Birds of West Cobb

What is that yellow bird on my feeder? Is that an American Goldfinch, a Pine Warbler, a Pine Siskin or something else altogether? In this blog we try to assist you with identifying the yellow-feathered visitors that may appear in your yard or on your feeder. This could be a frequent visitor or a bird that only stopped by in the midst of a 3,000 mile migratory journey. We'll also provide some of our bird food recommendations as well! Let's dive right in! A bright Yellow Pine Warbler visits our mealworm feeder plate in early Spring. I’ve spoken to many people that see yellow birds on their bird feeders and assume they are either American Goldfinches or someone had a pet parakeet that escaped. While it's certainly not impossible, it is pretty unlikely that a parakeet would show up at your feeders. An adult male American Goldfinch loves to eat Safflower on a Tube Feeder from Wild Birds Unlimited. Is that yellow bird on my feeder some type of Warbler? Warblers are carnivores and love to eat live insects, spiders, caterpillars, dried mealworms and even suet cakes. The shape of their beak is narrower and longer than that of a finch. In contrast, finches have wider, taller beaks made for cracking open seed shells. Take a look at the photos below of some of the Warblers we’ve seen so far at our feeder and you’ll quickly see the difference when you look at finches in the future! A pair of Yellow-Rumped Warblers grab a bite to eat before migrating further South for the Winter. An adult male Yellow-rumped Warbler with breeding plumage growing in, Early Spring Is that yellow bird on my feeder a Yellow-rumped Warbler? (shown above)Yellow-rumped Warblers migrate from much further north in Fall, and stay with us from late Autumn until mid-Spring (typically April). When they arrive their feathers have already grown in for Winter warmth and these feathers have much less color and contrast, see the photo above of the pair. In February through April though you can witness the transformation with the “breeding plumage”. The photo below shows a male with the majority of his breeding colors in place. The Yellow-rumped Warblers will now have 2 very bright yellow patches on the sides of the breast, and a bright yellow spot between the wings as well, which is how they earned their nickname "Butter Butt". Maybe you saw a warbler, but it had more yellow on it than the Yellow-rumped variety. Keep scrolling down and let's see if we can help you identify what you saw! Adult male Pine Warbler perches on a plate of mealworms A Pine Warbler visits our suet feeder for a tasty bite of suet. Is that Yellow bird on my feeder a Pine Warbler? Pine Warblers (shown above) are also migratory but we have some year-round here in Marietta, Georgia. They will look a bit more dull in the winter, and will appear with a mustard-brownish yellow, (especially the female Pine Warblers), but their colors brighten up dramatically in the males in early Springtime, for breeding / attracting their mates. They are quick, flying in and grabbing a mealworm or two before flying back into brush or tree limbs nearby for cover. Pine Warblers have a very high-pitch whistle for a bird call which may be your only clue they are nearby for most of the year. But in Winter when their live insect food sources are scarce, a plate of dried mealworms or a high-fat and protein Suet Cake can work wonders to bring them to your yard. (Product Link below, near the bottom of this blog post) Pine Warbler identification tip: Pine Warblers will have 2 parallel white bars on their wings. Their coloration is much more evenly spread from head to neck to breast. When compared with a yellow-rumped warbler which will also have 2 parallel white bars, the yellow coloration is only seen in a few spots on these birds, and there are more streaks of black over their white bellies. Pine Warbler bellies are yellow! A Tennessee Warbler photographed during Winter in Marietta, Georgia Is the yellow bird on my bird feeder a Tennessee Warbler? Tennessee Warbler: We didn’t even realize we captured this photo and found out a few weeks later that the “pine warbler” we were photographing from a distance was in fact, a Tennessee Warbler. There are no visible bars of white along the wings or tail, and the subtle yellow color is much smoother and there is even a touch of brown at the corner of the wings/shoulders. The colors of this bird change from the subtle yellow to a warm grey right above the breast up to the eyes. This may be one of two we’ve ever spotted at our feeders to date! We will definitely keep looking for more though! How do you attract Tennessee Warblers to your bird feeders? In our case, we photographed one Tennessee Warbler eating C&S Peanut Suet Nuggets. In the other case, this beautiful warbler was attracted by dried mealworms and fresh water. Don't worry, we'll add the links for these products at the end of the blog for you as well! A tiny Ruby-crowned Kinglet looks at a tall stack of Suet Nuggets A Ruby-crowned Kinglet peers into a bowl of dried mealworms Is that yellow bird on my feeder a Ruby-crowned Kinglet? Ruby-crowned Kinglet (photo above) : These are tiny birds, relatively close to a Carolina Chickadee or a Pine Siskin (keep reading to see some photos of the siskins). Often in the Winter months they will fly in very quickly and snatch a small chunk of suet or a piece of a mealworm and then retreat to the cover of small shrubs or brush. We managed to capture a few photos of them for you to help you identify these adorable and energetic birds! They are only mildly yellow/brown but we wanted to be sure to include them here in case it helped you! Much like the warblers above, they do get more colorful and bright in the Spring. The easiest way to identify a Kinglet, is by the single white arm bar, and the yellow wing feathers which follow back to their tail feathers. At the right moment, you may even get a chance to see the "Ruby Crown" feathers as well! A Pine Siskin eating fresh Safflower Seeds Is that yellow bird at my feeder a Pine Siskin? Pine Siskin: at a glance you might believe you have a bunch of female house finches but at a closer look, they are a bit smaller and they have a splash of yellow on their wings and tails. They usually travel in flocks and we’ve seen 2-3 of them at once only a few times, otherwise there were over 50 birds. They love to east Safflower seeds and hulled Sunflower meats as well. We'll add these products to the list at the bottom for you too! An adult Male Scarlet Tanager in Winter Plumage visits our large pool (or dish with water in it). A Scarlet Tanager visits our feeder during Autumn Migration Is that yellow bird on my feeder a Scarlet Tanager? While flipping through our photo archives we realized that we had a photo of another Yellow bird. This time it is a Scarlet Tanager in it’s Winter or migratory plumage, that stopped by for a snack and sip of water! It is pretty exciting to see all the different bird species that will come to your yard if there is a fresh, clean water source. Thanks again for reading and we hope you’ll follow us and share our page with your bird people 🙂 Is that a Summer Tanager on my bird feeder? How can you tell the difference between it and a Scarlet Tanager? Updated on 10/9/2024 - We now also have recent photos of another yellow bird: The Summer Tanager! Note the black wings on the Scarlet Tanager (pictured above) and the yellow/brown wings on the Summer Tanager, below! Both were photographed in the Winter months in Marietta, Georgia. A Summer Tanager visits for water Is that yellow bird on my bird feeder an American Goldfinch? An adult male Goldfinch perches above the feeders Attracting Yellow Birds: Our Top Product Recommendations below for Bird Food For attracting Warblers (Pine Warblers, Yellow-rumped Warblers, Tennessee Warblers) as well as Kinglets (Ruby-crowned kinglets, Golden-crowned Kinglets) we suggest you try the high-protein & high fat foods below. These birds expend a ton of energy as they are constantly on the move and also trying to stay warm (during the Winter months) C&S Suet Cakes link here C&S Peanut Suet Nuggets link here Dried Mealworms ( we have nearly doubled our bird-species count since starting to offer mealworms as well as seed and suet! ) link here American Goldfinches, Pine Siskins really enjoy seeds and use their seed-cracking beaks with great success for the following: Hulled Sunflower Seed link here Safflower Seed link here Thistle Seed (seems to work best in Winter months) link here Why you might see more yellow birds in Winter Even though you might think Winter is “quiet bird season,” your feeders can actually turn into a little yellow-bird hotspot. Birds like Pine Warblers, Tennessee Warblers, and Ruby-crowned Kinglets will expand their diets to include seeds, suet, and dried mealworms when their usual insect buffet is hard to find. By offering a variety of foods — a plate of C&S Suet Cakes , some peanut suet nuggets , or a small bowl of dried mealworms — you might be surprised at how many extra visitors show up. Not only is this a lifesaver for the birds during cold snaps or snow, but it’s also a front-row ticket for you to watch their Winter plumage and see subtle color changes you might otherwise miss. Tips for spotting and identifying yellow birds at your feeder Yellow birds may all look similar at first glance, but a closer look at beak shape, wing bars, and markings can help you figure out who’s who. American Goldfinches have chunky, cone-shaped beaks for cracking seeds, while warblers’ thin, pointed beaks are made for snatching insects. Watching how they behave helps too — Goldfinches are happy to linger and feed in little groups, whereas Kinglets and warblers usually dart in for a quick snack before heading back into cover. (Pro tip: snapping a quick photo with your phone can be a lifesaver when you’re trying to identify a fast-moving visitor.) Switching up your feeder offerings — hulled sunflower seeds, safflower, thistle  — is an easy way to attract a wider variety of yellow visitors and keep your backyard birding exciting all Winter long.

