Hummingbirds in Winter

Hummingbird feeding for most North Americans is purely a summertime activity. The first hummingbirds generally arrive in the north just as the flowers begin to bloom in late spring. And these energetic little gems generally disappear long before the last of the leaves drop, seeking warmer climates with year-round nectar supplies. But many FeederWatchers, particularly in the southeast, may want to resist the urge to pack away their nectar feeders when the pumpkins arrive.
From the Pacific coast through Arizona, along the Gulf coast, and into the southeast, hummingbirds are being reported by FeederWatchers year-round. Anna’s Hummingbirds are resident in much of the west from Baja California to southern coastal British Columbia, so sightings of this species are common at feeders in the winter. However, many other western hummingbirds seen in winter are species that should be elsewhere at that time of year, including Allen’s, Rufous, and even a few Black-chinned hummingbirds. These species nest in the west, but generally winter in Mexico and points south.
The Allen’s, Rufous, and Black-chinned hummingbirds seen in the winter are individuals that lingered behind their migrating brethren, playing the odds that a more sedentary lifestyle will not lead to a shorter lifespan.

Photo by Janet Allen, Syracuse, NY

Moving inland from the Pacific coast, Arizona is nirvana for hummingbird fans—the potential exists to see a dozen species in the state. Sightings of almost any species that normally breed in the U.S. are possible along Arizona’s border with Mexico in the winter. During the last FeederWatch season, a number of Costa’s and Black-chinned hummingbirds wintered in the Phoenix area and points south, and Anna’s Hummingbirds were frequently seen across the state.
Hummingbird sightings in December, January, and February are generally not expected in the rest of the U.S., but FeederWatch data suggest that hummingbird fans need not move to Arizona. Hummingbirds are consistently reported by FeederWatchers in Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida. The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is the only species familiar to most bird watchers east of Texas, and sightings in the winter are rare outside of extreme southern Florida. Ruby-throats normally winter from southern Mexico to Costa Rica. Are these winter hummingbirds in the southeast lingering Ruby-throated Hummingbirds?
Chances are the hummingbirds seen in Gulf-coast states and the southeast in the winter are actually Rufous Hummingbirds. While this species typically winters in Mexico, vagrants are increasingly being reported throughout the southeast in winter. Hummingbird banders working in the region capture dozens of individuals each winter.

Photo by David F. Smith, Grand Junction, CO

Banders help confirm the species identification, as hummingbirds can be difficult to distinguish by sight in the winter. Last winter alone, staff at the Hilton Pond Center in York, South Carolina recorded Rufous, Black-chinned, and Calliope hummingbirds in the Carolinas. FeederWatchers in Pine Lake, Georgia and Columbus, Ohio even had licensed banders visit their yards to tag the Rufous Hummingbirds visiting their feeders.
Are hummingbirds wintering in the southeast more frequently than in the past? The answer to that question remains uncertain. It is possible that more people are now keeping an eye out for hummingbirds in winter and maintaining their hummingbird feeders year-round, so the likelihood of seeing and reporting a hummingbird in winter has increased. Regardless, if you live in the south and see a hummingbird buzzing in the wintertime, be sure to take a close look—it may not be the Ruby-throated Hummingbird that you commonly see in the warmer months.

Hummingbird Sightings

Key

The colors indicate the different types of hummingbirds reported during the 2003-2004 FeederWatch season. Gray areas indicate FeederWatch sites where no hummingbirds were reported.

Western hummingbirds in the East–set your feeders out!!

8 November 2012

Calliope Hummingbird, Oct 2007, Calvert Co., MD. Photo by George Jett.

