Have you ever wondered why when winter comes to Nebraska some birds migrate to warmer climates, many as far south as the tropical forests of South America? Yet other birds choose to remain in the Central Great Plains where the days are short and the nights are long and bitterly cold? Why do some birds…
The Ruby Throated Hummingbird arrives in the middle latitudes of the United States about the first of May and departs in October. If you live in an extensively wooded area or along a river, you may see them all summer long. Generally we can expect to have them most of May and then returning in…
Suet is rendered animal fat. The rendering of the animal fat kills bacteria preventing the suet from becoming rancid. This animal fat is what attracts the woodpeckers and other birds to the suet feeder. It’s a great supplement for birds that flourish on insects. Feeding birds suet was traditionally a way to provide a high…
As spring approaches, bluebirds will prepare to nest and explore their natural habitats in Nebraska and across the country. Three species of bluebirds are found in North America. The Eastern Bluebird, Mountain Bluebird, and Western Bluebird. If you want to attract these beautiful ‘birds of happiness’ to your property, you should plan now to set…
If the calls of the Sandhill Cranes, or the sound of flocks of Snow Geese overhead, send a tingle down your back and gives you goosebumps – then you have the onset of spring bird migration fever. Once you’ve witnessed the Sandhill Crane migration and heard those calls it will lure you back again and…
Nebraska’s Lillian Rowe Sanctuary SANDHILL CRANE CAM From late February to the first week os April watch over half million Sandhill Cranes on the Platte River in Nebraska View crane cam early mornings and late afternoons Savanah GA GREAT HORNED OWL CAM Decorah, IA BALD EAGLE CAM Cornell Bird Lab FEEDER CAM
When I opened the Wild Bird Habitat Stores in 1993, there weren’t any commercially produced ground bird feeders on the market. At first, I just tossed wild bird feed on the ground for those birds that fed primarily on the ground. That included Mourning Doves, towhees, native sparrows, and juncos. Occasionally wood thrush and thrashers…
Published by Dave at the Wild Bird Habitat Stores Have you ever gone out to purchase a bird feeder and right away you are met with a various selection of styles and designs? It can seem like a mystery as to which feeder might work best for attracting the birds you desire. But did you…
Due to frigid temperatures, birds need to consume more food on a daily basis in winter. They have little body fat to store the energy they need to keep warm and move about. And when the temperatures plummet into the single digits and below they are often only 36 hours from starvation. A high fat diet…
Published by the Wild Bird Habitat Stores Swoosh! Out of the corner of my eye a blur of feathers catapults across my backyard powered by stiff, rapid wing beats. Blue Jays immediately sound the alarm. Their calls alert all the birds that haven’t yet taken flight or headed for cover as they bolt for safety….
