTH TO RECEIVE THE FOOD. AN EMPEROR PARENT MAY DELIVER SEVEN POUNDS OF FOOD AT A TIME TO ITS CHICK. MALE KING PENGUINS HAVE BEEN FOUND TO PRESERVE FOOD IN THEIR STOMACHS FOR UP TO THREE WEEKS IN ORDER TO FEED IT TO NEWLY HATCHED CHICKS. 
 
 PENGUINS ARE NOISY, SOCIAL CREATURES. THEY WILL GLADLY TAKE CARE OF EACH OTHER'S YOUNG. MOST PENGUINS ARE MATURE AT 4 YEARS OF AGE AND THEY LIVE BETWEEN 25 AND 30 YEARS. 

The Screech of the Owl

HAPPY OCTOBER, IT'S TIME TO TALK ABOUT OWLS AGAIN.... 
 
 AS BIRDS OF THE NIGHT, OWLS HAVE OFTEN BEEN ASSOCIATED WITH MONSTERS, WITCHES, AND THE COMING OF DEATH IN MANY NATIVE CULTURES OF NORTH AMERICA. ALTHOUGH SOMETIMES THE CALL OF AN OWL MIGHT BE AN OMEN OF ILL FORTUNE, OWLS WERE NOT ALWAYS SEEN AS BEARERS OF BAD TIDINGS. THE SCREECH OWL OFTEN NESTED CLOSE TO THE EDGE OF AN INDIAN VILLAGE, GIVING A DISTINCTIVE CALL WHEN SOMEONE DISTURBED IT LATE AT NIGHT. THE OWL WAS KNOWN AS THE VILLAGE GUARDIAN-ONE WHO GIVES WARNING AGAINST DANGEROUS INTRUDERS. 
 
 PERHAPS OWLS ARE POPULAR IN STORIES BECAUSE THEY LOOK LIKE SMALL HUMANS.OWLS STAND UPRIGHT. THEIR SLANTING BEAKS LOOK ALMOST LIKE HUMAN NOSES. OWLS STARE WITH HUGE, UNBLINKING EYES. THEY MAY APPEAR WISE OR STUDIOUS. THE TRUTH IS ,OWLS ARE NO MORE OR LESS WISE THAN ANY OTHER BIRDS. THEY ARE JUST SKILLFUL HUNTERS WITH SPECIAL TOOLS, INCLUDING AMAZING EYES. 
 
 MOST OWLS HUNT AT NIGHT. THE WAY THEY SKIM MEADOWS OR SWOOP THROUGH FORESTS ON SILENT WINGS ADDS TO THEIR AURA OF MYSTERY. OFTEN, THE ONLY CLUE OF AN OWL'S PRESENCE IS A SPINE-CHILING SHRIEK OR A GHOSTLY WHOO-WHOO-WHOO OWLS CALL TO COMMUNICATE WITH OTHER OWLS. THEY DO NOT BRING NEWS OF ANY KIND TO PEOPLE- EXCEPT THE GOOD NEWS THAT AN OWL LIVES IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD. 
 
 THEIR ARE OVER 150 SPECIES OF OWLS WORLDWIDE. NINETEEN SPECIES LIVE IN NORTH AMERICA.OWLS IN OUR AREA NEAR OLD TOWN SPRING ARE THE GREAT HORNED OWL, THE BARN OWL, AND THE EASTERN SCREECH OWL. 
 
 OWLS ARE MEAT-EATERS. THEY FEED ON ANIMALS THAT FEED ON OTHER ANIMAL OR PLANTS. LARGE OWLS TEND TO HUNT LARGE PREY. GREAT HORNED OWLS EAT PRACTICALLY ANYTHING MEATY THEY CAN CATCH, FROM RABBITS AND SKUNKS TO INSECTS AND OTHER OWLS. SOME OWLS HUNT SMALL PREY, SUCH AS INSECTS, SPIDERS, AND SCORPIONS. OTHER SMALL BUT FIERCE OWLS CATCH BIRDS, REPTILES, AND MAMMALS ALMOST AS LARGE AS THEMSELVES. 

The State Bird of Texas

HAPPY OCTOBER, IT'S TIME TO TALK ABOUT OWLS AGAIN.... 
 
