Are your birds panting?
In many places it’s hot -- too hot for birds to be very active during the midday hours. You might have noticed your backyard birds literally panting. Like a dog, they open their beaks wide and breathe in and out quickly, allowing the exhaled air to carry away some body heat. Some birds also vibrate their throats rapidly, which can aid in cooling. Another sign that a bird is overheated is when it holds its wings away from the body, in addition to panting and/or vibrating the throat. (Hyperthermia is not the only reason birds might hold their wings out.)
Cool water
How do birds like to cool off? A “plunge” into some cool, refreshing water is just the thing! This is one more reason why a bird bath or other water feature is such an important component of your backyard bird-scape.
But birdbaths can get pretty skanky in summer, can’t they? Tepid, green scum water is not much more appealing to a hot bird than it would be to a hot human. The best way to reduce algal build-up is simply to empty, rinse and refill your birdbath every couple of days. Scrub with a stiff brush when needed. And for really heavy-duty “scum-busting” try one part white vinegar to four parts water, give or take a bit. Never use harsh chemicals in your birdbath.
Don’t “myth” out on warm-weather feeding
The old saw that feeding birds in the summer is bad for them is a total myth -- and not very well-considered at that! Young birds, just learning how to survive and feed themselves, benefit greatly from well-stocked feeders full of nutritious seeds like safflower and black-oil sunflower. Likewise, many adult birds are still feeding hungry young and can use a quick snack to supplement their diet. (Don’t forget that many birds raise two or even three or more broods during a breeding season if they can.)
And if you let your feeders sit empty in summer it’s not just the birds that are missing out. You’re missing out on the fun, engaging and interesting interactions among newly fledged birds and their parents. Begging juvies are “wicked cute” as we say in New England, with all their peeping and fluttering. You can even learn to recognize some species’ special begging calls. I bet that, like me, you’ll instinctively know what sounds mean “begging.” These are ancient rhythms that run deep in our DNA, too!
In fact, don’t just fill your feeders in summer -- amp up your feeding program! Toss in some mealworms, which so many birds love (literally) to pieces. And how about some grape jelly for fruit-eating birds like Baltimore Oriole and Gray Catbird? You can also find (or possibly make yourself, though I’m not sure how) special suet formulations that resist going rancid.
Hummin’ along
We all know that summertime is Hummer time! If you feed the hummers you’re hopefully enjoying a delightful show out there. Just a reminder: keep those hummer feeders freshly filled -- every three to four days -- with a mix of one part white sugar to four parts water. No more, no less! And that especially means no red dye!
Of course, ants, bees, wasps. orioles and who knows what else love yummy sugar water, too. Not that I’m an expert on the subject, but to point you toward some helpful info see my prior blog post here: view link Dining al fresco
Less than enthused about mowing your lawn at this point in the year? Why not leave some of it unmowed to provide natural food and cover for birds and other wildlife? Fall migrant songbirds like sparrows are especially grateful for these little oases on their long and dangerous journeys south. American and Lesser Goldfinches (and Lawrence’s Goldfinches, too, if you’re lucky enough to see them now) are also especially appreciative of grass and thistle seeds.
For the birds that have everything
If a mere birdbath isn’t “doing it” for your feathered friends, check out misters and drippers -- the freshest and most enticing sources of water a bird could dream of! Nothing attracts birds like the sound of dripping water, particularly in dry areas. Many birds don’t eat seed, but they all need to drink and bathe. Hummingbirds, for instance, go absolutely bonkers over misters. So these wonderments might very likely bring some new species to your yard.
May these “dog days” of summer be “bird days” for you, Eons birders!
Peace and good birding,
Scott Cronenweth
Eons birding mentor
www.naturalpathwalks.com
