Even though snow still covers much of the country, some birds have started migrating back from the southern states. These birds indicate that the seasons are changing. They bring much needed life to your yard. Here are nine species of birds that arrive well before the official start of spring.
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Red-winged Blackbirds are one of the first bird species to migrate back for the Spring season, arriving as late as early March while there is still wintery weather conditions. In these months, you may only see male blackbirds, as they are the first to arrive, while the females come later. The males will set up breeding territories, calling from marshes and wetlands to identify their territory, sometimes even doing this from roadside ditches. Capturing these male blackbirds is easy, as they are very distinguishable because of their bright red and yellow patchy shoulders. Nesting habitats are preferential for these blackbirds, as they prefer wetlands. This is why backyard bird feeders, especially those that are near wetlands, are easy to visit for these birds. To attract these birds, put out a bird feeder that contains mixed bird food or cracked corn. At the end of winter and early spring, male blackbirds are the first signifying birds that can be seen and the first birds to mark the start of the migration season. To complete their breeding territories, it is common for females to arrive a few weeks after males have.
American Robin
American Robins are often thought to be migratory birds, but this is not the full story. While a large number of robins from the Northern United States fly south for the winter, some robins do not travel as far and simply relocate to a new habitat. These robins will switch from grassy living areas to wooded areas, where they can feed on winter berries year-round. Many assume robins have just come back for the spring and summer seasons, but robins are actually winter residents during this time. Most robins are male. Early robins are searching to claim prime nesting territory. You can welcome robins back by leaving your lawn pesticide-free as they feed on worms in the soil. To help provide food sources during winter, you can plant winterberry hollies & serviceberries in your garden. You can also set up a birdbath. Robins require water all year, and in early spring, the temperatures can still drop and freeze the water. This means they will need a birdbath as a source of water.
Did You Know?
Many robins remain in the same area during winter. Instead of lawns, they move to areas with more trees. Instead of eating earthworms, they eat berries. When you see them 'return' in the spring, they have most likely been only a few miles away the entire winter.
Killdeer
Killdeer are very adaptable shorebirds that come back to open fields, gravel parking lots, and suburban lawns surprisingly early, as soon as late February in southern areas of their range. Killdeer are one of the most recognizable species of plover due to their characteristic double black bands across their chest and their distinct “kill-deer” calls that can be heard from long distances. Killdeer are unique among other shorebirds because they are able to thrive in areas that are heavily disturbed by human activity. They often build their nests in the most surprising locations such as driveways, parking lots, and even on athletic fields. Killdeer are remarkably early migrators because ground nesting birds risk exposure to late spring snowstorms. If you have a gravel road or open lawn areas, there is a good chance you will have nesting Killdeer. They don't come to feeders, but will hunt for insects and other invertebrates in short grass. During nesting season keep your leashed dogs away from the area and give nesting birds space. Killdeer are well known for their broken-wing displays to protect their young.
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Eastern Bluebird
The months of February and March are often the start of the new birding season, with the Eastern Bluebird, especially, becoming a welcomed returnee from migration. Late-winter male Bluebirds end up being a splendid sight as their brilliant backs and rusty chests stand out against a gray-brown landscape. In some areas, the Bluebirds may stay for the winter, or the males may arrive first to defend potential nesting cavities from competitors (House Sparrows and Tree Swallows). To help THESE returning birds, feel free to set up mealworm feeders and bird baths (to defrost naturally) as well as nest boxes to help. These birds may win over the competition for nest box ownership due to their relative lack of competition and defend an area to gather food as Bluebirds are older and slower than those of more typical ages to compete for Bluebird boxes. Bluebirds are older and slower than more typical aged birds to remain more theoretically as well as an area devoid of competition for nesting.
Pro Tip
When installation of Mount bluebird boxes, make sure that the entrances face away from the prevailing winds. Also, pair them at a distance of 5 to 25 feet. The second box allows tree swallows to nest close by without competition with bluebirds.
