Above / Back in February 2013, PN used its cover to raise awareness about the proper and healthful way to feed our wild feathered friends and to promote National Wild Bird Feeding Month. Photographer Mike Krol had submitted an inspiring photo of Lake Osborne at sunrise featuring thousands of geese that was used to attract attention. At that time we also learned that a cardinal, the Illinois State Bird, weighs two ounces and the typical backyard bird that hangs out at feeders weighs less than two nickels!
Update Feb. 7, 2020 / On Presidents’ Day, Mon., Feb. 17, Naperville Park District’s Knoch Knolls Nature Center invites families and individuals to participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count and winter birds activities from 10AM to 3PM.
Visit the Nature Center, located at 320 Knoch Knolls Road, Naperville, to learn more about winter birds and to identify and record the birds you see. A naturalist will be on hand with binoculars and bird identification books to help guide kids and parents in their observation. No registration is necessary but at least one adult must attend with each family or group of children.
Update Feb. 19, 2018 / It’s President’s Day! Suddenly Winter 2018 is on the down side in the middle of February, a time when repeated snow accumulation in Illinois has been a snow-removing distraction and nonmigratory birds have remained under cover.
Today, crack your windows and you’ll likely hear wet and wild backyard birds singing as they sound off due to longer days in the misty rain. (The temperature at 9AM Feb. 19 was 41 degrees and the forecast is to climb into the fifties.)
This year especially, when the ground has been covered with snow for weeks, natural food supplies appear to be depleted, and ponds can be thick with ice, making it seem as though it’s difficult for backyard birds to thrive.
Though the wild birds usually don’t need help from humans, if you enjoy watching backyard birds in winter, naturalists say it’s OK to stock feeders with natural weed seeds such as thistle and other healthful feed including cracked corn and safflower seeds. Find just the right variety available at Dog Patch Pet and Feed, located at 1108 E. Ogden Ave.
In Naperville, feeders likely will attract junkos, cardinals, chickadees, finches and sparrows, usually a couple days after feeders are set in place.
No matter what the weather, every day from now until June 21 will continue to get longer in the northern hemisphere as the earth tilts towards the sun. Spring will arrive Tues., March 20.
This year, March 20 is also 2018 Primary General Election Day in Illinois.
Update Feb. 18, 2014 / One bit of advice given by a local naturalist was to be mindful that seeds dropped from bird feeders also can attract animals other than backyard birds.
Today in the sunshine (see photo at right), this editor caught a opossum feeding right under four homemade feeders hanging from a crab apple tree in her backyard—and it didn’t play opossum.
The surprised opossum appeared healthy, so likely the marsupial has been finding plenty of other food this winter.
Knowing that coyotes run throughout local neighborhoods from dusk to dawn, a clean-up of the weed seeds for wild birds now is in order.
Update Feb. 15, 2014 / During a recent presentation at the Rotary Club of Naperville/Downtown by Jack MacRae, a naturalist at the Willowbrook Wildlife Center, members and guests were reminded that robins stay here in Naperville all year long.
MacRae also said that instead of migrating, robins and many other birds hide in the bushes and often can be heard singing when not seen during the winter months.
Anyone who has visited the outside drop off mail boxes at the U.S. Post Office on Ogden Ave. can roll down the car window to enjoy the callophonics of wild birds hanging out inside the large garage at the back of the main building. Many times their chorus of chirps can be heard far in the distance.
Though it’s cold and wintry, MacRae noted it’s not necessary to feed wild birds—especially ducks, geese and other waterfowl. They’re capable of finding food on their own in natural settings and parks. Yet, if you enjoy watching backyard birds in winter, it’s OK to stock feeders with natural weed seeds such as thistle and other healthful feed including cracked corn and safflower seeds.
In Naperville, feeders likely will attract junkos, cardinals, chickadees, finches and sparrows, usually a couple days after feeders are set in place.
Original Post Feb. 4, 2013 / During some recent late night research, PN editors discovered remarks in the Congressional Record attributed to former Illinois Congressman John Edward Porter back on Feb. 23, 1994. Porter recognized February as National Wild Bird Feeding Month.
