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Orphaned Birds: What To Do?
Written by Bill Thompson, III, Jun 24, 2020 Comments »
At this time of year, the bird population seems to boom, with our woods, marshes, fields, and backyards teeming with abundant birdlife. This is because throngs of newly hatched birds are taking to the streets—or, trees, rather—and they are showing up at a backyard or birding spot near you. But what should you do if you find an orphan hopping around? Read this article for tips.
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Ask Birdsquatch: Bird Nests and Fur?
Written by Birdsquatch, May 20, 2020 Comments »

Dear Birdsquatch:

My girlfriend and I have been saving our cats' fur from their brush so we can put it out for birds who are building nests. What's the best way to attract birds to our balcony so that they can find and use it? What's the best receptacle for the fur?

—David F.,
Minneapolis, Minnesota

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Ask Birdsquatch: Wood Duck Boxes
Written by Birdsquatch, Mar 18, 2020 Comments »

Dear Birdsquatch: I want to put up some wood duck boxes in my large, wooded backyard. However the nearest body of water (a wooded pond in a county park) is more than a half-mile away from my property. Am I being foolish? Do I need to ask permission to put the boxes on the park property where the pond is?

—Dawn, Who is Desirous of Ducks
Lawton, Oklahoma

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Ask Birdsquatch: Furry Enlightenment
Written by Birdsquatch, Mar 04, 2020 Comments »

Hey Furball:

I want to give the birds some natural nesting material this spring. Can I put out the long gray hairs that were just cut from my head? I decided it was time to lose the mullet. I’m looking for enlightenment here. You’re so hairy I figured you’d know.

—Dandy Dan
Hattiesburg, Mississippi

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Dear Birdsquatch: Is It OK to Check Bird Nests?
Written by Birdsquatch, Jul 18, 2018 Comments »
Dear Birdsquatch: I want to be a good landlord to my nesting birds. Is it OK to check on the progress of the nests or will I disturb the birds?
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Top Ten Nest Box Tips
Written by Bill Thompson, III, Apr 11, 2018 Comments »
So you want to be a landlord to the birds, eh? Well, it's not as easy as falling off a log. It's no accident that the most diligent landlords often have the highest rates for fledging healthy young birds. The good news is that diligence as a bird landlord need not be painful or overly difficult. Below are my Top Ten Nest Box Tips for backyard landlords.
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Dear Birdsquatch: Nest Box Dilemma!
Written by Birdsquatch, Feb 28, 2018 Comments »
Dear Birdsquatch: I have put up nearly a dozen bluebird boxes along my rural road over the past five years. I've seen bluebirds on them and even going in, but I have yet to see any baby bluebirds, despite watching the boxes on a regular basis. I haven't looked inside them because I don't want to scare them away. Am I doing something wrong?
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Birdsquatch: Bird Feeding and Housing
Written by Birdsquatch, May 01, 2017 Comments »
WBB's very own bigfoot, who knows what birds want more than any mere human, addresses housing and feeding: Is it OK to feed birds in the summer? And when is the right time to put out a birdhouse? Good timing on both answers, big guy!
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Ask Birdsquatch: Backyard Murder Mystery—Who Poked Holes in These Birds' Eggs?
Written by Birdsquatch, Apr 17, 2017 Comments »
A reader finds an empty chickadee nest and six eggs pierced through, lying on the ground. Could another bird be the culprit? Birdsquatch offers his insight on this backyard murder mystery.
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Help Birds in Spring: Supply Nest-building Necessities
Posted on Mar 04, 2016 Comments »
Spring is the start of the breeding season for most of our North American birds. They pair up with mates, build nests, lay eggs, raise young, and then some of them repeat the cycle—as many as three times. There are things you can do to help!
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House Wren Nesting Material
Posted on Sep 08, 2015 Comments »
Have you ever looked at house wren nesting material? After a pair of house wrens left his backyard nesting box, contributor Greg C. Greer had an opportunity to study the materials they used. What he found surprised him.
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Weird Nests
Posted on May 21, 2015 Comments »
Not all birds make neat, cup-shaped nests, or carve out hollows in trees. Some use unusual materials and make truly odd creations.
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The Latest Comments

  • Re: How do Birds Keep Warm in Cold Winter Weather?
    I understand that the ducks' blood vessel arrangement in their feet is to provide the benefits of the counter-current heat exchanger mechanism; returning cold venous blood from the feet is warmed by the descending warm arterial blood, preventing excess heat loss by the feet and avoiding cold blood from chilling the body. This means that the feet are cold, not warm.
    by Frank Barch, Sat, 02 Jan 2021
  • Re: Ask Birdsqatch: Feeder Marauders » Watching Backyard Birds.com
    I have the same situation. The feeder is attached to the middle of a large picture window that goes ceiling to floor w/ no ledge or sill for animals to climb or balance. Yet every morning all the sunflower seeds have been cracked open and hulls left. Any ideas what it is?
    by Liza Fox, Sun, 15 Nov 2020
  • Re: Ask Birdsqatch: Feeder Marauders » Watching Backyard Birds.com
    I have a bird feeder that sticks to my window and I've been hearing noises against the window at night right now its going on. But whatever it is it is aware of me. And when I get to window it leaves.I can't imagine a squirrel or mouse or possom being able to get at it. ...So as I was reading this article im to assume no bird eats at night. Or no birds will eat at night. Why is that? Then im also thinking of a sinereo that could a lost confused bird eat at night. This eating thing is watching meI turn out the light go there noise dissappears..Thank you.
    by Nosferatu, Thu, 05 Nov 2020
  • Re: Ask Birdsqatch: Feeder Marauders » Watching Backyard Birds.com
    I have metal baffles (cones) on my pole for my bird feeders. Something is still tempting them at night. What else could it be? Deer???
    by Ella Spencer Connolly, Thu, 27 Aug 2020
  • Re: Only True Love Stills the Mockingbird » Watching Backyard Birds.com
    I found where he lives, then I keep him up all day by singing at full volume! Hah, that'll show the little sucker!
    by Pike Juan, Tue, 11 Aug 2020
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