by DJ Featherton
During this isolation period at home, I have kept in steady contact with several close friends. The conversation seems to resort to what family things we can do besides putting puzzles together, cooking and eating, and binge-watching watching TV. I’ve mentioned my backyard birding enjoyment, but these families are not birders. Then I got a call asking how to get birds to a feeder and asking what birds would they see. Oh boy! Now I have two family friends asking me how to start up a little bird watching in their backyard.
Feeling slightly challenged for promising some fun and success, I suggested they order up some basics. In a few days each family had a shepherd’s hook, a hanging feeder, a small platform feeder, and several kinds of seed. Added to this is a Sibley’s Field Guide and a pair of binoculars. Expectations were high, kids were excited, and everyone was looking for overnight success. My instructions were to make a list of what they see even if they don’t know what it is. I then gave them a heads-up list of six of the most common birds to expect, and their descriptions. There was a sense of competition to see who would identify all six birds first. And so the fun began!
My list begins with the Northern Cardinal. Probably the most easy to attract, and most beautiful bird to spend time at your feeder. The male is a striking red with a black mask and flashy crest on his head. The female is a buffy tan with a red crest, red wings and tail. These birds may be the most popular of all the common backyard birds.
The Blue Jay. The Jay is a bit larger than most and is beautifully blue and white. They have long tail feathers, a handsome crest, and a fancy black necklace. Who can miss that? They are also high on the pecking order as they take over the feeder, fill their mouth, then leave to finish elsewhere. They’re loud, bossy, and have a commanding presence. Males and females look the same. Some birders don’t like their strong personality, but their striking beauty can’t be denied.
The American Goldfinch. These small bright yellow birds with a spiffy black cap and black wings come in groups and are impossible not to entertain and impress. It’s not uncommon to have six or eight or more of these beauties at the feeder at once. The female is yellow, but not as bright as the male and has no black cap. In the fall as the sun gets shorter, these birds turn an olive/tan color with black wings with a white bar. In spring, they’re back to bright yellow in just a few days. These birds are a treat to see, and will liven up any backyard feeder.
The Black-capped Chickadee. This is a little grayish tan bird with a distinctive black cap, white cheeks, black chin, and a tiny beak. Their non-aggressive nature and sweet “chickadee dee dee” song make them a simple pleasure to have at the feeder. With patience, I’ve had Chickadees eat seeds off my hat and from my hands. Every feeder needs a Black-capped or Carolina Chickadee! That’s my rule!
The Red-bellied Woodpecker. This is another personal favorite of mine. Woodpeckers like suet at the feeder. They are non-aggressive and don’t bother other birds, and other birds don’t bother them. The Red-belly has a bright red neck and crown. Their face and body are tan, and their back and wings are a beautiful black and white check. The female is similar with red on her neck, but not the crown. Though it’s hard to see, they have a faint patch of red on their belly. Hence, their name. This is a wonderful bird to see anywhere, especially at your feeder.
The Tufted Titmouse. This bird must be included because they will be at the feeder no matter what! Even though they are not brightly colored, they have a beauty of their own. The Tufted Titmouse is grayish with white underparts and tan sides under the wing. They are small birds, but well distinguished by their large crest and black forehead. Even more distinguishing is their loud, but pleasant and constant “Peter Peter Peter” calling as they busily fly from feeder to bush. You have to love these guys!
No, the birds didn’t show up overnight, but there were more and more as the weeks wore on. There were lots of calls asking questions about what they had seen. Well, with their descriptions, some I could tell, but for others, who knows?? Lots of laughing, lots of arguing, and lots of fun!. Everyone was gettin’ into it and my six birds were starting to show up. A Red-Bellied hasn’t appeared, but it sounds like a Downy Woodpecker may have made a stop by. Everyone already knew the Cardinal, so he stole the show every time he showed up. The list each family is making is growing with Cardinals and Chickadees, a Tufted Titmouse, Mourning Doves and a Crow, Red-winged Blackbirds and a bunch of little brown birds! Hmm?
I’m having a great time helping everyone and really enjoying watching the kids getting hooked on backyard birding! Seems our isolation time has taken a turn better!
