The Zen Birdfeeder

Window Strikes

A Bluejay hit one of our windows a couple days ago. I had heard a glancing strike not long before, so the window reflections at that time of day must have been especially confusing to the birds.

It seems like the number of window strikes peaks this time of year. Why do birds fly into windows?  First of all, birds can't see the glass, especially when the sky or nearby trees are reflected.

There are still young birds around learning the ropes and unfortunately, many times it's the inexperienced birds that fall victim to window strikes.  Birds also strike windows as they quickly try to escape predators, hitting glass in a moment of panic.  And during spring and fall migration, window strikes increase as birds unfamiliar with the area pass through.

Window strikes are hard to TOTALLY eliminate, but there are ways to reduce them and/or reduce their severity:

• Locate feeders and birdbaths about 20-30 feet from windows so birds have time to change direction or within 1-2 feet of them so they can't gather enough speed to cause significant injury.
• Window screens will reduce injury even if a bird flies into it.  Use them where practical.
• Decals placed on windows can help reduce or prevent window strikes when placed on the outside of windows. It takes multiple decals on the window surface; one stuck in the middle won't make a difference. 
• Mylar reflective strips hanging loose in from of the window will move in the breeze and alert birds flying too close to a window. 
• After losing a migrating Hermit Thrush last fall to a window strike, we added Feather Guards to our large, fixed windows. This is a string of colorful feathers tied on a 6 foot length of fishing line.  Suction cups hold it in place.  Having the Feather Guards in place has significantly decreased - though not 100% eliminated - fatal window strikes on these windows.

After the jay struck, I righted him and he stood on his own.

He blinked slowly and held his mouth open, called gaping. He held one wing lower than the other. There was no bleeding.  I spent many minutes observing, encouraging him verbally (obviously for my benefit alone), and taking some photos as he gathered his wits.  The blinking behavior stopped though he maintained the gape until the time he flew off.  He had a little trouble getting lift to clear the greenhouse; I heard his wings clip the roof as he flew off.

I checked the other side of the greenhouse - he had cleared it and was nowhere to be found.  I'll never know how he faired, but I wish him well.
 

You can read more about window strikes and download a brochure at the WBU Educational Resources site.

Wordless Wednesday

More Goldfinch Young

The sound of young goldfinches was loud and coming from the backyard, so I headed to the balcony with camera in hand.

Here's the culprit, wings drooping a little.  And in full wing quiver mode.

Then I was lucky enough to get this video of baby getting some good quality feeding time with dad.

What a joy to witness!

One Hour, One Window

Just an hour to watch the birds while eating breakfast and reading the paper before heading to the store.  It was a fairly quiet bird morning with the greatest activity from the Purple Finches.

Here's what I observed between 8:30-9:30am and will report to eBird:

1. 11 Purple Finches
2. 9 Mourning Doves
3. 4 Black-capped Chickadees
4. 3 Blue Jays
5. 2 Dark-eyed Juncos
6. 2 Hairy Woodpeckers
7. 2 American Goldfinches
8. 1 Tufted Titmouse
9. 1 Red breasted Nuthatch

Later in the day, the BIRDCAM caught images of jays, doves, and goldfinches at the birdbath.  Here's a jay bathing amongst the raindrops.

More on my BIRDCAM in a future post...stay tuned.

What is YOUR Power Bird?

Found this on Hasty Brook's post who got it from Beginning to Bird.  This is a fun, quick little quiz to determine your Power Bird. 

Turns out The Zen Birdfeeder is a CARDINAL and I think it did a pretty good job in identifying me!  What do you think?

Find out YOUR Power Bird by following the link below.  Have fun!

Your Power Bird is a Cardinal

You believe that each day is precious, and you spend your times as best as you can. You see the wonder in small things, and you are often content with what you have. You live an interesting, colorful life - and you bring color to those around you. Confident and expressive, you believe you know how to live a good life. You're living it!

What's Your Power Bird?

Wordless Wednesday

You add the words.

Ode to an Ovenbird

"There is a singer everyone has heard,
Loud, a mid-summer and a mid-wood bird,
Who makes the solid tree trunks sound again."

Excerpt from THE OVEN BIRD by Robert Frost

Keep Your Eyes to the Sky - It's Hawk Migration Time

Check out the Stokes Blog for a fabulous post on Hawk-watching Tips.

We saw a migrating Cooper's Hawk this morning and quickly referred to this post to help us differentiate the hawk from the smaller, square-tailed Sharp-shinned Hawk. 

Take a moment to read this informative post that has GREAT in-flight hawk images.  I'll be saving it for future reference!

Wordless Wednesday

How Long Should I Feed the Hummingbirds?

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are still visiting the feeders.  These are most likely migrating hummingbirds, just a few of the millions heading south on their way to their winter home in Mexico and Central America.

Adult male Ruby-throated Hummingbirds were the first to depart - I haven't seen an adult male since the 3rd week in August.  What you'll see now are females and immature hummingbirds.

Keep your feeders filled and clean. Hanging feeders at this time of year will NOT cause hummingbirds to stay in the area longer than they should.  On the contrary, your feeders will provide a quick energy source for these migrating birds.

Hummingbird at WBU Purple Decorative Hummingbird Feeder    

 

I will continue to hang my hummingbird feeders for about 2 weeks after I've seen my last hummingbird. This is to help out any "stragglers".  I only fill the feeders about halfway and I clean and refill them every 4-5 days whether the nectar level is down or not.

Last year, I saw my last hummingbird on September 19th.  So we may still have a week or more to see these delightful birds at our feeders.

 

ADDENDUM October 6, 2008:
A reader from Macon GA referred us to the Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division website advising Georgians to leave at least one hummingbird feeder up all fall and winter.

From the site:  "Most of the hummingbirds seen in Georgia during the winter months are western visitors" and leaving feeders out in Georgia will help the state "document western hummingbirds that find their way to Georgia".  Read more on "Georgia's Wintering Hummingbirds".
Thanks to Peter of Macon GA

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