BBN S7:E08 - Eggshells for Birds, Fewer Cardinals, Brown-headed Cowbirds, Photo Contest Winners
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- Опубликовано: 10 апр 2023
- It’s the time of year when I start adding cooked eggshells to my seed mix as an extra bit of calcium for the birds. You can also scatter them on the ground for birds who don’t spend much time at feeders. Dr. Bird discusses a question from John Petrus about why he is seeing fewer and fewer Northern Cardinals at his feeders and then shares an interesting report about how many ‘other’ chicks need to be in a nest for Cowbird chicks to thrive. And a little more info on Brown-headed Cowbirds on Bird Alphabet.
Photo Contest:
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More about Brome:
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I would suggest a “Mass” of Cardinals.
I totally agree, Edith! I have many Grackles who congregate on and under my feeder. I would never discourage them. The other birds I have, even the timid Painted Buntings seem to find plenty of time at the feeder.
I am TN and we get large groups all year long. Probably 20 or more.
6:33 I also have a large amount of Grackles and cow birds. I just counted at least 10 + males and females in my yard. They are eating all my suet. Thanks for letting me know, I will discourage them from visiting.
You suggest the crushed eggshells in with seed at this time of year but don’t say why. What is the reason?
It make the eggshells stronger when they lay eggs.
I'm sorry Deborah, eggshells provide calcium which nesting birds need.
I am thinking it should be a Galero of Cardinals...............
I'm trying to find a baltimore oriole feeder which is squirrel-proof. Any suggestions?
Unfortunately, there are none on the market...
@@BBNBromeBirdNews Thanks. I continue to enjoy your "news letter."
@@georgedahlman3699 Thank you! We'll keep you posted if we ever come up with a squirrel-proof Oriole feeder... Take care, Tatsiana!
I disagree with the notion of discouraging Brown-headed Cowbirds from visiting your yard. Who are we to disapprove the nature of procreation that has evolved to provide reproductive success to any animal? This behaviour has been around longer than our emotional need to control that which we don't like. I suggest welcoming all birds to your yard, including the raptors that may feed on the other visitors, resist the desire to interfere, and learn from your observations. It may be uncomfortable at times.
We totally understand you but we are trying to follow what Cornell recommends. Here's why (from Cornell): "Originally Cowbirds were limited to short-grass plains, where they followed herds of North American Bison (Bison bison) and fed on the insects stirred up by their movement. The Brown-headed Cowbird has since dispersed widely as European settlement in North America opened forests and homogenized the environment into the agricultural and suburban landscapes of today. The expansion of the Brown headed Cowbird has exposed new species and naive populations to brood parasitism, and the pressure on such host populations can be substantial... they destroy the eggs and young of smaller songbirds and have been implicated in the decline of several endangered species, including Kirtland's Warbler and Black-capped Vireo."