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November News from Wild Bird Habitat Store

Happy Thankgiving

November  2011
The Wild Turkey...
Our National Bird? 

 

In 1784, after the end of the Revolutionary War, Benjamin Franklin wrote a famous letter from Paris to his daughter, criticizing the choice and suggesting the Wild Turkey as a better representative of American qualities. He described the Bald Eagle as "a Bird of bad moral character," who, "too lazy to fish for himself" survived by robbing the Osprey of its catch. He also called the Bald Eagle "a rank Coward" who was easily driven from a perch by the much smaller kingbird. In the letter, Franklin wrote that he favored the Turkey, "a much more respectable Bird," which he described as "a little vain & silly but a Bird of Courage." Despite Franklin's objections, the Bald Eagle remained the emblem of the United States. 

 

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Birds Choice
Featured Feeders
  
Bird's Choice
Recycled Hopper
Bird Feeders

 

100% post consumer recycled products.

Guaranteed not to split, crack, fade or peel for 20 years 
 
Removable perforated steel screens keeps seed dry and makes for easy cleaning.
 

 

Water in Winter

A winter bird feeding program should include open, fresh water. Learn why...click here  

API-650
wild tom turkey 

November 

Bird of the Month

The wild turkey is our largest upland game bird. The wild variety is slimmer and has a few color differences than its closely related domestic cousin. They all came from the same original wild stock. The domestic Turkey is thought to be among the most stupid of birds. They have been reported to actually stand out in a sleet storm and die of suffocation when their nostrils plug with ice...

read more about the wild turkey
Consider a Gift of Nature This Holiday Season
 
 
Pass your excitment and passion for birds on to friends and relatives this Holiday Season with the help of the Wild Bird Habitat Stores.
 
Dave 

Dave's  November Bird Chatter

 This is the major month for the ducks and geese to move off their northern breeding grounds as they head for open waters to the south. If you are fortunate enough to see thousands of geese taking off in unison from a lake or wetland, you will not soon forget the thrill... read more

Wild Turkey Populations Once Threatened
Today Turkey Populations are at Record Numbers 
 In the early 1930s, wild turkeys were on the verge of extinction nationwide due to over harvesting and habitat degradation. Originally the Eastern turkey was native to Nebraska but was extirpated by 1915. It has since be replaced  by the Merriam turkey from a captive breeding program which began in Nebraska in 1959. Habitat improvement and successive dry years have led to an increase in Nebraska's turkey population statewide in recent years. Many customers living near wooded areas with open grass and mixed vegetation report turkeys foraging under their bird feeders. These reports include turkeys foraging in urbanized areas.  

 The HCoopers Hawkawk in Your Backyard

You're watching the birds at your feeders, enjoying a relaxing moment after a busy day. Out of the corner of your eye you see a large bird streak across the yard in the direction of the unsuspecting avian diners. At once  calls sound out from the birds who were enjoying a meal followed by a rapid flutter of dozens of wings as your guests rapidly vacate the area. You have just become a witness to natural predator / prey relationship that appaul some while facinating others. It may be a resident Cooper's Hawk, or a Sharp-shinned Hawk that has moved south from the Boreal Forests of Canada to spend the winter. Their  strategy is to ambush unsuspecting prey launching the attack from a concealed position. But these hawks are not lurking around your yard all day. Your yard is just one stop over on a daily route that includes many other locations. In fact when one of these remarkable birds of prey appear in your yard, take note of the time of day. They will return almost daily at the same approximate time provided they haven't landed a meal somewhere else. Cooper's Hawk or Sharp-shinned Hawk..click here

Selecting A New Bird FeederWC125 Platform Fdr
Thinking about adding another bird feeder to your backyard bird feeding program? Not sure what type of bird feeder to add next? Check out Wild Bird Habitat Store's recommendations for the six basic types of bird feeders that will help you increase the variety of birds in your yard along with the proper seed for each style of bird feeder. 

 

Become A Citizen Scientist

It's for the birds!

 The Value of Participating in Annual Bird Counts as a Citizen Scientist

 

 In 2001, Cornell University's Lab of Ornithology identified that the Chickadee population had reached a twelve year record high. This information was gathered from the data provided by bird enthusiasts who participated as citizen scientists in several national bird counts such as the Great Backyard Bird Count, Audubon's Annual Christmas Bird Count and Project Feeder Watch.  Due to the high numbers of Chickadees by 2004 there population crashed

...learn more by clicking here

 

 
Check Out Our Popular Links
The staff at the Wild Bird Habitat Stores of Nebraska encourage everyone to take a bird walk in a natural area, park, or neighborhood and enjoy our fall bird migration.     
Dave & Linda Titterington

The Wild Bird Habitat Stores

Family owned Backyard Bird Feeding Centers Since 1993

 

Toll Free:  (800) 606-2553

E-Mail:  info@wildbirdhabitatstore.com