Linda's For the Birds: What is that bird at my feeder? - Part 2


House Finch.
Photo credit: Susan Puder © 2010

By Linda Gangi

The last article discussed the benefits of owning a bird identification field guide and several of the most common birds that you should find at your feeder, such as Carolina or Black-capped Chickadee, Northern Cardinal, Tufted Titmouse, Carolina Wren and White-breasted Nuthatch.  Thankfully, there are more than five species of birds that you will see so I wanted to continue discussing the most common ones.

Just as black oil sunflower seeds are a big favorite with our avian friends so too is suet.  
Providing high fat content, a well placed suet cake will attract visitors that probably would not otherwise be enticed to visit the feeder.  

If you are near woods the Downy Woodpecker (6 ½ in.) will not be able to resist a suet cake.  Fitting quite nicely on the average suet cage, this small woodpecker is easy to identify, think black and white.  Its head is black and white stripped, white speckles on black wings and a white patch on its black back along with a white chest and belly will help identify it.  The male has a red patch on the back of its head, whereas the female does not.  When on the suet or a tree the tapping motion of its head should be a dead giveaway.  Now beware, because this bird has a look-alike, the Hairy Woodpecker (9 ½ in.).  Bigger by three inches, the Hairy is not as common. The phrase ‘the downy is diminutive’ may help you to remember that it is the smaller of the two.

About the size of a Hairy, the Red-bellied Woodpecker (9-10 ½ in.) will visit for seeds and suet.  A faint blush of red can sometimes be seen on this birds belly but its defining characteristics are the black and white stripes on its back, a partial red head along with its cheeks, throat, chest and belly being a pale cream color.  Amazingly agile, I spotted one hanging on my suet cage the other day.  Often misunderstood to be the Red-headed Woodpecker by beginners, a quick look in the field guide will make it clear that the two birds look nothing alike.

In my yard, the bird that wins the award for the longest feeder sit is the Song Sparrow (5-6 ½ in).  This little bird hunkers down on my tube feeder sometimes for hours.  I don’t know how it can consume so much and remain so small.  Sparrows in general can be confusing to identify, this one has varying degrees of brown on its upper body, but the markings on its breast is its key identifier.  Look for moderate breast streaking (brown on white) which seems to meld into a brown spot at the center of its chest.  A virtuoso come spring, listen for this bird’s song, you’ll be glad you fed it all winter.  

Our state bird, the American Goldfinch (5 in.) is always a pleasure to see.  Breeding plumage for the male is brilliant yellow with jet black wings, white wing bars and a white rump.  As winter sets in the yellow fades to more of an olive-yellow but it retains its other distinctive markings, just a bit more faded.  The female is much drabber all year round, sort of a washed out version of the male.  To attract finches supply your feeder with Niger seed also known as thistle seed along with sunflower seeds.  You can buy feeders specifically made to hold thistle.  The finches will love you for it.

Lastly, the House Finch (5-5 ½) will add a nice splash of red to your feeder when it visits.   
You can’t help but notice its partially red head, red chest and rump along with brown on white streaking along its sides and belly and that pointy finch beak.  Often confused with the Purple Finch, the House Finch is more common, but the two can be difficult to tell apart without experience.  The male House Finch has more brown on its face. They say that the Purple Finch looks like it was dipped in red.  If I find myself trying to decide which I’m looking at I go with the House Finch, sort of when you see it, you’ll know it.  The female House Finch is overall brown and white stripped, look at the beak and the size and shape, usually the male and female will visit together.  When trying to tell the two different females apart, the Purple Finch has a dark brown mustache and lighter eyebrow.   

All of the birds discussed have been residents but there are quite a few visitors at the feeder during the winter, next time we’ll take a look at a few of these.       


Linda Gangi is an avid birder, environmentalist, and nature lover. She belongs to the Southern Ocean Birding Group, Atlantic Audubon, and New Jersey Audubon. 


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Posted by WILDNEWJERSEY at 12/27/2010 7:00 AM
Categories: Linda's For the Birds
Tags: northern cardinal suet carolina wren tufted titmouse black capped chickadee downy woodpecker hairy woodpecker
 

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