My advisory students are participating in Project FeederWatch, which is a winter-long survey of birds that visit our feeders.
They are "Feeder Watchers" and they periodically count the birds they see at our feeders now through early April and send this data to Project FeederWatch. This data helps scientists track the movements of winter bird populations and provides them with long-term trends in bird distribution and abundance. Project FeederWatch is through the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Bird Studies of Canada. To get more information visit: http://feederwatch.org/ |
Tufted TitmouseThis little gray bird is found in deciduous forests and is a frequent visitor to our feeders. When a titmouse finds a large seed, we see them carry their "prize" to a perch and then crack it open with sharp whacks of its bill.
Both male and femal tufted titmice have gray bodies with orange or buff underparts and a small crest, or tuft, on the head. They also have black forehead patches, |
The American Gold Finch This is a popular bird in our feeder that are filled with nyjer/thistle seed or sunflower seed.
They are about 5 inches in size, the male changes from a yellowish brown, with light yellow on the face and chin, wings black with white bars. In summer, the male has a bright yellow body, black cap, wings and tail. The females are yellowish green with black wings and tail during summer, changing to a grayish brown with very little yellow and dark brown wings with white wing bars in winter. |
House SparrowsThese birds are found wherever there are houses or other buildings. These birds are one of the most common birds found in our feeders. Unfortunately, they have a tendency to displace native birds from nest boxes which makes them not one of our favorite birds.
The male House Sparrows are brightly colored birds with gray heads, white cheeks, and a black bib. In cities you may see some that are dull and grubby. Females are a plain brown overall with dingy gray-brown under parts. Their backs are noticeably striped with buff, black, and brown |