In this blog we help with your question: "Do Yellowjacket Traps actually work? " We feel they work very well, however, we noticed that Yellowjacket Traps work best during late Spring and throughout the warmer Summer months. While Bees and Wasps are beneficial pollinators, yellowjackets are particularly obnoxious. They seem to be the only wasps that climb onto our hummingbird feeders regularly, they can be found in our terracotta plates full of dried mealworms, and we have even seen them drive away birds from a meal in some situations. Of course, running over a nest with a lawn mower is never fun either. But what can we do about it? How can we reduce the number of yellowjackets and also keep the majority of these pests from interfering with your backyard birding adventures? A yellow jacket trap with lots of dead yellow jackets! I strongly recommend yellowjacket traps for this! If anyone asks you the question "Do Yellowjacket Traps actually work?" You'll be able to tell them with certainty - They really do work . In fact, this year so far I have likely dumped out well over a hundred yellowjackets from our single trap. Here’s how a Yellow jacket trap works: There is a small cotton ball or cotton pad that you pour special, concentrated nectar attractant onto. This cotton ball/pad is inserted inside the plastic trap, which is essentially a funnel with holes at the bottom which are the exact size of a yellowjacket. Smaller pollinators like bees or even larger wasps will not fit or are small enough that they won’t get stuck and can climb back out. ( We have verified that no honeybees or other wasps have been found inside our trap after 2+ years using these! ). The 3 pieces of the trap snap together and can be quickly hung from a hook, cable, or low-hanging tree limb. You’ll want to position this someplace fa bit further from your house and feeders. It doesn't have an odor or anything that would bother you, but you don't want to lure the pests to your door! I’d recommend 30-50ft or further from your porch/deck or feeders if you have the space. This yellow jacket trap has just attracted it's first customer! Here is the direct link to the product on Amazon: Yellow Jacket Traps (2-pack ) If you intend to empty out the trap of all the dead yellow jackets, do so at dusk, as they are typically less active at this point in the day and you are then also far less likely to encounter any live ones. The nectar slowly loses its effectiveness and typically you will want to replace the cotton ball, or at least refresh the nectar once each month or month and a half. An under-side view of the Rescue Brand Yellow Jacket Trap The Rescue! brand Yellow Jacket traps allow the insects to crawl inside from the bottom of the trap, but they find it impossible to leave. The hole sizes have been engineered to allow Yellow Jackets specifically, but larger and smaller wasps either won’t fit, or won’t get stuck! In fact, we have tested this and only have found dead yellow-jackets inside of our trap, now in the second year of usage! A lot of yellow jackets were captured with this Rescue Brand trap This trap has been busy for about a month. (May-June) It is time to take it down, ideally at dusk before the Yellow Jackets are too active, clean it out and refill the attractant concentrated nectar. This is our 3rd or 4th trap full of them this year! Another view of a well-used yellow jacket trap Once again, here is a link to the yellowjacket trap we use, and it has been working even better than we expected! Direct Product Link: Rescue! Brand – Yellow Jacket Traps 2-pack The package indicates that this trap is ideally placed in early Spring to eliminate future Queens and prevent them from building new nests. We didn’t catch any queens this time around, but we are hopeful for next Spring. Also, the activity was slow at first. Maybe only 3-5 yellowjackets per week were trapped for April-May. But once the weather became warm, and eventually just hot, there were fewer food sources available and the trap quickly began to fill with these pesky wasps! After a couple of months the nectar attractant goes stale and doesn't attract more yellow-jackets. Can i order refills of the attractant? You sure can! If you need to order some now to get ready for Spring/Summer, here is a link to the attractant Does Rescue! make any other traps for garden pests? You bet! They have an entire arsenal to help get rid of various Wasps, Gnats, Fruit Flies, House Flies, Japanese Beetles, Ants, Moths, Carpenter bees and more! Check out their Amazon store here: Rescue! Amazon Store link . Have you tried another brand or style of trap from Rescue! or another company? We’d love to hear about your experience! Please leave us a comment below! Thanks for reading and supporting your local backyard bird nerds! - Birds of West Cobb (Lisa & Dan)

In this blog, we'll share some hilarious Bird Memes and Bird-related comics that we have found while out scouring the world wide web. Feel free to re-share with your friends (and be sure to give credit to the artists!) We hope you enjoy these as much as we do! Also, be sure to check back periodically as we will be adding more as we find them! This hilarious meme showing stork that just delivered a baby, but also employing the modern-day methodology of snapping a "proof of delivery" photo, likely to send to the new parents. We love this sort of humor, well done Nate Fakes, well done! You can follow him on Instagram here: Nate Fakes Stork delivery a baby meme / cartoon by Nate Fakes Here's an instant classic depicting the timeless competition for birdseed between a bird and a squirrel. But this time, in the "Corporate America" breakroom space. We love this! To see more from this comic, check out Off the Mark (by Mark Parisi). In this comic, a Turkey Entrepreneur has started selling T-shirts that make turkeys look skinny so they will likely not be hunted or eaten on November 28th, America's Thanksgiving Holiday. We're not sure of the artist for this one, but we have seen it on a t-shirt from a major retailer and also on Instagram. If you know the artist, please let us know and we'll be sure to edit this post to reference them appropriately! One enterprising turkey sells "skinny tees" to the local turkeys before Thanksgiving The irony... an innocent hobby just feeding a few backyard birds can go terribly, terribly... RIGHT! Soon you'll have a flock-worth of feeders, bird baths, organized containers full of the various types of bird food and even bird-safe cleaners you didn't know you needed previously. This cartoon (unknown artist) shows just how the birds will take advantage of their new found humans. Birdwatching can quickly turn into an obsession if you're not too careful In this cartoon, some eggs perform an egg-corcism on a very clearly "deviled" egg. That's funny stuff for sure, we hope you enjoy as much as we do! You can check out the other comics by this artist on their Instagram page: Quickies "Deviled" A cartoon by Quickies There's one you don't see every day! A couple of Hummingbirds up to no good, passing around a hummingbird feeder shaped bong. Maybe this is what they're up to when we don't see them for months and months at a time? This is a fun comic from artist Will Santino, and you can check him out on his website here In this meme, likely created by the instagram page "@JDM CARS", 3 of the fastest things on earth are depicted. A B-2 Bomber diving from the stratosphere, a Peregrine Falcon (one of our favorite birds) likely diving after prey, and a mechanic's hand shooting down into an engine bay after they drop that bolt that they were either in the process of extracting or reinstalling. If you've ever worked on a vehicle you know how true this is... there is no question - a mechanic's hand is the fastest thing on the planet when they drop a bolt or that 10mm socket during a job The comic below includes some (teenage?) squirrels getting a little wild with the tube feeders out in the yard, while the resident human looks on. Good times brought to you by Jim Benton - you can see more of his stuff at the Go Comics page . We also love the hand-shaped Turkey drawing... that one brings back memories for sure! In this cartoon, mischievous squirrels convert a bird feeder into a bong This cartoon brought to you by Rosemary Mosco and her wonderful page located here birdandmoon.com shows the (somewhat frightening) stages of a male Northern Cardinal molting between seasons. When are you fixing that dripping spigot? Why isn't the grass cut yet? Honey, relax I'm watching the game and I'll get to it later - this meme may strike a nerve, be prepared! In some species it is very difficult to tell the male from the female bird. Within coffee shops there are all sorts of people, but usually you don't see Herb and Fran out Human Watching. Although, I'm sure it would be a heck of a time! Thanks for creating this one Scott Metzger ! Be sure to check out his page and his other hilarious comics here https://www.metzgercartoons.com/ This meme shows what happens when the mafia is out to get your Rooster... and maybe they are employed by a large-scale fast food chain. What can I say, sometimes you really just need to be creative in order to blend in! Ever wonder if a rooster could hide from the KFC Mafia? Now you know how it might look While not a bird, per se, this is funny on so many levels knowing that a gray squirrel would probably react this way, before trying to bury this giant nut in your lawn. A gray squirrel captured in a photo hugging what may be the worlds largest acorn We've scouted the web and found even more hilarious Bird-related Memes and comics below! Did you know that 'smart' bird feeders are a real thing? Check out this Netvue Birdfy Smart Feeder with auto-capture, motion detection, a mobile app and live streaming capabilities! Click the image to find out more about the Netvue Birdfy Smart Bird Feeder and purchase one from Amazon.com - it makes a fantastic gift! The next to cartoons are related to the action we are all most familiar with, birds target-practicing on our shiny, freshly washed and detailed vehicles. If you've even spent time parked under a tree or power lines, you know why these are spot-on! By artist Dave Coverly (from the comic strip known as " speedbumpcomic ", here's the first one we love! That link was for his Instagram page but here is also a link straight to his website ! Have you ever thought to yourself that the birds must be training their young to aim for your car? We can confirm that they most certainly do! This next comic from " BizarroComics.com " and artist Dan Piraro , this is a classic potty-training bird joke that we've seen shared a few times over the years. Well done Dan! Another parent bird trains it's young to hold it until they see a parked car Every household has that one person that just has to carry all of the groceries into the house. In this next comic, (also from Dave Coverly and Speed bump comics , this is wonderfully captured from a bird-grocery delivery perspective. Do you want to attract more species to your bird feeders than you've been getting with bird seed alone? Pro Tip: Try using dried mealworms! They provide lots of protein and calcium and this is critical for birds that are active searching for insects and even those migrating or reproducing. We've found that birds love them and we nearly doubled our "life list" after using mealworms! Click this link -> 5lb bag of dried mealworms to order some today and give it a try! Our next hilarious comic from Dave Coverly features the drawings of the Largest Woodpecker in North America - the Pileated Woodpecker! This hilarious comic shows a neighbor or friend coming over to another woodpecker's house and apparently instead of ringing the doorbell, he just pecked right through the front door! Be sure to check out Speedbump.com for more of these well-thought cartoons. Another theme for birds that people often wonder about, would be the subject of nesting and eggs hatching. while incubation can range from species to species, maybe adults just get tired of waiting and want to induce labor?! OK that's pretty funny to think about from a bird-perspective Well done Off the Mark Comics (artist Mark Parisi ) Artist Scott Metzger from ScottMetzgerCartoons (<-Instagram) made a fantastic reference to seagulls fighting over food and the main character snagged a chip - turns out it was a Kale chip which was not something he was interested in! We've all been there, whether it's a kale chip or a jelly bean of the wrong flavor - we can certainly relate! Our next comic has some very well drawn American Goldfinches perched in a nest high in a tree, and one is explaining to the other that they now have some downstairs roommates. Cartoonist Scott Johnston did a great job with this one! Take a look at more of his work here What can we say, Dave Coverly is probably our favorite bird comic - Here is another fun one of a parent bird telling their small child that they are going to have to learn to fly the old-fashioned way, and NOT with the help of a flight simulator on their computer or tablet. Well done, Dave! Once again that link to view more great works by Dave can be found at Speed Bump Comics Could you imagine the classic fairy tale about leaving a trail of breadcrumbs but narrated by birds, hiking through the forest? Yeah, I'm sure that would end well... but it sure makes for a witty cartoon! Thanks for the laughter, Dave Blazek @ LoosePartsComics ! i think we have all heard the story about the "breadcrumb trail" Thanks for stopping in and checking out some of our favorite bird memes, cartoons and comics, and most importantly, artists! - Birds of West Cobb (Lisa & Dan)

