Winter Birds

nature calls by Earl Plato

What to Look for in Bird Behaviour this Winter

Nature in Winter by Donald Stokes is a great reference book for the bird loving public. Here in the winter of 2008 I wish to share with you some of his astute views of our winter birds. Stokes says there are four main areas of bird behaviour to look for in winter. They are as follows: feeding, territorial, social, and breeding. Let’s look at them briefly: First two in a series. . Feeding: - Makes sense, eh, that eating enough food to keep warm is the main activity of birds in winter. What to feed, how much, and where have to be considered if you decide to feed birds this winter. In town now my location is poor. I know of least three who have highly successful feeding sites. They are Bill Howie of Niagara Falls, Bud Henningham of Fort Erie and John Piett of Ridgeway. All three have great numbers of winter birds feeding at their stations. All three pay the expensive cost of the various types of feed. Remember all birds are not alike, They may like sunflower seeds or niger. You have to know your birds. Stokes says observe your birds and determine the right seeds or combination there of. On our farm we observed cardinals feeding on the fruit of Staghorn sumachs in dead winter, They also ate Red Cedar berries completely while along side would be Chickadees who would hold these same berries in their feet and peck out the seeds. All three men mentioned above had planted trees and shrubs for protection and a food source. Great1 Note: Once you start winter bird feeding never stop! Little lives may depend on it.
Territorial Rights - Territory for winter birds is defined generally as an area defended against intruders. Juncos and Titmice are seen as flocks and inhabit certain defined ranges. They maintain their territorial rights. However, many other winter birds live in well-defined areas they do not defend. These areas are called ranges. At our Sherkston farm we had Downy woodpeckers and Nuthatches in pairs or as single birds that stayed the winter in a particular area or range. Defenders of their territory are yes, chickadees. They establish a territory as a flock in winter. At the farm east of the old silo in a row of fruit trees they lived there as a flock rather than by individual birds. Wonderful little guys. We are told that Mockingbirds in late fall establish a territory that contains adequate food for the winter. To have a flock of them around in winter would be great. These birds have a variety of display and calls. “Listen to the mocking bird!” Enjoy your winter birds.