Bird Watcher News December 8th, 2013

Local Bird News

Snowy Owl
photo by Rachel Holzman

Last winter, birders were treated to a couple of Snowy Owls (birds of the Arctic Circle, that rarely come down to the Southeast) on some of Georgia's barrier islands. This year is shaping up to be an invasion year with many reports in the Mid-Atlantic states, and even Bermuda. Will we see Snowy Owls in Georgia again this year? Odds are pretty good! Check out the link above for a map of current reports. They're everywhere!!!

Rufous Hummingbird

Julia and Karen have been very busy with winter hummingbird reports! They have banded a few late Ruby-throats, several Rufous and one Calliope so far, and the season has only just started! Please keep at least one feeder going and report any hummers seen between now and March 1st. Several of our customers have hosted one of these special visitors - you could be next!
Click Here
to see what's going on in the world of winter hummers!

GOS logo

Have you signed up to do a Christmas Bird Count yet? It's not too late!
Birdwatchers of all skill levels are welcome to participate. Don't miss out on this yearly tradition!

Visit the
GOS website
for more information about counts in your area and how to participate.

Hi Birdwatchers!

Christmas is coming soon and Northern Cardinals are everywhere...on Christmas decorations, ornaments, gift bags, towels, oven mitts, pillows and more. Cardinals are the perfect ambassadors for the season - easily recognizable, ubiquitous and a favorite of most everyone. You just can't beat a vibrant red Cardinal pictured on a snowy branch to put you in the holiday spirit!

We have Cardinals all year round in Georgia, but in the winter, they often form large flocks, especially as they go to roost at night. We have counted at least 70 Cardinals perched in our maple tree on late winter afternoons. They tend to be the earliest visitors to bird feeders in the morning and are often the last to leave in the evenings. Cardinals eat a variety of foods, but Black Oil Sunflower, Sunflower Meats and Safflower are their favorites. Cardinals prefer use feeders with large perches or trays that can accommodate their size.

The male Cardinal is a brilliant red, while the female is more of a taupe-brown with hints of red on her crest, wings and tail. Adult Cardinals have a bright orange bill surrounded by a black facial mask. Both sexes have pointy crests. Cardinals can sing about 16 different songs, some sounding like cheer, cheer, cheer, or birdy, birdy, birdy! Cardinals are unique in that females, occasionally, also sing.

One habit you might observe during the spring and summer nesting season is mate feeding, where the male carefully cracks seeds and feeds them to the female. This behavior is a type of pair bonding and very sweet to watch. Male Cardinals are great parents, often caring for the young of the first brood while his mate is on a second nest.

Wishing you Christmas Cheer!

Use this coupon to buy gifts for friends and family, or even yourself! Or use it to stock up on seed, suet or new feeders for your Cardinals and other songbirds!

Happy Holidays from all of us at Bird Watcher!

*Coupon expires 12/24/13. Not valid on Brome brand feeders

Kennesaw * Roswell * Buford * Marietta * Canton