Is Red-Dyed Hummingbird Nectar Safe? You know the stuff… that bottled, cheap red liquid you see at Walmart, your local home improvement store, or even your grocery store. You may even see a neighbor giving it away on Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, or Nextdoor. But what’s the deal? Is it even usable? Is it safe for hummingbirds? Let’s dive in and find out - Is Red-dyed hummingbird nectar safe for your hummingbirds? Several Ruby-throated Hummingbirds gather at a feeder before migrating south The Best DIY Hummingbird Nectar Recipe Before we break down the safety of red-dyed nectar, let’s talk about the best homemade hummingbird nectar recipe. It’s incredibly simple! A juvenile ruby-throated hummingbird enjoys DIY nectar from a red-glass hummingbird feeder The Best DIY Hummingbird Nectar Recipe How to Make Safe Hummingbird Nectar: Add 4 parts water to a small pot and bring to a boil. Stir in 1 part plain white table sugar until fully dissolved. Remove from heat and allow to cool to room temperature. (For faster cooling, refrigerate briefly.) Thoroughly clean your hummingbird feeder before refilling with fresh nectar. Hang your feeder back up and enjoy watching the hummingbirds! This method is clean, safe, and quick. You don’t have to take our word for it—check out this resource from the Smithsonian National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute : DIY Hummingbird Nectar Recipe White table sugar mixed with boiling water is a much safer option when it comes to DIY Hummingbird food A female Ruby-Throated Hummingbird perches for a drink Is Store-Bought Red-Dyed Hummingbird Nectar Safe? Examining Popular Brands One of the most common store-bought nectar products is Perky-Pet Concentrated Hummingbird Nectar Sugar , which claims to be 100% sucrose. Since sucrose is metabolized efficiently by hummingbirds, this seems like a great option at first glance. However, there’s a major issue—it’s dyed red. The Smithsonian and other experts recommend avoiding red dye in nectar . So why do companies like Perky-Pet continue using it? It’s likely a marketing tactic— humans are drawn to the red color , even though birds don’t need it in their nectar. A silhouette of a Ruby-throated Hummingbird perched on a feeder Why Red Dye is Bad for Hummingbirds? Hummingbirds are naturally attracted to red flowers and feeders, but that doesn’t mean they need red-dyed nectar. Many experts, including hummingbird researcher Sheri L. Williamson , have publicly criticized the use of red dye in commercial nectar, noting its potential harm to birds. Despite concerns, some manufacturers continue producing red nectar without sufficient safety studies. What are some safe alternatives to Red-Dyed Hummingbird Nectar Instead of using commercial red-dyed nectar, opt for these safe alternatives: Homemade or DIY nectar  (recipe included above) Clear, dye-free commercial nectar( product link here ) Decorative Hummingbird Feeders with red accents instead of red nectar (We've included the top options below for durability and review rating!) Billion Sky Lantern Style Hummingbird Feeder with Red Glass (product link here ) Red glass lantern-style hummingbird feeder Netvue Birdfy Smart Hummingbird Feeder with Solar Charging (product link here or click the image below) We recently reviewed the newer Netvue Birdfy Hum Feeder Duo camera as well, if you're interested in reading about the cool features and possibly shopping for one as well - give the blog a quick read ! Netvue Birdfy Hummingbird Feeder with Solar Charging A gorgeous adult male Ruby-throated Hummingbird perched at a feeder. Our Final Thoughts about Premade or Red-dyed hummingbird nectar So, is red-dyed hummingbird nectar safe ? The answer is no .  While some brands claim to be safe, red dye is unnecessary and likely harmful. Instead, opt for a simple homemade nectar recipe  or a clear, dye-free alternative  to keep your backyard hummingbirds healthy and happy. Are you curious to learn more about hummingbird feeders, nectar, or other backyard birding tips? Let us know in the comments! Thanks for visiting and reading! Is the Premade Clear hummingbird nectar safe for Hummingbirds? Let's talk about this since more and more brands of store-bought nectar are emerging with clear hummingbird nectar products. What's more, they all claim to be safe for the birds. However, if you make your own following the simple recipe above in this blog, and you know that you need to change it every 3-4 days or more frequently than that based on the warm outdoor temps, how can a 'perfectly safe' nectar sit on the shelf for months at a time? Preservatives. Just like a twinkie that would last for years on a shelf - is that something you really want to feed to your feathered visitors? I saw the clear nectar on sale at my local store. is it worth buying while on sale? We did a quick cost-analysis for you. The average cost nationwide for a 4lb box of white table sugar is just a bit more than $3.00. With this one box of sugar you'll be able to mix 2.84 gallons of DIY nectar, and if you only fill your feeders 1/4 full (to reduce the amount of sugar water in your feeders also reduces the spoilage/mold growth!) you can expect to get around 91 refills for your feeders! 91! That's a cost of only $1.08 per gallon. Now if you were to do that math for the leading clear nectars from Perky Pet, Pennington, Kaytee and others, they would be between $9.87 and $63.68 per gallon! So, when you combine the 10-60x more expensive nature of these products and the preservatives - we believe the case is very clear - to make your own hummingbird nectar, every time! With that said - if you're still in the mood to buy some mix instead of the bottled premade solutions, we'll still share a couple of top options below for you: BIRDBROS Nectar Powder - All natural, dye-free, no boiling necessary Hummer's galore USA-made all natural, dye free, preservative free - Birds of West Cobb (Lisa & Dan)

Netvue Birdfy Feeder packaging, front side view. Part of the in-depth product review by Birds of West Cobb In this product review of the Netvue Birdfy Smart Bird Feeder , we'll take a look at the product build quality, capacity of the feeder, mounting options, claims made on the packaging and most importantly, the image quality that you can expect from this product as well as a few additional items we found interesting. Please note: Birds of West Cobb is not directly affiliated with the Netvue brand, however we will add a product affiliate link to Amazon at the bottom of the blog post in case you wish to purchase one for yourself, for a friend or relative! Netvue Birdfy Packaging side view, part of the in-depth product review by Birds of West Cobb Netvue Birdfy packaging photo, part of the in-depth product review of this bird feeder by Birds of West Cobb Netvue Birdfy Feeder: What comes in the box? When first unboxing the Netvue Birdfy feeder, you'll notice several main components as shown in the image below. The main feeder body is the white object on the right side of the image, which has the antenna already installed. Below that in the center, is the roof (light blue dome shaped object). On the left-side of the image there is another blue object inside a bag, which is the feeder perch. You'll also see a couple of mounting options are included as well as a small (in our opinion) black plastic baffle. Finally, there is a small box of hardware as well as the Birdfy assembly guide. With help from the assembly guide, you can have the Netvue feeder up and running in under 15 minutes from the time you take it out of the box! The Netvue Birdfy packaging does include a mounting bracket which snaps easily into place and allows you to either mount the Birdfy feeder to a wall, a post, or on top of a pole! In addition, it comes with a long Velcro strap which you can use to mount this feeder (temporarily at best) to a tree or a large post. This is what we used when we tested this Netvue feeder. We would not recommend using it long term because when directly mounted to a tree, squirrels and raccoons can easily climb onto the feeder and can quickly damage it with their razor sharp teeth and claws! Unboxing the Netvue Birdfy Feeder and looking at the contents for the first time - part of the in-depth product review by Birds of West Cobb In the image below, you can see the perch assembly simply slides into place on the front of the feeder, and an included screw that doesn't even require a screw driver binds these together very quickly and easily. We found the assembly of the Netvue Birdfy Feeder to be a breeze thanks to fairly clear instructions and optional components for various mounting options Netvue Birdfy Feeder: What DOESN'T Come in the Box? A Micro SD Card is not included with the feeder (A Micro SD card is necessary for capturing images and video playback on the device). We recommend the SanDisk 128gb size SD card to ensure you have ample space on the card for videos, which will consume storage pretty quickly in contrast to images. Bird Seed or other Bird feed is not included. While this may seem obvious to some, perhaps a small baggie of seed like sunflower or safflower would be helpful for some to get started feeding their feathered friends. Interested in our top bird feed picks? Check out our blog on this topic! (mealworms, suet, seeds and more are discussed.) A Feeder Support Pole is not included with your purchase. If you need a solid pole to mount the feeder to, you can also purchase one from your local bird stores like Wild Birds Unlimited or Birdwatcher Supply Co., but if that is not convenient for you, amazon can deliver one of these to you in a day or two! Netvue Birdfy Feeder: Is Product Assembly Difficult? We found the Netvue Birdfy feeder to be very simple to assemble, charge and install. The perch installs in seconds to the front of the feeder, the roof snaps into place and then rotates downward which locks it securely to the back side of the feeder. The mounting bracket literally installs with a snap, and gives you flexibility into how you can mount it. How would you rate the build quality of the Netvue Birdfy Feeder? We believe the Birdfy feeder is made of a good quality of plastic and acrylic which will hold up to most weather conditions with ease. We had a visit the first night from a sizeable raccoon and the feeder survived with no damage from this visit. (Although we did relocate it afterward for the sake of safety). The battery charged fully in an hour and this also seemed to maintain a decent charge level after several days of use and over 100 visits from our Eastern Bluebirds and American Robins. Netvue Birdfy Feeder: How much bird seed does this feeder hold? The Birdfy camera has a "fill capacity" of 1.5L or 50 ounces. To put this in perspective, this is a bit less than half a gallon. The structure of the feeder is solid and can hold this with ease. Netvue Birdfy Feeder: What is the Image Quality like? Daytime Image Quality? Netvue advertises this camera as a 1080p capable device. Having said that, we were a bit underwhelmed with the overall image quality of the camera. Having used a few $35.00 Wyze home security camera in the past, I would say that the camera quality is about equal to this feeder camera. As close as the birds get, they never seem to be as "in focus" as you might have hoped for. We tested in overcast conditions and direct sunlight, at various times of day. It is our opinion that the camera could be better focused at objects (birds, mammals etc.) which are either on the edges of the perch, or closer. Instead, it seems like the whole image is in focus, including the trees, fences and houses in the background, but the birds which are up very, very close to the lens just aren't quite clear enough. Here are a few samples from our camera, at different times of day. A pair of male Eastern Bluebirds enjoy fresh dried mealworms on a Netvue Birdfy feeder during our product review. Notice the grainy imagery of the birds in this example One issue that we encountered was the resolution defaults to "SD" or standard definition. This equates to 720p which is much more grainy and pixelated when compared to 1080p which is advertised. When you are using the mobile app to "Live View" the feeder camera, you'll need to toggle this to "HD" to get the best results. However, if you set this once and then exit the "Live View" mode, your next visit back will require you making this settings change once again. This is a little frustrating but we felt it could still be tolerable enough to keep it. What made it more difficult for us however, was the fact that whenever the motion sensor is triggered and a video is recorded automatically, this video is always going to be recorded in "SD" or standard definition, and we could not find any setting or help documentation that would allow you to set this permanently to "HD" or High Definition. So this means that while HD viewing is possible, it's a bit of a chore to get it to work and it won't work for any of the automatic recordings. A female Eastern Bluebird inspects the new Netvue Birdfy feeder before eating The images above and below of the female bluebird (above) and