 AS BIRDS OF THE NIGHT, OWLS HAVE OFTEN BEEN ASSOCIATED WITH MONSTERS, WITCHES, AND THE COMING OF DEATH IN MANY NATIVE CULTURES OF NORTH AMERICA. ALTHOUGH SOMETIMES THE CALL OF AN OWL MIGHT BE AN OMEN OF ILL FORTUNE, OWLS WERE NOT ALWAYS SEEN AS BEARERS OF BAD TIDINGS. THE SCREECH OWL OFTEN NESTED CLOSE TO THE EDGE OF AN INDIAN VILLAGE, GIVING A DISTINCTIVE CALL WHEN SOMEONE DISTURBED IT LATE AT NIGHT. THE OWL WAS KNOWN AS THE VILLAGE GUARDIAN-ONE WHO GIVES WARNING AGAINST DANGEROUS INTRUDERS. 
 
 PERHAPS OWLS ARE POPULAR IN STORIES BECAUSE THEY LOOK LIKE SMALL HUMANS.OWLS STAND UPRIGHT. THEIR SLANTING BEAKS LOOK ALMOST LIKE HUMAN NOSES. OWLS STARE WITH HUGE, UNBLINKING EYES. THEY MAY APPEAR WISE OR STUDIOUS. THE TRUTH IS ,OWLS ARE NO MORE OR LESS WISE THAN ANY OTHER BIRDS. THEY ARE JUST SKILLFUL HUNTERS WITH SPECIAL TOOLS, INCLUDING AMAZING EYES. 
 
 MOST OWLS HUNT AT NIGHT. THE WAY THEY SKIM MEADOWS OR SWOOP THROUGH FORESTS ON SILENT WINGS ADDS TO THEIR AURA OF MYSTERY. OFTEN, THE ONLY CLUE OF AN OWL'S PRESENCE IS A SPINE-CHILING SHRIEK OR A GHOSTLY WHOO-WHOO-WHOO OWLS CALL TO COMMUNICATE WITH OTHER OWLS. THEY DO NOT BRING NEWS OF ANY KIND TO PEOPLE- EXCEPT THE GOOD NEWS THAT AN OWL LIVES IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD. 
 
 THEIR ARE OVER 150 SPECIES OF OWLS WORLDWIDE. NINETEEN SPECIES LIVE IN NORTH AMERICA.OWLS IN OUR AREA NEAR OLD TOWN SPRING ARE THE GREAT HORNED OWL, THE BARN OWL, AND THE EASTERN SCREECH OWL. 
 
 OWLS ARE MEAT-EATERS. THEY FEED ON ANIMALS THAT FEED ON OTHER ANIMAL OR PLANTS. LARGE OWLS TEND TO HUNT LARGE PREY. GREAT HORNED OWLS EAT PRACTICALLY ANYTHING MEATY THEY CAN CATCH, FROM RABBITS AND SKUNKS TO INSECTS AND OTHER OWLS. SOME OWLS HUNT SMALL PREY, SUCH AS INSECTS, SPIDERS, AND SCORPIONS. OTHER SMALL BUT FIERCE OWLS CATCH BIRDS, REPTILES, AND MAMMALS ALMOST AS LARGE AS THEMSELVES. 
 
 ENJOY OUR FALL AND I HOPE YOU ARE LUCKY ENOUGH TO HEAR OR SEE OUR NEIGHBORHOOD OWLS. 

March - Wearing of the Green

N MARCH WE THINK OF ST. PATRICK'S DAY AND HERE IN TEXAS WE HAVE SOME BIRDS THAT WEAR THE GREEN. 
 
 ONE BIRD IS FOUND ONLY IN SOUTHERN TEXAS , IT IS THE GREEN JAY. THIS IS A GAUDY TROPICAL JAY AND IS COMMON IN RIVERSIDE WOODS, PARKS, SUBURBS, OAK GROVES, AND DRY BRUSHLAND OF SOUTHERN TEXAS. THEY OFTEN TRAVEL IN SMALL FLOCKS. THEY ARE MOSTLY GREEN WITH PALER AND YELLOWER FEATHERS BELOW AND A PURPLE AND BLACK HEAD. THEY ALSO HAVE BRIGHT YELLOW OUTER TAIL FEATHERS. THE GREEN JAY IS FOUND IN THE VALLEY AREA OF SOUTH TEXAS. 
 
