I've spent over sixty years observing birds in my backyard, which means I have learned a lot about them. I believe grandkids today fail to appreciate the wonders of nature because they spend so much time staring at screens. Here are my lessons about the amazing world of backyard birds.
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Just like humans, birds have specific dietary requirements and particular food preferences. For example, cardinals like sunflower seeds but goldfinches prefer nyjer seeds. Woodpeckers need suet to provide them with enough energy and robins like to eat worms and berries. Knowing more about these dietary needs will assist us in developing habitats that are more inviting to a variety of species.
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2. Birds are Mother Natures Alarm Clocks
The dawn chorus is not just noise, but a natural event that occurs in a very organized way. Each species of bird has its own time to start singing. Robins and thrushes start singing before the sun comes up. This morning concert helps the birds set boundaries for the areas they sing in and helps them find partners.
3. Food Is Not As Important As Water
Birds require fresh water for not only drinking but also bathing in order to keep their feathers clean. A plain birdbath can draw more birds than feeders alone. Foaming water, like a tiny fountain or dripper, can be very enticing to birds and help them find water sources by sounds.
4. Certain Birds Stay In The Same Area All Year Long
Some birds don’t fly south for the winter. Woodpeckers, cardinals, and chickadees stay put. These birds have adapted to the winter weather and have developed strategies to survive the cold and rely on winter food sources. This is why it is important to keep feeders up during the winter.
5. Birds Have Amazing Memory
Birds are capable of recalling the location of food and returning to dependable food sources. Chickadees can remember thousands of seed hiding places and hummingbirds never forget a flower they have visited. These birds remarkable memory assists in their survival and illustrates the extent of animal intelligence.
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6. Birds Are Attracted to Native Plants
The local native plants offer natural food and shelter that birds know instinctively. Berries, seeds, and the insects that these plants attract are critical for the survival of many birds. An individual oak tree can host hundreds of different species of birds as well as other wildlife.
7. Birds Help Our Gardens Grow
Birds are great pollinators and pest controllers and make positive contributions to ecosystems. They eat harmful bugs, and their seed dispersing helps seed growth. One family of Chickadees can eat about 9000 insects in one breeding season. Because of this, they are invaluable to gardens.
8. Each Bird Has a Special Role
Every species of bird has its own specific place and purpose in nature. For example, woodpeckers make homes for other cavity-nesting birds, and hummingbirds assist in the pollination of flowers. Hawks, on the other hand, are a critical part of nature’s rodent control. Learning about the different services that birds provide can help us to appreciate the magnitude of the ecosystem.
9. Bird Songs Have Meaning
Bird song is not done for entertainment and each one has different meanings. They may sing to warn other birds of danger. They might also sing to attract a mate, or defend a territory. Understanding these different sounds can better explain what is happening in the ecosystem around us.
10. Bird Behavior Changes Due to Seasonal Changes
Every season, birds demonstrate behavioral changes. During the spring, they start nesting and get more territorial. In the summer, there is an increase in activity because they have to feed their young. As fall approaches, some species begin getting ready to migrate. In the winter, the focus shifts to survival. Knowing the seasonal behavioral changes allows proper assistance to be given throughout the year.
11. Birds Need Safe Spaces
Birds are in serious danger because of things like window collisions, outdoor cats, and pesticides. If we provide safe spaces for birds where we place feeders and add window decals or outdoor shelters in their habitats, we can help protect our feathered friends and help them survive.
12. Nesting Is a Crucial Time
Birds need extra protection and resources during nesting season. Various species create different types of nests in trees, birdhouses, or on the ground. Helping birds build protective shelters for their young can be as simple as providing nesting materials like twigs, grass, and pet fur.
13. Clean Feeders Save Bird Lives
The spread of disease among birds can be prevented by regularly cleaning feeder. A dirty feeder can spread infection to birds. Wet or moldy seed can also make birds sick. Teaching children how to maintain feeders teaches them about the responsibility of feeding wildlife.
14. Every Bird Is Special
All species of birds posses individual qualities that give them their own special charm. The little humming bird can hover, and the blue jay is smart enough to hide food and retrieve them later. These things show us the different ways nature can create life. and teaching children to appreciate these differences gives them respect for any form of life.
15. Birds Connect Us to Nature
Bird watching is a great activity to learn more about nature. In today's highly digital world, bird watching teaches kids to directly observe their surroundings, which helps them learn and develop patience. This arms-on observation of nature helps kids develop an appreciation for wildlife and a desire to conserve it.
