Spring Backyard Bird Feeding Tips

Tips from Connor Fox on what to expect from backyard bird feeding during the spring!

Migration

  • 400 species of birds partake in either full or partial migrations
    • Birds know when to migrate based on length of daylight
  • Dark-eyed Juncos, White-crowned Sparrows, and White-throated Sparrows will depart north for the summer
  • Our beloved Ruby-throated Hummingbirds will begin to arrive
    • In preparation for early migrants it's best to have your feeder up by April 15th
    • Remember to keep hummingbird feeders spread out because they are quite aggressive and will guard feeders
  • Make your yard appealing to migrant birds by providing the following: moving water, brush piles, bark butter, and suet.
    • Add moving water to your yard with water wigglers or fountain bubblers
    • Plant native species of fruiting or seeding plants
  • March is a good time to offer food, as their natural food supplies are at their lowest
  • Migrant birds that will start returning include:
    • Ruby-throated Hummingbirds
    • Baltimore Orioles
    • Chipping Sparrows
    • Rose-breasted Grosbeaks (only passing through)
    • Scarlet & Summer Tanagers
    • Many species of Warblers
    • Indigo Buntings
    • Common Grackles
    • Brow-headed Cowbirds
    • Red-winged Blackbirds
  • Goldfinches will start molting to their highlighter yellow breeding plumage. Some are very bright by the end of March
  • As the seasons change it is a good time to clean your feeders to clean out any residue that built up during the colder months

 

Nesting

  • By the end of February Chickadees and Bluebirds are checking out potential nesting sites
  • Primary cavity nesters - make their own homes, but may use nest boxes if readily available
    • ex: woodpeckers
  • Secondary cavity nesters - use existing cavities. Cavities that were excavated by woodpeckers or are naturally occurring
    • ex: bluebirds, chickadees, titmice, etc
  • There are three type of nest boxes
    • Functional
      • Fit the needs of the species that will be using it to nest in & can be mounted in a way that is safe for the birds
    • Functional-decorative
      • Functional houses that are painted or decorated. May not have all the features of a good nest box.
    • Decorative
      • Not functional houses. Should be used as decoration inside
  • There are nine features of a good nest box:
    1. Good ventilation and insulation
    2. At least one panel that opens & closes for easy clean out/pest removal
    3. Adequate drainage
    4. Roof overhang that provides shade and protection from driving rain
    5. No perch
    6. Made out of safe, appropriate durable materials
    7. No paint or stain
    8. Rough interior
    9. Easy mounting
  • The position of the nest box can be used to target different birds
    • A nest box placed on or near a woodline can be more appealing to wrens, chickadees, nuthatches, downys, and titmice
    • A box placed in an open field appeals more to bluebirds and swallows
  • Only 20% of birds survive their first year and only 12.5% of those make it to their second year
  • Feeders only supplement about 10% - 20% of a bird's diet
    • Feeders tend to supplement more in the early spring when their natural food sources are their scarcest
  • Feeding while birds are nesting has been shown to increase the success of fledgling birds
  • Nesting material can be provided
    • Plant fluff, dry grass, twigs, bark strips, pine needles, etc
    • Nesting materials can be offered in empty suet cages, in open baskets, or even in plies on the ground
  • Most species of birds have multiple broods per nesting season
    • It's not too late to put up a nest box until the fall