Bird Watcher News March 18th, 2014

More Goldfinch
Trivia:

Goldfinches are strict vegetarians - their diets consisting exclusively of seeds from trees, grasses and flowers, including sunflowers, thistles, coneflowers and Black-eyed Susans.

Brown-headed Cowbirds

often dump their eggs into nests of American Goldfinches. However, because Goldfinches do not eat insects, the parasitic Cowbird nestling never lives more than a few days since it needs protein to survive. The remaining Goldfinch chicks don't have to compete for food with the bigger, more aggressive Cowbird chick.

Goldfinches often form flocks with Pine Siskins. Last Winter we were covered up in Siskins, while this year we had very few reports. Pine Siskin irruptions happen every few years, depending on population increases and food availability in the north.

Other finches found in Georgia include the House Finch, a year-round resident and the Purple Finch, an occasional winter visitor.

Male House Finch

Local Bird News

Hank & Hattie Nuthatch,

a pair of White-breasted Nuthatches, are nesting again in an Owl Box in the yard of one of our Kennesaw customers.

Follow their progress live on their webcam and be sure to "Like" their Facebook page.

This is a fascinating glimpse into the secret lives of these active little cavity nesters! Did you know that nuthatches "sweep" their houses? Or that Hattie likes to decorate with cocoons?

Check it out!

Nuthatch webcam

Hi Birdwatchers!

No other bird brings to mind Spring better than

American Goldfinches.

March and April are our peak months for these finches in Georgia, when

flocks can number into the dozens, or even hundreds. We are on the southern end of their breeding range, so most of the birds we are seeing now are passing through, heading back to states to our north and to Canada to spend the summer. But, if you live in a rural area or near power line cuts or weedy fields, you may see them year round.

Goldfinches molt in the Fall and again in early Spring. They are changing now from their drab Winter plumage to their brilliant yellows of Summer. Listen for their bubbly po-ta-to-chip calls, as they are pretty chatty this time of year. It's quite easy to attract Goldfinches to feeders filled with Black Oil Sunflower, Sunflower Meats, which is their absolute favorite, and Niger (often called Thistle) seed.

Summer goldfinch

Hanging multiple feeders will help to attract larger numbers of Goldfinches. Thistle socks are a cost effective way to provide many opportunities for birds to feed. Another great choice is to use several inexpensive plastic tube feeders during the busy months. They won't last forever, but will get you through the finch season. If you have squirrel issues, we recommend filling them with Cole's Hot Meats or Blazing Hot Blend.

Cheap Cheap!

This Premier Seed Feeder from Gardman is the perfect way to add more feeding space for Goldfinches.

And it's Only $3.99!

OR, if you do a bird call for us, you get it for FREE!

Chirp! Chirp!

Limit one free feeder per person through March 24th.

Kennesaw * Roswell * Buford * Marietta * Canton