WildBirds.com
WildBirds.com eNewsletter January 2010
Do It For the Birds! 
The Great Backyard Bird Count: Free, Fun & Easy!
February 12-15 
 
An annual  four-day event is fast approaching. February 12th thru the 15th marks the 13th Annual Great Backyard Bird Count.
 
Birdwatchers across the country will be spotting and counting birds to provide scientists with a snapshot view of where birds are across the country.  This is Citizen Science at its best! Scientists could never hope to accomplish such a feat without everyone's help.
 
Make a difference! Make this your year to participate. Not only is it free, you can actually save money doing it! When you participate in the count, you earn a 10% discount on any Thayer Birding Software or Cornell Lab of Ornithology audio CD title!
 
Count the Birds and Save! 
See the coupon below
 
For most parts of the country this year, extreme winter weather means counting from indoors. Here are some ideas for success:
 
1. A Thistle Feeder will attract the most variety of wintering birds. Get your feeders now so the birds can get used to dining at your house!
 
 Scopes   Window Feeder Attracting Birds
   Scope Mount for Car              Window Feeder             Guide to Bird Feeding  
 
2. Warm the water, get the birds! Clean feathers equal warmer birds and one of the greatest hardships for wintering birds is finding unfrozen water for bathing and drinking.
 
TIP: Experts at OnlineNatureMall.com recommend avoiding metal birdbath components to prevent wet feathers and toes from freezing to them.
 
 
 Heated Baths   Bath Heaters        Binoculars
        Heated Bird Bath              Bath Heater                Birding Binoculars 
 
3. You're going to need a decent binocular if you want to identify birds. If you're looking for value for your dollar--and who isn't these days--experts at OnlineNatureMall.com recommend the Vortex Fury 8x42.  Kids also love having their very own pair of binoculars designed for their small faces and hands. Check out the Eagle Optics Energy series.
 
4. Be sure to print out your state checklist of birds you're likely to see in your area for easy counting.
 
5. Enter your results at the GBBC website and receive 10% off any Thayer Birding Software or Cornell Lab of Ornithology audio CD!
 
Count the Birds and Save!
See the coupon below
Birding 411
Really see the difference side-by-side! 
 
Red Finches - House, Purple & Cassin's 
 
Among the most common birds at any feeder are the Finches. We all know the bright yellow and black American Goldfinch, but what about all those reddish finches. What are they? 

The House Finch is common throughout the entire US and southern Canada and is found in open woods and suburbs. It has a slightly longer tail and a shorter, curved bill than the other two red finches. It also has streaked flanks and a browner back.
 
 House Finch
House Finch
 
The Purple Finch is a more northern bird and quite familiar to folks in Canada. It can be found almost anywhere east of the Mississippi River in winter as well as along the west coast. It has extensive red coloring on the head and back.

Purple Finch
Purple Finch
 
The Cassin's Finch is found in western mountain pine forests. It has a paler nape and a pinker back than the other two finches.

Cassin's Finch 
Cassin's Finch
 
 [Photos courtesy of Thayer Birding Software. House Finch and Purple Finch: Ron Austing, Cassin's Finch: Mike Danzenbaker.]
Good birding!
Pete Thayer & The Wildbirds.com Team! 
 
WildBirds.com
  
809 Walkerbilt Rd.
Suite 4
Naples, Florida 34110
 800-865-2473
In this issue
Birding 411 - Red Finches
Save Your Seed
Finch Facts
What's That Bird?

As Seen on Ellen!

 
Bird Books 
 Ellen Degeneres featured Andrew Zuckerman's spectacular sequel to Creature, Bird. Showcasing more than 200 stunning photographs of nearly 75 different species this is the ultimate art book for ornithologists and nature enthusiasts alike. Bird is a volume of sublime beauty.
 
 
Fact: 75% of North America's nesting species migrate for the winter. 
Save Your Seed 
High winds in winter can cost you plenty in lost seed.  Try some of the following tips to minimize seed spills this season:
  • Hang feeders in the lee of a thicket of shrubs or downfalls.
  • Attach your feeders to the lee side of your house, a fence or close to a tree trunk.
  • Switch to pole-mounted feeders during windy seasons. Seed will still land on the ground but then becomes food for sparrows, cardinals, juncos, doves and towhees.
  • When a big blow is on its way simply take down your feeders. Birds aren't as active during high winds but will return when the wind dies down.
 
 Pole Mounted Feeder
 

Be My Valentine!

Give the Gift of Nature!
 Gift Certificates
 

Finch Facts

  Finches are often considered the most highly developed of birds. They can live from 5 to 9 years and and can be found worldwide at any feeder. They commonly lay 3 to 7 eggs which hatch in just 12 to 14 days.
 
Plush Toys
This fuzzy Audubon plush toy has an authentic song from Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
 

What's That Bird?

 
 Birding Software
Guide to Birds of North America 
 
Thayer Birding Software's interactive software makes identifying birds easy and fun. Just input the size (is it larger than a robin?), colors, location or habitat and instantly see a photo gallery of all of the birds fitting your description. 
You can even identify a bird by its song without even seeing it! Hone your birding skills with hundreds of fun quizzes or even create your own quiz of all your local birds. Everything you need for birding fun!
 Available for Windows or Mac.
 

Quick Links

Count the Birds and Save 10%
When you participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count, February 12th to 15th, or the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's Project Feederwatch through April 9th, you are eligible for a 10% discount on any Thayer Birding Software title and any Cornell Lab of Ornithology audio CD title.
 
 Simply enter the coupon code:
 
GBBC for the Great Backyard Bird Count
 -or-
PFW for the Project Feederwatch
 
Coupons may be redeemed only at: http://www.birds.cornell.edu/Shop or
 
Coupons may not be used together and cannot be combined with any other offer.
Offer Expires: 2/28/10