East of the Mississippi, it is well-known that there is only one expected hummingbird–the familiar Ruby-throated Hummingbird. Ruby-throateds typically arrive in April and the bulk have departed by the first of October. However, any hummingbird seen after about 15 October is more likely to be a rare western species than a Ruby-throated! The excitement of one of these western visitors prompts many people to keep their hummingbird feeders hanging until late fall, or even all the way through spring. The yield is high; some homeowners as far north as New Jersey and Massachusetts have had multiple appearances by rare hummingbirds. Try your luck and set out a feeder; below we discuss the possible species, give some tips on attracting late hummers, and discuss the identification of difficult species.
NOTE: The discussion below will focus on the East coast, but the trends discussed here are equally applicable to Canada, the Midwest, the Gulf Coast (rich in wintering hummingbirds), the West, and even south-coastal Alaska! It seems that anywhere that birders are willing to maintain feeders, late season hummingbirds may arrive.
Fall 2012 has been highlighted by very good numbers of Rufous Hummingbirds (see map here and zoom in for red points to see recent records), a Calliope near Philadelphia in Pennsylvania, and an Allen’s Hummingbird in western Massachusetts since late October. Perhaps some other species will follow soon!
The appearance of these western hummingbirds is a phenomenon that has been realized only recently. Starting in the mid-1980s, each ensuing year has seemed to reveal more hummingbirds of more species in the late fall. In Maryland for example, one Rufous Hummingbird was recorded per decade from 1952 to 1981; in the 1980s there were two; from 1990-1993 there were four; from 1994-1997 there were seven; and from 1998-2000 there were eight. The trend has continued along this trajectory, with more Rufous Hummingbirds appearing in each subsequent year. The state’s first Calliope came in 2004, followed by one in 2006 and another in 2007; an Anna’s Hummingbird occurred in 2005. What will 2012 hold?
From October to January, Rufous Hummingbird is the most common species by far in the East, outnumbering other species by up to ten to one. This species, which may sometimes arrive on their breeding grounds in Alaska before the ice breaks, are particularly well adapted to cold weather. Females and immatures occur in the East with regularity from mid-October on, with arrivals peaking from mid-October to late November. Several individuals have wintered successfully as far north as Massachusetts, where one female (affectionately named “Rufy”) returned to successfully winter in a Bay State greenhouse for at least six years in a row (1996-2002). It appears that immatures that stray to the East and survive the winter are likely to return in the following year, and there are numerous records of banded birds reappearing in subsequent years. Several remarkable banded birds that have been captured in the Southeast and recovered near or on the breeding grounds (e.g., one Virginia Rufous was recovered in Montana, and was found back in Virginia the next winter!). Survivorship of such birds probably also account for increasing ratios of adults noted in the East. Some adult males may appear as early as July or early August, corresponding to their migration patterns in the West. Adult females arrive later (September or October, typically), while the immatures are the latest to appear. Rufous is certainly not the only species possible though–the pool of additional species is large. In addition to Ruby-throated and Rufous, three others have been recorded with regularity in recent years and eight others (13 species in all) have appeared at least once on the East coast: Calliope, Black-chinned, and Allen’s are all occurring annually (or nearly so) from North Carolina north; Broad-billed, Anna’s, and Broad-tailed all have multiple records, and Buff-bellied, Magnificent, and Green Violetear all have a handful. The rarest of the rare, Blue-throated Hummingbird, Violet-crowned Hummingbird and Green-breasted Mango have each occurred once, once, and twice, respectively. See Appendix A for help with identification and Appendix B for more detail on these species and their occurrence on the East coast.
It is worth pointing out, though, that late-season Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are on the upswing as well. In the Carolinas, where wintering Ruby-throateds were once unheard of, the species now occurs regularly on several coastal Christmas Bird Counts where it is even more likely than Rufous Hummingbird. To the north, there are a growing handful of records of Ruby-throateds appearing at feeders in November, December, and even attempting to winter. So don’t rule out the expected summer hummingbird, but do remember that it may not be the most likely option after November.
Birders hosting rare western hummingbirds should consider having their hummingbird banded for species identification and to contribute to our body of knowledge on their movements. A fair number of hummingbirds ARE recovered. Note that one in Vienna, VA, in 2007 disappeared late in the season and moved 15 mi southwest. We know this only because of the banding efforts. Others in Louisiana and the Gulf Coast are known to return to the same feeder year after year and the amount of fascinating information the banders down there generate is incredible. The danger to the bird is minute and the information to be gained is vast. Contact us (ebird@cornell.edu) or send a post to your local listserv to try to contact a bander in your area.

ATTRACTING HUMMINGBIRDS

Birders hoping to attract any of these late season hummingbirds should get their feeders up NOW, and not take them down until mid-December or later.
A few tips:
* Put your feeder up near areas of good cover (especially evergreens like cedars, boxwoods, hollies, etc.) if possible. In cold weather hummingbirds will need these areas for roosting and the better the protection, the better for the bird. Weedy areas (such as those with lots of goldenrod) may hold insects which can provide good supplemental energy for the hummingbird as well.
* If cold weather (below freezing) is forecast, you should take your feeder inside at night and put it back out in the early morning. Some people have rigged up small heaters for their feeders to keep them thawed. Some have used a low watt heat lamp rigged up in an outdoor hanging fixture (like the lamps used raising baby chickens) with the feeder hanging under the lamp. Be aware that if the water in the feeder freezes, the hummingbird may not survive long.
* If you have any late season flowers those will help to attract late hummingbirds also, and may be better than a feeder at least as long as the flowers survive. By clipping blooms that appear early, you can manage your garden to peak later in the season. Several websites discuss hummingbird plantings and some also recommend which plants are hardy enough to last in cold weather. Various types of Salvia (Sage) are the perennial favorite late-blooming flower for hummingbirds, and may last into November in the Northeast. Particular favorites are the red-flowering Salvia spendens and Pineapple Sage Salvia elegans. Late fall hummingbirds have also been observed visiting Lobelias, Bee balm Monarda didyma, and jewelweed. Also Salvia leucantha (striking white flowers protruding from velvety purple calyces) known as Velvet Sage or Mexican Bush Sage, and Salvia guaranitica (blue) Anise Sage (Black and Blue is a favored variety) are excellent and may bloom until the first frost or beyond. Native trumpet honeysuckle Lonicera sempervirens is another good late blooming hummingbird plant. Trellised in a protected spot, this may remain blooming and re-bloom in late autumn and winter warm spells. Blue-black Sage Salvia guaranitica is harder to find, but may bloom from May until the first frost. Turtlehead, both the wild white and the cultivated pink, bloom well into September and later even as far north as Maine.
* It has been suggested that hanging lots of red Christmas ribbon, red surveyor’s tape, and other red items around the yards may help to be sure that hummingbirds do not pass you by. Some believe the hummingbirds fly down pathways (like roads) and have trails of red leading from the road up to their house. It also might be a good idea to plant other late blooming flowers (like petunias and mums) even though they do not provide nectar for hummingbirds.

