Feeding The Birds

Our house sits on the slope of a hill with the windows in the back peering out into the tops of some oak trees. I found the kitchen breakfast area window, in front of which our family enjoys most of its meals, to be a particularly good vantage point to place a bird feeder... or two. Little did I know that this would become a "never ending project"; a seemingly simple lawn feature that I would, never-the-less, tinker and fiddle with year after year in an obsessive effort to attract the charming little creatures.

Update 7/20/2010: New high-resolution photo of the Black-chinned and Allen's hummingbirds (still trying to get even better shots).
Update 6/30/2010: Photos of the Rock Squirrel, and Brewer's Blackbird.
Update 3/21/2010: New high-resolution, close-up photos of the House Finch, and Mourning Dove.
Update 3/18/2010: New high-resolution, close-up photos of the Red-bellied Woodpecker, Lesser Goldfinch, and Fox Squirrel.

Disclaimer

Even though it is recommended by the Audubon Society, some people do not believe in feeding birds. A credible argument can be made that doing so is making the birds over-dependent on the feeder, and weaning them from their natural foraging and survival skills. Another criticism states that feeders propagate invasive bird species, like Blue Jays, Cowbirds, etc. But, as I will explain, much of this can be controlled with fine-tuned bird seed mixes, innovative feeder devices, reduced ground foraging, etc. I have minimized invasive species feeding, and the native species I do feed (i.e.: Finches, Titmice, Chickadees, Woodpeckers, Cardinals, etc.) are hearty and winter in central Texas (are year-round inhabitants) so, I don't feel guilty feeding them. I also don't mind being a pit-stop for the occasional migrating visitor; always a treat to see.

Risking My Life For The Cause

I can be an idealist at times, to my detriment. When I see an optimum way of arranging something, especially when it captures my interest , I can become obsessed with implementing that exact configuration. Such was the case with the bird feeders. In my opinion, there existed no better view of the birds but from that exact window; the spectator is practically four feet away from the unaware subjects. I could sneak along the side of our kitchen undetected and pop out from the side of the window for photo-ops. The fact that I would be risking my life to climb a 30 foot extension ladder (borrowed from my neighbor), to install several chained loops, pulleys, and ropes in a tall oak tree above the roof line was irrelevant. All events in my world would be placed on hold until those pulleys were there (melodramatic pause as David intently stares at a silly tree). I learned a few lessons from this task, as I do from just about everything in my life. Tip #1: The best way to secure an extension ladder for a climb into a tree is to straddle its feet across the base of a trunk of another close tree. This makes it difficult for the ladder to slip at the base and twist, provided the top rests on a "Y" branch that is secure (won't break). Tip #2: Large extension ladders are heavy. Watch out when handling them by yourself, especially near windows. Tip #3: Make sure to never wrap anything tightly around the trunk or branch of a tree, which can harm or even kill the tree; instead, create a loop with slack. Tip #4: Be very careful! I have no idea how those tree-trimming guys do their job, hanging upside down from ropes while holding onto chainsaws, etc. Is anyone crazy enough to insure them?

I also found a use for some nifty components called "Figure 9s," available at REI. Mainly used in rock climbing applications, these devices make frequent securing and loosening of a weighted 1/4 inch rope easy.



Squirrels Are Intelligent Beings That Shall Inherit The Earth

Soon after I raised my first bird feeder, it became clear that I was entering into an escalating chess match with an animal that has graduated from its rodent heritage to something much more diabolical; the squirrel (Fox Squirrel pictured right). If allowed, they will rapidly consume not only all of a bird feeders' finely tuned mix of seed, but help themselves to its storage location(s) as well; using beaver-like teeth to gnaw through bags, containers, and even walls. I should have predicted this years ago, having lost an entire hammock to a squirrel that had acquired a neurotic taste for rope. But, I consider myself lucky since the same critter(s) has literally been eating its way into my neighbor's primarily cedar house. Squirrels will spend every waking hour methodically analyzing three dimensional routes around every obstacle between themselves and a feeder's seed. Make no mistake; underneath that cute, bushy tail and beady little eyes, they are mocking us.

However, after trying assorted tactical experiments, from lowering the feeder nightly into an aluminum trash can, to mounting various hoods, and sacrificing three feeders, I have settled on a Squirrel Buster (they may have changed the model name). It was recommended by my co-bird-feeding colleague Brett Hopkins, purchased from the knowledgeable folks at Wild Birds Unlimited. A lot of newer bird feeders have some type of spring-tripped mechanism designed to close off the feeding openings under the weight of a squirrel and not the weight of birds. But, many are shoddily crafted, falling apart after prolonged exposure to the elements, and few have an adjustable spring like the Squirrel Buster, even allowing it to close under the weight of loitering Doves and invasive Blue Jays. This well designed feeder, combined with a hanging height that makes even a squirrel think twice, has granted me a strategic arms freeze with my furry adversary for the time being. Also, quality seed helps ensure mostly empty shells drop to the ground, reducing ground feeding. Sometimes, if I get a swarm of Cowbirds, I will resort to not putting any seed out at all for a little while, until they leave.

Speaking of squirrels, we've had a family of these unusual black-headed squirrels living in our backyard for years now. I believe they are Rock Squirrels (Hill Country sub-species), but have found little identification information. They are larger but not as pesky as the regular tree (Fox) squirrels, feed mainly on the ground, and leave the feeder mostly alone. But, they can be aggressive about dogging into flower pots, sneaking into the garage, etc. Generally, we like to watch these fellows though (but, we're not big gardeners).

