Hummingbird sighted last week

Just last week, on Thanksgiving Day, a hummingbird was spotted at a feeder in western Davidson Co. on the Cheatam Co border. The homeowner was outside taking a break from cooking when the bird was seen going to a feeder she keeps out all winter. The homeowner, a long time Warner Parks employee who has a hummingbird banding license immediately prepared one of her traps to put the feeder in. It didn’t take long for the tiny visitor to enter the trap for the nectar. The bird was captured, measured and weighed, banded, then released. With the data compiled there was reason to believe this bird is an Allen’s hummingbird. It was in fact determined to be a young female but because an Allen’s can be so similar to another species, the Rufous hummingbird, the jury is still out.

Female/Juvenile Allen’s Hummingbird

Female/Juvenile Rufous Hummingbird

Other bird banders are discussing the details and data to make the ID official. Regardless, it is very interesting to know we have small numbers of hummingbirds that spend, at least temporarily, the fall and winter with us. It doesn’t mean you should put your humming feeder out but certainly you can and there is a chance you may see one of these western U.S. hummingbirds. I’ve been trying for many years with no success. If you do please contact us at The Wood Thrush Shop, and for more information about wintering hummingbirds visit southeasternavianresearch.org

Wood Thrush Notes

Reminder: Important Store Hours Update

We are closing for a couple of days. On Saturday, October 15 we will close at 2 pm and re-open Wednesday, October 19.

Hummingbirds and other Migrant

A few weeks ago we mentioned BirdCast, a project by Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Colorado State University, and UMass Amherst, to track bird migration using radar. Click here to visit birdcast.info

Mid-October is peak time for songbird migration through middle TN as neo-tropical migrants’ are going back to Central and South America. BirdCast estimates that while you were sleeping 3,675,600 birds crossed Davidson County last night. Yes, that’s 3 million from just after sunset until Friday morning just before 7 am. The high traffic count of birds in flight was 570,000. Across the country billions of birds migrate at night in spring and fall. City lights are a very real threat to bird migration as they are attracted to the lights and collide with windows. Bird Safe Nashville has begun a campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of city lights and to encourage businesses and homeowners to turn off exterior lighting during peak times of migration. For more information visit www.birdsafenashville.org

Ruby-throated hummingbirds are still being seen in small numbers. Even though you may not have seen any for a few weeks we suggest keeping a feeder up with small amounts of fresh nectar. My late date to observe a Ruby-throated hummingbird in my yard in Cheatham Co. is October 25. There is also a chance you may see a different species of hummer appear at your feeder. Practically every year we have a customer or two that gets a western U.S. hummer, like a Rufous or Anna’s at a feeder they have left out into the months of November and December. Maybe this year it will be you.

Adult Male Rufous Hummingbird

Adult Male Anna’s Hummingbird

Have a great weekend and wherever you go bring your binoculars.

Wood Thrush Notes & Holiday Hours

Rufous Hummingbird at Shelby Bottoms

Store hours update. Happy New Year everyone! We will be open Saturday, Jan 1 from 10 a.m. until 5 pm.

Rufous Hummingbird Banded in Nashville

A Rufous Hummingbird was observed visiting a feeder at Shelby Bottoms Park this week. The bird was consistently visiting a feeder on the front porch of the visitor center. Cyndi Routledge of Southeaster Avian Research captured and banded the bird and determined it to be a hatching year male.

Remember, there is a chance you may see a wintering hummingbird by keeping a feeder out with fresh nectar. Western hummingbirds like Rufous, Anna’s, Calliope, and Black-chinned, have all been witnessed coming to feeders in the Nashville area during the winter months. Temperatures have been warm and it would not be difficult to keep up with a feeder. So, if you’re feeling lucky go ahead and put out a feeder today and let us know if you see a hummingbird.

Fall Slowdown and Fall Hummers

Fall Slowdown

Many of you have already noticed a slow down at your feeders. Sometimes it can be abrupt and dramatic. You may even notice some species become practically non-existent. Bird feeders in September and October are typically very quiet. This is surprising to some but actually normal and understandable. With the conclusion of the breeding season birds are now in less need of the quick, easy food source at your feeders. While raising their young during the months of March through July birds expend tremendous amounts of energy raising young and will take great advantage of backyard feeders. We sell more seed and suet during those months than we do in winter.

Young birds are mostly independent now and the lives of adult birds are at a much more leisurely pace. In addition nature is producing an abundance of food at this time. Not only are insects still plentiful but every tree, shrub, weed, and wildflower are producing seeds, nuts, and fruit. There is literally food for birds everywhere. It is a great example of the fact that birds do not rely on our feeders but simply take advantage of them in times of more demand for food. So, don’t worry that you are not seeing many birds around the feeders right now. It is totally normal. About the time we get the first frost or two, you will begin to see a return of your favorite birds to feeders. I don’t know about you but a good frost sounds good right about now.

