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Welcome to BirdTracks® Online!
An email newsletter from
Wild Birds Unlimited for April 2004.

In This Issue:
 - Spring guests now arriving!
 - Learn more about Waxwings.
 - Gardening for birds, butterflies and wildlife.

Spring guests now arriving!
Hummingbirds have arrived and these diminutive diners should be hungry for nectar from natural sources as well as from hummingbird feeders. Pick up a Wild Birds Unlimited hummingbird feeder which has the nectar recipe printed right on the inside of the lid. Prepare to be delighted as these tiny treasures visit your backyard.

Did you know?
Despite how it appears, hummingbirds do not feed constantly. They must take a break for the digestive process. Next time you notice a hummingbird perching quietly on a limb, it is probably transferring stored nectar or insects from its crop into the active part of its digestive tract. When the crop is emptied halfway, the bird will fly off to fill up again. Typically, hummers feed five to eight times in one hour.

Celebrate devoted mothers . . .
Normally, the male bird brings food to his mate, but some hummingbirds are unusual in that the female is the one that feeds the male. Similarly, female hummingbirds do all the nest-building, incubating and caring for the young. Her nest is elastic and able to expand to accommodate the young as they grow.

With Mother's Day coming May 9, why not celebrate by treating Mom to "dinner and a show?" A hummingbird feeder provides dinner for them and a blockbuster show for her. Visit your local Wild Birds Unlimited store for a great selection of gifts for mom.

Additional resources:
Ruby-throated Hummingbird migration map
Rufous hummingbird migration map
Frequent questions about hummingbirds

Learn more about waxwings
Waxwings are found in flocks throughout North America. Cedar Waxwings (shown here) breed from southeastern Alaska east to Newfoundland and south to California, Illinois, and Virginia. They spend winters in British Columbia, the Great Lakes region, and New England southward. Cedar Waxwings are more common throughout North America, while the Bohemian Waxwings are occasionally found in the more northern realms in winter.

Waxwings are predominantly fruit eaters, especially from fall through spring. Sometimes people come across a seemingly sick and docile waxwing in the spring. They are actually drunk from eating fermented berries. Insects are added as a large part of their diet in summer. Waxwings can be seen flying out from an exposed perch to catch insects (or snowflakes) on the wing. They also like to feed on the emerging aquatic insects.

They are gregarious and it is unusual to find a cedar waxwing on its own. Due to the nature of the fruit and insects being in patchy distribution, it is easier to search for this food in groups.

The waxwing name came from the tips of the bird's secondary flight feathers looking like they were dipped in red wax. The cedar part of the name comes from their fondness for cedar berries.

Waxwings like to build nests high in the trees, and often there will be a few nesting near each other. The female does most of the construction, sometimes utilizing old nests for building materials or even renovating previously used nests. There will be 1-2 broods from June to August with usually 3-5 eggs. The nesting season may go longer if the fruit crop is very good and the weather is favorable.

Gardening for birds, butterflies and wildlife
When planning your garden and landscape, consider using native plantings in addition to a combination of habitat elements which provide food, cover and/or places to raise young. We have books, videos, products and ideas that will help you develop a plan for your backyard habitat.

Plants native to the soils and climate of your particular area provide the best overall food sources for wildlife. In addition, native plants generally require less fertilizer, water and effort to control pests. Stop by your nearest Wild Birds Unlimited store for help.

Regionally specific brochures are available via our web site as well.