I have raised other contraptions into our upper echelon viewing portal, including a finch-only feeder, hummingbird feeders, a mealworm dish (for the Wrens), two small bird houses my daughters hand-crafted at school, a log with bark butter on it (for the Woodpeckers), etc. But, everything still revolves around the main feeder.

In The future

Crazy as it might sound, I would like to "mic up" my bird feeder area. Basically, install a microphone in the attic above the exterior eave, and run the audio cable to my home theater amplifier and speakers. "Why don't you just open the window?" ...you might ask. Well, that tends to scare the birds away, and unpopular during the Austin, Texas scorching summers.

And thus begins a list of images of birds that I will gradually update over time as I sneak up on them. I just got a higher resolution camera and promise to replace all of these pics appropriately (it's pretty obvious which ones have been taken with the newer Canon). Enjoy.

Parade of Native Birds (in order of sighting)

The Carolina Chickadee
These bandit masked petite birds feed in groups and perch for a minute or two, not easily phased by motion behind the glass. They are one of the most enjoyable birds to watch feed.

The Black-crested Titmouse

Unmistakably identifiable by their "Mohawk hair-do," these medium sized birds are dive bombers. They perch for mere seconds but, at least feed in group waves allowing for frequent views.

The Lesser Goldfinch

Some of these tiny fellows have a brilliantly yellow chest, and perch for a nice long time.

The Painted House Finch

The male looks like it's had a cup of red paint poured on top of its head and slowly dripped down its back. It might be mistaken for a Cardinal from a distance but, it is smaller in size and definitely has that finch beak versus a Cardinal beak.

The Northern Cardinal

This Central Texas stalwart, the male red Cardinal look very different when it is young, just growing into its red color as in this photo. They also have one of the most distinguishable songs.

The Red-bellied Woodpecker

This guy comes around periodically and typically just hops up and down the tree trunks, looking for morsels hiding beneath the bark. This picture of him feeding from the feeder is a rare sight to see. I am experimenting with a new feeder, which intentionally has no perches, just slits and seed openings, filled primarily with nuts, to see if it tickles his fancy better. I have experimented with Jim's Birdacious Bark Butter spread on a log and raised with little success. It seems I spend a lot of time trying to attract this illusive friend.

The Bewick's Wren

A cute little ball of a bird, whose tail sticks straight up, I often saw him hopping around the plant pots on the deck, looking for worms. Only recently did I decide to raise a small glass dish filled with mealworms for him in front of the window. Man, that worked like a charm! Sometimes he'll park his butt there for 10 minute stretches, especially when it's cold and rainy. The Titmice like the mealworms too but, that's about it.

Parade of Migrating Visitors (in order of sighting)

Hummingbirds

Feeding hummingbirds is a sub-science of its' own in the world of bird feeding. Online forums will track the little buzzers as they make their way from Mexico back North during the Spring. Our feeder doesn't get mobbed like ones in Colorado and other places I've seen. Instead, we get a handful of loyal residents for the summer. They probably aggressively chase off the other hummingbirds. They can be difficult to identify; I believe I've seen a couple of Black-chinned hummingbirds (right) and either an Allen's or a female Ruby-throated hummingbird (below). Do not fall for the marketing scam that is the hummingbird food sold in the store; contrary to popular belief, the food does not need to be colored red, the artificial coloring is bad for them, and it is easier, cheaper, and healthier for the hummingbirds to make your food. A simple 4 to 1 mixture, using pure cane sugar, with the secret being to boil the water before adding the sugar (recipe). Also, it seems the old-fashioned, simple design hummingbird feeders work the best at attracting them. And once you've got a loyal audience, they suck that stuff down pretty fast during the summer! The main inconvenience that follows hummingbird food is ants. A water ring dish on top of the feeder can help for a short period of time. But, I have a theory that hummingbirds actually eat an ant or two for protein. Literature say that they eat spider parts and various other things, but, those little turbo wings need something more than just sugar and nectar to energize them. It's just a theory.

The Baltimore Oriole

These brilliantly orange-yellow-black colored birds delight us for a few weeks every year as they pass through. Prepare yourself for an amazing display of blazing orange when the male open its' wings to take flight. And, oddly enough for a medium sized bird, they absolutely love the humming bird food! So much so, they will peck to pieces the plastic protection screen just to get it out of the way, much to the envy of the hummingbirds. Lucky I use cheap hummingbird feeders and have many replacement parts.

Unwelcome Visitors

The Brewer's Blackbird

Some blackbirds are a joy to watch feed, such as the Red-winged Blackbird. But, these Brewer's bad boys will hang out all day long on the feeder and scare away all of the other birds.




The Blue Jay

Blue Jays aggressively crowd out other birds from a habitat and attack nests. Actually, these birds seem to me to be the most sensitive to any kind of motion whatsoever. I really have to be still to photograph them. Maybe it's their big eyes?




The Cowbird

Cowbirds are the worst. They lay their eggs in other unsuspecting bird species' nests, kick out the original eggs, and trick the victim bird into raising its young, harming the reproductive chain of the victim species. They are truly a parasite bird.

The Mourning Dove

Well, I have mixed feelings about listing Doves as "unwelcome" per se, which is why I was specific to Mourning Doves. There's just so many of them. If they could, they would park there butt all day long on my bird feeder, clean it out of seed, and scare off all other birds. Which is why I adjust the spring weight to close on the weight of the doves. I still enjoy watching them, and they still perch near the feeder. They obviously like to be around other feeding birds for the dropped seeds (it's funny how they are barely phased by the squirrels). And I would jump at the chance to feed more rare species, like the Inca Dove. So, I really don't have a current issue with the Doves.

The Kitty Cat

Luckily, Max (pictured) is an indoor kitty. And the Coyotes in our neighborhood make sure very few stray cats are around to bother the birds.