Top Sports Nutrition Tips for Athletes: Learn About The Best Foods, Hydration Strategies, And Timing
Top Sports Nutrition Tips for Athletes: Learn About The Best Foods, Hydration Strategies, And Timing
A Guide for Bird Enthusiasts: How to Identify Common Backyard Birds
Backyard birdwatching is a delightful and rewarding hobby that connects us with nature and brings a sense of tranquillity to our daily lives. With a bit of knowledge and observation, you can identify a variety of common birds that visit your backyard.
The most common bird species on Your backyard
1. American Robin (Turdus migratorius)
- Identification Features:
- Size: Medium-sized (about 10 inches).
- Color: Bright orange-red breast, grey upperparts, white belly, and distinctive white eye ring.
- Song: Cheerful, melodic phrases often described as "cheerily, cheer up, cheer up, cheerily, cheer up."
- Habitat: Lawns, gardens, and open woodlands.
- Tips for Attracting: Provide a birdbath and plant fruit-bearing shrubs like holly and serviceberry.
2. Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)
- Identification Features:
- Size: Medium (8-9 inches).
- Color: Males are bright red with a black mask around the face; females are pale brown with reddish tinges.
- Song: Rich, whistling songs with clear, slurred notes.
- Habitat: Wooded areas, gardens, and shrublands.
- Tips for Attracting: Offer sunflower seeds, safflower seeds, and suet in feeders, and plant dense shrubs for nesting.
3. Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)
- Identification Features:
- Size: Large (about 11-12 inches).
- Color: Bright blue upperparts, white underparts, black necklace, and prominent crest.
- Song: Loud, varied calls including "jay-jay" and melodic whistles.
- Habitat: Woodlands, parks, and residential areas.
- Tips for Attracting: Provide peanuts, sunflower seeds, and acorns, and plant oak trees.
4. House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)
- Identification Features:
- Size: Small (about 6 inches).
- Color: Males have grey heads, white cheeks, a black bib, and chestnut nape; females are plain brown with streaked backs.
- Song: Simple, cheeping sounds.
- Habitat: Urban areas, farms, and gardens.
- Tips for Attracting: Offer millet, cracked corn, and nesting boxes.
5. American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis)
- Identification Features:
- Size: Small (4-5 inches).
- Color: Breeding males are bright yellow with black wings and cap; females and non-breeding males are olive-brown.
- Song: Sweet, twittering songs and flight calls resembling "per-chick-o-ree."
- Habitat: Fields, gardens, and woodland edges.
- Tips for Attracting: Provide nyjer (thistle) seed and sunflower seed, and plant native thistles and milkweed.
6. Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura)
- Identification Features:
- Size: Medium (about 12 inches).
- Color: Light grayish-brown body with black spots on wings and a long, pointed tail.
- Song: Soft, mournful cooing sounds.
- Habitat: Open and semi-open areas, including farmlands, suburbs, and grasslands.
- Tips for Attracting: Offer millet, cracked corn, and sunflower seeds on platform feeders or the ground.
7. Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)
- Identification Features:
- Size: Small (about 5 inches).
- Color: Black cap and bib, white cheeks, gray back, and buffy sides.
- Song: Clear, whistled "fee-bee" and a distinctive "chick-a-dee-dee-dee" call.
- Habitat: Deciduous and mixed forests, suburban areas.
- Tips for Attracting: Provide sunflower seeds, suet, and peanut butter, and install nest boxes.
8. Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens)
- Identification Features:
- Size: Small (6-7 inches).
- Color: Black and white checkered pattern on the wings, white underparts, and a small red patch on the back of the head (males).
- Song: Sharp "pik" calls and a descending whinny.
- Habitat: Wooded areas, parks, and suburban backyards.
- Tips for Attracting: Offer suet, sunflower seeds, and peanuts, and leave dead trees or branches for nesting.