the male American Robin (below) were both captured in "HD" or High Definition mode. You can see a pretty significant difference between the quality of images for these compared to the first image of the two male Eastern Bluebirds, but there are some minor color issues (look at the blue sky in the right side of the images) and blurry spots in the field of view (lower-right side of the images). A male American Robin notices the dried mealworm buffet at the new Birdfy Feeder Night Vision Image Quality? Netvue also touts this feeder as having "full color night vision" among it's features. In our tests we found that this is only possible to achieve by turning on the small light that is built into the feeder, by using the mobile app, and then the camera can view and record in color (but only in "live view"). The Night Vision quality is pretty poor for the camera in both black and white (default for recording and live view) and only marginally better with the light turned on temporarily. On this topic, the $35.00 Wyze v3 camera would do a much better job, not to mention it has multiple settings for strength of the IR lighting to illuminate things, while the Birdy camera seems to only have one adjustment which doesn't do much for improving the image quality unfortunately. Netvue Birdfy Feeder night vision review from Birds of West Cobb In the image above, the Netvue Birdy camera alerted me via the mobile app to some motion being captured on the feeder. I opened the app and switched to the live view and noticed first that it was in black & white, and second that you could make out the shape of the creature fairly well but you can almost not see any detail beyond a few long whiskers and the eyeball. Notice that you cannot see a single leaf on the ground below this feeder or any of the nearby trees in the background. Things improved somewhat when I enabled the light, which also allowed the camera to then display the images in color. (But notice "SD" is selected also in the lower portion of the screen). Night vision on the Netvue Birdfy camera looks better in color, a product review of the Netvue Birdfy feeder Could you use the Netvue Birdfy camera as a Security Camera also? Based on the image quality for both the daytime recordings and photographs, as well as the night vision imagery, we would definitely not recommend this bird feeder to be used as a security camera. If the videos or photographs ever made it into court it would be very hard to prove the identity of these persons were accurately captured by this bird feeder camera. Can the Netvue Birdfy Feeder be powered by Solar or a rechargeable battery? In our case, we opted for the rechargeable battery (which is built-in to the feeder). The reason for this is because our yard has nearly 50 trees and there is always shade, even in the winter months. Solar cells need direct sunlight to operate properly and provide the built-in battery pack with enough energy. Both are available though and the price is pretty similar, with the model including the solar panel currently only about $20.00 more. A look inside the Netvue Birdfy feeder Who would appreciate a Netvue Birdfy Feeder as a gift? We can think of a pretty large and diverse group of people that would enjoy learning about the backyard birds and getting a chance to see them up close, but also share recordings with friends and family members. Perhaps you have a mother or father (or both) that enjoy nature and birding, but have trouble identifying those birds that visit. Maybe a classroom or even a church group could make use of one of these and the teacher could use the mobile app to educate the students on some of the local bird species that visit and even migrate through the area. Age ranges could vary significantly but we do feel that this is a gift worth giving to many people in your life. Who would NOT enjoy receiving a Netvue Birdfy Feeder as a gift? (People who you may NOT want to gift a Netvue Birdfy Feeder to) While some people may still enjoy receiving a gift of this type, you should also consider the safety of the birds in this equation. If you have a family member that feeds feral cats or has a number of cats visiting their yard, you may want to skip this gift for them. Additionally, people that travel frequently or for extended periods of time may not get much use out of the feeder as it will run out of food in a few days and need to be refilled / recharged consistently for the best results. Does the Netvue Birdfy Feeder actually deter squirrels or raccoons? Netvue put a note on their packaging that the Netvue Birdfy feeder can deter squirrels. We read into this a bit further and found what they mean by this, is that you have a 2-way radio feature, as well as an audible alarm/siren and a light, all which can be enabled through the mobile App. None of these are automatic and you'd have to be using the "live view" mode constantly to catch a squirrel in the act, and then turn on the microphone and try to talk them into leaving. This will work for a bit but they will get more and more indifferent to your talking, and eventually overrun your feeder anyway. The best thing you can do is mount this feeder to a proper bird pole with a baffle installed. Well okay, what about raccoons? Remember the raccoon images we shared above, in the night vision image quality section? We opened the mobile app, turned on the light and turned it off again many times. The raccoon didn't even seem worried. We enabled the microphone and talked to it gently. Then more harshly. Eventually we tried barking like a dog. The raccoon could definitely hear us, and we could hear it chewing. But this did not deter the raccoon in the slightest from the feeder or the dried mealworms we placed inside. How can I install a Netvue Birdfy Camera to avoid squirrels or raccoons? Any bird feeder, not limited to the Netvue Birdfy, should be placed at least 6 feet above the ground, and at minimum 6-8 feet from any trees or structures (fences, deck posts, roof overhang etc.) so that squirrels cannot jump onto the feeder. Further, we don't just recommend installing a baffle, we absolutely require it! Okay we can't require you to do anything, but to ensure your feeders get a long life and avoid definite destruction, yes, a baffle and a decent pole are going to come in handy. We recommend a 4"x4" pressure treated post, with a large "raccoon baffle" like this one . We've had ours in place for a couple of years now and zero raccoons or squirrels have made it to the bird food placed above. Can the Netvue Birdfy Feeder Identify Birds Automatically? The Netvue Birdfy camera can identify birds automatically, using their software with Ai to quickly alert you to the new species detected. The Netvue Birdfy is one of the two leading brands currently in the market and can identify with relatively high degree of accuracy, over 6,000 species of birds. The average person will only see 30-40 species on their feeders, over the course of months or even years, and this number is strongly based on the type of the bird seed (or other feed) that you put in the feeders. The 6,000 figure is nice to know though, as it could come in handy in many different locations! Is the Netvue Birdfy Feeder Weatherproof? The Netvue Birdfy camera is rated IP65 Water Resistant . It includes plastic and acrylic construction mean that it's durable and can withstand wind, rain, snow and wide temperature swings. Are you curious to know what IP65 means, in terms of testing and overall product durability? Here is an article explaining the ins and outs of the IP65 product certification. Is the Netvue Birdfy Feeder Mobile App helpful? We tested the Netvue Birdfy mobile app with a Samsung Galaxy series Android smart phone. We found the app to be fairly easy to navigate, make changes to the settings for the camera and make use of the two-way-microphone and additional "live view" settings, and accessing your captured moments, which are basically video clips of all of the visitors to your feeder. How Far Can the Netvue Birdfy Feeder Camera See? The main purpose of the Netvue Birdfy feeder is to spot birds that are feasting on seeds or other bird feed while on the perch. This distance is only a matter of several inches, and the details vary based on lighting conditions, shadows, and the "SD" or standard definition version "HD" or high definition settings being adjusted. However, in our feeder view you can see trees and houses in the background several hundred feet away. These are not very detailed, and you can zoom some, but you will not see much clearly from these distant objects when you have zoomed in. Can I Connect the Netvue Birdfy Feeder to Other Smart Home Devices? At the time of writing this blog, you cannot connect the Netvue Birdfy feeder to other Smart Home devices like Alexa, Google Home or others. Is the Netvue Birdfy Feeder Worth the Price? In terms of value, we do think this bird feeder is a great concept and can provide many hours of entertainment, which can lead to more education and environmental awareness. Assisting people with bird identification has always been challenging, and the Birdfy feeder is certainly on the right track. While we do wish the image quality was a bit better, it does the job quite well and includes a large number of features that you may have paid hundreds or thousands of dollars for just a few years ago. While we probably wouldn't recommend this to a serious wildlife photographer that has thousands of dollars in camera gear, we would certainly recommend it for the hobbyist or the curious family member that wants to learn more about nature, and more specifically wild birds. To Summarize, this review was specifically written about the Netvue Birdfy 1 Smart Bird Feeder (original model). Our version did not include the Solar Panel for charging, although the camera and other features are the same as the version which includes that component. There are now additional models designed with different feeder styles including a hummingbird feeder model, a nest box model, and also a newer variation called the Netvue Birdfy Pro, which includes a detachable camera which makes things easier for cleaning and which is rated at IP66, but still is only listed at 1080p. If it defaults to SD, and has to be toggled constantly to HD like the Netvue Birdfy 1, we feel a little like this is false advertising. However, the overall build quality, the assistance in identifying backyard birds and capturing images of them up close is still very much worth the purchase cost. Do any of our readers have the Netvue Birdfy Pro models? We'd love to hear your opinion on the comments below! 👇 What are some Common Problems people experience with the Netvue Birdfy Feeder? We read through many reviews from other people on Amazon and Walmart's websites, and found that a few people experienced issues with battery life (although the number of complaints was quite small) and some users/purchasers struggled to get the WiFi setup completed and needed to open a support ticket with Netvue to get this addressed. Most modern-day routers have options of 2 different channels for the network; 2.4Ghz or 5Ghz. Theoretically, 2.4Ghz is better for transmitting data over longer distances, and this may be the reason Netvue decided to only make their camera connection available via the 2.4Ghz channel. You may want to check your router configuration to see if 2.4Ghz is enabled, or even available, before purchasing and starting the configuration of the device. Is the Netvue Birdfy Feeder Suitable for Apartment Balconies? When it comes to installing a bird feeder of any type at a rental property, whether it is a house, condo or apartment, be sure to review your rental lease agreement for specifics that could outline feeding wildlife as it could cause you to be held liable for damage from rodents, additional cleanup fees or lawn damage from the hulls of the seeds decaying in the lawn. Additionally, your landlord could keep your deposit if you violate terms of your rental agreement. With that being said, a Netvue Birdfy feeder could be used if it meets the rental agreement and it could be mounted to pole with baffle down near the ground or on a temporary pole on your deck or balcony. For obvious reasons, you won't want to mount anything permanent that requires screws or nails or bolts, which could damage or weaken the structure. Thanks for reading our product review of the Netvue Birdfy Smart Bird Feeder! Are you interested in purchasing a Netvue Birdfy Feeder for your friends or family? Follow either of these links to make your purchase on Amazon today: Netvue Birdfy Feeder or Netvue Birdfy Feeder with Solar Panel Thanks for reading and we hope you found our review helpful! -BOWC

