Archive | February 2026

SUET AND BIRD PUDDINGS ARE NOT THE ONLY SOURCES OF FAT EATEN BY BIRDS

Feb11

       The use of animal fat by birds dates back at least to the 1890s. For example, historians tell us that in 1898 Florence Merriam Bailey and others were feeding animal fat to birds.  These bird early enthusiasts simply tacked raw suet to the trunks of trees. This practice continues to this day. 

       Several years ago, a good friend of mine conducted an experiment to try to determine whether birds prefer chunks of suet (fat found around the kidneys of cattle) to rendered suet.

       It is easy for us to believe that birds only obtain animal fat from raw suet, rendered suet and bird puddings.  Quite by accident several years ago, I found this is not the case.

       At the time, I made my discovery I was working at a checking station on the Rum Creek Wildlife Management Area. I was one of the folks that examined each deer harvested. These animals were examined under an open deer weighing shelter. After the deer were examined, chunks of deer fat were often left behind.

       One day during a deer hunt, I just happened to notice dark-eyed juncos were feeding on bits of deer fat had collected along the edge of the shelter along the edge of the shelter.

       I suspect that birds of been eating the fat found on dead animals of millions of years.  Dark-eyed juncos are not the only birds that have been known to eat the fat of dead animals.  The list of others that do the same are tufted titmice, wrens and woodpeckers. 

 

BACKYARD SECRET – BLUE JAYS HAVE A NEAT WAY TO CARRY LOTS OF ACORNS

Feb8

       The acorn is one of the most important foods in the blue jay’s diet.  Unwittingly blue jays store (cache) many of the acorns they gather in spots that are sometimes located a few miles away.  That being the case, more acorns can be stored in less time if jays could carry several acorns at a time.

       Well, as it turns out the blue jay has a simple but effective way to carry up to five or six acorns at a time. It accomplishes this fete by removing the caps of each acorn. If you carefully watch a blue jay collecting acorns, you will find that, in most cases, it removes the cap from each nut before stuffing it into its mouth.

       It is equally amazing to me that blue jays bury each acorn with its tip down.  It sounds similar to the way we plant bulbs with the bottom of each bulb facing downward. Since jays never find all of the acorns they bury, unbeknownst to them they are planting oaks.

       If you just take the time to watch a bird, there is no telling what you will learn.

THE GREAT BACKYARD BIRD COUNT – BIRDING WITH A PURPOSE

Feb5

          There are 365 days in the year, however during four special days in February you and your family can take part in the Great Backyard Bird Count.  During these four days you will be able to join literally hundreds of thousands of bird enthusiasts living in more than 200 countries scattered across the globe in a survey designed to assist ornithologists better understand the world’s bird populations.

          The 2026 Great Backyard Bird Count will take place February 13-16.

          The survey is sponsored by the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, National Audubon Society, and Birds Canada.

          This has got to be the simplest bird survey you have ever seen.  All you have to do is select an area (e.g. backyard, park, you name it) and count all of the birds you can identify in just 15 minutes.  You can survey as many areas are you like during the four-day count period. In fact, you can survey the same areas each day. 

          Then after you complete a survey count you submit the data online.  The survey form is very simple and takes only a few moments to complete.  One of the neatest things about the count once you submit a survey you can visit a map of the world displaying where the counts are being held.

          You do not have to be an expert birder  to take part in the survey.  This is because you count only those birds you can identity.  Consequently, this is a survey practically everyone can enjoy.

          For more information regarding this super event, simply go to your computer’s search engine and type in Great Backyard Bird Count.  The  website  will provide you with all of the information you need to enjoy some tine birding knowing that the bird list(s) you submit will help bird conservation.

 

NORTHERN FLICKERS RARELY VISIT FEEDERS

Feb1

       If you have never seen a northern flicker at your bird feeders, you are not alone. I personally have never spotted at one at mine either; however, they infrequently visit my birdbath.  In spite of my inability of entice a flicker to my feeders, the Cornell University’s FeedWatch survey reveals that in some states, more than half those participating in the survey report  their feeders are visited annually by flickers. Even then the birds are not regular visitors throughout the entire winter.  Those folks that host them say they see rarely see more than one or two of the birds at a time.

       It seems that when they visit feeders, they most often dine on bird puddings are suet.  The list of some of the other foods eaten by flickers includes the likes of baked goods, peanuts, sunflower seeds, and millet.

       I hope you have enjoyed seeing flickers at your feeders.  Northern flickers are truly fascinating birds.