WHAT KIND IS IT?

We provide some tips on identification in Appendix A, as well as some recommended resources. However, we can help with hummingbird identification and will help with getting the word out to people that will help with identification and banding efforts. Contact us at ebird@cornell.edu.

MORE INFO

There are a number of websites that discuss vagrant hummingbirds, feeding them, and banding them. One good site is:
http://www.trochilids.com/
This site has almost anything you could want to know about the hummingbirds, how to care for them, what they are, where they come from, and where vagrant hummingbirds have appeared (try the maps!).
The Hummer Bird and Study Group, founded by Bob and Martha Sargent, has another excellent website with a focus on winter hummingbirds:
http://www.hummingbirdsplus.org/
An excellent site concerning hummingbirds in the Northeast, including vagrant news year-by-year (with photos), is:
http://www.nehummers.com/
To find other sites, follow the many links from
http://www.trochilids.com, or try:
http://www.hiltonpond.org/ResearchHummerVagrantMain.html
http://www.gahummer.org
http://www.rubythroat.org/FeedersMain.html

WRAP-UP

We still have a lot to learn about how and why these hummingbirds are getting here, where they go from here, and what their survivorship is. Some people might fear that leaving their feeders up might induce hummingbirds to stay later than they should, but this isn’t really the case. Migration of hummingbirds, and other obligate migrants, is triggered by changes in daylight (just about the only thing constant from year to year) and not weather or the availability of food. When they’re ready, they’ll go. Furthermore, for starters, almost all Ruby-throateds are gone by now anyway. Second, if a Rufous successfully winters at a feeder, it has saved a long and perilous migration where there is no certainty of finding another good food source. Third, these birds arrived here of their own power and/or volition. They will leave for better climes if they feel it is necessary. Winters are hard on birds, even “winter birds”, but remember that so is migration. It is a constant trade-off for birds whether to risk a cold winter in order to outweigh the dangers of a long migration.
Put out those feeders and you may well be rewarded with a rare western visitor! Let us know if you are so lucky and be sure to report your visitor in eBird!!

APPENDIX A–IDENTIFICATION

Identification of female and immature hummingbirds is extremely difficult, and sometimes is not even possible in the field. If you are hosting ANY hummingbird later than mid-October, it would be of great interest to have it documented and correctly identified. In addition to standard field guides there are two excellent guides to hummingbird identification with lots of color photos in each, and information on ageing and sexing as well is identifying hummingbirds.
Howell, S.N.G. 2002. Hummingbirds of North America: The Photographic Guide. Nature World, San Diego, CA.
Williamson, S.L. 2001. A Field Guide to the Hummingbirds of North America. Houghton Mifflin, Boston, MA.
To document your hummingbird, GET A PHOTO. If you don’t have a digital camera, invite a friend over who does. Even a “point and shoot” camera can sometimes get an identifiable photo (especially if the feeder is close to the house), and those smaller cameras can often get identifiable pictures by putting them up to binoculars or a telescope (see http://www.birdwatchersdigest.com/leica/2007/01/what-is-digiscope.html ). The larger the image of the hummingbird in the photograph (which means getting as close as possible) and the higher the quality of the photo, the better. If you can photograph the hummingbird in several postures, that is even more helpful, and if you can snap a shot of the spread tail while the bird is hovering, that is ideal since some species are most easily identified by tail pattern. If you can get the hummingbird in several postures, that is even better and if you can get a photo of the spread tail while the bird is hovering, that is ideal. To be really thorough, you might also try to get video (tail actions of some hummingbirds are of use) or sound recordings (call notes are always helpful for species identification). Once you have a photo, there are many expert birders who can help. Feel free to contact us at ebird@cornell.edu and we will get back to you as soon as possible with an identification and advice. Alternatively, you could post a note to your local internet listserv that discusses birds–find information on these at http://birding.aba.org/.
Since most non-Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are of the genus Selasphorus (formerly Rufous, Allen’s and Broad-tailed, and Calliope), they tend to be easily recognized by the bright orangeish or cinnamon wash on the flanks. A flash of Rufous in the tail is also diagnostic for Selasphorus hummingbirds. Be careful though, since some young Ruby-throateds can have a faint buff wash on the flanks. Call notes of these species are softer and twangier than the full sounding chips that we hear at our feeders all summer from Ruby-throateds. For Calliope, wings extending past the tail is a good clue but the face pattern, with a lobe of pale protruding into the lores (the area between the bill and the eye), is diagnostic. Adult male Rufous or Allen’s Hummingbirds are almost entirely rufous or orangeish in color. Adult males of all species are distinctive and well covered in field guides (although adult male Allen’s are not separable from green-backed variant Rufous). Female and immature Selasphorus are so difficult to identify that close-up video and or photography, or in-hand measurements, would be necessary to confirm species identification.
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are even harder to separate from female Black-chinned, and in-hand measurements or close-up photos are essential to confirm species identification. Look carefully for colored feathers in the throat though–even a single feather could be of assistance, since Ruby-throated would have a red feather while Black-chinned would have a purple feathers. Female Black-chinneds do differ from Ruby-throateds in bill length, subtleties of color, face pattern, and details of the primary feather shape, which could potentially be assessed from close-up video or photography. Van Remsen (in Louisiana) believes that any Ruby-throated/Black-chinned that wags its tail WHILE FEEDING is sure to be a Black-chinned. Ruby-throateds flick and wag their tail while hovering near the feeder, but when their bill is in the feeder, their tails little more than quiver.
Finally, females of Ruby-throated and Black-chinned should be carefully separated from Anna’s Hummingbird. Anna’s has a very different call, is more pot-bellied, and has a greenish wash on the sides and dingier underparts. One of the best field marks is one of the most subtle–are the inner primaries (wing feathers) as wide as the outer ones? If so, it indicates that it is not in the genus Archilochus and thus not a Ruby-throated or Black-chinned–it may be an Anna’s!
Several of the rarest species are easily recognized since they are VASTLY larger than Ruby-throated, including Green-breasted Mango, Green Violetear, Blue-throated Hummingbird, and Magnificent Hummingbird.