In this blog, we'll attempt to help you answer the question " What is that red bird on my bird feeder ?" Please keep in mind this blog is based in the Southeastern United States (Birds of West Cobb is located in Marietta, Georgia) Spike, our resident male Northern Cardinal relaxes after a long day at the office. What are the most common Red Birds to see at your bird feeder in the Southeast? Here in the Southeastern United States, you are most likely to see one of these 7 birds which are very red, or somewhat red. There are a few species here that you might not expect! In the order of "most red" to "least red" here they are: Northern Cardinal House Finch Purple Finch Red-headed Woodpecker Scarlet Tanager Red-bellied Woodpecker Rose-breasted Grosbeak The Male Northern Cardinal is very likely to be the most common Red-colored Bird visiting your bird feeders in the South. Probably the most popular as well, Northern Cardinals are usually the answer to the question "What is that red bird on my bird feeder?" They are gorgeous birds without a question, but only the Male's feathers are bright red, and they will be brightest in Spring and Summer months! Did you know that Cardinals generally do NOT migrate? They will stay in the same area year-round and don't seem to mind the seasons changing! Here is another interesting fact for you: The Northern Cardinal has been selected as the official state bird of 7 different states! (Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia and West Virginia). While the male is typically bright red with a bit of black around the beak and eyes, the female is usually brown with an orange/red beak. Here are some photos for you of the male and female Northern Cardinal to help you identify them on your feeders! The Male House Finch will likely be your second most common Red Bird to see at your bird feeders House Finches are extremely common on feeders in the Southeast, but they were actually native to the Western United States originally and spread throughout the country. They often build nests inside of hanging plants, or in retail store sign lettering. You may even here them singing a a happy "Cheap cheap cheap" call when they are nearby in trees or shrubbery. While they are generally not a species that migrates in the Winter, you may see more than usual in Winter as some of the Northern Birds will migrate. Similar to the Northern Cardinal, the House Finch male is typically the red bird of the pair, and the female is usually quite plain in appearance. Here are some photos for you of the House Finches: The Male Purple Finch is another Red Bird that you can expect to see at your Bird Feeders in the Southeast. More often than not, you may only see a Purple finch as they pass through during Spring or Autumn migration. Some will migrate here and even spend the Winter in the South. It looks similar to the House finch but does appear more Purple than red in some lighting! I've heard from several people that they were pretty confident they'd seen Purple Finches on their feeders here in the Metro-Atlanta area. For us though, it's really not very common. We usually see the House Finches (above) far more often and only see the Purple Finches (shown below) in early Spring when they are likely migrating back to their Summer homes. They appear slightly larger than House Finches and the coloration spreads to their wings and down their bellies to their tales as well. it is also, as the name suggests, more on the purplish side of red, instead of red. (although it is fairly close to both purple and red!) An adult male Purple Finch quickly grabs a safflower seed from the deck railing An adult male Purple Finch (coloration extends through the wings and tail feathers, unlike the House Finch) perches on a tube feeder full of safflower and other mixed seeds Red-headed Woodpeckers (Male & Female) is another bird with lots of Red coloration that you can expect to see on your bird feeders. This photo was captured in Duluth, Georgia at my parent's home. They've had a nesting couple nearby for years and there is almost always one at the feeder visiting while I am spending time with my parents. The male and female BOTH have the completely red head, it is truly wonderful to see with the bright contrasting white and black on the wings, breast and head. A Red-headed Woodpecker visits a feeder in Duluth, GA where he resides Red-bellied Woodpeckers (Male & Female) are very common birds with Red head and belly feathers, which you can expect to see at your bird feeders. The Red-Bellied woodpeckers are favorites of ours. The male has a full-red patch extending from his shoulders all the way to just before the beak. The female has red in the same area, but it is broken up with a patch of warm grey between the back of the head and the beak. In the right lighting (and viewing angles) you can also see the hint of red on the bellies that they are so well known for! The Male Rose-breasted Grosbeaks have an incredibly contrasting Red, black and white pattern. These are also migratory birds for most of the South, but always a treat to spot on the feeders! The coloration differences between the male and female are basically completely opposite sides of the spectrum. The male (shown below in most photos) is bright red, black and white while the female is brown (multiple shades) and white. You may not even recognize her until you see a male along with her. The colors on the male sure are impressive to witness! Scarlet Tanager (Spring/Summer Plumage = Red, Winter Plumage - Not red!) The Scarlet Tanager will typically be seen in Georgia and around the Southeast during migration, where the majority of the red has turned to Yellow for Winter months. In this photo (below) you can still see the hints of red on the chin as well as on the belly! In Spring they will be entirely red and black with white accents on the wings and tail! A Scarlet Tanager visits Marietta, GA during the Autumn migration South. This bird will have fully red/black plumage in the Spring and Summer months! What are the best bird seed options for attracting these types of Red birds to my feeder? Black Oil Sunflower Seed This is one of our top picks for a large variety of backyard birds. You'll find anything from House Finches and Cardinals to the migratory Grosbeaks feasting on this seed type. It's readily available in many stores and you can buy it in bulk to save money as well! We've found that the shell-removed or "hulled" sunflower cuts way down on the mess below the feeders though, and we strongly recommend this over the regular sunflower seed options. Here is a link to some on Amazon so you can give it a try! Hulled Sunflower Seed 10lb bag Safflower Seed This is probably our favorite seed type for attracting Red Birds or any other seed-eating birds. The seeds themselves are slightly smaller than Sunflower or Black-oil Sunflower seeds, and typically squirrels do not find them as appetizing. (Over time they will change their mind though if food is scarce). The seed is an off-white color and it makes for some great photographic captures! Here is a link so you can purchase a 10lb bag of Safflower Seed Seed mixtures Seed mixtures can be purchased and as long as they cover the types above you will do very well to attract a large variety of birds, including red birds, to your backyard bird feeders. Some seed mixtures will contain a large percentage of filler or "millet" seed, which is largely going to fall out of the feeders and onto the ground which attracts rodents. For that reason, we try to avoid the millet and go with something like this " Special Feeder Mix " from Cole's Bird Seed. We have had incredible results with it in the past few years! C&S Suet Nuggets We've found enormous success with many birds eating these beyond just woodpeckers. This includes Cardinals on occasion, and even the Grosbeaks pictured above. Definitely check these small balls of suet out! Once your birds find them, definitely try to remain consistent with your food offerings and they will come back again and again! Here is the link to a 3-bag pack , however, if you find the same success that we did - you may want to get the 8lb box Suet Nuggets of them for nearly the same price! We uploaded a video to YouTube showing off some of the visitors that enjoy C&S Suet Nuggets - this clip was comprised of visitors all within 20-25 minutes one morning!

A quick video showing the capture of a Chipmunk with a reusable, ethical trap. This is ideal for relocating the chipmunks to a nearby park. In a previous blog post we wrote about an effective trap for removing yellow jackets from your property. This time, let's take a look at the best way to remove Chipmunks from your yard. We'll discuss using poisons, electronic traps, stopping the bird feeding completely, and finally the best way - using bird-safe, humane traps so they can be relocated, safely and unharmed, to a nearby park or vacant property. A Chipmunk sits below a bird-feeder pole and waits for fresh seed to drop down below Why would you want to remove Chipmunks from your yard? They are cute, fairly quiet (until they aren't) and pose no physical threat to us humans. Unless you were to step in a recently burrowed chipmunk hole while mowing the lawn. Or if a chipmunk hole and tunnel were abandoned and it collapsed in the rain and now you have a small sinkhole in the yard you need to fill. Worst of all, an abandoned chipmunk hole is a prime candidate for a queen yellow jacket to move into in the warmer Spring months and start building a new colony of serious hurt. A young chipmunk poses near it's burrow, just after rain stopped falling. Okay, okay, I see why you might want to get rid of the furry critters. But why can't we all just coexist? Chipmunks are a type of small-to-medium sized rodents. Rodents are famously known for their ability to breed and populate very quickly. If you are big into bird feeding like we are, you're likely generating a lot of waste seed from birds (above) in the feeders. This waste seed will eventually attract chipmunks, squirrels and possibly some other rodents including mice or even rats. So to put it simply, you're feeding the chipmunks and they are just going to use that food as fuel to rapidly procreate and then replicate. The holes they create in your yard will quickly attract other pests! It's a vicious cycle, no doubt! A plump chipmunk stuffs his cheeks with seeds before dropping them off in his storage cellar and returning for more shortly after. The first couple of years we saw a few chipmunks around and didn't think much of it. Then suddenly it seemed like they were all over the yard. It has taken some time to get them back to a much smaller number and occasionally we see one again. If you see more than 2-3 at a time you need to be capturing them and relocating them quickly or the population will literally explode! A young adult Chipmunk pauses in the morning light for a photo, before scurrying away My neighbor said I should use poison to take care of the chipmunk problem. What do you think? Poison has been used for hundreds of years to rid the world of rodents. It works, but there are sadly several far-reaching ecological side effects and we strongly recommend against poisons for these reasons. A sick/poisoned chipmunk can then be eaten by a hawk or an owl, a raccoon, possum, or even a house cat or your next door neighbor's dog, if not your own! Additionally, if it's poison pellets it's very likely that birds will certainly find this poison and ingest it as well, which will certainly end up killing them. Some of the many birds that we see eating from the ground include: Carolina Wrens, Winter Wrens, House Wrens Chipping Sparrows, Song Sparrows, White-throated Sparrows Brown Thrashers Rufous-sided or Eastern Towhees Northern Cardinals Hermit Thrushes, Swainson's Thrush Pine Warblers, Yellow-rumped Warblers, Tennessee Warblers Eastern Wild Turkeys Brown Thrashers are often seen below bird feeders looking for worms and grubs and could mistake a poison pellet for a snack as well. Another reason you would likely want to consider if the reasons above don't deter you, is the location of the dead chipmunks. You can't choose where they will end up when they finally kick the bucket. They could end up in a downspout on your home, under the deck or front porch in an inaccessible spot. Then they will start to rot and stink. Before you know it, you'll have ants crawling all over in addition to the smell. Nobody wants or needs that! This is Owlejandro, our local Barred Owl. He would appreciate it if you wouldn't poison his food sources! Okay I see some folks using electronic rodent traps that kill their targets in an instant. How would these work for Chipmunks? We've seen those around the back of our local grocery store and strip mall as well. These electronic traps are considered fairly humane because they are intended to instantly kill their targets pests, but they are actually designed for other rodents (rats) which would be snooping around in these locations where there may be nesting materials or food nearby. Chipmunks are really after your birdseed and that's about it. Plus, these are quite expensive and require recharging as well. If you have a mouse or rat problem, an electronic trap would be an excellent and humane option for reducing the number of these rodents. But for Chipmunks, we would go another route. A white throated sparrow, which is often seen eating on the ground, is a great reason NOT to use poison pellets for removing rodents from your yard. What trap should I use for catching chipmunks? We have been using a very simple trap, and also a very easy baiting technique I was able to capture nearly all of them and move them to a park just a few miles down the road. I've been using simple 2-door metal traps similar to Havahart branded traps for a few decades now. They are extremely durable, reusable, easy to clean, and simply work time and time again. I have a pair of these traps designed for small-to-medium sized rodents and since we have multiple bird feeders stations, it makes better use of my time capturing and taking them to