I am of the opinion that winter is for the birds. I mean that literally.
Watching the backyard birds enjoy the variety of foodstuff at the feeders is my winter entertainment. The various kinds of feeders are stocked with an assortment of options for the birds to devour, and are placed for safe access by the birds and convenient observation by me.
In the feeding frenzy, the birds put on quite a show.
Several kinds of birds enjoy the spoils of the tube feeder filled with sunflower hearts. The feeder hangs in front of the kitchen window and can accommodate six birds at a time, if all goes well. However, just like people, birds get greedy and guard their territory, even though there is plenty for everybody.
The American Goldfinches seem to be the best behaved, often feeding in families around the feeders cardinal ring. Its named that so that cardinals can enjoy the seeds, too. Cardinals normally prefer a flat surface or the ground for feeding. But occasionally the bright red males and reddish tinged olive females will take advantage of their namesake.
Despite their bright coloration and moderate size, cardinals tend to be skittish creatures and fly off at the first hint of trouble. A few of the cardinals prefer the cracked corn that is spread at the base of the sugar maple. But so does the feisty song sparrow, which easily scares off the bigger bird. Using its clawed feet, the Song Sparrow jump kicks at the seed, even though it wouldnt have to. Hereditary habits are hard to change.
Other sparrows show their faces as well, especially if the ground is snow-covered. The pretty Tree Sparrow, with its distinctive yellow bottom bill, joins the feast along with the showy White-crowned Sparrow. The latter is one of the few species that sing in the winter. Their beautiful tune can warm even the coldest day.
The real fun begins when the acrobatic nuthatches, Chickadees and Tufted Titmice arrive, which they often do simultaneously. I am fortunate to have both White-breasted and Red-breasted Nuthatches, a first for me, coming to the feeders. They are the only birds that move headfirst down the trunk of a tree.
These birds take full advantage of the menu offered at the feeders. If the black oil sunflower seeds arent available, they might enjoy some extra protein that the suet provides. Or they might savor a hulled peanut.
All these birds give way when the bully Blue Jays appear. They loudly announce their arrival, and scatter the other birds with their arrogant intrusion. The jays gulp down a gullet full of seeds before flying off with their meal.
An even bossier bird is the Red-bellied Woodpecker. It wants to dine alone while partaking of the smorgasbord, especially enjoying the peanuts. But they can be finicky, too. The next trip in the same bird may hit the ear corn.
Perhaps my favorite visitors are the Eastern Bluebirds, normally not noted as feeder birds. They do enjoy the brilliant holly berries right from the bush out front, but they also have been seen imbibing at the suet and sunflower feeders.
There are times, though, when the birds just dont show up at all. Its then that I know that perched nearby is the neighborhood Coopers hawk, which loves a songbird lunch.
Occasionally I know that the swift hawk has enjoyed my feeders, too, at least indirectly. A pile of house finch feathers atop the snow provides the proof.
Contact Bruce Stambaugh at brucestambaugh@gmail.com or visit his blog, brucestambaugh.wordpress.com.