 ANOTHER MOSTLY GREEN BIRD WILL ARRIVE IN MARCH, THE RUBY THROATED HUMMINGBIRD. THE FEMALE IS GREEN ABOVE, WHITISH BELOW WITH WHITE TIPS ON HER OUTER TAIL FEATHERS. THE MALE HAS AN IRIDESCENT RUBY THROAT WHICH SOMETIMES LOOKS BLACK IN MANY LIGHTS. HE HAS A WHITE CHEST AND GREEN SIDES AND HIS TAIL IS ALL BLACK AND FORKED. THE RUBY THROATED HUMMINGBIRDS USUALLY ARRIVE HERE IN LATE MARCH BUT IF WE ARE WARMER WE MAY SEE THEM SOONER. THEY STAY AROUND FOR SOME WEEKS AND THEN WILL GO ON NORTH. YOU MAY HAVE A FEW THAT STICK AROUND ALL SUMMER BUT MOST GO ON. THEN IN MID AUGUST THRU MID OCTOBER THEY WILL COME BACK TO US. 
 
 HAPPY WEARING OF THE GREEN AND REMEMBER SPRING IS EARLY HERE SO CLEAN OUT YOUR OLD BIRD HOUSES AND PUT UP NEW ONES NOW AND ENJOY THE BIRDS. 

The American Goldfinch

Our goldfinches were late this year, perhaps as Gary Clark speculated in his article in the Houston Chronicle the wild food crop of tree seeds and grass seeds across North Texas kept the birds well-nourished until the recent ice storms. They are migratory birds here in our area and usually come in Januarary or a little bit earlier subject to our weather. In the winter they are in flocks and I saw about 15 to 20 birds at my feeder which is not unusual. I love these little birds and always hate to see them go up north in Spring. These birds are about 5" long and both the male and female have black wings and tail with white wing bars. In winter the male is yellowish brown with a yellow wash on his face and chin and the female is a grayish brown with a little yellow tint. They have black eyes and their beak is yellow with a tint of orange. They eat seeds, insects and berries and at birdfeeders they prefer sunflower seeds and their favorite seed, the thistle. As soon as I see them at my feeders eating the sunflower seed I put out my thistle seed feeder. Thistle seed is a very tiny black seed and you will need a specialized feeder or thistle sack for this seed. 
 
 I know you will really enjoy these little birds if you attract them to your yard or come by the little garden in front of my shop, Just For The Birds. Even with the people passing by when the goldfinches are hungry they are at my feeder and a cherry site to brighten your day. 
 
 It is wonderful that we can enjoy so many different birds at all times of the year. 

Hummingbirds are Here

Our fall migration begins usually in mid August through mid October. I have had quite a few people tell me they have hummingbirds at their flowers or feeders. My first little hummer to stay around and eat arrived at my feeder about 3 days ago. I was sitting outside near my feeder and before he ate he came over and hovered right in front of me just like he was giving me a greeting. It is great how such a small thing can give you such joy. 
 
 The most common hummingbird we see here is the ruby throated hummingbird. The male has the pretty iridescent red patch on his throat. You can see it if the light is shining the right way. The female is more green grey but I love them all. The males are very territorial and fight others for nectar all the time. If you can put up two or more small feeders apart from each other it is best for viewing and helping out the birds trying to avoid the bullies. 
 
 Most of our hummingbird feeders have enough red or bright color on them that coloring the nectar is not necessary. The nectar ratio is 4 water to 1 sugar (just plain old white sugar, never honey as this can harm the birds.) I find if I boil the water or microwave it first before putting the sugar it seems to stay fresh longer. Any extra nectar , keep in the refrigerator until you need it. In our heat unfortunately we need to change the nectar and clean the feeder every 3 to 4 days or at least every week and it helps to keep the feeder in the shade if possible. The heat makes the nectar ferment and can cause harm to the birds. 
 
 The second weekend in September you might try to attend the Hummer Bird Celebration in Rockport-Fulton , Texas, about an hour north of Corpus Christi. They are right on the migratory trail of the hummingbirds and at times have as many as 40 to 50 birds crowding around one feeder and they have feeders out all over town so you can imagine what a sight this is. To find out more information about this Festival you can call the Rockport-Fulton Chamber of Commerce at 1 800 826 6441 or on the internet at www.rockport-fulton.org. 
 
 Happy Hummingbird watching. 