the park two at a time. A close-up photo of a young, fluffy chipmunk on the cement walkway behind our house What do you use for bait for chipmunks? If you already have chipmunks hanging around under your bird feeders, they are used to the seed that they are finding each day. With one of these metal traps, toss a small bit of that seed straight into the trap and just wait about 20-30 minutes. If you try to make it fancy or add something like peanut butter, you may actually make them a bit suspicious and you will have less success capturing chipmunks. Where is the best place to set the chipmunk trap? I usually place one of these humane traps under each of the bird feeder stations. The reason i like to place the traps below these feeder stations is similar to the reason I choose to stick with the seed that the chipmunks are used to. They are already going to these bird feeder areas to get seed like they would any other day. They then smell a little pile of fresh seeds and head right for it. It's super easy and takes less time out of your day or weekend. How do I transport the trapped chipmunks once they've been captured? On the topic of " What is the best way to remove Chipmunks from your yard? " - Once you've trapped them, you'll want to put on some leather work gloves, and then just carry the trap out to the trunk of your car with the built-in carry handle. I recommend placing some cardboard or a trash bag under the traps though because the chipmunks will be pretty excited about being in your trunk and will definitely eject some seeds from their cheeks. When you get to the park, just carry the trap to some grass or some pinestraw covered area, pop open one of the doors on the trap and wait a few seconds. The little chipmunks will come firing out of the door just like a cannon as soon as they realize they are free again! I've included a product link below 👇 for the specific trap model we've been using now for several years. Rather than poison, or expensive electronic countermeasures, we strongly recommend you try out one of these Havahart style traps instead. Thanks for reading! 🙏 What are the top traps for removing Chipmunks from your yard? Havahart 1-door trap Homesmart chipmunk trap (similar to Havahart) 2-Pack Animal Deterrent Sonar / Rodent Repeller -BoWC (Lisa & Dan)

A Red-bellied Woodpecker peers around a tree trunk If you’ve been following the news, you’ve probably seen reports about avian influenza, (H5N1) or bird flu, affecting wild and domestic birds across the country. For backyard bird lovers, this raises an important question: Will bird flu affect my backyard birds? The good news: while some backyard birds might be at risk, there are several simple, proven ways to minimize exposure and keep your backyard birds healthy. Let’s break it down. What is Bird Flu? A Backyard Bird Perspective Bird flu is caused by viruses known as avian influenza viruses . Some strains are low-risk (LPAI), while highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) can cause significant illness and death in birds. While domestic poultry often bears the brunt of HPAI outbreaks, wild birds—especially ducks, geese, and migratory species—can carry the virus  without showing symptoms. Migratory birds play a major role in spreading bird flu, potentially introducing the virus to new regions, including your neighborhood. An Adult Male Yellow-rumped Warbler prepares for Spring Migration to return up North Can Backyard Birds Catch Bird Flu? So on the topic of "Will bird flu affect my backyard birds?", let's take a closer look: The risk depends on species, location, and how birds interact with feeders or other birds. Here’s a quick breakdown for backyard birders: Waterfowl and wetland birds : Ducks, geese, herons, and shorebirds can carry avian influenza and may introduce it to backyard ponds or bird-friendly wetlands. Songbirds and perching birds : Sparrows, cardinals, finches, and chickadees are less commonly affected but can still catch bird flu, particularly if they come in contact with contaminated feeders, water, or droppings. Bird feeders and baths : Congregation spots increase risk. Clean, well-maintained feeding areas dramatically reduce disease transmission. A pair of Mourning Doves enjoy the morning Sunlight What About Birds of Prey? Birds of prey—hawks, owls, falcons, eagles, and other raptors— can contract avian influenza , but they usually get it indirectly. Unlike songbirds or backyard feeders that congregate, raptors are predators and scavengers , so the main risk comes from: Eating infected birds  – If a hawk or owl eats a sick or dead bird carrying HPAI, it can become infected. Environmental exposure  – Raptors that hunt or scavenge near wetlands or areas with high densities of waterfowl may be exposed to avian influenza viruses. Symptoms in birds of prey can include: Lethargy or unusual behavior Loss of appetite Swelling of the head or eyes Neurological signs, like uncoordinated movements Important distinction:  Raptors or Birds of Prey do not usually gather at feeders , so backyard feeding stations are less of a direct risk to them compared to songbirds. However, keeping your yard clean and reporting sick or dead birds helps reduce risk for all local wildlife, including raptors. Raptors like this Red-tailed Hawk are much less likely to catch Bird Flu as they don't typically gather near bird feeders or flocks of birds How Bird Flu Spreads in Backyards Understanding transmission helps prevent outbreaks. Bird flu spreads primarily via direct contact with infected birds or their droppings , but can also spread through: Contaminated feeders and bird baths  – Droppings or leftover seeds can harbor viruses. Shared water sources  – Ponds, streams, and bird baths can transmit the virus if infected birds visit. Interaction with migratory or wild birds  – Birds flying in from nearby wetlands can introduce avian influenza. Human activity  – Shoes, gloves, and clothing that contact infected birds or droppings can inadvertently spread the virus. A Gray Catbird Poses for the Camera before unleashing a few Meow sound effects Recognizing Bird Flu Symptoms in Backyard Birds While some birds may carry the virus without showing signs, watch for symptoms of bird flu, including: Sudden death with no prior illness Respiratory issues: sneezing, coughing, nasal discharge Swelling of the head, neck, or eyes Lethargy and loss of appetite Unusual feather loss or discoloration A male or "Tom" Eastern Wild Turkey visits our backyard in West Cobb (Marietta, Georgia). 6 Steps to Protect Your Backyard Birds from Bird Flu Even if the risk is low, these measures keep your feathered visitors safe: 1. Keep Feeders and Bird Baths Spotless Regularly wash with hot, soapy water or a 10% bleach solution to prevent virus buildup. Affiliate idea:  Consider easy-to-clean bird feeders or heated bird baths  for winter safety. 2. Rotate Feeding Locations Rotating feeders prevents droppings from accumulating in one spot and reduces disease risk. 3. Reduce Bird Congregations Spread feeders apart to minimize crowding and potential virus transmission. 4. Maintain Personal Hygiene Wash hands after handling feeders, bird baths, or seed. Gloves are recommended when dealing with sick or dead birds. 5. Safely Remove Sick or Dead Birds Use gloves or a plastic bag to handle deceased birds, and dispose of them according to local wildlife guidelines. Report unusual die-offs to state wildlife authorities. 6. Feed Birds with Natural Food Sources Plant native trees and shrubs that produce seeds or berries. This spreads birds across your yard, reducing contact at feeding stations. Common Myths and Mistakes About Bird Flu Myth:  “I have to stop feeding birds entirely.” Reality:  Feeders can remain safe with proper cleaning and spacing. Mistake:  Neglecting your bird feeder hygiene. Bird droppings can quickly turn feeding areas into disease hotspots. Myth:  Only ducks or waterfowl spread bird flu. Reality:  While they are primary carriers, other species can occasionally become infected. An Adult Tufted Titmouse perches on a tomato cage Stay Informed: Bird Flu Monitoring Check local wildlife and public health agencies for avian influenza updates in wild birds . If your region reports cases, increase feeder hygiene and reduce bird congregation until risk subsides. Key Takeaways The risk of backyard birds catching bird flu is low but real . Regular cleaning, feeder rotation, and limiting congregations reduce the risk. Observation and reporting of sick or dead birds help protect local bird populations. With these precautions, you can continue to enjoy backyard birdwatching while keeping your feathered friends safe. Do’s and Don’ts Do: Be Sure to Wash feeders and Bird baths regularly Occasionally Rotate your feeder locations Offer natural food sources by way of native plant gardening Don’t: Touch dead or sick birds with bare hands Ignore unusual bird deaths Leave feeders dirty for weeks Helpful Resources USDA Avian Influenza Resources Audubon Society – What Does the Avian Flu Surge Mean for Your Bird Feeders? CDC – Avian Influenza Current Situation PRODUCTS to Help Protect Your Backyard Birds from Bird Flu or Finch Eye Disease (Bird Conjunctivitis): Easy-to-clean bird feeders Brome Mega 600 - Large Capacity Tube Feeder (6 feeding ports) Kingsyard Metal Finch Feeder for Thistle Seed Bird-safe Cleaners for backyard bird-space sanitizing CleanSmart Daily Surface Cleaner and Pet-Safe Disinfectant Fountain / Bird Bath Cleaner Cleans up to 80 Gallons! Birdhouse & Birdfeeder Cleaner Spray Cleaning Accessories Bird Feeder Brush 16" Long Nitrile Gloves (100 Pack)in case you have a Latex allergy! Latex Gloves (100 Pack) 12-Gallong Storage Container - Perfect for Soaking/Scrubbing Feeders! A Note About Finch Eye Disease (Bird Conjunctivitis) Before we wrap up, it’s important to address something that often causes confusion among backyard birders: Finch Eye Disease , also known as bird conjunctivitis . A Male and Female House Finch enjoy Safflower Seed together Bird Conjunctivitis is not the same as bird flu . Finch Eye Disease is a bacterial infection that most often affects house finches , causing redness or swelling around the eyes, and a watery or crusty discharge. While it can make birds look sick, it doesn’t spread to humans  and is generally not deadly  like highly pathogenic avian influenza. You might notice: Red, swollen eyes or eyelids Discharge that makes eyes appear “sticky” or crusty Birds rubbing their eyes or looking lethargic How to protect backyard birds from Finch Eye Disease: Clean feeders regularly  – especially tube feeders or platforms that finches frequent Remove sick-looking birds  if possible get them to a rehabber nearby! (or report to local wildlife authorities) Avoid overcrowding  – spreading feeders out reduces contact between birds By understanding the difference between avian influenza  and Finch Eye Disease , you can avoid unnecessary panic while still keeping your backyard birds healthy and safe. Thanks for reading! - Birds of West Cobb (Lisa & Dan)

Netvue Birdfy Hum Feeder Duo marketing image Netvue Birdfy Hum Feeder Duo Detailed Product Review: Is it Worth the Price for Hummingbird Lovers? If you'd prefer to watch a 4.5 minute video of our review rather than reading everything below, we created this for you on YouTube! Birds of West Cobb reviewed the Netvue Birdfy Hum Feeder Duo! The Netvue Birdfy Hum Feeder Duo  is one of the newest smart hummingbird feeders  on the market, combining backyard birding with modern technology. It was designed to let you watch, record, and even help you identify your hummingbird visitors in real time, it promises to take the feeding experience to a whole new level. But does it really deliver? After several weeks of hands-on testing in our backyard, we at Birds of West Cobb  did find a lot to like about this feeder, along with a few quirks that we think buyers should know before purchasing. Here’s our honest review, with real-world observations you won’t find in the product description from Netvue. Please note: this is not a sponsored or paid review however we do make some affiliate revenue from products sold through our links ! Unboxing the Netvue Birdfy Hum Feeder Duo Inside the box you'll find a neatly packaged feeder, with just a tiny bit of assembly required to get this Hum Feeder Duo into action. You get a quick start guide and user manual, a cleaning squeegee, and a smaller box that includes the hanging clip (with a spring-lock which we liked) a USB charging cable, replacement silicone feeder gasket, and a red perch that snaps right into place. Charging only took a couple of hours, and the feeder did have some charge already on it when it was delivered. Looking inside the box of the Netvue Birdfy Hum Feeder Duo for the first time The contents of the box: very minimal assembly required and it comes with some spare parts too! First Impressions & Hummingbird Reactions We were a little surprised to find that the hummingbirds didn’t immediately take to this feeder. But after about a week  they began using it—even though we placed it in the same spot that a different feeder they were already visiting pretty frequently. The reason, we think, is the design: The blossoms are the exact same bright red color as the entire base of the feeder. While red is the right choice for attracting hummingbirds, having no contrast made the nectar ports less noticeable/visible to