APPENDIX B–STATUS

After Ruby-throated, Rufous Hummingbird is the next most common species and most states get several per fall now. A summary of other vagrant hummingbirds on the East coast, with rough tallies for the number of state records, is below:
Calliope Hummingbird–Recorded from Maine (2), Massachusetts (4), Connecticut (4), New York (~3), Pennsylvania (2), New Jersey (5), Maryland (4), and has multiple records for Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. Almost all records are females or immatures, but in October 2007 New Jersey had the first adult male north of the Carolinas and another followed in Massachusetts in Aug 2008. This species has occurred almost exclusively in the fall, from late September to January in the Northeast (has wintered in Southeast). It nests in the Northwest and winters in west Mexico.
Black-chinned Hummingbird–Recorded from Massachusetts (4; including 2 in 2007!), New Jersey (3), District of Columbia (1), West Virginia (1), Virginia (3), and is regular in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. These records have been almost exclusively from October to December in the Northeast (has wintered in Southeast). An exceptional record was the August 2006 adult male banded in Massachusetts. This species breeds east to Colorado and south Texas, and winters in Mexico.
Allen’s Hummingbird–Recorded from Massachusetts (6), New Jersey (3), Pennsylvania (2), Delaware (1), Virginia (3), Maryland (2), and more for North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. The earliest records have been in late August (Massachusetts), but most have corresponded to the Rufous Hummingbird peak from mid-October to late November. Exceptionally, an adult male appeared in Massachusetts in March 2012, possibly a bird that wintered farther south and migrated north. Given the extreme difficulty of separating this species from Rufous Hummingbird (possible only with adult males and birds measured in hand), it is certain that this species has occurred more often than it has been recognized. Although most Rufous/Allen’s Hummingbirds have proven to be Rufous, it is still worthwhile to attempt to band and measure each individual to determine the relative prevalence of Allen’s.
Broad-billed Hummingbird–Recorded from Connecticut (1), Massachusetts (1), Nova Scotia (1), New York (1), North Carolina (1), and South Carolina (2). Records of this species have been from both July and October. This species is resident in Mexico and nests north to Arizona.

