Wingtip: Birds are basically creatures of habit when it comes to foraging at established food plots they have identified. If you are one that keeps your bird feeders filled, that consistency will keep birds visiting your bird feeders in these absolute frigid temperatures with snow covering many natural food plots.  However, if you sporadically put feed in the feeders, leaving them empty for periods of time, you may see fewer birds at your feeders. Birds move around during the day keeping tabs on where the food is available. If feeders remain empty for lengthy periods, they will bypass those inconsistent food resources for more productive plots or feeders. Enjoy birds more during the winter. Keep your bird feeders filled.

 21st  Annual 

Great Backyard Bird Count

February 16 - 19, 2018

Details in Below

NOW ON SALE

NYJER THISTLE SEED &

WBH FINCH MIX

NOW JUST $1.49 LB  -   Was $1.65 LB

Bottle, Bucket, or Sack

Thru January

Triple cleaned, fresh & pure

Coming in February

the 21st Annual

GREAT BACKYARD BIRD COUNT

	Go to BIRD COUNT

This four day count is open to those with all levels of birding experience. Great fun for individuals, schools, and families to become citizen scientists and help track birds during the winter for the biologists at the Cornell University Bird Lab.

 

•  Lots of fun for families, individuals, classrooms, youth and adult clubs and organizations.
•  For all levels of birding experience. Beginners and experts are needed.
•   Count on one or all four days
•   Count birds in backyards, parks, nature centers, anywhere.
•   Become a "Citizen Scientist" and provided valuable data about the birds you see to biologists to Cornell.
• Just Count! Its for the birds.
•   Best of all there's not cost to participate. ITS FREE

Its As Easy As 1, 2, 3

1. Plan to count birds for at least 15 minutes on one or more days of the count, February 16 - 19, 2018. You can count for longer than that if you wish! Count birds in as many places and on as many days as you like -one day, two days, or all four days. Submit a separate checklist for each new day. You can also submit more than one checklist per day if you count in other locations on that day. Locations are entered by zip code.

2. Count the greatest number of individuals of each species that you see together at any one time. You may find it helpful to print out your regional bird checklist to get an idea of the kinds of birds you're likely to see in your area in February. You could take note of the highest number or each species you see on this checklist.

 

3. When you're finished, enter your results on the Great Backyard Bird Count website. You'll see a button marked "Enter Your Checklists!" on the website home page beginning on the first day of the count (February 16, 2018). It will remain active until the deadline for data submission on March 1, 2018. 

Mark your calendars and count for the birds!

 

The Great Backyard Bird Count is FREE and for all levels of birding experience from the beginner to the novice and provides valuable data  to the biologists that track birds, This is a joint venture by the Cornell Bird Lab, Bird Studies Canada, and National Audubon

 

The Wild Bird Habitat Stores

are proud members of the

Wild Bird Feeding Industry

Wachiska Audubon's 

January Birding Field Trip

Information below

Feeding woodpeckers is one of the more entertaining aspects of my backyard bird feeders. The Downy Woodpecker being the most common with the Red-headed Woodpecker a fairly regular visitor. The Yellow-shafted Flicker is not as regular to the feeders, but when we see one its exciting. The flicker will cling to a caged feeder, as will the Red-bellied, and using their tongue reach in and grab a hulled sunflower seed. 

Woodpeckers have a tongue that can be up to 6 inches long. It coils up in the back of the skull when not being used to forage for food. The end of their tongue is slightly barbed and sticky to reach into cracks and crevices to extract larvae, anthropoids, and insects.

When the Hairy Woodpecker appears, which isn't too often, I know its the Hairy. The bill is as long as its skull where as the Downy's is only half the length of his skull. But the Hairy is 1/3 again larger than a Downy with much larger feet. But the one that causes the most excitement is the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. This is a woodpecker that nests to the east of Nebraska, but migrates laterally in the winter commonly seen at that time in the state.

Suet is a big draw for woodpeckers as a good suet such as is available at Wild Bird Habitat is 100% rendered animal fat, all protein for a hungry woodpecker. And since it is rendered all the bacteria has been killed so it keeps a rather long time. Different suets contain different seed and meal worm products mixed in for and added treat. But often if those added products are attracting squirrels or unwanted birds like Starlings, a pure suet with no other products is a good bet then.  

But for the most exciting woodpecker feeder its a peanut feeder packed with high fat (48%) shelled peanuts. Most woodpeckers won't pass it up. I have three in my yard and have witnessed all 5 woodpecker species enjoy them. If you live in a rural area you would most likely add the Red-headed Woodpecker to your list.

Rarely at times we might see a Northern Flicker which instead of the yellow shafted feathers under his rump and wings that the Yellow-shafted Woodpecker sports, the shafts on the Northern Flicker are red. They occur more often in western Nebraska.

