Rencently I had someone ask me about the feeding frenzie at their local feeder! Activity at the feeder, whether you are a bird, deer, fish or HUMAN, the behavior before a storm, whether conscious of it or not, tends to result in eating. We are thankful for the inquiry, as this gives opportunity to share great information on our feathered friends that like to hang out and EAT in your neck of the woods.
Enjoy – The Birdhouse Guy!
Q: Filled hummer feeder Sunday-it’s already half gone! what’s up? do they feed more before storms? babies? never happened before?
A: The increased number of birds at your feeder at this time of year during or before a storm likely pertains to migrating birds that have been forced to stop en route. Warm weather in the NE recently may have coaxed such birds as White-Throated and Song Sparrows north. Blackbirds such as Red-Winged and Common Grackles are also moving north. Stopping at feeders is a logical place to feed and wait it out until the winds again become favorable to their journey.
Insects seem to become more agitated as the atmospheric pressure drops before a storm; when the pressure is high on a “nice” day they move about more lazily and are easier to approach.
In addition, ‘many birds store food and have exceptional spatial memory to relocate it, even a month later.’ (from the on-line resource, Birds of North America)
Other interesting facts:
- Generally birds need more food in cold weather. Small birds need relatively more food than larger ones, and they generally eat smaller items, so they are more likely to be affected by a blizzard. A small bird’s survival may depend on how well it can conserve energy during a storm. A chickadee, for instance, will increase its feeding intensity during cold weather.
- In general larger birds cope with the cold better than smaller birds.
- Did you know that individuals of a species living in colder regions tend to be larger than individuals living in warmer areas!
The Birdhouse Guy!
* For more information on how you can help house and feed birds, whether local or migratory, visit: www.wildlife-houses.com