Broad-billed Hummingbird, Dennis, MA, 25 Aug 2008. This adult male represented the first record for Massachusetts. Photo by Peter Trimble.
Anna’s Hummingbird–Recorded from New York (2), Pennsylvania (1), Maryland (2), North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. The similarity of this species to Archilochus hummingbirds (Ruby-throated and Black-chinned) may mean that this species is overlooked. See ID section for assistance with recognizing the subtle females of this species.
Broad-tailed Hummingbird–Another Rufous Hummingbird look-alike (like Allen’s), this species may also occur more regularly than it has been noted. The northernmost record to date is one that wintered in Cape May, NJ, in 2011-2012. On the Gulf Coast it is rarer than Calliope and Allen’s; the several records from Georgia and the Carolinas are the only records to date from the East coast.
Buff-bellied Hummingbird–Recorded thus far only from the Southeast, with records from Georgia and North Carolina (1). Seems to be increasing in winter throughout the Southeast, and to be expected to stray farther north eventually.
Green Violetear–Recorded from Maine (1), New Jersey (1), North Carolina (2), Maryland (2), and West Virginia (1). The temporal pattern of this species is more erratic, with appearances in July and August (West Virginia, Maine, New Jersey) and September and October (North Carolina, Maryland).
Magnificent Hummingbird–Although it is a frequent stray to the north in the Rocky Mountains, this species is not noted for straying east but has been recorded in Minnesota, Arkansas, and Alabama. A couple records for Georgia and one from Virginia 22 to 25 Oct 2003 constitute the only records for this Region.
Blue-throated Hummingbird–Although a few have strayed to the Gulf Coast states in fall and winter, one in South Carolina 31 July 1993 defines the limits of this species’ vagrancy shadow.
Green-breasted Mango–The fall 2007 season was been punctuated by TWO Green-breasted Mangos! The first appeared in the late summer in Wisconsin remained into November. A remarkable second appeared at a Dublin, Georgia, feeder in late October. The only prior U.S. record north of Texas pertained to an immature male that appeared at Concord, NC, 12 November to 7 December 2000. This species ranges from Panama north to Northeast Mexico and has strayed about a dozen times to South Texas. Another remarkable out-of-range record of this species came this year from Wisconsin.
Violet-crowned Hummingbird–One near Roanoke, Virginia, in June (!) 2009, is one of the more remarkable eastern records of stray hummingbirds. Otherwise it has not been recorded straying east of Texas, but does stray northward on the West Coast in fall and winter and is to be watched for in the East as well. Native to West Mexico, occurring north to southernmost Arizona.
NOT YET RECORDED
Costa’s Hummingbird—Recorded from Minnesota and Colorado in late fall and Alabama in winter, it is to be expected in the Northeast. Native to the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts of Northwest Mexico and the Desert Southwest.
White-eared Hummingbird–Recorded from Colorado twice in summer, once in Michigan in summer, and once from Mississippi in winter; to be watched for. Native to west Mexico, with small numbers north to Arizona.
Lucifer Hummingbird–Another species that has not strayed east of Texas, this one could show up farther to the east. Native to central and western Mexico, and the Big Bend region of Texas.
WEST COAST–On the West Coast, watch for the following species: Broad-billed (November-April), Ruby-throated (August-November), Violet-crowned (November-March), Magnificent (October-April), Costa’s, Allen’s, Rufous, Broad-tailed, Calliope, Black-chinned, and others. Unlike the East coast, where any hummingbird is noteworthy, Anna’s Hummingbird is common in most areas and thus obscures the appearance of many of these species. Still, it is worth watching for them all!

Summertime in the United States of Hummingbirds

Hummingbirds are special—brilliant, tiny, precision-flying creatures that glitter like jewels in the sun and dazzle with their aerial acrobatics, flying fast then stopping instantly, hovering, and zipping up, down, or backwards with exquisite control.

They’re strictly a New World animal, and they fascinated the first Europeans who arrived in North America. Christopher Columbus wrote about them. Many naturalists at the time wondered if they were a cross between a bird and an insect (at one point being called “flybirds”).
More than a dozen species of hummingbirds regularly summer in the United States, including these four that are most commonly seen at backyard feeders:
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds depart for Central America in early fall, with many crossing the Gulf of Mexico in a single flight. To accomplish this incredible migratory feat, they feast on nectar and insects and double their body mass, from 3 grams to 6 grams (or from the weight of a penny to the weight of a nickel). Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have the largest breeding range of any North American hummer.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird (left) by Laura Erickson, Black-chinned Hummingbird (right) by Brian Sullivan.

Black-chinned Hummingbirds are the most adaptable of all North American hummingbirds, found from deserts to mountain forests and from urban areas to pristine natural areas. The Black-chinned Hummingbird’s tongue has two grooves that suck up nectar like a sponge. Then the bird retracts the tongue and squeezes the nectar into its mouth.
Anna’s Hummingbirds are dazzling with iridescent emerald feathers and sparkling rose-pink throats. Nineteenth-century French naturalist René Primevère Lesson was mesmerized by “the bright sparkle of a red cap of the richest amethyst” on the male’s head and named it after the French duchess of Rivoli, Anna de Belle Masséna. These hummingbirds live along the Pacific Coast and in many areas are present year-round.

Anna’s Hummingbird (left) by Nancy Starczyk, Rufous Hummingbird (right) by Chris Wood.

Rufous Hummingbirds are small but feisty. They chase off larger hummingbirds at flowers and feeders, and they’ve even been seen chasing away chipmunks. Rufous Hummingbirds have the northernmost breeding range of any hummingbird, yet in fall they migrate about 4,000 miles south to Mexico—in what is possibly the longest migration relative to body size of any bird.