Tips for successful birds watching
1. Invest in Quality Gear
Binoculars: A good pair of binoculars is essential for birdwatching. Look for binoculars with a magnification of 8x or 10x and a wide field of view. Ensure they are lightweight and comfortable to use for extended periods.
Field Guide: A comprehensive field guide specific to your region helps in quickly identifying birds. Choose guides with detailed illustrations, range maps, and information about bird calls and behaviours.
Camera: For those interested in photographing birds, a camera with a good zoom lens can capture detailed images from a distance, allowing for better identification and sharing of sightings.
2. Create a Bird-Friendly Environment
Native Plants: Planting native trees, shrubs, and flowers provides food and shelter for birds. Native plants attract local insects, which are a critical food source for many bird species.
Water Sources: Install a birdbath or small pond to provide birds with drinking water and a place to bathe. Ensure the water is clean and fresh, and consider adding a fountain or dripper to attract birds with the sound of moving water.
Feeders and Nesting Boxes: Different birds prefer different types of feeders (tube, platform, suet). Use a variety to attract a diverse range of species. Additionally, nesting boxes can encourage birds to breed in your yard. Make sure they are designed for the specific species you want to attract and placed in safe, predator-free locations.
3. Learn Bird Calls and Songs
Audio Guides and Apps: Use audio guides and mobile apps to familiarize yourself with the calls and songs of local birds. This skill is particularly useful for identifying birds that are hidden or hard to see.
Practice Active Listening: Spend time in your backyard or local parks just listening. Over time, you'll start recognizing distinct calls and associating them with specific species.
4. Understand Bird Behavior
Feeding Habits: Observe when and where birds in your area are most active in their feeding. Some birds are early risers, while others might feed throughout the day.
Migration Patterns: Learn about the migratory patterns of birds in your region. Knowing when to expect certain species can enhance your birdwatching experience and increase your chances of spotting rare visitors.
Local Bird Clubs: Joining a birdwatching club or society can provide valuable opportunities for guided birdwatching trips, educational workshops, and social events with fellow enthusiasts.
Online Forums and Apps: Participate in online birdwatching forums and use apps like eBird to log sightings, share photos, and connect with a global community of birdwatchers.
6. Practice Patience and Stealth
Move Quietly and Slowly: Birds can be easily startled by sudden movements and loud noises. Approach birdwatching areas quietly and minimize abrupt actions.
Wear Camouflage or Neutral Colors: Bright clothing can alert birds to your presence. Wearing earth tones or camouflage can help you blend into the environment and observe birds more closely.
7. Keep Detailed Notes
Birdwatching Journal: Maintain a journal to record your observations, including species identified, behaviours noted, weather conditions, and locations. This practice not only enhances your learning but also provides a personal record of your birdwatching journey.
Checklist Apps: Use birdwatching apps with checklist features to keep track of the species you’ve seen and compare your sightings with other birdwatchers in your area.
8. Respect Wildlife and Nature
Maintain a Safe Distance: Always keep a respectful distance from birds and their nests to avoid causing them stress or disturbance.
Leave No Trace: Ensure you do not leave litter or disrupt natural habitats while birdwatching. Preserve the environment for both the birds and other wildlife enthusiasts.
Summary
More Publications from nature
Bird watching is a serene and rewarding hobby that connects enthusiasts with the beauty of nature.
How to Start a Butterfly Garden in Your Backyard
Deep dive into the best 10 hiking trails for beginners in 2024
Feel the power of nature on Your own urban garden
Get familiar with the techniques of growing endangered plants at home
Wildlife friendly garden of Your dreams
Learn how climate change and global warming impact local ecosystems
How to Protect bees - The Role of Bees in Pollination
Indulge into the hidden wonders of forest ecosystem
A Guide for Bird Enthusiasts: How to Identify Common Backyard Birds
Post Views
Add New Comment
please login to add or edit your comment
login nowpost comments
no comments added yet!