Many bird species participate in regular and predictable fall and spring migrations. Bird watchers can tell the time of year without having a calendar nearby by observing migrations of Purple Martins, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, Juncos, and many other species. Those trying to get seasonal clues from the migration behavior of the Pine Siskin (Spinus pinus), however, may end up being confused.

The Pine Siskin is one member what is commonly called the irruptive winter finches--others are Pine Grosbeak, Red Crossbill, White-winged Crossbill, Purple Finch, Common Redpoll, and Evening Grosbeak. Irruptive species do not migrate in normal patterns for the winter months, and will spend winters in different locations from year-to-year, often determined by food supply.

Pine Siskins live year-round from southern Canada to New Mexico, but many spend the breeding months (summers) in Alaska and Northwestern Canada, and then migrate south of the Canadian border for the winter. In some winters they will go as far south as Florida, and in other winters they will stay further to the north, generally following the supply of available food. Project FeederWatch reported substantially more Pine Siskins in America during the winter of 2008-9 than in the winter before. Local bird watchers in the St. Louis area report seeing many in the region last year, but relatively few this year.

Pine Siskins are monogamous breeders that live in loose colonies. They build nests 10-15 feet off of the ground that resemble shallow saucers of twigs, grass, and weeds, and line them with insulating fur, feathers, moss, or plant down. Nests from multiple pairs may be found in the same tree, and may only be a few feet away from each other. Eggs ( typically 3-4) are constantly incubated by the female, who is fed during the 13 day incubation period by the male. Babies typically fledge in 13-17 days. Common breeding grounds are coniferous forests, parks, and cemeteries.

Small seeds and tree buds make up the largest part of the Pine Siskin diet, although in summer months they will also eat insects and spiders. They forage in flocks, often high in the tree canopy, and can often be seen hanging upside down on the tips of conifers while feeding. In residential neighborhoods Pine Siskins are frequent visitors to Nyjer feeders, and they can also be found along the side of roads and highways in winter, as they seem to be fond of salt.

See YouTube video of a Pine Siskin singing, at a feeder, flocking to a bird bath, and eating sunflower seeds.

Read more about the Pine Siskin at:

• Cornell Lab of Ornithology
• US Geological Survey
• WhatBird.com
• eNature.com
• BirdWeb.org

New Products and Special Savings in January!
10% off to e-Newsletter Customers Only!

• Winter and Spring Flags: It’s time to get down those Holiday flags! Change them now to something that will brighten these cold winter days. We have some new winter and early spring designs that you are sure to love.
• New Organica Products: We are now carrying these exceptional products from Organica – the totally natural way to clean and deodorize. The Stain & Spot remover works like magic! It removes the toughest stains from carpets, upholstery, clothing, and just about anything else. The Odor Eliminator works great and doesn’t leave behind artificial scents that can aggravate allergies in people and pets. Both are 100% natural, biodegradable, and safe for humans, plants, and animals.
• Wild Bird Center Hopper Feeders: A new line of cedar hopper feeders in a broad range of prices and sizes so that you can find just the right feeder for your needs.

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 January Product of the Month is Premium Dove & Quail (PDQ) Mix, our newest addition to our seed offerings. It consists of millet, safflower, cracked corn, and nyjer, and is the perfect mix for ground feeders. Some of our winter ground feeders include Juncos, White-throated and White-crowned Sparrows. Cardinals and Doves love it too. Offer it on platform feeders or throw it directly on the ground. Buy it now during the month of January for 15% off the regular price. Print this page as your coupon.

The answer to the December Species Quiz (right picture) is the Bank Swallow. What is the species in the picture on the left? Answer in the February e-Newsletter.

January Birding News.

January has brought us a real blast of winter weather. When the temperature dips below freezing and snow covers the ground, birds become more desperate for food. The natural food supply is dwindling now and birds are relying more on feeders to find the high-oil seeds that they need to maintain their body temperatures. If you have been feeding all along, you have already noticed the big increase in birds at your feeders. If not, now would be a great time to offer our feathered friends a helping hand. Cold weather and shorter days make it hard for birds to forage enough food to keep them warm throughout the night. Feeders that are stocked with high-oil foods like sunflower, nyjer, and peanuts, along with a suet feeder, provide just the right combination

Other January birding news:

• Birds to look for in January include Cardinals, Chickadees, Woodpeckers, House Finches, White-Throated and White-Crowned Sparrows. Watch now for the Juncos, who eat on the ground and prefer millet. Pine Siskins often make an appearance here in the winter. Watch for them on your Nyjer (finch) feeders, and identify them by the striped underbelly that distinguishes them from Goldfinches. Other unusual winter visitors include Brown Creepers, Red-breasted Nuthatches, and Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers. If you really love seeing unusual species in winter, bundle up and head for open water like the Mississippi River near the Alton dam. Flocks of birds congregate here and you will likely see Bald Eagles, White Pelicans, and many species of ducks and gulls
• Best Seeds to feed in January: If you have only one feeder, feed a mix with sunflower and peanuts. Your mix should be at least 60% Black Oil Sunflower; the label should list this as the first ingredient. If you have a separate ground feeder, feed millet on the ground or use a mix rich in millet for the ground feeders. Don’t forget the suet feeders. Birds need the fat found in suet to help them keep warm – and you will find many birds attracted to suet, including Cardinals, Chickadees, Titmice, Woodpeckers, Nuthatches, and Bluebirds. High quality suet will have fewer grains (seeds) in it, look for these high-fat suets that will last much longer than those with seeds, while providing the birds with the energy they need.
• This Month’s Hint – Open Water. Water is always a great addition to your habitat, but especially so in the winter. Make sure you offer clean, unfrozen water throughout the winter and enjoy the variety of birds you will see. It is the only time of the year many people in our area see bluebirds, as they enjoy the water more than most other species. If you don’t already have a deicer for your bath, now is a great time to get one. There are still a couple of months of winter weather to come.
  
  Make sure your birdbaths have deicers in them now to keep the water in your birdbath unfrozen. Deicers work on a thermostat, and don’t really keep the water warm. Most keep the water at about 35 – 40 degrees, just warm enough to drink or even bathe. Yes, birds really do bathe even in the coldest weather! Clean feathers have much more insulating ability and therefore will keep the birds warmer. Weather like we experienced in early January can result in death for many birds because of the lack of water for drinking and bathing. Make sure your habitat offers open water even in the coldest temperatures. Species that really love the water include Robins, Bluebirds, Cardinals, Finches, and Blue Jays.
• Kids’ Activity for January. January is all about shelter to the birds – shelter from the cold and winter storms, as well as predators like the Cooper’s Hawk. Consider tossing your old Christmas tree in your yard for the winter as a quick, dense shelter for the birds. Let the kids find pinecones, smear them with peanut butter, and roll them in seeds. Hang these from tree branches or on the old Christmas tree for a quick snack. If you did not have a real tree for the holidays, try letting the kids gather branches and twigs to create a small brush pile for the winter. These structures can provide needed shelter from winter storms and birds of prey.

Attend the Missouri Botanical Garden 5th Annual Backyard Bird Festival on Saturday, Feb 6, 2010. Register for classes and birdwalks at http://www.mobot.org/birding. Stop by the Wild Bird Center table and attend Denise's class at 1:00 pm, "Bird Watching Optics: A Primer".

The Birding Number of the Month. According to a paper in the 2001 edition of The Condor, the Downy Woodpecker drums at an average rate of 15.8 strikes per second. While this may seem fast, the drumming does not last long, as the average duration is only 0.78 seconds.

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!