the hummers. There are three feeding ports in total, but a little more differentiation or realism in the flowers would have helped the birds find them sooner. For the price of this feeder, we feel like metal flower ports or 2-tone colors (red with yellow centers) would have been extremely helpful in guiding these bird to drink sooner. Once they did figure it out, the birds fed normally, and we were able to capture some great close-up footage, take a look at a few of the clips below! A young male Ruby-throated hummingbird takes long drinks from the Netvue Birdfy Hum Feeder Duo Smart bird feeder in Marietta, Georgia A young male Ruby-throated hummingbird investigates the new feeder up-close Build Quality & Design We found that the feeder is well-built overall, and feels durable when you are assembling it or disassembling it for cleaning and refilling. The triple-port design makes it possible for more than one hummingbird to feed at once, and the sleek modern look blends nicely into a backyard setting. One feature we particularly appreciated was the built-in ant moat  at the top of the feeder. This helps keep ants out of the nectar—a problem every hummingbird enthusiast is familiar with. The feeder also comes with a spring-clip hanging hook , which kept it stable during summer storms and could also prevent raccoons from pulling it down (although they can still tear it up if they can access it!) Inside the feeder (beneath the plastic flower feed ports) is a silicone gasket which also prevents bees/yellow-jackets from climbing inside the feeder. They also send you a spare gasket in case yours gets damaged or moldy. That is a nice touch. New Birdfy Hum Feeder Duo fresh out of the box! Camera & App Performance The built-in camera is one of the main selling points of this feeder, and for the most part it does its job pretty well. Video is sharp, colors are vibrant, and the overall quality is pretty good for backyard viewing and sharing clips with friends or family members. That said, we did find the colors slightly oversaturated compared to what we see with the naked eye. The red perch appears almost neon pink, when viewed through either camera. A Couple of Challenges We Faced related to the Cameras One challenge or design flaw? that we experienced with the other Netvue Birdfy Smart feeder we tested also exists here, with the Hum Feeder Duo: By default the video always sets itself to SD or standard definition. The camera is advertised as being a "2k" camera but says on the packaging that it's 3MP or 3 megapixels. If you are in the settings and toggle the camera to HD (to take advantage of the 2k features) this setting only applies as long as you are live-streaming/recording. Meaning that it won't stay in HD mode if you are out running errands and the camera captured some activity on the feeder. Just SD. The bigger challenge we faced was the motion sensitivity . We had some windy days during testing and nearly every time the wind blew and nearby leaves moved on our salvia, the app sent us alerts that there was “activity” at the feeder—even when no hummingbird was present. Unfortunately, there isn’t an option to adjust the sensitivity levels, which can be frustrating if your feeder is set up near many trees or plants that can move frequently. If you have a flat or stationary background, however, this would be a non-issue for you. Screenshot from my Android phone, while using the Birdfy app (this is just an image) you can see how over-saturated the colors are on the feeder itself, while the background colors are a bit muted. Battery Life & Solar Option Battery life was solid during our testing, lasting quite a bit longer than the standard Netvue Birdfy feeder we tested a few months ago. The battery charge was still around 50% after a week, it did drop faster if we used the live video stream. Still, we think most buyers will benefit from investing in the solar panel version . With solar, you won’t have to worry about recharging the feeder as often, making it much closer to a “set and forget” setup. Prime location for our Netvue Birdfy Hum Feeder Duo product testing! See the links at the bottom of the blog for info about the sunshade and the clamp-on hanging hook! Price Point & Value The Birdfy Hum Feeder Duo is not what we would consider a "budget feeder". Retail pricing runs $349.99  on Netvue’s website, though we’ve seen it discounted lower than $249.99 during Prime Days on Amazon. Currently, the non-solar version sells for $279.99 , while the solar model remains $349.99 . For many backyard birders, that’s a premium price. But if you love the idea of capturing videos, sharing moments, and adding a smart element to your birdwatching, it may be worth the investment—especially if you opt for the solar upgrade. Our yard is full of trees and we don't have enough direct sunlight for the Solar option to provide much value, so you may want to keep that in mind before adding unnecessary costs to your purchase! Occasionally, the Hum Feeder Duo from Birdfy will capture unintended species - like this Carolina Chickadee. In this instance a female American Goldfinch perched on the feeder for a moment, and the Hum Feeder Duo captured the visit. A Note about Hummingbird Species Recognition In Western states (considered to be those located West of the Mississippi River) there are multiple hummingbird species and this Birdfy Hum Feeder Duo could provide some additional value in helping track when less-frequently seen hummers have made a visit to your feeder, and you may not be around to see it in person. The Birdfy Hum Feeder Duo claims that it can recognize 150+ hummingbird species! That's really incredible, but let's be honest here: East of the Mississippi River, there is a 99.99% chance that you'll only ever see one species - the Ruby-throated Hummingbird. So this is largely a marketing feature for many of us! However, it's possible with these Smart Feeders that you could capture the very moment a rare, migratory visitor stops by for a drink - and we think that's pretty darn cool! A ruby-throated hummingbird: the only species found natively East of the Mississippi River Tips for New Hummingbird Feeder Owners Even with smart features, it’s important to remember that all hummingbird feeders require proper maintenance . Nectar should be changed every 2–5 days , depending on outside temperatures, to keep the nectar fresh, clean and safe for the birds. Pests can also be a concern. Here are a few tips we’ve found helpful: Raccoons : Place feeders high enough and away from railings so raccoons can’t reach them. The Birdfy Duo’s clip design helps here. Alternatively, you can bring the feeders inside the house each night (this is what we do!) Ants : Always use the ant moat and refresh it with water regularly. Bees/Wasps : Avoid placing feeders near bright flowers where insects are already active. ⚠️ Note for Apartment Renters : The Lease agreements for many rental properties prohibit bird feeders because they can attract rodents. However, hummingbird feeders are often treated as exceptions since they use nectar instead of seeds and it's pretty unlikely that you'll create a mess or attract rodents. Still, it’s important to check with your property manager or review your lease before installing one on a balcony or porch. Who This Feeder Makes a Great Gift For The Netvue Birdfy Hum Feeder Duo isn’t just a hummingbird feeder—it’s an experience. We think it makes a great gift for: Birdwatching enthusiasts  who want to capture close-up photos and videos of hummingbirds Families with kids , offering an engaging, educational way to connect with nature Elderly bird lovers  who may not be able to spend as much time outside but still want to enjoy hummingbirds daily Tech-savvy nature lovers  who enjoy combining smart gadgets with backyard wildlife watching Who This Feeder Might Not be a Great Purchase For For some of us backyard birders, it's somewhat more enjoyable to go outside with a camera in-hand and manually shoot photos. This allows us to compensate for lighting conditions, shoot with varying levels of zoom, capture images from different angles and capture action around the feeders as well as on them. An example of this: we have several feeders and plates of food that we fill each day. Birds often perch on any available objects while they wait in line for food in these plates, sometimes they land on top of the smart feeders. You'd never know they were there, unless you were standing there physically or maybe looking through a window. Smart feeders only capture what is directly in front of the camera lens. So if someone in your family is a die-hard wildlife photographer, this may not be the greatest gift idea, since these people prefer the hands-on, creative approach to things. Final Thoughts The Netvue Birdfy Hum Feeder Duo  is one of the most innovative hummingbird feeders available today. It combines solid build quality with smart features, but it does come with a few quirks—like overly-sensitive motion alerts and a design that may confuse birds at first, although they did warm up to it after the initial confusion period. For those willing to spend a bit more, the solar panel upgrade  is well worth the price, eliminating the need for frequent recharging as long as you have direct sunlight. With proper placement and routine upkeep, this feeder can bring countless hours of enjoyment and some truly stunning video of your backyard hummingbirds. 👉 Shop the Netvue Birdfy Hum Feeder Duo on Amazon here 👉 Or, shop for the Solar version here Additional accessories for your Hummingbird Feeder Installation: Deck railing mounted feeder hanger Adjustable deck-mounted feeder hangers are easy to install and adjust! Flower sun shade for your hummingbird feeders (They come in multiple colors!) Adding a sunshade will keep your nectar cooler and it will stay fresh a little longer in your hummingbird feeders! More Hummingbird Resources for Education: Birdfy Official Website CornellLab All ABout Birds - Hummingbirds Audubon Society: Hummingbirds As always, thanks for reading! — BOWC (Lisa & Dan)

In the Southern United States (We are located in Marietta, Georgia in case you are a new reader) there are quite a few different birds that are either blue, violet or perhaps a combination of these with a few other colors mixed in. You may ask yourself " What is that blue bird on my bird feeder ?" If you are relatively new to the birding scene, you may be looking to identify the species that you've been seeing in your yard or on your bird feeders. Birds of West Cobb is here to help with this! We'll take a look at the most common Blue-colored birds as well as a few less-common species that you may only see occasionally, but not daily like the others. An Eastern Blue Jay fledgling visits Birds of West Cobb in Marietta, Georgia for breakfast The most common (in our opinion) Blue bird that you'll see on your bird feeder is the Eastern Blue Jay. These birds are pretty intelligent and usually arrive in a group of 2-5 birds. Even more are possible in the Spring/Summer months when they are feeding their fledglings. They can be aggressive at times, chasing off smaller birds or slamming down onto feeders with a distinctive "thud". Often times, they will mimic Red-shouldered Hawks or even Red-tailed Hawk bird calls and do this to chase other birds away from the bird feeders so there is ample food for their group and not the others. Below I've included some photos of Eastern Blue Jays, both adults and fledglings, below for help identifying them. Blue, white, black and shades of gray are the key colors you'll see when looking at an Eastern Blue Jay, even in the young (although the colors will be a bit muted. Adult Eastern Blue Jays shown here in the first group of blue bird photos: Here are a few photos of a fledgling Eastern Blue Jay to give you an idea how closely they resemble their parents, as soon as they can fledge the nest. How can you attract Eastern Blue Jays to your bird feeder? These are medium-large birds and they prefer eating from open topped feeders (plates, platforms or similar) that have ample clearance. We often joke that they "come in HOT" because they fly down and hit the plates so hard they often shake on the deck railings. The key to attracting them though, is the right food sources. They enjoy C&S Suet Nuggets (peanut flavored) as well as mixed seed blends with larger seeds included such as peanuts, sunflower chips. However, they are omnivores and will also eat insects and you can attract them with peanut suet cakes as well as dried mealworms. Product Links listed here for your convenience: Cole's Special Feeder Mix (includes lots of peanuts!) C&S Peanut Flavored Suet Nuggets 5lb bag of Dried Mealworms 10lb bag of hulled sunflower chips/Sunflower meats The next most common blue colored bird to visit your bird feeder in the Southeast (thanks to conservationist efforts since the late 1980's & early 1990's) is the Eastern Bluebird. Often referred to as the "Blue bird of happiness", there are few birds more beautiful in North America than the Male Eastern Bluebird. These stunning birds were almost completely wiped out due to feral cat populations, the lack of tree cavities that they would nest in naturally, as well as the increase in pesticides and other harmful chemicals and even window strikes. Due to a huge following and volunteer movement, as well as a large number of retailers now carrying Eastern