Wild About Wild Life

Seeings how people from all over the world read this site, I thought it would be a great idea to feature some wildlife in their neck of the world. India has a lot of rich history and facinating tales, so I thought I would feature another facinating TAIL – The Eurasian Hoopoe of India.

The name “Eurasian” is a two part word meaning European and Asian, thus the name Eur-asian. Eurasia is a large landmass covering about  20,846,000 mi or about 10.6% of the  Earth’s surface . Often considered a single  continent,  Eurasia comprises the traditional continents of   Europe and Asia (and Eurasia is a  portmanteau or the blending of two or more words and their meaning into one word, of the two), concepts which date back to   classical antiquity and the borders for which are somewhat arbitrary.

Here is a wonder of India call the Eurasian Hoopoe bird. These monogamous little guys love to nest in any hole they can get to. From cliff, to crevices between rocks, to trees, walls, you name it, they are big time cavity dwellers. The Eurasian Hoopoe a a medium sized bird whose plumage on the chest varied from chestnut to a pink brown color. Their broad back, wings and tail are typically black and white. The erectile crest is the same color as the head and tipped with black. These little insect controllers have a long , slender and curved bill with a type of modified muscle which allows the bird to open its bill as it probes for food. Both male and female have small leg stucture and the babies, or juveniles are duller than adults with shorter bills and lighter colors.

What do these wonders of nature do for food? What do they consider Yum Yums? Well, they are a bird and this particular type likes to munch on insects, mainly, specifically larvae and pupae. Centipedes, earthworms, spiders and other creepy crawly things they will munch on also. It has been recorded that the Eurasian Hoopoe will partake in a frog or lizard and an occasional small snake also.  You will find these guys constantly making short probes in the ground because this is where they often hunt –  in short grass and on bare soil, but at times will stop to incert their full bill into the ground, opening and closing to test the object targeted or to seize it up.

The Eurasian Hoopoe is no stranger to human habitation. They are certainly found around human population. They are great climbers of rough surfaces and like to roost in cavities at night.  The male is the one who takes the lead, selects the nest site and establishes the territory.  The facinating this about their nesting habits is the fact that they may inhabit the same nest for 4-5 years. The female will produce one egg per day and the clutch size it 5 to 8. They incubate the eggs for 15 – 18 days and the female is the ONLY one who performs this. After about 6 days the youngsters will begin to feed theirself and then remain with mom and dad for the next few weeks.

These guys have a distinctive flight pattern with erratic, butterfly- like flapping. They can climb through rough surfaces and are ready to perch at anytime.

Interestingly enough, there is a book of poems in Persian by Farid ud-Din Attar called “The Conference of the Birds”, which is a great example of Persian poetry and this book has clever word play.  The “Simorgh” is a mysterious bird in Iranian mythology which is a symbol often found in sufi literature and similar tothe phoenix bird. “Si Morgh” means 30 birds in Persian. The poem uses a journey by a group of 30 birds, led by a hoopoe as an allegory of a Sufi sheikh or master leading his pupils to enlightenment.

These birds are also great for insect control. For those of you in Asia, Africa or India that would like some unique idead on attracting and harboring these birds in your yards, please visit : www.wildlife-houses.com  As always, Happy Birding!

 

 

Special Thanks to Wikipedia

This sounds like a real fun event that all birds may take part in. It is called TGB’s Birdhouse Competition. You can register on line if you think you have the coolest birdhouse around that is sure to win! You never know, Go For It!!!!

Here are some of the characteristics of the group listed below.

For the birds is a juried Design Competition and Summer Showcase exhibition that culminates with the Flocktail Party awards celebration at Toronto Botanical Garden, and you are cordially invited to be part of it.
This TBG event puts the fun back into fundraiser, and also
• Highlights the plight of songbirds due to environmental degradation
• Encourages wildlife preservation, ecological awareness and sustainability
• Informs TBG visitors about the principles of bird nesting, habitat and support
• Underscores the TBG’s ongoing mandate to promote environmental awareness through education
The birdhouse Design Competition of For the birds is a showcase of soaring creativity. For inspiration, take a look at last year’s entries. Then let your imagination fly!