The Bald Eagle

In July we think of the fourth of July and the symbol of our country, the bald eagle. We think of strength, dignity and freedom when we see the eagle. The eagle is honored by American Indians and the Pueblo people believed that eagles were related to the Sun because they were able to soar high into the sky and disappear from sight. The dignified image of the bald eagle comes partly from its coloration-a pure white head and tail contrasted with a dark brown body. 
 
 If the bald eagle has feathers on its head, then why is it called bald? The name comes from an Old English word, "balde," which means "white." It was natural to call this pure white-headed bird the bald eagle. Their large size and fierce look in their eyes give eagles the appearance of strength.. The bald eagle has a wingspan of seven to eight feet. 
 
 Eagles are "birds of prey," which means they eat meat. Fish is the favorite food of eagles. They eat many animals besides fish, including geese, ducks, rabbits, turtles and other animals. They also eat carrion- the decaying flesh of dead animals and this is especially important in winter when other foods are usually not easily found. 
 
 Eagles lay one to three eggs in early spring in a very large nest which they make of sticks. Most nests are as big as your bed. Eagles that survive the difficult first years of life can live to be forty years old. 
 
 Bald eagles are found only in North America. Recently the bald eagle was removed from it's classification as an endangered species. This was a wonderful success for conservation. We still do have a federal law, the Bald Eagle Protecion Act, to protect this beautiful and important symbol of our country. 

Doves - A Valentine Symbol of Love and Peace

THE COOING OF DOVES ALONG WITH THEIR COURTING DISPLAYS HAVE MADE DOVES A SYMBOL OF LOVE AND PEACE. 
 
 THE TWO TYPES OF DOVES FOUND MAINLY IN OUR AREA ARE THE MOURNING DOVE AND THE INCA DOVE. 
 
 THE MOURNING DOVE GETS IT'S NAME FROM IT'S MOURNFUL COO. MOURNING DOVES ARE ABOUT 12" IN LENGTH. THEY ARE A SLEEK BIRD -GRAY-BROWN WITH LONG POINTED TAILS AND BLACK DOTS ON THEIR WINGS. THE MALE HAS A LIGHT GRAY CROWN AND IRIDESCENT SIDES OF IT'S NECK. THE FEMALE IS EVENLY BROWN ON HER HEAD AND NECK. WHEN THEY ARE IN FLIGHT YOU CAN SEE THE BROADLY WHITE TIPPED SHORTER OUTER TAIL FEATHERS. THEY ARE COMMON AT FEEDERS, FEEDING MOSTLY ON THE GROUND . THEY EAT WEEDS, GRASS, GRAIN SEEDS AND SOME INSECTS. FROM A PERCH AT COURTING TIME THE MALE DOES A CONSPICUOUS COOING IN WHICH HE PUFFS OUT HIS THROAT AND BOBS HIS TAIL. WHEN COOING ON THE GROUND IN FRONT OF THE FEMALE HE REPEATEDLY BOWS HIS HEAD AND GIVES A LONG COO. THE PAIR MAKES A FLAT LOOSE NEST OF TWIGS, GRASS, WEEDS, AND PINE NEEDLES PLACED IN A VERTICAL FORK OR HORIZONTAL BRANCH OF A TREE. THEY USUALLY HAVE 2 WHITE EGGS. 
 
 THE INCA DOVE IS SMALL ABOUT 8" AND IT'S DARK-TIPPED FEATHERS CREATE A SCALLOPED EFFECT ALL OVER IT'S BODY, THE TAIL IS ALMOST AS LONG AS THE REST OF IT'S BODY. WHEN IT IS IN FLIGHT YOU CAN SEE IT'S REDDISH-BROWN WING TIPS AND IT'S LONG TAIL WITH WHITE ALONG THE SIDES AND CORNERS. THEY ARE GROUND FEEDERS EATING WEED SEEDS AND GRAIN. THE MAKE A SAUCERLIKE NEST OF TWIGS , STICKS, GRASS AND LEAVES WHICH THEY PLACE ON HORIZONTAL LIMBS BUSHES OR TREES AND SOMETIMES IN HANGING BASKETS. THEY USUALLY HAVE 2 WHITE EGGS. 
 
 ENJOY THE PEACEFUL SOUNDS OF OUR DOVES IN OLD TOWN SPRING AND HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY. 
  

The Chicadee

One of the birds I see most often in front of my shop and in my backyard is the Chickadee. It seems so small but bright and cheery in it's black and white colors and it's spritely movements. They make me happy every time I see them . Many times they are with a titmouse , the little small grey and white bird with the crest on top of it's head . As they are with each other so often I call them cousins. 
 
