Archives
BACKYARD SECRET – PARTS OF FOX SQUIRRELS SHINE IN ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT
Remarkably, when viewed under ultraviolet light, the teeth, bones, and flesh of fox squirrels shine pink. This trait is so rare that in Florida researchers use it to identify their remains at archaeological sites.
BACKYARD SECRET – THE BIRD THAT MAKES THE SOUND OF A SQUEAKY FAN BELT
From time to time, we hear sounds that sound like they are made by human devices. For example, several years ago a mockingbird learned to imitate the ring call of my flip phone. When you hear such noises, it seems impossible that birds can make them.
For example, I recently received a text from a friend that asked what bird makes the sound of a squeaky fan belt. My first impression was it might have been uttered by a mockingbird. When I told her this, she wrote back and said she did not think so.
This prompted me to do a little research on the odd sounds made by blue jays. To make a long story short, I discovered that blue jays often make sounds that mimic a variety of devices such as rusty pump handles, and gates, as well as squeaky fan belts. I am now convinced that the sound my friend heard was probably vocalized by a blue jay.
Whenever we hear unusual sounds such as these, we can never be sure what makes them unless we actually see the bird calling. Since she never saw the bird, it may have actually been produced by a vehicle with a squeaky fan belt.
My friend told me she is going to try to get to the bottom of this mystery. I cannot wait to hear what she learns. In the meantime, I know it is a sound she will never forget.
BACKYARD SECRET – YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOOS RELISH TENT CATERPILLARS
Tent caterpillar nests built on tree limbs are common sights in yards and trees lining highways throughout Georgia at this time of the year. Each nest contains scores of hairy caterpillars. While most birds shy away from dining on what appears to be an easy source of food, the yellow-billed cuckoo relishes them. In fact, it is one of the few bird species that eat them. They can consume 100 or more tent-building caterpillars during one attack on a tent caterpillar nest.
The reason why most birds stay clear of the juicy caterpillars that reside in the web-like nests is the caterpillars that live there are covered with stiff spines. The yellow-bellied cuckoo, on the other hand, it is able to eat them because it is able to do so is periodically the bird sheds the lining of its stomach and hairs found there. When the bird expels its stomach lining and stiff caterpillar hairs form a mass that looks much like an owl pellet.
MOCKINGBIRD SANG DURING FIREWORKS
Both male and female mockingbirds sing, however, by far the male sings the loudest. These birds sing both day and night; however, young males are more apt to sing during the nighttime hours than adults. Last night I learned that loud noises do little to deter them from singing.
For several days, a mockingbird has been loudly singing in the neighborhood. For the past few days, I heard him singing both during the day and at night. When I got up went outside the each morning, he was still singing. These vocalizations continued throughout the day.
Last night the whole neighborhood celebrated the 4th of July by setting off firecrackers and fireworks. Prior to the beginning of the celebration the lone singer continued to sing. When the sun finally set, I was certain the bird would stop sing. Boy was I ever wrong! In spike of the fact some of the explosions were so loud literally shook the house, and the skies full of beautiful fireworks the bird continued to sing. When the lights and sounds finally faded away, he was still singing.
When I got up and greeted the day, the tireless songster was still at it. If this mockingbird was not deterred by all that went on the night before, what will?
BACKYARD SECRET – WHAT ARE THE TOP POLLINATORS OF BACKYARD FLOWERS IN GEORGIA?
There are many animals that pollinate flowers in our backyards. The list of the most important critters that perform this critical task, includes European honeybees, native solitary bees, ruby-throated hummingbirds, bumblebees, butterflies and moths.
You might be surprised to learn the most important pollinators are our native bees. It seems there are 500+ species of these valuable insects in Georgia. Some 90% are solitary bees.
GEORGIA’S LARGEST GRASSHOPPER MAY BE IN YOUR BACKYARD
Recently while walking across the Augusta University Campus my granddaughter spotted the largest grasshopper, she had ever seen.
Since she knows her grandmother and grandfather are interested in wildlife sightings, she took several pictures of the huge insect using her smart phone and later shared them with us.
It turned out that she had photographed the largest grasshopper found in Georgia. This gigantic grasshopper is the eastern lubber (Romalea microptera). The critter is sometimes called “The Georgia Thumper.”
This grasshopper measures 2½ to 3½ inches long.
Fortunately, my granddaughter did not try to handle the insect. The reason for this is, if the grasshopper feels threatens, it defends itself by launching a horrible-smelling toxic spray.
If you find a lubber grasshopper, you will notice it is equipped with extremely small wings. In fact, they are so tiny, it cannot fly. As such, it moves from place by walking or crawling.
Since this native grasshopper ranges throughout the Southeast, there is a chance you might see one in your yard. If you do find one, please let me know the city and county where it was seen.
BACKYARD SECRET – MOCKINGBIRDS NEST MORE THAN ONCE PER YEAR
It is commonly believed that northern mockingbirds nest once a year in the Peach State. Actually they nest 2-3 times of year during a breeding season that extends from February through August.
Interestingly, it has been reported that mockers have been known to nest up to 7 times in a single year.
BE CAREFUL WHERE YOU PLANT TRUMPET CREEPER
One of my favorite native vines is the trumpet creeper. The problem is experience has taught me you have got to be careful where you plant it.
Trumpet creeper is a great wildlife plant. Its thick foliage provides nesting and escape cover for birds and other wildlife. In addition, the vine’s large showy blossoms are a great source of food for a variety of pollinators ranging from bumble bees, moths, and butterflies to orchard orioles and ruby-throated hummingbirds. It sounds like this is a plant that all wildlife gardeners would like to see growing in their yards; unfortunately, this is not the case.
The problem is that the trumpet creeper aggressively spreads for the spot where it is planted. In fact, it is not uncommon for trumpet creeper to spread 35 feet or more. Consequently, I would recommend that you never plant trumpet creeper close to your home, barn or other structures. If trumpet creeper reaches a building, it will quickly attach itself and potentially cause damage to the structure. It matters not whether the exterior is covered with brick, wood or siding, trumpet creeper will attach itself to the material.
That being said, it does well growing along fences, arbors, and the like. I have even seen it grown beside poles to create a trumpet creeper tree.
BACKYARD SECRET – LEAVING HUMAN SCENT ON A BIRD NEST WILL NOT CAUSE BIRDS TO ABANDON IT
Most of us have heard that, if we touch an active bird nest or young birds, the scent we leave behind will cause the nesting birds to abandon it.
This advice is false. The reason why this is the case is most birds have a poor sense of smell.
While we will never know where or why this myth originated, some feel it was perpetrated by adults to discourage youngsters from disturbing bird nests.