***For more information on the TGB Birdhouse Competition, I encourage you to visit their website at: http://www.torontobotanicalgarden.ca/birds/

****If you don’t have a birdhouse and would like to get in the competition, there are lots to choose from here: www.wildlife-houses.com

Happy Bird – House – ing!!!   

~ The Birdhouse Guy ~

Have you ever had the problem of those pesky squirrels running up and eating your birds suet cakes. With the recent cold weather squirrels have been eating my suet cakes much to the dismay of our local  Woodpecker’s and Chickadees and other feathered friends that find energy and strength from you good winter offerings.

There may be some solutions that just might work for you. Here are some you may want to consider.  

Squirrels do not like pepper. When purchasing suet, or making your own, be sure that pepper is an ingredient. The Squirrels will be deterred from the suet, however this will not harm your local bird friends. When placing suet, you should look for a type of “cage within a cage ” – type system. This allows the smaller birds to go in and eat and enjoy the suet where the squirrels can’t. These type of suet feeders have a removable metal plate to block the bottom and keep the squirrels out. After you have discouraged them from entering, they will leave your feeder alone, then you can pull out the plate and the larger woodpeckers like Flickers and Red Heads can feed from the bottom.

Another note, based on a question that I was asked recently, you may use Fat Free Peanut butter in your homemade suet, however, keep in mind that it is the fat that the birds needs in order to help produce energy thus keeping their bodies warm in the wintertime. So if you use fat free products in your suet, pleae be sure to add some bacon fat or another form of fat to the recipe, otherwise you’re really wasting your time as well as the birds.

For some really cool suet food recipe ideas, check these out and tell us what you think.  Visit: http://nestbirds1.com/?p=450 for suet bird recipes.

As always, Happy Birding and oh….don’t forget to get your birdhouses and feeders out NOW! NOW is the time, so you’re wildlife will get used to them being there and then increase your chances of inhabitation.  ~ The Birdhouse Guy ~

People consider the Cedar Waxwing to be the most elegant of all the western birds.  With its slender form and intelligent face make it simple to spot, but most bird watchers know that the way to find the Cedar Waxwing is to listen for it.  The high-pitched zee zee is often the first indicator that these charming birds are nearby. Though they are inconspicuous in the summertime, in winter they travel in flocks of 40 birds or more. In our neighborhood, they flock to the winter fruit of the persimmon tree, which provides a generous meal.

A few cool facts about these little guys are:

• Latin Name: Bombycilla cedrorum
  Size: 6 1/2″ – 8″
  Color: Fawn colored with black mask and chin, yellow belly, white undertail.
  Voice: A high pitched, whistling zee zee zee.
  Habitat: Mixed forests, orchards, and city parks with berry-bearing trees.
  Range: Most of the United States.
  Bird feeder? Because the Cedar Waxwing feeds primarily on fruit, a seed feeder is unlikely to attract attention. Rather, planting trees and shrubs with winter fruit will be your best plan for inviting these birds to your yard.

The name “waxwing” comes from the waxy red secretions found on the tips of the secondaries of some birds. The exact function of these tips is not known, but they may help attract mates.  The Cedar Waxwing is one of the few North American birds that specializes in eating fruit. It can survive on fruit alone for several months. Brown-headed Cowbirds that are raised in Cedar Waxwing nests typically don’t survive, in part because the cowbird chicks can’t develop on such a high-fruit diet.

Building a nest takes a female Cedar Waxwing 5 to 6 days and may require more than 2,500 individual trips to the nest. They occasionally save time by taking nest materials from other birds’ nests, including nests of Eastern Kingbirds, Yellow-throated Vireos, orioles, robins, and Yellow Warblers.  

Cedar Waxwings with orange instead of yellow tail tips began appearing in the northeastern U.S. and southeastern Canada in the 1960s. The orange color is the result of a red pigment picked up from the berries of an introduced species of honeysuckle. If a waxwing eats enough of the berries while it is growing a tail feather, the tip of the feather will be orange.  Many birds that eat a lot of fruit separate out the seeds and regurgitate them, but the Cedar Waxwing lets them pass right through. Scientists have used this trait to estimate how fast waxwings can digest fruits.   Because they eat so much fruit, Cedar Waxwings occasionally become intoxicated or even die when they run across overripe berries that have started to ferment and produce alcohol.  There little bodies simply cannot handle such brew.