More about hummingbirds:

• This post covers just four common species—to explore the ranges of 10 North American hummingbirds, visit our Citizen Science blog.
• Explore the hummingbirds of the U.S. and Canada in our All About Birds species guide
• Learn about the hundreds of hummingbird species south of the border at Neotropical Birds Online

Easy to Make Pinecone Bird Feeders

For many, November marks the start of a season of delicious, fattening goodies! We aren’t alone in this habit, as cooler temperatures approach, many warm-blooded creatures pack on the pounds critical to survive the colder, darker, winter months. For birds, it means having access to nutrient-rich, fat-laden nuts, seeds, and even straight-up fat (like in suet). Consider making these easy to assemble pinecone suet feeders so your bird-neighbors have enough energy to survive the winter. Unlike us, they actually need that extra helping of fat this time of year!

1. Collect Pinecones

Photos © Brian

On your next walk in the woods, look for fallen pinecones. The late fall and early winter is a great time to find pinecones in the woods. If you cannot locate pinecones, you can also make suet cakes (see #10 below), which uses the same basic ingredients.

2. Attach a Wire or String

Securely attach wire or sturdy string to the top of the pinecone. Thin, “floral wire” is available at local craft stores. However, any thin wire around your home will suffice. Yarn can be effective, but it has a tendency to thread and break more easily when blown around, so your pinecone feeder may not be as sturdy once it’s hung outside.

3. Get Beef Tallow

Photos © thedabblist

At your local store, in the meat section, find a chunk of tallow (beef fat). How much you need will depend on how many feeders you are making. About one pound of tallow will yield about six small/medium sized pinecone feeders. Tallow is usually very inexpensive and one of the best forms of fats to feed to birds–it’s a better option than Crisco, which is comprised of hydrogenated oils, and firmer than peanut butter (once it cools). If you do not see tallow amongst the cut meats, ask the butcher if they have tallow chunks in the back.

4. Melt Your Tallow

Photos © Susy Morris

Slowly melt the tallow in a pan on low heat, you want the fat to melt so you can work with it. Do not overheat or overcook it. Otherwise, it might splatter and burn your skin.

5. Ready a Bowl of Bird Seed

In a large bowl or pyrex pan, pour in a thick layer of mixed birdseed, preferably one that your birds are used to feeding on.

6. Coat Your Pinecone With Tallow

Once the tallow is melted, turn it off and let it cool. Wait a few minutes until the tallow starts to become more of a glue like texture–not liquid and not solid. Then, pick-up your pinecone by the wire and drag it through the fat. Be careful, the tallow is still hot. Move the pine cone around so it is thoroughly coated, and some of the oil gets down into the scales.

7. Coat Your Pinecone With Bird Seed

Take the tallow-covered pine cone and do your best to submerge it in the bird seed. Sometimes it helps to pick-up seeds and sprinkle them over the pinecone, or push the seeds into the sticky crevices. Do this before the tallow hardens. You may have to reheat the tallow a couple of times to keep the softer texture, if you are doing multiple pinecone feeders. Before taking the pinecone out of the seed pan, lightly shake or spin it to release loose seeds.

8. Cool on Wax Paper

When you are done covering the pinecone with seeds, place it on a piece of wax-paper. If you are going to wrap-up the feeder as a gift, wax paper is best to use as your first layer, so the seed-covered pinecone does not stick to your wrapping materials.

9. Hang in a Favorite Spot!

Photos © mel issa

If you are going to put the feeder outside right away, let it firm-up on the wax paper, then transfer it to a tree you frequently see birds feeding in. If you have a bird feeder established, hanging the pinecone near your feeder will help ensure the birds find it quickly.

10. No Pinecones? Make Suet Blocks

If you are unable to access pine cones, feel free to follow the steps above and instead of putting the melted tallow on your pinecone, transfer it to a bowl of mixed bird seed. Thoroughly mix the seeds and tallow. Then, transfer the concoction into a deep pan. Spread it out so it completely covers the bottom of the pan, as though it were cake batter. Once it is hardened, you can cut out the suet cakes like large brownies!

Dos and Don’ts of Feeder Placement

Finding the perfect location for a bird feeder is a balancing act between getting the views you want and birds’ safety. Where do you watch birds from? Your patio? A kitchen window? The living room? You can start by limiting the possible area by deciding on a focus zone in the yard.
Next you need to check for known dangers to eliminate unsafe locations within that zone. Ornithologists estimate that millions of birds are killed each year by hitting windows. Window strike mortalities can be reduced by moving your feeders to within 3 feet of the window or greater than 30 feet away.
When feeders are close to a window, a bird leaving the feeder cannot gain enough momentum to do harm if it strikes the window. If feeders are more than 30 feet from a window, the birds are less likely to perceive windows as a pathway to other parts of your yard. Some ideas for safe locations including hanging a feeder at the corner of a house from the eaves, making it visible from a corner window, or from two sides of the house. Other people a fix a feeder directly to a window.
Another strategy is to place the feeder beyond the 30 foot danger zone. This might mean choosing a location across the yard from a house. Some people opt to create a special bird watching area tucked into a corner of their yard with a blinded seating area. This space might be in a secret grove, near a special bench, or behind a potting shed. Use the map below to see where in your yard is beyond the danger zone.