 Here in our area we have the Carolina Chickadee. The habitat for this bird is woods, farmland and suburbs. The Carolina Chickadee is about 4 3/4" long. It has a black cap and bib with a white cheek. The feathers on the shoulder are all grey and the lower edge of the bib is clean cut. 
 
 You can see them up in the tree branches searching for insects, seeds and berries. They come to feeders and like sunflower seeds best. They nest in a natural cavity or excavate in rotted wood but will also use a birdhouse provided for them. Mosses or wood chips make up their nest material and they lay up to six eggs which are white and reddish speckled. 
 
 In winter time they form flocks but in the spring they disperse into breeding pairs. The males sing and each pair defends its territory. They sing four notes with the 1st and 3rd much higher than the others. 
 
 As Mr. Roger's use to say "It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood" and if you see a little chickadee your spirits will be lifted and a little smile may come to your face. 

The Cardinal - The Joy of the Season and Yearround

THE NORTHERN CARDINAL IS ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL OF ALL OUR BIRDS. SEVEN STATES IN THE EASTERN U.S. COUNT THE NORTHERN CARDINAL AS THEIR STATE BIRD. 
 
 CARDINALS ARE NAMED AFTER OFFICIALS OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH, CALLED CARDINALS WHO WEAR RED ROBES. THE MALE CARDINAL IS ALL RED WITH A CREST AND HAS BLACK ON HIS FACE AROUND THE BASE OF A REDDISH BILL. THE FEMALE CARDINAL IS BUFFY BELOW AND GRAYISH BROWN ABOVE. SHE HAS A REDDISH BILL WITH REDDISH TINTS ON HER CREST , WINGS AND TAIL. THE JUVENILE CARDINAL IS SEEN IN SUMMER AND LOOKS SIMILAR TO THE FEMALE BUT HAS A DARK GRAY BILL. 
 
 IT IS THOUGHT THAT CARDINALS MATE FOR LIFE. THEY MAKE A NEST OF TWIGS, BARK STRIPS, AND LEAVES, PLACED IN DENSE SHRUBBERY OR SMALL TREE. THEY LAY 2 TO 5 EGGS OF A BUFF WHITE COLOR WITH DARK MARKS. CARDINALS MAY NEST OR BROOD 1 TO 4 TIMES A YEAR. DURING MATING THE MALE CARDINAL MAY BE SEEN FEEDING THE FEMALE AND THE MALE ALSO SHARES THE FEEDING OF THE YOUNG WITH THE FEMALE. 
 
 BOTH MALE AND FEMALE CARDINALS SING A SERIES OF CLEAR WHISTLES THAT VARY , LIKE " WHOIT WHOIT, CHEER CHEER CHEER" AND ALSO MAKE A CALL THAT SOUNDS LIKE A METALLIC "CHIP." 
 
 CARDINALS READILY COME TO FEEDERS. THEY PREFER SUNFLOWER SEED BUT ALSO EAT SAFFLOWER SEED, CRACKED CORN OR MIXED SEED. CARDINALS ENJOY BIRDBATHS FOR DRINKING AND BATHING. 
 
 CARDINALS ARE SYMBOLS AT THIS TIME OF YEAR BECAUSE OF THEIR BEAUTY AND CHEERFULNESS. I HOPE THE SIGHTS AND SOUNDS OF CARDINALS LIGHT UP YOUR LIFE DURING THE HOLIDAYS AND ALL YEAR LONG. 

Backyard Bird Feeding Tips


Any time of year is a great time to attract birds to your yard with just a little effort. To have a bird - friendly habitat all you need is food, water and cover. Black-oil sunflower is a favorite of seed-eating birds. Many birds eat suet but be sure to use the year round suet for our area as it is less likely to melt (and I have to say in the middle of our hot summer I do not have suet out.)Year round suet contains animal fat but more dough so that it can be fed in hot weather and to this many things can be added such as seed ,berries, nuts and even hot pepper which the birds like but keep the pesky squirrels aways from the suet. Suet is put out in a little cage hanging on tree, fence, etc. 