By the time October arrives you will begin to see a few of our winter visitors, like Junco’s, White-throated sparrows, Yellow-bellied sapsuckers, Kinglets, and hopefully, Purple Finch, Pine Siskin, and Red-breasted Nuthatch. Although, with the Pine siskin issues (salmonella) we had last winter I would prefer they not visit us this winter.

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds will continue to be present through October though their numbers will be fewer with each week that passes. The peak of hummer feeding activity has likely passed so I reduce the numbers of feeders I offer by a few. As mid-October arrives I will continue to offer at least two feeders. And because there is always a remote possibility of a western hummingbird showing up I will leave one feeder out beyond Thanksgiving.

Rare Mexican Violetear

Each year a few people around the mid-state are pleasantly surprised to discover a hummingbird investigating a feeder that may have been inadvertently left out with no nectar. Two customers within 3 miles of The Wood Thrush Shop experienced Rufous hummingbirds last fall. Western hummingbirds that have regularly been seen in TN include Rufous, Anna’s, and Black-chinned. Last year a Mexican Violetear was trapped and banded in Montgomery Co. For more information about wintering hummingbirds you may want to visit southeastavianresearch.org

Wood Thrush Notes January 8th

Winter Hummingbirds

Recently a customer within a mile of the store reported a hummingbird visiting his feeder that he inadvertently left out. The bird was seen checking out the feeder so fresh nectar was then made. We passed the report on to local hummingbird banders who promptly investigated and discovered the bird to be a HY (hatching year) male Rufous hummingbird, a bird whose range is typically in the Northwest U.S. Not long after another HY male Rufous was identified just a couple of miles down Hwy 100 closer to Warner Parks. Rufous hummingbirds are hardier than Ruby-throated hummingbirds and are able to survive Nashville winter conditions. It’s been known for many years there are small numbers of a few different hummingbird species that for some unknown reason migrate from Western parts of the U.S. to the Southeast. Now this does not mean you should go mix up some nectar and put a feeder out. Chances are you won’t see a wintering hummingbird but as the saying goes “you never know”. Other hummingbirds recorded in past years include Anna’s, Black-chinned, Broad-tailed, Allen’s, and Calliope.

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HY Rufous Hummingbird. Photographed by Eli.

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Adult male Rufous

Be Aware of Potentially Sick Pine Siskins

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Adult Pine Siskin

On an unhappy note it has come to our attention many around the mid-state are seeing evidence of sick Pine siskins. Pine siskins as we pointed out last month are a winter visitor at feeders that tend to mix in with Goldfinch’s. A few customers recently reported siskins behaving oddly and discovered some dead ones, too. I found two dead siskins just yesterday morning in my yard and I have noticed some siskins exhibiting erratic behavior in the form of lethargy, flying clumsily, and a general unawareness. The cause is not avian conjunctivitis which is easy to detect. The eyes would be visibly affected, becoming crusty, and eventually closing leaving the bird helpless.

Most likely the cause is a type of Salmonella that Pine siskins are extremely susceptible to according to several articles I’ve read on the subject. Apparently, Salmonella as a disease in wild birds is relatively rare but outbreaks do occur from time to time and then we see the evidence at our feeders. It is not because of the feeders as it happens in nature, too. Many birds with mild infections can carry the disease without showing symptoms and simply pass it out in their feces. But the bacteria remain alive. When a susceptible individual of an easily infected species like the Pine siskin picks up the bacteria it proliferates quickly in the bird’s gut and is passed along to others through the feces. Pine siskins are extremely social, as are Goldfinch’s, allowing easy transmission of the disease.

We feel it is our responsibility to give you this information so you may take a course of action you are comfortable with. It is transmittable to humans so I would suggest handling finch feeders or dead birds with caution. Use gloves when handling finch feeders, or any feeders siskins have been present, and wash your hands thoroughly afterwards.

What You Can Do

• Takedown your finch feeders, or feeders you have seen a significant siskin presence, for a period of two weeks, giving them a thorough cleaning with a mild bleach solution, and by doing so likely cause sick Pine siskins to move along.

• Continue to feed after giving your feeders a thorough cleaning but monitor for evidence of sick Pine siskins and Goldfinch’s.  Clorox wipes are a very good tool for cleaning feeders allowing one to effectively wipe down feed ports and perches quickly and easily.

• Clean feeders more frequently. It is always a good and advisable thing to do for your wild bird visitors. Feeding wild birds is extremely enjoyable but there is a responsibility on your part to offer a clean and healthy environment.

Because Pine Siskins are very social they can be numerous at feeders making them the most susceptible. There is nothing wrong with feeding them just be aware of the issue. The disease is apparently just as frequent in wild areas as it is at feeders. We just happen to see the evidence first hand.