Bluebird Nest Boxes, the numbers of these beauties are on the rise once again! Below, I've included some photos of the Males, Females and fledgling Eastern Bluebirds. Here are some close-up photos of male Eastern Bluebirds in this first group: In this next group, we've included some photos of adult Female Eastern Bluebirds: Finally, we've also included some photos of Fledglings or Juvenile Eastern Bluebirds. Take a look how adorable these young birds are! How do you attract these adorable Eastern Bluebirds to your bird feeders? Bluebirds love a good water source, but your best bet is once again the food you put out for these beauties. Eastern Bluebirds will seldom eat seeds, but they will eat berries like service berries, blueberries, dogwood berries and more. We are currently planning out our backyard native plant garden so we can provide more of these foods to our feathered friends. However, they are primarily insectivores and the best luck we have ever had, was to offer up dried mealworms regularly in our feeders. We fill the feeders each morning and have been doing this for years. It may take some time, but even with our heavily wooded property we were able to attract these bluebirds to our yard, and they have even been nesting in our bluebird boxes as well - all because we offer the food that they love! Here are a couple of links to the dried mealworms for purchase on Amazon (5lb or 10lb bag): 5lb bag of dried mealworms 10lb bag of dried mealworms Another Blue Bird that may appear on your feeder, which is a small, finch-sized bird that sometimes appears more violet than blue, and is typically seen less frequently than the two species above, is the Indigo Bunting. Keeping the size in mind, the wings are blue/violet just as the head, breast and tail. The Indigo Bunting's beak is much smaller and made for cracking open small seeds, eating berries and tiny insects. Keep these key points in mind as the next blue bird on our list is significantly different! Unfortunately I have only seen a handful of these in 20+ years of birding in Georgia. (I've seen just as many while riding bicycles on the Silver Comet Trail as I have in our yard near the bird feeders!). Keep in mind that theses are small birds, similar to a house finch or tufted titmouse. If you see a blue colored bird but it's larger than these common feeder visitors, you may have just spotted a Blue Grosbeak (next result, below). An adult male Indigo Bunting visited for a drink of water What foods can you put out to attract Indigo Buntings to your feeders? Millet is a popular choice but we don't usually put it out for fear of the "waste" that spills onto the ground below the feeders. Other birders say that they have success with thistle seed, and sunflower chips as well. So far, we've seen them twice in the yard and they only stopped by for water. Product links for food options to attract Indigo Buntings to your feeders: Thistle Seed 5lb bag Sunflower chips 10lb bag Millet Seed 5lb bag There is another Blue Bird that you may get a chance to see as well on your bird feeders or in your garden, this is the Blue Grosbeak! The Blue Grosbeak is often confused with the Indigo Bunting (above) due to a similar shade of blue/violet, however there are significant differences in the sizes of these two birds, as well as the size of their beaks, and most noticeably the coloration of the wing feathers, as they appear as brownish instead of the continuation of blue that you'd see all over the smaller Indigo Bunting. (image below for reference). What do Blue Grobeaks typically eat? Blue Grosbeaks enjoy a diet of berries (seen in the photo above) and they heavily rely on insects and spiders during spring months as well. Typically you can spot these birds at the edges of large fields or meadows, or even some overgrown farmland. We follow a few local birders on instagram that seem to capture these beauties frequently at Green Meadows Preserve , which is located in Marietta along Dallas Highway near the Avenues of West Cobb. Can I attract Blue Grosbeaks to my bird feeder with seeds or seed mixes? Can you attract Blue Grosbeaks to your feeders with seeds? You sure can. You'll probably have better luck with a native plant garden including berries like service berry, native blueberries or black cherries & dogwoods though. Others have luck with Safflower Seeds and Sunflower chips, we just have not had any success (and we live pretty near the Green Meadows, less than a mile away!). We've included some links to purchase these on Amazon, if you'd like to give it a try or if you've already seen these birds in your yard and you want to see them more frequently: 10lb Bag of Safflower Seed 10lb Bag of Hulled Sunflower Seed Have you seen any of these gorgeous blue birds at your backyard bird feeders? Which one is your favorite, and which one is on your Life List? Comment below! We'd love to hear from you! -BoWC (Lisa & Dan)

Winter Encounters with the Timid Ruby-crowned Kinglet For any amateur photographer or backyard birder, it seems like a pretty daunting task. The speed at which the timid Ruby-Crowned Kinglets are able to fly in, grab a bite to eat, and then disappear into the brush is absolutely astounding. For weeks (maybe more) we struggled to snap a few photos that were even remotely shareable to the general public! I am of the opinion that these Ruby-Crowned Kinglets are actually just teasing me and other photographers on purpose. It seems they know exactly what they are doing - and they're just too fast to capture on film. (Digital film, that is!) A Ruby-crowned Kinglet perches in some brush The funny thing is that while we carry bird food and mealworms out to the feeders in the morning, the Kinglet will often fly right next to us and perch on the deck railing... As if to say "thanks for the food, human!". However, as soon as the camera comes out... Poof, they are gone again! Their behavior really makes us think that they are a bit mischievous by nature. Kinglets are skittish, but they are curious as well. In the Winter months you can find them bouncing around quickly from twig to twig with short, quick wing and tail flicks that force you to squint just trying to keep up. (Picture a Carolina wren in your mind, only much faster!) A tiny Ruby-crowned Kinglet tries to decide on which suet nugget to eat What do Ruby-crowned Kinglets eat? We have found that these birds enjoy eating dried mealworm crumbles, (leftovers, or broken pieces of dried mealworms that the other birds didn't bother with) or little chunks of C&S Suet nuggets , but Ruby-crowned Kinglets won't eat any of the seed mixes that we put out for many other backyard bird species, which include the following bird food options: Safflower hulled Sunflower Thistle Special feeder mix and others. Another thing we have noticed, is that they will drink water from your bird bath or from large plates, but they are intimidated easily by the larger birds so we have to put out smaller water plates for them (Much like Chickadees or Wrens!) Pro-tip: Crumble some suet nuggets or mealworm crumbs into a small terra-cotta plate or even into a small platform feeder/ deck-mounted feeder and you may just lure one of these adorable birds in for a quick photo-opp! Ruby-crowned Kinglets visit Marietta, Georgia How big is a Ruby-crowned Kinglet? The Ruby-Crowned Kinglet is a pretty small bird, about the same size as a Carolina Chickadee. We don't see them on or near the feeders in Spring or Summer, but when the weather is chilly and insects are scarce, we see one or two of these charming little birds every morning and sometimes in the evenings as well. The Ruby-crowned kinglet typically measures between 3.5 and 4.3 inches long, with a wingspan measuring only 6.3 to 7.1 inches. Also, they weight only 0.2 to 0.3 ounces! (In metric measurements this equates to length: 9-11cm, wingpan of 16-18cm, and weight of only 5.5-10 grams!). A Ruby-crowned Kinglet shows off his crown in the bright sunlight Common Misidentification: Kinglet versus Pine Warbler The Ruby-Crowned Kinglet could be confused with a dull winter Pine Warbler from a distance, but once you see their "crown" which is typically bright red/orange, you'll know that it is something more special! They are also smaller than Pine Warblers, Goldfinches, and even slightly smaller than Pine Siskins, all which have some degree of yellow/olive green depending on the season. They are generally a dull brownish/grey or greyish-yellow color with a bit of brighter yellow accents on the wings (Wing primaries or primary flight feathers) and the tail feathers. Pine warblers are somewhat larger, (we'd estimate 25-30%!) and are quite a bit less erratic in their movement. Pine warblers typically fly in, grab some suet or some mealworms (whole) and then fly off into the trees/brush. A tiny Ruby-crowned kinglet hops across a deck looking for insects How do Ruby-crowned Kinglets Behave? If you are familiar with a Carolina Wren, and they way they move around, The Ruby-crowned Kinglets move in a similar fashion. They flap quickly, bounce from branch to branch with ease, and small flits of their feathers is all it takes to propel them out of sight. Have you ever seen a Ruby-Crowned Kinglet in person? We'd love to hear from you in the comments below! Sign-Up for the Birds of West Cobb blog! Are you interested in the local backyard birds and other wildlife in the Southeast, or even more specifically, metro-Atlanta areas? Click here and simply enter your email address where it says "Join our Flock" which is our easy sign-up sheet. We won't spam you with junk, we'll just send you a short note that there is new blog content available and ready to read! - Birds of West Cobb (Lisa & Dan) Thank you for the visit and the support!

In this blog post, we share some incredible artists inspired by Birds of West Cobb After around 30-40 posts on Instagram (referring to our @birdsofwestcobb page if you’re new here), we saw a beautiful acrylic painting of a bright, happy male Northern Cardinal in our feed from one of our followers that lives over in John’s Creek , Georgia. She tagged us and said thanks for the inspiration! This actually inspired us more to continue and see what else the world had in store for us! Thanks, Ali Leja ! We appreciate you and hope you enjoy the shout-out here also! (Her Instagram page can be found @alelejaart , and her website can be found here: https://alilejaart.com Stop by her pages and support a local artist today! Art by Ali Leja inspired by Birds of West Cobb Check out this gorgeous acrylic painting by Ali Leja of John’s Creek , GA . A year or so after Ali was inspired to paint this Northern Cardinal in Acrylic, we had another artist tag us in a post and thank us for the inspiration. Enter Tyler Swain (from Utah). He found our page and has since painted many more pieces. You can visit Tyler Swain’s art website at tylerswainart.com . We loved his pieces so much we bought a unique one from him of a young Mourning Dove. Here are some screenshots of the pieces he has since painted, below. (There are more! But we included a few of our favorites). Also, if you’d like to follow him on Instagram , his page can be found here ! Check out this amazing Pine Warbler in Acrylic by artist Tyler Swain , from Utah, United States. Acrylic painting of a Pine Warbler by Tyler Swain Carolina Chickadee painting by Tyler Swain Rufous-sided Towhee (Also referred to now as an "Eastern Towhee") Acrylic Painting by Tyler Swain, inspired by Birds of West Cobb Tyler Swain acrylic painting of a Northern Cardinal with a holly sprig September 2025 - A new artist (to us) reached out and told a fantastic story about how she looked for the perfect photo of a Carolina Wren and found ours, with the wren facing the camera, in a very direct stare that was full of personality. To Sarah Byrnes of Connecticut: we appreciate you reaching out to us and asking for permission to use the likeness of our photo with your work! We hope you make prints and are able to get featured in many galleries in the future - from the looks of this painting you certainly will! Here is a picture of our Carolina Wren capture, followed by her incredible piece: A Carolina Wren gives us an intense stare-down after he noticed movement behind the shutter button Sarah's piece captures the energy better than the photo possibly could! Check this out! Sarah has provided contact information and details about the piece below " Big Fat Bird " painting by Sarah Byrnes © 2025 . Berlin, CT. Inspired by a photograph by Birds of West Cobb, used with permission. This artist may be contacted at: sarahpaintsbirds@gmail.com   Inquiries welcome " Big Fat Bird "   painting by Sarah Byrnes  © 2025 . Berlin, CT. Inspired by a photograph by Birds of West Cobb, used with permission. This artist may be contacted at: sarahpaintsbirds@gmail.com   Inquiries welcome If you like to draw or paint (acrylic, water color, oil, or any combination of the these), and would like to use our photos as inspiration, please just let us know! You can reach out to us via email birdsofwestcobb@gmail.com If you tag us in your posts on social media we can even share future full-quality images with you if that will help you further your art endeavors, and we can promote your work here as well! Thanks for the support! Thanks for checking out these artists inspired by Birds of West Cobb, as well as our Blog! Happy Birding! -Lisa and Dan @birdsofwestcobb