Birds need water year 'round for bathing and drinking. The sound of dripping or splashing water is irresistible and will draw species of birds that may not visit feeders. Blue Jays and Starlings seem to be the most frequent bathers at my bird bath. The Blue Jays are especially fun as the bathe 3 or 4 times and really seem to enjoy it. Many birds bathe in water only about 1/2 inch deep. If your bird bath is much deeper place a few thin flat rocks around the edge and submerge them at varying depths. This gives the birds choices. Be sure to clean your birdbath as it can get quite dirty with dropping, feathers and the algae that grows rapidly in our hot weather. You can use a little bleach to clean it out well but be sure to rinse very well . There is also a bird bath protector available, just a capfull in a clean bird bath will really help to keep the algae down. 

Cover can be many things in your yard such as trees, shrubs, bushes and anything that offers protection from predators and the weather and increases the chances for birds to nest. 

Enjoy yourself, take time to smell the roses and see and hear our wonderful birds. 
 


The Blue Jay

One of the most colorful birds we have all year round in our area is the Blue Jay. Both the male and female look alike. They are about 12" long and have a crested top head. Both have a black collar and neclace with wings and tail spotted with white and are blue above and grayish white below. 
 
 They eat acorns and other nuts, fruit, insects and come to bird feeders for sunflower seed and cracked corn. 
 
 They are fiercely protective of their own nests which they place in bushes or trees. They have about 4 to 5 eggs that are greenish blue spotted with brown. One reason they are not the favorite bird of many people is that they will eat other birds eggs and nestlings. 
 
 In the fall they form large flocks and in spring they form courtship flocks. These courtship flocks are believed to be composed of 1 female and a number of males and the female is always in the lead as the birds take flight. 
 
 Blue Jays are one of the few birds that will mob and dive at hawks. 
 
 Enjoy all our birds and take an extra look next time at our Blue Jays. 

The Blackbirds of November

Outside my shop everyday for the past few weeks I have heard the noisy but fun to see blackbirds. They gather in large flocks and are quite raucous. Our most commonly seen blackbirds are the common grackle, the great-tailed grackle, the brown-headed cowbird, the red-winged blackbird and two birds which are not really members of the blackbird family but also have dark shiny feathers- the American Crow and the European starling. 
 
 To most of us blackbirds seem alike and are hard to distinguish. Some ways of telling the difference in these birds is to look at the size of the bird and the profile of its body and beak. 
 
 The American Crow is the is the largest of these birds at about twelve and a half inches with a large heavy black beak and black eyes. The grackles are smaller and slimmer than the crow (except for the great-tailed grackle which can be as long as a Crow.) Grackles have yellow eyes. The great-tailed grackle has a big keel-shaped tail which is almost a long as the body. 
 
 The European Starling were brought into the U. S. around 1890 where about sixty of the birds were released into Central Park in New York City. They have now multiplied and spread across the country. They have a speckled iridescence of purple green and black and are the only blackbird with a yellow beak. The brown-headed cowbird is a pest as they lay their eggs in the nest of another species of bird, having the other parent bird raise the young instead of its own. The male bird has a dull brown head and a dull black body and the female is gray-brown overall, both male and female are short and stumpy and have heavy wedgelike beaks. The red winged blackbird is our least common here but is wonderful to see The male is black overall except for the bright red epaulets, or shoulder patches, which can be seen on the upper part of the wing when the bird is at rest. A thin yellow trim lies along the botton of the red patch. The female is a dark brown above and heavily streaked in brown over her underparts. 
 
 Many blackbirds are roosting in our trees here in Old Town Spring. Enjoy them and our great fall weather. 

Bird Houses

Spring is the time of year (March in the Houston Area) when you should put your bird houses out to attract the birds and help them out. There are four basic nest locations. Some birds nest in cavities, such as tree holes, bird houses, or the nooks of buildings , some nest in branches of shrubs or trees, some nest on the ground and a few under the ground. 
 
 The cavity nesters use tree holes and will at times use a birdhouse. Common examples of cavity nesters are woodpeckers and chickadees. 
 
 Many other birds build their nests in the open in branches or shrubs or trees. These nests are generally cup shaped and open to the sky. These birds are referred to as open-cup nesters. Examples of these are goldfinches, robins, mockingbirds, and cardinals. 
 
 Most of the remaining birds build their nests on the ground, either by contructing an open cup or by scraping just a shallow depression in the soil. Common ground nesters are towhees, killdeers, pheasants and many sparrows. 
 
 A few birds build their nest underground. A common underground nester is the kingfisher. 
 