There are woodpeckers in other parts of the country that do not occur in Nebraska that are attracted to backyard bird feeders. Once the Pileated Woodpecker was common in Nebraska along the Missouri River until logging destroyed most their habitat driving the north. Several pairs do nest along the river today and the numbers may be slowly returning. 

Woodpecker feeders seem to be busy all year long, even when other birds may not be visiting the feeders as often. During the summer months it is quite common to see the adult woodpeckers at the feeders with their young in tow, teaching them how to exploit a bird feeder. It's not long before those young fledglings are feeding at the feeders on their own.

Attracting woodpeckers is a real treat. So what do you need?

Just scroll down

Wachiska Audubon's

The Wild Bird Habitat Stores offer one of the highest quality lines of wild bird feeds on the market. We offer over 20 mixes and single seed wild bird feeds, with deliveries made directly to our stores from Des Moines Feed twice weekly and rotated to maintain freshness. Our wild bird feeds are guaranteed to attract more birds. Our customers know and so do the birds.

Register Now for Spring Birding Trips

Select you're trip below

Myths & Misconceptions

read about them below

Some Common Myths and Misconceptions About Feeding Birds

 

	Red-breasted Nuthatch

A recent article once again raised the issue of birds becoming dependent on backyard bird feeders especially during the winter months. Birds do not rely on any one single food source. Their ability to forage for a variety of foods under various conditions along with the uncanny ability to adapt to changes has proven to be a successful survival instinct over millions of years. What birds cannot adapt to is the loss of habitat which is the number 

one cause for the rapidly declining populations of many bird species which is not a myth but a fact. Here are some common myths associated with backyard bird feeding:

 

Myth: Birds become dependent on bird feeders.

Fact: While the same birds may regularly visit feeders as part of their daily foraging, studies have shown that wild birds only get an average of 25 percent of their food from feeders. There are many wild food sources that birds prefer and while they will visit feeders out of convenience, they are well able to find other sources of food if feeders are unavailable. Feeders may become more critical during harsh winters, but birds will not starve if the feeders aren't filled. We do however recommend during these extreme weather events you keep your bird feeders filled as snow and ice may cover up much of the natural foods for a period of time.

 

Myth: If birds eat uncooked rice, it can swell up in their throats or stomachs and kill them.

Fact: Plenty of birds eat uncooked rice in the wild. Bobolinks, sometimes called "rice birds," are a good example. While rice is okay for birds, many wedding parties now throw bird seed instead.

 

Myth: Birds can choke on peanut butter.

Fact: There is no documented evidence for this. However, mixing peanut butter with grit or cornmeal will break up the stickiness if you are concerned.

 

Myth: Birds' feet can stick to metal perches.

Fact: This is not likely. A bird's legs and feet are made up mostly of tough tendons that have little blood flow during cold weather. However, we've heard rumors of feet sticking to perches: if you observe this unfortunate circumstance, please take a picture and send it to Project Feeder Watch.

 

Myth: Feeding Birds in the Fall Keeps Them from Migrating

Fact: Many inexperienced birders assume that as long as there is food available, the birds will be there, and that feeding them will interfere with the birds' migration . While some bird species, such as American robins and waxwings , are nomadic with relation to their food sources, birds that migrate depend on the weather, daylight and their own genetic instincts to begin migration. Instead of keeping birds from migrating, available feeders actually give them a much needed energy boost to help them survive their long journeys.

 

Myth: You Don't Need to Feed Birds in the summer

Fact: While there are more natural food sources available during the summer months, including flowers, insects, fruits and natural seeds, these are the same months when parent birds are overworked trying to provide for hungry broods and growing nestlings . Supplemental food from feeders is an easy and convenient resource for many summer birds, particularly at a time when there are more birds around to compete for the same food sources. By feeding the birds in the summer, you'll enjoy many more species in your backyard and will "teach" young birds where to return the following year for a reliable food source.

a division of Wild Bird Habitat

How Important Is Water In Winter For Birds

Temperatures have definitely been falling in the northern states and Central Great Plains as winter approaches. Even many southern states have experienced some cooler weather than normal. As the mercury drops it becomes increasingly more difficult for birds to find open water. In some areas a mid-day sun may melt enough snow to fulfill a birds requirement for water, but there is no guarantee of this as the icy grip of winter slowly sets in on the Plains and elsewhere.

CLICK to read full article

Is your bird bath heater ready to go?

It won't be long before we get our first taste of temperatures below freezing on the Great Plains. Many folks may be left with a thin layer of ice on their bird baths. The weather is going to warm, but this is just a reminder of what is to come. Now is a great time to test your bird bath heater and make sure you're ready for cold weather.

HOW TO TEST YOUR BIRD BATH HEATER

PEANUT BIRD FEEDERS

One of Dave's favorite and  bird feeders

Check out Dave's photos below

Did you know Wild Bird Habitat Store's wild bird feeds, poultry feeds, and pigeon feeds are NON-GMO, pesticide free, and premium grade