“During this month, individuals are encouraged to provide food, water and shelter to help wild birds survive. This assistance benefits the environment by supplementing wild bird’s natural diet of weed seeds and insects,” said Porter.
Note his choice words, “natural diet of weed seeds and insects.”
Porter continued to emphasize the popularity of feeding wild birds by the U.S. adult population. He described backyard bird feeding as “entertaining, educational and inexpensive” for children and adults. Watching birds is relaxing and peaceful. “…Nature serves to relieve the stress and can get one’s day going on a tranquil note.”
Feeding wild birds is a naturally fun activity for all ages. Even young children can learn to identify different species of birds with a field guide, keep track of sightings and learn about the birds’ habits. Many people keep lists started as children of all the birds they’ve ever spotted. Watching birds can be a lifelong hobby for the entire family to enjoy.
According to Porter’s remarks in the Congressional Record, “Feeding wild birds in the backyard is an easy hobby to start and need not overtax the family budget. It can be as simple as mounting a single feeder outside a window and filling it with bird seed mix. For many people, the hobby progresses from there. They discover the relationship between the type and location of feeders, and the seeds offered in them, and the number and varieties of birds attracted. Parents can challenge an inquisitive child’s mind as they explore together these factors in trying to encourage visits by their favorite birds.”
During the recent International Festival at North Central College, Congressman Bill Foster from the new 11th District was making the rounds. With this story in the works, we asked him about National Wild Bird Feeding Month that had been begun in Congress.
“My father was a proud birder,” said the Congressman, who admitted his interests were elsewhere, even though his father had acquired one of the Top Ten Life Lists by 1980. “He’s mentioned in the 4th Edition of the ‘Peterson Field Guide to the Birds.’ Birding is infinitely complicated and beautiful,” Foster added.
Serious birders compile a Life List of all the bird species they’ve identified absolutely, positively throughout their lives. Many times birders keep their list with their trusted field guide.
So acquire a bird book, place a bird feeder in your backyard and take birding trips to local parks and forest reserves and begin a list. Just in Naperville, you could end up with more than 300 species.
Meanwhile, feed the birds only nutritious seeds.
Wild bird feeders and seeds can attract different species
Find wild bird feeders at Dog Patch Pet & Feed along with a few tips to help keep wild birds healthy by properly feeding them all year-round:
- Keep feeders filled with nutritious bird seed during cold and snowy months. Keep feeders clean, free of snow and ice and full of seeds. The consistent source of health and nutrition will keep the birds coming back for more.
- Suet cakes offer high fat content and a great source of extra energy for woodpeckers and many birds, including chickadees, love it. Suet is made with rendered beef tallow and mixed with a variety of seeds, fruits and nuts.
- Thin-shelled black oil sunflower has excellent oil and nutritional content.
- Dog Patch recently concocted a rich patio blend – black oil sunflower with nuts, peanuts and fruits, too.
- Finches love thistle seeds.
- The folks at Dog Patch also said to replenish water in birdbaths. Freezing temperatures can make providing water a challenge, but a small heater can keep help. Birds need water for drinking and bathing.
- Thistle, cracked corn, safflower and sunflower seeds attract a variety of colorful birds.
- In February especially, natural food supplies appear to be depleted, and ponds can be thick with ice, making it more difficult for backyard birds to thrive.
Did you know?
- A typical backyard bird weighs less than two nickels.
- Birds can use up to 15 percent of their body weight overnight just keeping warm.
- The Cardinal is the state bird for seven states— Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia and West Virginia. The Cardinal is also the mascot for Naperville’s North Central College.
- A cardinal weighs about 2 ounces. A small apple weighs 4 ounces. So consider that a cardinal weighs about as much as half a small apple.
- The 10 most popular backyard birds in the Midwest are the American Goldfinch, Chickadee, Dark-eyed Junco, Downy Woodpecker, House Finch, Northern Cardinal, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Tufted Titmouse and White-breasted Nuthatch.
- More than 9,000 species of birds live on earth. No one has ever spotted all of them!
- With all these notes on feeding wild birds, remember the human pleasure of feeding waterfowl white bread, corn chips and other human snack foods is harmful to their health and their wings for flight.