 

These little guys are quite a wonder. The best way to visually track the Cedar Waxwing is with a pair of good binoculars. Here are some good ones for your review:   http://www.wildlife-houses.com/index.php?cPath=22&osCsid=56905971c4905e0882f859f795d4b24f   As always, Happy Birding!!!

The American dipper, Cinclus mexicanus, are an all time favorite bird among many and it’s no wonder because  few birds are as fun to watch as these little guys, and you will not find them on polluted waters. Dippers are also called “water ouzels,” and their Eskimo name, “anaruk kiviruk,” translates to “old woman sunk.”

They are the only songbirds with the ability to dive straight into rushing water to feed on insects and not drown. They actually run and use their wings to “fly” along the bottom in search of insects and other tasty invertebrates. As their name implies, when perched on a rock of dry log above water, they do a funny little “bobbing” dance.

No, dippers do not have gills, they hold their breath while under the surface, and have flaps to cover their nostrils and keep water out of their lungs. They have to see underwater to seize the invertebrates they feed on. To be able to do this, dippers possess highly developed muscles in the iris of the eye that allow the curvature of the lens to change, accommodating differing refractive underwater conditions.

Dippers are also equipped with very heavy “coat” of down (insulation) between the rows of outer feathers, similar to ducks and other waterfowl. The down is excellent insulation and enables the birds to maintain normal body temperatures of more than 90 F when air temperatures are as low as -40 degrees F. 

 Usually, dippers’ nests are placed where water spray keeps the outer structures green and moist. The coarse inner grass resists moisture, so the inside remains relatively dry. Entrance to the nest is through a small hole, and some nests are used year after year.

The American Dipper’s nest is a globe-shaped structure with a side entrance, close to water, on a rock ledge, river bank, behind a waterfall or under a bridge. The normal clutch is 2-4 white eggs, incubated solely by the female, which hatch after about 15–17 days, with another 20–25 days to fledging. The male helps to feed the young.                   

It is usually a permanent resident, moving slightly south or to lower elevations if necessary to find food or unfrozen water. The presence of this indicator species shows good water quality; it has vanished from some locations due to pollution or increased silt load in streams. They even swim up-side-down.

**For more information on this wonder of nature, research here: http://www.wildlife-houses.com/product_info.php?cPath=13&products_id=306&osCsid=3e60af7a6c992d0c15ad6275fcdc8aef

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rencently I had someone ask me about the feeding frenzie at their local feeder! Activity at the feeder, whether you are a bird, deer, fish or HUMAN, the behavior before a storm, whether conscious of it or not, tends to result in eating. We are thankful for the inquiry, as this gives opportunity to share great information on our feathered friends that like to hang out and EAT in your neck of the woods.

Enjoy – The Birdhouse Guy!

 

Q: Filled hummer feeder Sunday-it’s already half gone! what’s up? do they feed more before storms? babies? never happened before?

 

A: The increased number of birds at your feeder at this time of year during or before a storm likely pertains to migrating birds that have been forced to stop en route. Warm weather in the NE recently may have coaxed such birds as White-Throated and Song Sparrows north. Blackbirds such as Red-Winged and Common Grackles are also moving north. Stopping at feeders is a logical place to feed and wait it out until the winds again become favorable to their journey.

Insects seem to become more agitated as the atmospheric pressure drops before a storm; when the pressure is high on a “nice” day they move about more lazily and are easier to approach.

In addition, ‘many birds store food and have exceptional spatial memory to relocate it, even a month later.’ (from the on-line resource, Birds of North America)

Other interesting facts: 

• Generally birds need more food in cold weather. Small birds need relatively more food than larger ones, and they generally eat smaller items, so they are more likely to be affected by a blizzard. A small bird’s survival may depend on how well it can conserve energy during a storm. A chickadee, for instance, will increase its feeding intensity during cold weather.
• In general larger birds cope with the cold better than smaller birds.
• Did you know that individuals of a species living in colder regions tend to be larger than individuals living in warmer areas!
  