Find Your Bird Feeder Window Danger Zones

Place your feeder in a safe place!

1. Find your address and zoom in
2. Click on your windows (and close neighbors' windows) to draw danger zones
3. Place your feeders where there is no danger zone!

Cover Your Yard

The plant community around your feeder is full of opportunity. Brush piles and evergreen trees and shrubs can provide safe hiding places while consuming seeds gathered at the feeder. Birds often grab a seed, and retreat to cover to eat it.

The Path Taken

Think about the path of movement a bird might use to navigate your yard. Land corridors come on a scale as large as wooded strips connecting larger woodland areas, but can also be as simple as a line of shrubs along a sidewalk. Such areas can facilitate the movement of many small animals, but especially birds, from tree to tree, until they find a safe habitat. Not only do minimal corridors aid in the movement of birds, they are also aesthetically pleasing. You can plant to support these kinds of movements around your yard.

Winter Cover

Bird feeding is often done in the winter, when plants have little or no dense coverage. In cold places, evergreens near a feeder can provide an excellent option for providing birds with safe cover. Here are some great native evergreen choices for regions around the US:

Evergreen choices by region

• Eastern US

  Mountain Laurel

  (Kalmia latifolia)

  

  Photos © Anne Elliott

• Northwest US
• Southern US
• Southwestern US
• Plains

You can also provide cover with a strategically placed brush pile. Brush piles can be tidy or wild, alive or dead. Some people even use theirs and their neighbors’ discarded christmas trees as a base for a brush pile.
While at the feeder, birds are often out in the open, making them a target for local predators. A distance of about 10 feet from feeder to brush pile or shrub helps keep feeders out of a cat’s striking distance (even though they might hide behind the cover).

Learn more about brush piles

Visit the brush pile page on YardMap.

Think About Your Yard Structure

Diversity of planting levels means more hiding places for more kinds of birds. This is a good rule of thumb for your yard in general, not just around the feeder. Think about high/ mid/ low-level vegetation to provide spaces for a variety of birds with a variety of preferences.

Download The Story Of The Stories Poster

Vist YardMap's Habitat Defined: Structure page to download

Baffle the Competition

Squirrels often cause problems by chewing through feeders and preventing birds from visiting, so you may need a strategy for baffling these rodents. Many people use a shepherd's hook with a barrier on the pole preventing squirrels from accessing the feeder (see above photo). Suspending a feeder from a cable that stretches across an open space is another option, though some squirrels learn to walk the tightrope. Although different birds prefer feeding at different heights, a rule of thumb for a backyard feeder is to hang it from 5 to 8 ft off the ground. Some people hang feeders in trees, but this makes it much easier for squirrels to gain access. A baffle above the feeder can help deter squirrels, as can putting the feeder out of their jump zone (they can jump from 8-10 feet sideways).

Other things to keep in mind when placing feeders:

• Put feeders in a location you don’t mind visiting to refill (think about walking through snow, access to seed, water for cleaning, etc.).
• Moving feeders periodically helps prevent build-up of waste.
• Putting a feeder nearish (but not over) a water feature like a bird bath, will almost ensure that birds find your feeder.
• Noise and too much action, like along a sidewalk or street will be deterrents for birds, and possibly even dangerous if they fly out in front of a fast moving car.

One peanut can go a long way for a Carolina Wren

Thanks to Facundo Fernandez-Duque for this excellent student blog post about Carolina Wrens and their love of feeders in winter. If you see one visiting you feeder in winter, you might be helping it more than you think.

A Carolina Wren bursts into song. Photo by Laura Frazier from Middleway, WV.

Carolina Wrens (Thryothorus ludovicianus) are small, enthusiastic insectivores that people hear more often than see. Their diet consists mostly of insects with only about five percent being seeds and vegetable matter. Nonetheless, they visit feeders; Carolina Wrens are tiny, active birds that are constantly in search of food to satisfy their high metabolic rate. When winters are rough and snowfalls abundant, these birds may struggle to survive. Thus, their northern range seems to be limited by harsh winter. However, is that because of the cold, or because there isn’t enough food in winter?

Peanuts are a good choice if you want to attract Carolina Wrens. Photo by Bob Vuxinic from Crossville, TN.

One possibility is that its range is limited by temperature. Northern, non-migratory birds must face tough winters every year. Prolonged periods of sub-freezing temperatures, high competition, and shortages of food all lower the probability of these birds to make it through winter. However, is it possible that their winter survival rate can be positively affected by supplemental food?
In 2011, a study done in Michigan sought out to find the answer. Researches set up an experiment to determine whether supplemental food played an important role in the winter survival of Carolina Wrens in their Northern range. They set up sites in three different types of habitat to test this: city parks, residential areas, and rural areas. The temperature was also taken into account and recorded hourly. Even though they found that the city parks had the greatest density and highest overall temperature, the wrens tended to abandon the site completely if there were no feeders available. Their study suggests that Carolina Wrens are directly limited by food supply, and that bird feeders play a crucial role when other food is in short supply.

