December 2009 Wild Bird Center e-Newsletter
Many species of birds have struggled with loss of habitat. Some species became extinct, while others have recovered as a result of habitat conservation and renewal progams--examples include the Wild Turkey, Eastern Bluebirds, Purple Martins and Bald Eagles. The Greater Prarie-Chicken is a species that has been on the brink of extinction in Missouri from loss of habitat for many years. Despite restoration programs by the Missouri Department of Conservation, the Prarie-Chicken is described on the MDC web site as "likely to be be extirpated from the state by 2010". The Greater Prarie-Chicken (Tympanuchus cupido) is also called the pinnated grouse because of its long pinnae, or tufts of feathers, on the side of its neck. It is not a bird that would be found at the backyard bird feeding station, but many people visit their breeding grounds to watch their mating dance in the early spring.
The Greater Prarie-Chicken is a medium to large chicken-like bird, and its name comes from European settlers who thought they looked like wild versions of domesticated chickens. They are typically 18 inches tall and weigh about 2 pounds with striped brown and white body feathers. The male has ear-like feathers and an orange sac on its throat that he inflates during the mating dance. Greater Prarie-Chickens are ground foragers, eating leaves, seeds, buds, and insects. They will also eat grains from farm fields when available. Nests are 7 inches in diameter and 2 inches deep, built on the ground in high clumps of grass. The female builds the nest about one mile away from the breeding grounds, in which she lays 5-17 eggs that hatch in 23-24 days. The young fledge in 1-4 weeks, are independent in 10-12 weeks, and reach maturity by age one. Pheasants have been observed laying their eggs in the same nest with Prarie-Chicken eggs. Since the Pheasant eggs hatch first, the result is usually neglect of the Prarie-Chicken eggs and survival of only the young Pheasants.
The IUCN conservation status of the Greater Prarie-Chicken is "VU", or vulnerable. An eastern subspecies called the Heath Hen became extinct in 1932. Recent attempts to preserve habitat between farm fields has had some success, but it remains to be seen if the strict habitat requirements of this species can be fulfilled in these relatively small areas. In recent studies it was found that even power lines and towers have negative impacts on the selection of habitat. In Kansas, Greater Prarie-Chickens were not observed living within 1/4 mile of power lines and not with 1/3 mile of roads, towers, or farms. With declining populations and breeding behavior that favors few males, another threat to their survival is a loss of genetic variance. The current estimate is that 495,000 Greater Prarie-Chickens live in North America, with the majority in Kansas, Nebraska, and South Dakota. See YouTube video of Greater Prarie-Chickens in Missouri, at a Kansas lek, competing for dominance, and in courting rituals.
New Products and Special Savings in December!
Do you want to enhance your backyard birding experience and also help neighborhood wildlife? Our birding and habitat authority will visit your yard and assist you with planning and selecting the elements to enhance your backyard birding experience. Shortly after the visit, the Wild Bird Center will provide a complete plan for placement of feeders, baths, and other features to enhance your enjoyment. Consultation fee is $15. Call the store and make an appointment: 314-842-1496. Want to attract more birds to your yard? Have a birding question? Visit Birding Tips on the Wild Bird Center site and Ask Denise. |
The December Product of the Month is the Squirrel Buster Feeder, one of the best squirrel-proof feeders on the market today. It is very effective against squirrels, preventing them from raiding your feeder, and making sure that the seed you buy goes only to the birds. It comes with a lifetime guarantee against damage from squirrels. This would be the perfect Holiday gift for someone on your list. On sale in month of December, for $75.99, $12.00 off the regular price of the Squirrel Buster. Print this page as your coupon. Wild Bird Center, Birding Number of the Month: The Mourning Dove gathers seeds from the ground and stores them in its crop. Once the crop is filled they can fly away to safety and digest the meal. What is the record for the largest number of bluegrass seeds stored in a Mourning Dove crop?
December Birding News. December brings us the first blast of winter weather, and our feathery friends are now most concerned with staying well-fed with high oil seeds, nuts, and suet. Birds never become totally dependent on the food they get from feeders, but providing food for them now really enriches their habitat and encourages birds to stay. A quick meal before nighttime at a feeder can make a big difference in a bird’s survival on a cold winter’s night, especially as natural food becomes more scarce. Concentrate on offering high-quality mixes or plain black-oil sunflower in your feeders, offer millet on the ground or on platform feeders for the juncos and sparrows, and don’t forget the suet for the woodpeckers, nuthatches, and titmice. Daylight is short now, so birds have to consume a lot of food in a shorter time. Watch for them at your feeders throughout the daylight hours. Cardinals still prefer to eat most of their food very early or at dusk, while others will be seen throughout the day. You should be seeing lots of cardinals, finches, chickadees, doves, and sparrows at this time. If your habitat has a few large trees, you’ll see woodpeckers and nuthatches too. Other December birding news:
The Birding Number of the Month. According to allaboutbirds.org, the record number of bluegrass seeds in a Mourning Dove crop is 17,200!
At the Wild Bird Center we are proud to add a new product line that meets our strictest requirements for quality and value. Stop by and see our new lines of dog and cat foods. As you might expect from us, these foods use only the highest quality, USA-grown and raised ingredients. The foods are high meat content, with no corn, wheat, soy, grain fractions, or fillers. Only pesticide-free whole grains, herbs, fruits, and vegetables for wholesome, balanced nutrition. We now have Canidae All Life Stages and Nature's Logic dog foods, along with Felidae and Nature's Logic dry cat food. Stop by for a free sample. Offer your pet the best nutrition along with great taste.
Free Delivery--Not everyone enjoys getting out to run errands in the cold weather. If you would like to have your seed delivered to your home, give us a call. We'd be happy to help! |
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