 You can build a birdhouse or buy one but remember you need the right dimemsions for different species of birds . The size of the hole and height above the floor are important as well as the floor dimensions and the total height of the box. Bird houses need proper ventilation, drainage and a overhang is desirable for the roof to protect from sun and rain. Perches are not needed and it does help to have a way to clean the box. If your bird house does not open for cleaning I have found that a bent coat hanger used through the hole will work well to clean out the old nest. Insides of bird houses should never be painted. 
 
 This time of year is also the time of year to put up your Purple Martin houses. These are communal birds so a house of eight to twelve nests is most common. You need an open area so the birds can swoop in and out, at least 25 ft. away from trees or houses. The houses should be 12 to 15 ft high and the holes should be 2 to 2 1/2 inches in diameter. The houses can be made of aluminum, wood or plastic. The birds don't care of which material but you should be able to get the house up and down easily for cleaning or monitoring. 
 
 Enjoy Spring and our wonderful birds. 

Bird Gardening

One of my favorite reference books is the Bird Gardening Book by Donald and Lillian Stokes. It gives a great overview on easy ways to help out the wildbirds while you get the enjoyment of watching them. In the book they mention the four needs of birds...1. Food..2.Water..3.Nesting Sites..4.Shelter. 
 
 Food... food for birds includes seeds, fruits, leaves, flowers, nectar, buds, insects,earthworms, and more. The easy one for us to provide is seed but there are many plants, shrubs, flowers and trees that we can plant to provide food for birds. 
 
 Water...Birds need water for drinking and bathing. Birdsbaths or pools should be shallow and having several will give the birds choices. They do not need to be elaborate, just a shallow dish placed on a stump and some rocks or bricks does the job. Birds love the sound of dripping water and are really attracted to it. A fountain is great but even a plastic bottle with a small hole placed in a tree over a birdbath does the trick. 
 
 Nesting Sites...Birds need a place to build a nest and raise young. Some birds will use a birdhouse but many such as cardinals, blue jays, and mockingbirds will only use shrubs or trees to nest in. 
 
 Shelter... Birds need shelter from the elements and from predators. Dense shrubs or trees will help and with our summer heat a place to get out of the sun is a must for our birds. 
 
 Enjoy this summer , think cool and help out the birds and you will receive alot of joy. 
  

What's That Bird

IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS HAVE YOU SEEN SOME BIRDS FLYING LOW TO THE GROUND AROUND DUSK ON GENTRY STREET OR NEAR THE MUSEUM? THESE LITTLE BIRDS HAVE NESTS HERE IN OLD TOWN SPRING AND THIS YEAR WE HAD AN ABUNDANCE OF THEM. THEY ARE ABOUT 7" LONG, HAVE A LONG FORKED TAIL;THE UPPERPARTS ARE BLUE-BLACK WITH A BUFFY BREAST AND A THROAT OF REDDISH BROWN. THIS IS THE "BARN SWALLOW" AND I HAVE SEEN NESTS UNDER THE EAVES AT CREEKSIDE AND ALSO UNDER THE LITTLE BRIDGE BY THE MUSEUM. 
 
 BARN SWALLOWS EAT INSECTS. THEY FEED IN PAIRS WHILE EGG-LAYING AND IN LOOSE FLOCKS AT OTHER TIMES. THEY FEED IN FLIGHT AND CAN SKIM OVER WATER TO PICK UP FLOATING INSECTS. THEY NEST SINGLY OR IN COLONIES. THEIR NEST IS A DEEP BOWL OF MUD PELLETS AND GRASS LINED WITH FEATHERS AND IS PLACED ON A BEAM OR SOME PROJECTION IN A BARN, UNDER A BRIDGE, OR IN A CULVERT. BOTH THE MALE AND FEMALE BUILD THE NEST USUALLY IN THE MORNING AND CAN MAKE UP TO 1,000 TRIPS TO COLLECT MUD. THEY LAY 2 TO 7 EGGS AND THE EGGS ARE WHITE WITH REDDISH-BROWN SPECKLES. 
 
 WE ARE LUCKY TO HAVE THESE LITTLE BIRDS HERE IN OLD TOWN SPRING AND I HOPE THEY CHOOSE TO NEST NEAR US AGAIN NEXT YEAR . LOOK UP IN THE BEAMS ON THE PORCHES AROUND HERE NEXT SPRING AND WELCOME OUR BARN SWALLOWS.