Dark-eyed Junco
Dark-eyed Juncos may seem like an odd choice to add to the list of birds that are returning, but they spend most of their time in the winter. The tundra birds are wintering migrants of the continental U.S. beginning in late February to the early March time frame. Ending at the U.S.-Canada border, they taper down at the northern U.S. border. This causes interesting turnover at feeders. While some juncos leave, some come through goal directed north. The juncos' numbers can be seen to change and even go up in count during late winter. They are known to be ground feeders and will be found hopping around wherever they can find fallen seeds at the feeders, specifically targeting white proso millet and sunflower seeds. While winter is ending, Juncos will be able to be seen which means they will be leaving soon to go to the forests found further north.
White-throated Sparrow
White-throated Sparrows are winter visitors and demonstrate interesting migration behavior. In late February and early March, while winter is still fully present, these birds will begin migrating north. They are beautiful birds, easily identifiable because of their distinguishable white throats. To add to their identifiability, they sing a song that goes, “Old Sam Peabody-Peabody-Peabody!” They are very, ground feeding birds that, like juncos, scratch the leaf litter and forage for seeds and insects. Some of these birds winter in the southern United States, and so, they start their migration back north surprisingly early. Other white-throated sparrows that overwinter in your area will migrate north towards Canada. White millet, sunflower chips, and cracked corn will attract them to platform feeders, and even to the ground. To attract them even more, create a forage area by maintaining brush piles and leaving leaf litter around the beds of your garden. Even when spring is still a ways off and there is still snow covering the ground, their song is a welcoming reminder that true spring is around the corner.
Tree Swallow
Tree Swallows are some of the most daring migrants, able to return the earliest with some individuals arriving in late February or early March, even when there is a shortage of available food. In addition to their early arrival, these iridescent blue and white birds are notable for their exciting and skillful flying. They are the first swallows to arrive and beat the Barn Swallows by a matter of weeks. Arriving early carries some risk as the cold weather can be lethal and there are often no flying insects. Fortunately, Tree Swallows can survive on bayberries when they are zNot able to eat insects. The males are the first to arrive and they become very competitive for nest cavities, especially those bluebird boxes near the water. If you want to see Tree Swallows, put up some nest boxes in grassy places close to ponds, lakes, and streams, especially if they are on poles with predator guards. Boxes should be placed more than 15 feet apart. Swallows will often be found waiting together on cold mornings until the temperature increases.
Eastern Phoebe
Phoebes are one of the first species of flycatchers to arrive in the spring, coming back the last two weeks of February or in March while the other flycatchers are still in the tropics. These small and plain flycatchers exhibit unique tail movements and have a habit of building nests on ledges, porches, and bridges in the neighborhood. They have a very high endurance for early cold weather than other flycatchers because they have a high flexibility when it comes to hunting and gathering. Male Eastern Phoebes are the first to arrive to the nesting sites and begin singing their burrow, “fee-bee” song from a perch. You can attract Eastern Phoebes by providing nesting sites under eaves, porch lights, and under the railings of your deck. If the nesting season has ended, do not remove a nest beause they are known to return and remodel a nest. To create a good environment for the Eastern Phoebes, avoid using pesticides in your yard, add a water source, and have plenty of flies as they are attracted to hunting areas that are nearby to other watery areas.
Northern Flicker
Northern Flickers are large, attractive woodpeckers. They start returning to their northern breeding areas very early (February or March) before the last snowfalls. Northern Flickers are different from most woodpeckers who peck at tree trunks to eat bugs. Ground feeding Flickers eat ants. As spring starts, temperature changes make ants available, but other bugs are still inaccessible. Flickers are easily spotted because they fly in an undulating pattern, and they have a yellow or red flash under their wings. Some Flickers live in the south all year, but Northern Flickers migrate and claim new territories, or as we say “start the season.” If you want to attract Northern Flickers to your area let dead trees stay when it is safe. They burrow into the soft wood. Northern Flickers also go for bird feeders with suet, peanuts, and sunflowers. Make your yard chemical free so the woodpecker larvae and insects can be available for foraging. They have a unique call that is loud and ringing and they drum rhythmically to claim new areas.
