This season's articles (Excerpted from our printed newsletter):
The Red Crossbill
The Red Crossbill is a medium sized finch
(about 5.25-6.5") with red orange body, red rump and dark
brown wings. The bill is dark and crossed at the tip, his tail is
notched. The female has a yellow-orange crown and rump, olive green body with gray-brown wings and tail. They are often referred to as "winter finches." They are seen in our area mainly during the winter months although some may stay year round.Biologists say there are as many as nine species each with a different call. They each recognize their own kind and they do not cross-breed.
The crossed mandibles of the bill of these unusual birds are specialized for opening pinecones, as pinecones and seeds are their main food preferences. Holding the cone with one foot, the bird inserts its closed bill between the cone and the scales, pries the scales apart by opening its bill, and extracts the seed with its flexible tongue. It is when the fledglings are learning to extract conifer seeds for themselves that the tips of both top and bottom bills begin growing. When the birds begin to pry the top bill sideways, it always twists the bill in the same direction. The upper mandible always curves down and the lower mandible curves up. Working through the pine trees they often dangle upside down like a parrot to reach cones. They rely primarily on conifer seeds as their food source and when the cone supply fails, the crossbills are forced to flock outside their normal range in seach of food. Because their favorite foods are more abundant during the winter, they often begin nesting in January, but have been found nesting in every month of the year.
Winter Bird-Bathing
Most birds habitually drink and bathe during the winter, regardless of the severities of weather, as long as open water is available. But if none is to be found, drinking requirements are usually satisfied by pecking at ice and eating snow. A noted authority on birds once observed a flock of Cedar Waxwings repeatedly flying back and forth from their perches in a tree as if they were catching insects. But it was a cold wintry day and snowing. Upon taking a closer look through binoculars, the Waxwings were seen catching snowflakes in midair! Birds end up wasting valuable energy (up to 12 times as much), by using their own body heat to warm up the snow and ice they eat.
Birds need to bathe even in frosty weather. Maintaining their plumage in peak condition is crucial to their survival. By not bathing, both their flight efficiency and their insulation will be impaired and this will cost them dearly in wasted energy.
To guarantee birds access to water, keep the birdbath free of ice. It's easiest to do this by using a heated birdbath or by installing an electric, submersible heater designed for use in a non-heated birdbath. They don't use much electricity, are safe for the birds, and keep the water just above freezing. The best heaters are thermostatically controlled and are SA approved. We have a selection of both heated birdbaths and submersible units to choose from. With the proper care and attention to your birdbath, you can attract and enjoy birds year round. Please don't hesitate to call us if you have further questions.
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