The Zen Birdfeeder

Give Your Goldfinches a Second Look

It's been a good winter at my birdfeeders for American Goldfinches.  I can glance out just about any time and I'll see at least a few of them feeding on the sunflower chips (no shells!) or the niger seed I offer in my feeders. 

Pine Siskin (left) and American Goldfinch (right)

In the dim light of winter, It's easy to look at the feeders, see some small, finch-shaped birds picking out seeds, and just assume they are goldfinches.  But this is the time of year when we need to stop and give those finches a second look.  We just might be rewarded with another species of finch, like a Pine Siskin or a Common Redpoll.

Pine Siskin

So far this winter, it's been a single Pine Siskin showing up now and then.  I look first for birds with a streaky back and wings instead of the solid dusky olive of the goldfinch.  If the cap is red, it's a redpoll but lacking that, the pointier beak and yellow wing bar tells me I have a siskin. 

There have been other years when the siskins are here in larger numbers, but this year, it has been only 1 at a time, hiding in plain sight amongst the goldfinches.  Don't let that siskin go unseen - take a good second look at your goldfinch flocks this winter!

FAQ - Why Does My Heated Birdbath Trip My Circuit?

Q.  Why does my heated birdbath trip my circuit?

A.  In our experience, this happens when water gets into the connection between the birdbath cord and the extension cord.

To help prevent this, after plugging the two dry cords together, wrap the conjoined plugs completely with electrical tape, overlapping the tape to provide a total seal. 

Then take a sandwich-size baggie and wrap it around the taped-up connection.  Then wrap it all again completely with electrical tape.  These three steps should completely seal the connection and prevent water or condensation from getting between the plugs.

At our Wild Birds Unlimited shop, we have an extension cord that instantly seals the connection without the tape and baggie routine; you just plug it in and screw it tight, which completely locks and seals the connection.  The birdbath must be compatible to the extension cord; all our current WBU heated birdbaths are compatible with this type extension cord (older models may not be compatible). 

By taking a fairly easy step to seal the connections, you will be able to enjoy years of realiable service from your heated birdbath.  Ours has been in service for many years with no issues!