  The Birdhouse Guy!

* For more information on how you can help house and feed birds, whether local or migratory, visit: www.wildlife-houses.com

The first line of defense against mosquitos is to seal their point of entry. Mosquitos are most active in the early morning and early evening. They seek areas of still air because they are hampered by breezes. Close windows and doors on the side of your house which are opposite the breeze.

• The most important measure you can take is to remove standing water sources. Change birdbaths, wading pools and pet’s water bowl twice a week. Keep your eavestroughs clean and well-draining. Remove yard items that collect water.
• In a New England Journal of Medicine study, oil of eucalyptus at 30% concentration prevented mosquito bites for 120.1 minutes, while Bite Blocker with 2% soybean oil kept bites away for 96.4 minutes. (the eucalyptus oil must have a minimum of 70% cineole content, the active therapeutic ingredient.) Citronella, a common alternative to DEET, performed poorly, warding off bugs for only 20 minutes.
• If you’re using the barbeque, throw a bit of sage or rosemary on the coals to repel mosquitos.
• An effective natural bug repellent, mix one part garlic juice with 5 parts water in a small spray bottle. Shake well before using. Spray lightly on exposed body parts for an effective repellent lasting up to 5 – 6 hours. Strips of cotton cloth can also be dipped in this mixture and hung in areas, such as patios, as a localized deterrent.
• Neem oil is a natural vegetable oil extracted from the Neem tree in India. The leaves, seeds and seed oil of the Neem tree contain sallanin, a compound which has effective mosquito repelling properties. Neem oil is a natural product and is safe to use. Look for new Neem Oil-based commercial products on the market.
• ·  Planting marigolds around your yard works as a natural bug repellent because the flowers give off a fragrance bugs and flying insects do not like.

One of the best ways to get rid of pesky mosquitoes is to have an edible birdhouse or nest cavity which will house birds to eat up the mosquitoes. Bats are also natural insect controllers, and one bat can consume 1000 mosquitoes in one night and are harmless to human beings despite what you see in the movies or on TV…..

For more information on how you can house a natural mosquitoe controller, and NOW is the time to set them out, simply visit: www.wildlife-houses.com

Weaver ants (Oecophylla sp.) put the finishing touches on their nests in Buton Island, off the southeast peninsula of Sulawesi, Indonesia. As their name implies, they use living plants to “weave” leaves together to construct their nests, which they vigorously protect. Silk produced only by the larvae helps hold the nest together. 

Scientists are studying the ants’ ability to complete complex tasks in order to examine how these findings can be applied to applications for robotics. If ants can produce these intricate constructions, perhaps robots can be developed to mimic their productive behavior.

I recently had a question from a reader that caught my attention and I had trouble getting back with her because of a bad email address. However, the questions were good and this seems to be a good time to share them as we get our bird houses and wildlife feeders prepared for business soon. I hope this will be a help to others that may have simular questions as did this reader.

I was just looking for advice online and found your information on the Wild About Wildlife website and wanted to ask you something.
 I have a lot of birdhouses in my backyard and last year they all had wasp nests in them.  I didn’t know what to do (obviously, can’t spray pesticide at them), so I thought I would try and get them out when it was cold.  Well, winter came quickly and I never got around to it, and it’s already starting to warm up here (Idaho) and I’m afraid I’m out of my very cold days (it’s getting into the 40’s now – I was going to do it during a snowday or single digits).  And since I’m a big chicken (as well as allergic to stings), I’m nervous about pulling them down and trying to clean them out now.  Do the nests get vacated in the fall/winter or do they hibernate in there? If they are in there, is there anything I can do to get them out?  I was thinking of flooding them.  Will that work?  Also, some of the houses only have the little round hole, if I knock it down in there with a stick, will they come back to rebuild?  I need to do this soon since we will be moving soon and I want to take my lovely birdhouses with me.  Can you give me some advice as to how to get these things out??Thanks to the annonymous reader who asked some really great questions. Here are some answers to help you out.