What type of suet should he choose? This Carolina wren is choosing a peanut based suet. Photo by Aleene Jones from Dunbar, PA.

The snow on the ground can make it hard for these birds to find food, thus feeders become an important dietary supplement when snowfall is heavy. Although sunflower seeds might attract more colorful birds, Carolina Wrens generally prefer suet and peanuts. One peanut alone can provide more than a third of their daily metabolic need! Furthermore, Carolina Wrens aren’t the only species that may be shifting its range according to human influence. The Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) and Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor) have both shown similar patterns to those of the Carolina Wren. They may also visit our feeders to help get them through those tough winters!
Reference:
Job, J. and Bednekoff, P. A. (2011), Wrens on the edge: feeders predict Carolina wren Thryothorus ludovicianus abundance at the northern edge of their range. Journal of Avian Biology, 42: 16–21. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-048X.2010.05242.x

Make your own bird feeders

Birds need steady sources of food throughout the year to survive cold nights, migration, and harsh weather. This makes bird feeders of any kind perfect for birds! There are many options available for feeders both online and in stores. But sometimes, the best thing to do is to make your own.
Here are some simple feeders that can easily be made with household items!

Making a pine cone feeder.

Pine cone feeders

What you will need:

• string
• pinecones
• peanut butter
• bird seed (any type)

This feeder is simple and easy to make, costing very little, and easily reused or disposed of when done. Pine cones can be found outside near pine trees or often bought in craft stores.
Take a pine cone and gently brush off any lingering dirt.
Tie a string in a secure loop around the top of the pine cone, leaving enough to tie it to a tree or pole. Alternatively, use a pipe cleaner or twist tie.

A home-made bird feeder can attract many species, like this Chestnut-backed Chickadee. Photo by Phil Khaler.

Carefully spread a generous layer of peanut butter on the pine cone, making sure that the outside is well covered. Note: If you have peanut allergies to consider, try using Crisco.
Roll your pine cone in bird seed until it is well covered.
Using smaller seeds like millet, milo, and nyjer will ensure that everything sticks better, but mixed seed or black-oil sunflower seed will work too so long as they are well-attached.
Hang your feeder on a tree branch or pole not too close to your window and watch the birds enjoy their winter feast!
*Note: Squirrels love this kind of feeder so be sure to hang it somewhere it will be difficult for squirrels to reach like on thin branches several feet off the ground.

Bird seed cookies

These feeders are festive and easy to make.
What you will need:

• bird seed (any type)
• cookie cutters
• water
• flour
• corn syrup
• unflavored gelatin
• string
• skewer
• non-stick cooking spray

Spray your cookie cutters with non-stick spray to make the cookies easier to pop out.
In a large bowl, mix together: ¾ cup of flour, ½ cup of water, 3 tablespoons corn syrup, 2 ½ teaspoon gelatin, and 4 cups of desired bird seed. Stir until the bird seed is evenly distributed.
On a tray or sheet of wax paper, lay out your desired cookie cutters (sprayed with cooking spray). Fill the cookie cutters with the mixture and press into shape firmly. Make a small hole in each cookie with the skewer for the string.

Bird Seed Cookies. Photo by Heather Katsoulis.

Let the cookies dry overnight, turning them occasionally to dry both sides equally. When dry, carefully pop the cookies out of their molds and thread a string through the hole. Hang the ornaments from a tree, pole, or hook outside your windows and watch the birds devour them! (This recipe makes about 12 medium-sized ornaments)

Recycled feeders

We’ll let you in on a little secret: plastic containers make great bird feeders. Our friends at the Chebeague Island School have made bird feeders out of re-purposed yogurt containers to great success.

Chebeague Island School students with their feeders. Photo by Beverly Johnson.

It’s easy to make your own feeder using anything from a square milk container to a round yogurt container!
What you will need:

• medium-sized plastic container (milk, yogurt, juice, etc.)
• scissors or box cutter
• single hole punch or skewer
• string
• thin wooden dowels or spoons

Wash out your desired container and let it dry completely. Then very carefully cut out several small holes along the sides near the bottom*. Make sure they are large enough for a bird’s head to fit inside but small enough that a bird will not be able to climb inside.
*If you are using a square container, you can cut one large opening in the side so that birds may perch and feed.

Recycled feeders on display! Photo by Beverly Johnson.

Punch two small holes about the size of your dowels on opposite side of your container just below the openings you have cut. Insert the dowels into these holes so that the ends of the wood stick out on both sides. These will serve as perches for the feeding birds.
Punch two holes at the top of your container and thread a string through in a large loop. Fill your new feeder with desired birdseed and hang near your house. Be sure to hang it somewhere where birds will have space to perch.