Our winter birds

The small flock of American Goldfinches (spinus tristis) that have been eating about $10 worth of niger seeds a week at my feeders have finally departed. I have considered claiming them as dependents but I doubt if they would qualify, even under a sponsorship program.

These finches had spent the warm summer months raising a family and bartering cheery songs for a few seeds, so it was with sadness that I saw the last of them head for more southern climes. A number of them left on November 3, but one family was reluctant to leave, perhaps being of the genus Kerrius.

While I still have my woodpeckers, nuthatches, chickadees and numerous squirrels to feed, I thought I might review my bird book to see if I could attract some of our other winter birds. I visited Burrows Country and Garden Store where they have first-hand knowledge of birds and their feeding habits, although I am sure Laporte's also knows about these birds as they do feed their feathered friends along with the pet deer.

One should know a little about the habits and habitat of our winter birds (avis politatus genus North Bay) in order to feed them properly. Winter is a tough time for our birds since most food gets buried under the ice and snow. Some birds hide food away, setting up reserves for tough times, but others must fend for seeds in the forest or at bird feeders set up by taxpayers. Herewith a list of feeding suggestions for your consideration:

Evening Grosbeak (hesperiphona vespertina MMXX): Recognized by its brilliant yellow breast, this very social bird comes into the urban area in winter to feed around town. This well-known bird can easily be attracted to your feeder with the large striped sunflower seeds. Amongst wildlife photographers, this is a prize species to have at your feeder. The male Evening Grosbeak retains its bright colour all year round, while the female is not quite as colourful except in the vocalizing department.

White Crossbill (Loxia leucoptera pecunius): The crossbill's name does not come from its attitude towards other birds, but from its beak. This interesting species has crossed mandibles that are perfect tools for finding and picking seeds from the cones of our coniferous forests. It can be identified by the prominent white bars on its wing plumage. When heard in a chorus from a flock its calls become an easily recognized chatter of cheet, cheet. The Crossbill will feed on the small black sunflower seeds but prefers niger seed.

Pine Siskin (spinus pinus aviarius): This small finch is heavily streaked with a touch of yellow on its wings. The streaked breast distinguishes it from the winter goldfinches. While it habitats both conifer and deciduous forests it dislikes Jack Pines. It seems to enjoy flying quickly through trees displaying its aerial skills to other birds. Niger and canola seed are favourite foods.

Pine Grosbeak (pinicola enucleator enuntiatio): Not sighted as often as the Evening grosbeak, this finch also will feed around town, preferring the large sunflower seeds. The warbled song suggests that of the purple finch but is less energetic and shorter. The Latin 'enucleator' suggests a clear enunciation, a recognized trait of this bird when it chatters.

Mourning Dove (zenaidura macroura funus): Thankfully, this ground-feeding bird that is becoming an over-winterer does not continue with its mournful cooing during the winter. This bird is in fact very quiet except when taking flight when its wings create a whistling sound. It prefers cracked corn, oats and granola seed spread on the ground. The Mourning Dove is smaller and shier than the Rock Dove, but a good addition at the feeder.

Purple Finch (carpodacus purpureus curatio): Looking like it has been dipped in raspberry juice the male is very noticeable at your feeder. The female lacks this colouring and can be confused with other finches or sparrows. Shelled sunflower chips are a favourite of this bird although it will take the time to shell its own seeds. The female can be confused with the crossbill although it has entirely different habits.

Rose-breasted Grosbeak (pheucticus ludovicianus conservator): This member of the grosbeak family is easily recognized by its flashing white-spotted wings in flight, and of course by its prominent red or rose breast patch. Like the evening grosbeak, it comes into the urban area to feed during winter, but prefers Conservation areas in summer. It will eat sunflower chips, striped sunflower and even the small black sunflower seeds. It is known to sometimes chase smaller birds away from the feeder.

Barred Owl (strix varia querulus): The occasional Who? Who? heard in early evening marks the presence of the barred owl. While you may think that ëbarringí owls from the feeding area would be a good thing for the other birds, I find a barred owl an interesting addition to my feeder. This owl, with its ability to move its head from left to right, almost in a circle, feeds at night when the other birds have gone to roost. I spread oats and small seeds under the feeders to attract mice, which unwisely, come out at night.

Blue Jay (cyanocitta cristata eloquor): These bright jays seem to know everything that is going on around my feeder. They are quick to spot the squirrelís peanuts, will eat cracked corn and even crusts of pizza. They are the first to spot trouble, in the form of cats, and will cry out to warn other birds of approaching danger. Their brilliant blue plumage is a welcome at the feeder.

House Sparrow (passer domesticus alearius): This urban sparrow should not be confused with the similarly marked English sparrow. The 'chirp' of the later is distinctly different from the 'churrrrrrp' of the house sparrow. Easily attracted by small seeds of any kind, this little bird will clean up all the scraps left by others in an effort to be tidy and fastidious. A very social bird, it mixes well with other birds at the feeder.

Rock Dove (columa livia argumentatrix): Disparagingly called a pigeon by many, this dove is a voracious eater that will eat corn (cracked or whole), any seeds, even those as small as the niger seed and all table scraps. The rock dove is clearly an opportunist that does not hesitate to join other birds at the feeder. Some people have tried soaking corn in rye or rum to get these birds drunk in the hope that they will stay away, but this ploy backfires and more pigeons will appear.

There are a couple of other winter birds that may visit your feeder but both the crow and its bigger cousin, the raven (corvus politicus), seem to have business elsewhere. Their caws and cronks can be heard early in the morning or at dusk, about the time the daily news is reported from Sudbury, Toronto or Ottawa. Leftovers from the household table would be the most likely food to attract these birds to your feeders but they may dominate the smaller local birds.

Bald Eagle (haliaetus leucocephalus bushus): There is rumour (Parrish the thought) that an American bald eagle may be visiting the province soon. This large aggressive bird prefers the softwood forests and clean water, but it will hover over sandy areas, and is known to roost on oil well derricks. Soaring high in the sky overhead, the eagle would seem to be a threat to birds invading its area, but it is in fact more of a scavenger than hunter.

It is not easy being a bird, especially in winter. Throw them a few seeds this winter to keep them around until spring.