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Spring Bird Migration Continues
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May 2013
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 How do young birds learn to find food?
Read the answer at the bottom of this newsletter |
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Wild Bird Habitat Store's
Annual Mother's Day Sale
Through May 12th
Check out all the sales and special offers at both Wild Bird Habitat Store locations and give mom a gift of nature this Mother's Day
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The Wild Bird
Habitat Stores
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The Wild Bird
Habitat Stores
Recipients of the Better Business Bureau's
Integrity Award
2012
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Fishing and hunting permits along with waterfowl stamps provide the majority of funding for habitat suporting game species which ultimately improves habitat for non-game species. But a tax deductible donation to the
supports habitat improvement specifically for non-game wildlife species.
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Add a Bird Bath Dripper and Attract More Birds!
The subtle "drip, drip" of a dripper is a visual magnet to any bird. When they see the ripples across the surface of your birdbath, they are drawn to it and stay a while! Each dripper comes with our exclusive custom dripper valve that regulates the flow of water from your outdoor faucet. Just one drip per second, one pint of water per hour, turns your birdbath into an attractive gathering place for your feathered friends. Check out Wild Bird Habitat's bird bath drippers today!
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May Bird of the Month
Chipping Sparrow
 The Chipping Sparrow is one of our more common native sparrows occurring across North America, but often one of the least recognized birds that we have in our yards each summer. These little birds are often mistaken for a Tree Sparrow which visits us in the Upper Midwest and Plains States during the winter months. But the "Chippies" have a shorter tail than the Tree or Song Sparrows and are just slightly larger than a Chickadee. Adults are 4.5" to just under 6" long weighing in at 0.4 to 0.6 ounces. But it is the rufous cap on top their striped heads that adds a dash of color making the adult birds fairly easy to recognize...read more
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Bluebirds
Becoming a bluebird landlord is not only exciting, it brings a little peace and comfort into one's life.
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 Dave's May Bird Chatter
May is the premiere month for songbird migration. Warblers, thrushes, and all the other Neo-tropical birds will be coming in to spend the summer, or passing through on their way to northern breeding grounds. The best part is they are all in their brightest colors, or breeding plumage. If you enjoy warblers, you know how brightly colored these birds can be. These little beauties are much easier to identify now than in the fall when they return in their basic plumage which can be confusing. Those who live in city neighborhoods are equally able to witness many of these migrating birds, even if you have minimal habitat. The majority of these migrants are not in your yard to feast on the seed in your feeders. They are gleaning for larvae that wintered over and the emerging insects of spring....read more
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May...Time for the Annual Birdathon 
There will be two Birdathon weekend field trips that will explore local favorite hot spots-Wilderness Park and Platte River State Park. Bring a water bottle, insect repellent, and binoculars if you have them. The public is welcome. Birders are invited to submit weekend sightings from our area to maximize the total number of species seen. Ken Reitan will be compiling the final list. Call him at 402-423-3540 or email your list to the Wachiska office.
Learn more about how you can donate to the Birdathon and join in on the Birdathon field trips ....click here |
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Are Grackles (black birds) Invading Your Bird Feeders?
Spring and summer can be exciting months for backyard bird  feeding for several reasons. Many adults will bring their young to the feeders. We can enjoy the birds from our decks and patios instead of from behind closed, frost covered windows. But this time of year backyard bird feeders can become over-run with blackbirds, the Common Grackle. Don't let the Grackles ruin your summer bird feeding enjoyment. Ask the staff at Wild Bird Habitat how to reduce or eliminate these boisterous marauders.Read how you can reduce blackbirds from raiding your bird feeders .....click here |
Optics Now Available at
the Wild Bird Habitat Stores
Tired of buying binoculars and they are just not what you expected. Then look no more. Wild Bird Habitat now has a line of Vortex Binoculars  selling below standard retail cost. Vortex is a high quality line of binoculars and spotting scopes with an unlimited lifetime warranty. From the casual backyard birder to the birder out in the field, you'll enjoy birding more with a pair of Vortex binoculars. Available at Wild Bird Habitat South Lincoln location,
Alamo Plaza / 56th & Hwy 2
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Where to go Birding in Nebraska
Listing more than 400 bird watching sites across the state of Nebraska.From the Missouri River Valley to the panhandle's rugged Pine Ridge, you'll find world class bird watching, scenic vistas, and a remarkable Nebraska Heritage around every corner. nebraskabirdingtrails.com
Nebraska Metro Birding Trails 
Bird watching in seven counties in Eastern Nebraska. Find birding sites right out your backdoor in Cass, Dodge, Douglas, Lancaster, Sarpy, Saunders, and Washington counties. nebraskametrobirding.com
Central Nebraska Flyway
Central Nebraska, one of the major migratory routes on the continent. From Sandhill Cranes to Prairie Chickens, shore birds to prairie dog towns, it's an incredible journey you don't want to miss. nebraskaflyway.com
Chicken Dance Trail 
Out beyond the great Midwestern cities, the land opens up and the pavement gives way to fields and streams, to prairie, hills and endless sky, right in the center of North America's central flyway, millions of birds of all shapes, sizes and species pass through this area every year.
chickendancetrail.com
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WHAT BIRD?
Now that you know where to go birding in Nebraska you need to know what bird species you are likely to see and when.There are 450 bird species listed on the Nebraska Ornithology Union's checklist covering 10 distinct Eco-systems which provides a wide diversity of bird species to view. Nebraska is one of two states with a complete online field guide. All 450 bird species are listed. The site provides a variety of search criteria for birds along with tips on identification. 161 of the listed bird species have sound bytes of their basic call. More will be added in the future. So just click on Nebraska Bird Library below and enjoy Nebraska's birds more!
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Become a Certified
Master Naturalist
Get up close and personal with Nebraska's natural resources! Participants in the Nebraska Master Naturalist Program will engage in nearly sixty hours of in-depth training, led by experts in their fields. Learn about Nebraska's ecosystems, plants and animals, conservation biology, and so much more! Learn more at Nebraska Master Naturalist or check your state for a Master Naturalist program
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Nebraska's Project Wild
Bridge to Birding
Connecting students and educators with the outdoors
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Raptor Recovery Nebraska
 | | Remington |
has a new website.
Raptor Recovery Nebraska is a nationally recognized raptor rehabilitation and education center established in 1976. Learn more about Raptor Recovery Nebraska and how you can help support their mission. Visit them at
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Listen to KFOR Radio's Pod Cast of Problems and Solutions featuring Dave from Lincoln's Wild Bird Habitat Stores recorded April 5th, 2013 Listen to Dave & Cathy talk birds
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 Check Out Our Popular Links
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How do young birds learn to find food?
Like young animals of all kinds, including human babies, birds learn to find food by a combination of instinct, observation and of course trial and error. The pecking instinct is innate, as can be seen in newly hatched chickens or game birds. As it grows, a young bird learns by observing the feeding actions of its parents and other birds in the group, and can soon distinguish between safe and toxic. Some adult raptors, such as Peregrine Falcons, will actively help their offspring catch food by driving prey toward them.
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The Wild Bird Habitat Stores
Family owned Backyard Bird Feeding Centers Since 1993
Toll Free: (800) 606-2553
E-Mail: info@wildbirdhabitatstore.com
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