Birds Mean Spring!

LongIsland.com

Most folks think of spring as a time for birds to come back, and to nest. The truth is many bird species that live in back yards do so year round. The birds that migrate ...

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Most folks think of spring as a time for birds to come back, and to nest. The truth is many bird species that live in back yards do so year round. The birds that migrate are birds whose food is no longer available in winter. An obvious example would be Robins, who eat earthworms and fruit, both of which are scarce or gone in winter, so they must leave when it gets cold. But then they can come back as a sign of Spring!

Spring always makes me think of baby birds, partly because dozens of people will call me and ask what to do when they find a baby bird in their backyard. The quick, simple answer is: Put it back! The old myth is that parents can smell your scent on the baby and abandon it. As it turns out, most birds can't smell much at all, and parents will wait until you are gone before they feel they can safely approach their babies.

If you find a baby with few or no body feathers, it's a newborn that really needs to be put back in the nest, if at all possible. If the bird has body feathers but short or no wing feathers, it's older and may have left the nest deliberately! This bird just needs to be put on a safe perch, either above the ground, or beneath a dense bush where it can hide until its parents come to feed it. This kind of baby may take flight any day, or just a few days away, so it no longer needs the nest.

As always, you can call me at the store at 751-7333, or call the organizations that are linked below.