 |
| From a Painting by Henry Bright |
FROM YOUNG OBSERVERS: The Bird Story
(From Bird Lore Magazine, 1913)
My mother and I take great interest in the birds. There have been a number of doves that have lived in our barn, and Mr. G.'s this winter. I have fed them bread crumbs many times, and they are such pretty birds one can not help but like them.
Auntie and I have had a piece of meat hanging on a tree, so that the birds could help themselves to it. The birds will come and peck away at it, and they seem to enjoy it so much, and I have spent lots of time watching them. We had cups of water for them to drink out of until it got to be such cold weather.
Auntie and I have had a piece of meat hanging on a tree, so that the birds could help themselves to it. The birds will come and peck away at it, and they seem to enjoy it so much, and I have spent lots of time watching them. We had cups of water for them to drink out of until it got to be such cold weather.
One Sunday morning I saw a little Nuthatch go into a bird house and get its breakfast, and then it came out again. They are such nice birds, I think. I have seen a Woodpecker several times. They like to pick up the crumbs, too. I have seen just one Robin this winter. There have been so many Sparrows that I think they have kept the other birds away, but I have fed them, for I didn't like to see them hungry. Lots of them pick away at the meat every day.
I have so much enjoyed feeding the birds and watching them eat, this winter, that I shall try and see how much I can do for them after this.
I have so much enjoyed feeding the birds and watching them eat, this winter, that I shall try and see how much I can do for them after this.
--by Gertrude M. Young (aged 9). Third grade.
***
It's just as much fun to watch the birds today as it was in 1913!
Although many birds fly south to warmer climates for the winter, a number of our feathered friends remain here throughout the coldest months of the year. Songbirds that spend the winter in the Northern and Mid-Atlantic U.S. include cardinals, blue jays, black-capped and Carolina chickadees, and downy woodpeckers. Canada geese, turkey vultures, red-tailed hawks, and many varieties of ducks, can also be seen at this time of year.
To survive the cold, many birds have developed remarkable adaptations. The feathers which cover a bird's body help to protect it from the elements. The outer contour feathers provide protection from wind, rain and snow, while the fluffy under layer of down feathers acts as insulation against the cold.
Birds are often seen preening. In preening, oil that is secreted by a special gland at the base of a bird's tail is spread by the beak or bill over the outer feathers, helping to protect them from wind and water. Some birds also puff themselves up, which acts as a warming mechanism. By using muscular movements to control the position of their feathers, birds create pockets of warm air near the skin, which act as insulation.
Chickadees have an interesting adaptation which helps them to conserve energy. Their body temperature drops about 12-15 degrees overnight, which reduces their rate of fat consumption by about 25%
Since a bird's legs have no feathers, the arteries and veins in the legs of many birds work in a way that provides protection from the cold. In these birds, the arteries and veins of the legs remain in contact with each other, and the warm arterial blood from the heart conducts heat to the cool blood of the veins.
There is less food available to birds in the winter, but birds that can switch from a diet of insects to a diet of seeds are able to find food. Feeding birds in the winter helps them to survive this harsh time of year, and putting up bird feeders is an excellent way to attract beautiful birds to your yard. Just a word of caution: unwanted guests such as squirrels, mice and raccoons may also come looking for food.
In the above passage from 1913, a piece of meat was hung out for the birds. Giving birds leftover food is not recommended today, as it can breed bacteria and even cause the birds to become sick. Also, preservatives and artificial ingredients in foods such as bacon can be harmful to birds as well. Very salty foods, such as salted peanuts, are also not recommended for birds.
The following is a traditional recipe for Scandinavian Seed Cakes, adapted from Sunshine Magazine, December 1964. The original called for bacon fat, but lard or suet is a better choice.
The people in the Scandinavian Countries have a custom of giving gifts to the animals and birds at Christmas time. These people have been making a special bird treat for hundreds of years. It is easy to make and will delight the birds. To make:
 |
| Cardinal -Photo by Henry Doerksen (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) |
To survive the cold, many birds have developed remarkable adaptations. The feathers which cover a bird's body help to protect it from the elements. The outer contour feathers provide protection from wind, rain and snow, while the fluffy under layer of down feathers acts as insulation against the cold.
Birds are often seen preening. In preening, oil that is secreted by a special gland at the base of a bird's tail is spread by the beak or bill over the outer feathers, helping to protect them from wind and water. Some birds also puff themselves up, which acts as a warming mechanism. By using muscular movements to control the position of their feathers, birds create pockets of warm air near the skin, which act as insulation.
Chickadees have an interesting adaptation which helps them to conserve energy. Their body temperature drops about 12-15 degrees overnight, which reduces their rate of fat consumption by about 25%
Since a bird's legs have no feathers, the arteries and veins in the legs of many birds work in a way that provides protection from the cold. In these birds, the arteries and veins of the legs remain in contact with each other, and the warm arterial blood from the heart conducts heat to the cool blood of the veins.
 |
| Chickadee- Photo by Donna Dewhurst (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) |
There is less food available to birds in the winter, but birds that can switch from a diet of insects to a diet of seeds are able to find food. Feeding birds in the winter helps them to survive this harsh time of year, and putting up bird feeders is an excellent way to attract beautiful birds to your yard. Just a word of caution: unwanted guests such as squirrels, mice and raccoons may also come looking for food.
In the above passage from 1913, a piece of meat was hung out for the birds. Giving birds leftover food is not recommended today, as it can breed bacteria and even cause the birds to become sick. Also, preservatives and artificial ingredients in foods such as bacon can be harmful to birds as well. Very salty foods, such as salted peanuts, are also not recommended for birds.
***
The following is a traditional recipe for Scandinavian Seed Cakes, adapted from Sunshine Magazine, December 1964. The original called for bacon fat, but lard or suet is a better choice.
The people in the Scandinavian Countries have a custom of giving gifts to the animals and birds at Christmas time. These people have been making a special bird treat for hundreds of years. It is easy to make and will delight the birds. To make:
- Melt fat, about 1 cup
- Cool, and stir in a cup of wild birdseed, or some nuts and corn.
- Scoop into muffin tins, and allow the cakes to harden.
- Remove from the tins and tie on tree branches, or on a long pole.
- Place the pole in a clear area where the birds will feel safe.
 |
| Postcard Image circa 1900 (Courtesy of tuckdb.org) |
A wonderful basic guide to feeding birds from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is available at the following link. It is a single page PDF file, and can be printed out for easy reference.
http://www.fws.gov/southeast/ea/images/pubbck3.pdf
No comments:
Post a Comment