WildBirds.com
WildBirds.com eNewsletter 
November 2011
Greetings!

Mother Nature caught the birds by surprise with a huge snow storm a few days ago!

It is time to make sure all your feeders are ready for the birds this winter. Bring in your feeders and clean them thoroughly. Let them dry and then fill them with fresh seed. Your local bird store can help you select just the right mix of seed for the birds in your area.

Did you know that different types of feeders will attract different birds? Check out our review of feeders below and decide which birds you would like to see in your yard this winter!

Also, last time I told you about a new movie about bird watching starring Steve Martin, Jack Black and Owen Wilson. Read my review of The Big Year.
Happy Birds - Not Angry Birds
Selecting the right feeders for your yard

Happy Birds at Tube Feeder
Chickadees, Titmice and a Goldfinch at Tube Feeder

Tube Feeders are the most popular. A domed cap is very helpful during snow storms. Fill these feeders with black oil sunflower, peanuts, safflower or special mixes from your local wild bird store.


Goldfinch at Thistle Feeder
A flock of American Goldfinches at Thistle Feeder

Thistle Feeders like this have very small openings and are very popular with Finches. Fill them with Nyjer seed (also known as thistle seed.) Colorful yellow and black Goldfinches look like this in their drab winter plumage!


Hopperwindow
Hopper Feeders come in all sizes

Hopper Feeders send seed into a dish at the bottom of the feeder. This feeder attaches to a window with suction cups. Much larger metal hoppers are designed to keep out the squirrels! This type of feeder works well with cracked corn, sunflower and safflower seed. Northern Cardinals and Jays love the larger hopper feeders.

Hairy and Downy together
Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers love Suet Feeders

Suet Feeders are designed hold chunks of suet or even prepackaged suet cakes that often contain a variety of seeds. Nuthatches, Chickadees and Titmice will eat suet as well.

hummerfeeder
Hummingbird Feeders in Winter ????

Hummingbird Feeders are usually busiest in the spring or summer months. But folks along the Gulf Coast and in the southwest may be surprised at what shows up during the winter! Pay careful attention -- that may not be a Ruby-throated Hummingbird but a rare winter visitor from out west coming to your feeder.

Squirrel-Proof Feeders come in many shapes and sizes. Some tube feeders and hopper feeders have special designs that keep squirrels from eating the seed. These designs usually involve placing a mesh cage around the feeder to keep out larger birds and squirrels. Others are built of heavy-duty metal and some actually have battery operated devices that spin until the squirrel falls off!

If you a looking for a great deal on feeders this winter, check out the Online Nature Mall's new Droll Yankees Deluxe Feeder Pak - 4 different high-quality feeders (and free shipping!)

Project feeder Watch

We need your help!
Thousands of Americans will begin tallying birds at their backyard feeders next month for Project FeederWatch, launching the 25th season for this popular citizen-science program. The information reported online from across the continent helps scientists at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology track changes in the numbers of birds and the distribution of species.
 
Anyone with an interest in birds and nature is invited to learn more about the project and become a "citizen scientist." The new season of FeederWatch begins November 12, but participants can come on board at any time at www.FeederWatch.org.     

New Field Guide Just Out

National Geographic sixth edition
 

National Geographic 6th edition
See More >>

 

This newest field guide includes all the latest traxonomic changes, including the July 2011 AOU updates. The book is a little bigger than the previous edition and range maps have been drawn to show migration routes in the spring and the fall. We highly recommend this. (Why not give your old copy to a neighborhood child and get them hooked on birding?)

 

2012 Calendars

 

 

Read the Book !

 

 

Plush Toy Birds

 

 

Attracting Wild Birds

 

 

Gold Edition DVD


The Ultimate Birding DVD for Windows
GOld Edition 


Be able to identify 957 birds of North America - including rare and accidental species. Export songs and images to your iPod or iPhone. 

 

Thayer Birding Software


New Version 4
For Windows and Mac
Birds of North America 

700 Species with songs, range maps, ID Wizard quizzes and more!

 

A Gift Card is Perfect for the Holidays!

Give the Gift of Nature!
 Gift Certificates

  

 

Cornell Lab Audio CDs

For the US and the World
BirdSongsofCA 
Learn the bird songs before your next big birding trip. CDs also available for frogs and mammals! 

 

Quick Links


 

Top Quality Optics

 

Feed Hungry Birds


Good Birding!
Pete Thayer & The Wildbirds.com Team
WildBirds.com 
 
 800-865-2473