Q:  Do the  (Wasps) nests get vacated in the fall/winter or do they hibernate in there?   I’m nervous about pulling them down and trying to clean them out now. I didn’t know what to do (obviously, can’t spray pesticide at them), so I thought I would try and get them out when it was cold.

A:  At the end of the autumnal months the wasps’ nest dies off, leaving only the young mated queens alive. These Queens fly away and find a safe place to hibernate for the winter. They tend to choose warm, sheltered sites, such as sheds or lofts. It is not uncommon to find a queen wasp hibernating in the folds of household curtains, or other undisturbed fabrics in the home.
So the wasp nest should be dormant and ready for removal….
However, if you are still a bit uncomfortable , you may take a water power sprayer, and soak the inside of the hole.

Q:  How to clean them out?

A:  Cleaning out your birdhouses isn’t a hard task either.
The best way to approach this is once you have scraped out the nestbox and made sure all of the drain and vent holes are open, you can disinfect birdhouses by spraying them with a 10% bleach solution (one part bleach, nine parts water). If you decide to disinfect your birdhouses, leave them open for 24 hours to allow them to dry before closing them back up. I recommend disinfecting your nestboxes if you have evidence of parasites in any specific boxes.

Q:  Also, some of the houses only have the little round hole, if I knock it down in there with a stick, will they come back to rebuild?

A:  You can prevent wasps and bees from establishing themselves by applying a thin layer of soap (use bar soap) onto the inside surface of the roof. This will create a slippery surface between the insects and the roof of the box. For more information about keeping wasps and bees from building in your nest box go to:  http://nestbirds1.com/?cat=48

Hope this helps you reader as well as the rest of you. Thanks for making Wild About Wildlife one of your favorite sites.

Yours Truely,

~ The Birdhouse Guy ~

 

If you haven’t done so already, NOW is a good time to get your bird houses set up and put out. The best way to get birds to inhabit your artificial cavities is to have them out before breeding season begins which should be right around late summer or early fall. This will give your local and native wild birds plenty of time to locate the houses, as it may take some time to do so. The time frame you set them out should be more than enough to allow the houses to be well-weathered by the time the birds occupy. If you want to provide a safe haven for annual migratory birds, then it would be a good idea to keep the bird houses up all year around for them to have a “rest area” of sorts, or a place to hang their hat while on their journey. After the nesting season, you can take them down for cleaning and then put them back up again. 

There are instances that birds will not begin nesting immediately as it takes time for birds to find a birdhouse. If it is impossible to set-up birdhouses by fall, they should be in place as early as possible in the winter. Bird watchers should not wait to see birds in their yards before mounting or hanging their nest boxes.

As discussed in earlier posts, location of the birdhouse is just as important in attracting certain kinds of birds as the size of the box. For instance, Purple Martins are very particular about the size of the box, the hole, the height, etc.  Birds, depending on the species,  may prefer wooded to shady area or open grassy areas. (For more information on what the local birds in your neck of the woods prefer, visit: http://www.wildlife-houses.com/product_info.php?cPath=13&products_id=307&osCsid=8d168d8ac0d7a5bf1f2436f6dedc2b0f     However, dense shade is not recommended, as most wild birds prefer a sunny open space. It is not advisable to mount birdhouses on the sides of trees as this can give squirrels and cats easy access to it.

The last thing you want to do is to put up your birdhouses and artificial cavities in the Spring, as it just may be too late and you’ll miss out on enjoying the inhabitation and activies of joy that your native birds bring as they occupy your bird house.

For a great selection of edible and decorative bird houses, suet, feeders, birdbath’s, book, dvd, toys, etc….visit The Birdhouse Outlet @ www.wildlife-houses.com And be sure and get your feeders and birdhouses out NOW so you can be ready to help and house your native wildbirds and help in the natural pollination and preservation of wildlife. And looking forward to hearing your success stories come Spring time. It’s not too far away. Best Wishes and Happy Birding to ALL of you.