Aspen Song Wild Bird Food

30/01/2025

House Finch and Purple Finch ID tips

🔍 House Finch or Purple Finch? These closely related species can be difficult to distinguish between, but there are a few key differences to look out for in males. ⬇️

Don't forget to keep in mind the location and time of year. While these two species do have territory overlap, Purple Finches are typically only found in the United States during non-breeding months (with the exception of the Western coast and most northeastern states) whereas the House Finch is found throughout most of the United States year-round.

Learn more about the House Finch: https://bit.ly/3sly4tr
Learn more about the Purple Finch: https://bit.ly/3Hqo6A4

30/01/2025

Join us for a workshop on Feb. 8 to get ready for the global Great Backyard Bird Count. It’s for the love of birds — and it’s free with admission! Please register at https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/c6je7e6.

Led by ornithologist Blaine Carnes, you'll learn:

- Tips for finding and identifying birds.
- How to use the free Merlin Bird ID app to identify and report what you see and hear.
- The basics of using the free eBird app to track your bird sightings.
- Why bird counts are so important to the health and survival of birds.

Bring your smartphone and binoculars (we have a limited number to lend). Dress to go out in the field. We look forward to seeing you!

22/01/2025

Bluebirds!

Wintertime Blues
Eastern Bluebird
Polk County, Iowa USA
January 2023

This little bluebird seems to be a bit down. I'm sure he is like a lot of Midwesterners and wishing that he had flown south for the winter, or even thinking Spring can't be far off. He was one of 4 bluebirds that have stuck around Central Iowa for the winter. They seem to be staying healthy eating the seeds and berries on the trees. Who wants to let him know that we have a couple more months left of winter? 🥶🥶🥶

Since we are in a deep freeze here in Iowa, I’m inside staying warm. I decided to share this pic of an Eastern Bluebird from several years ago. I hope everyone stays safe in the cold.

15/01/2025

In the cold climates the birds rely on feeders more — Please keep the feeders stocked during this Arctic blast.

With each dip in temperature and every blast of wind, it's a challenge for birds just to stay warm this time of year. Birds have a few temporary tricks like fluffing their feathers to create more space and better insulation, trapping warm air close to their bodies. They also perch on one leg to minimize heat loss or shiver to generate immediate warmth.

You can help your birds survive the challenges of winter by offering high-fat foods, an open source of water to maintain their feathers and by providing shelter from wintry elements with natural plant cover or a cozy roosting box.

Featured Birds: American Goldfinches

10/01/2025

A male Pileated Woodpecker close up

05/01/2025

Healthy Bird feeding Tips

As we head into the peak of the winter bird feeding season, here is a link about healthy bird feeding tips:

Healthy Feeding Practices: The below 5 steps will help reduce window collisions and disease transmission Feeder Disease Alert: None noted at this time 1.Regularly clean feeders The most effective way to clean bird feeders is Read More

01/01/2025

Time for New Year’s Resolutions?

Put up a bird feeder or two and watch the backyard entertainment! It can also be good for you!

In today's fast-paced world, finding moments of tranquility and connection with nature can be challenging. One simple yet profoundly rewarding way to achieve this is through backyard bird feeding.

31/12/2024

It's not too late to give the gift of FeederWatch! Take $5 off FeederWatch gift certificates using code PFWGIFT5 at checkout: https://buff.ly/3Dqmmau

Offer ends December 31st. Only available in the U.S.
📷: American Goldfinch | Bob Vuxinic

31/12/2024

The beauty of the Northern Cardinal is amazing.

Use Aspen Song® Cardinal that attracts Cardinals, Grosbeaks, Blue Jays & More

For the Large Billed Birds
50% Sunflower Seed
Enjoy Cardinals & Grosbeaks Up Close
Premium Seeds Only

A male Northern Cardinal perched among Oak leaves dripping with ice.

24/12/2024

Merry Christmas Everyone!

21/12/2024

Keep those feeders full

"Several birds show up at my feeders and bath at the same time. A chickadee arrives, followed by a titmouse, nuthatch, woodpecker and then sparrows. Do they travel like that all the time?" asks reader Jim Campbell of Lincoln, Rhode Island. Get the answer: https://buff.ly/3XW6jsG

15/12/2024

Help birds not fly into windows! Read more!

15/12/2024

Birdfy app update!

08/12/2024

Purple Finches and more

Keep those Feeders Full!

Nature engagement through watching birds at feeders can be a ton of fun….can even help with overall wellness and outlook on life.

Here at our house in central NY I seem to get Purple Finches every winter! My 1st winter in the house 2021-22 we topped out at 42 Purple Finches in Feb/March, then in 2022-23 we had 38 in Feb/March, and then last year 2023-34 we had 24 in Feb/March.

I've hosted some big numbers of siskins, redpolls and evebeaks over the years, but I never lived in central NY where we had big numbers of Purple each winter.....until the last few years.

Numbers are starting to build again, and we're now up to 9 (6 males and 3 young birds/female types). Unique this winter, is we also have 9-10 House Finches, whereas most winter we're lucky to get 1-2 a few times during the winter.

Here are a few comparison photos of the 2 species side by side.

08/12/2024

The Finch Research Network predicted a strong southern irruption of Blue Jays this winter in the Winter Finch Forecast.

Besides predicting the finches, they include Bohemian Waxwing, Red-breasted Nuthatch and Blue Jay in their forecast because of their finch-like unpredictable movements.

Fun Fact Friday! Did you know that even though thousands of Blue Jays can be spotted around the Great Lakes and coastal areas as they travel south, much of their migration remains a mystery?!? These birds keep a closed beak on their migration secrets! 🤐

Blue Jays have a large population range that extends across most of Canada and the US. Most Blue Jays remain in their habitats year-round, even in the northern regions, with studies estimating that less than 20% migrate significant distances. Some studies suggest that younger Jays are more likely to migrate but other large-scale studies did not support this theory. Complicating the results of migration studies is evidence that a Blue Jay may migrate one year but then stay the winter the next year. How do they decide? Do they have a secret way to know if a particular winter will be less harsh? 🔮

Blue Jays migrate during the daytime, often in small flocks of a few dozen birds. However, some prefer to migrate alone. A migrating flock forms a loose V as they travel as a group. If you spot a flock, you are not seeing double; subsequent flocks commonly follow the same path as the flock ahead of them!

Blue Jays that remain in their habitat during winter can survive by hiding (caching) seeds and nuts up to 4 km away from the original food source. Their favourite forest food is acorns, but they also visit feeders for larger seeds like sunflower seeds. It’s a well-known fact that peanuts are a great way to win over a Blue Jay's heart. 🥜

These birds can be greedy tricksters, sometimes imitating a hawk's call to scare smaller birds away from feeders. You can also gauge a Blue Jay's mood by observing their crest; if it is lowered, they are calm and likely foraging with friends.

Since birds have a poor sense of smell, Blue Jays rely on their memory to retrieve their hidden seeds and nuts. Remarkably, only 10% of cached acorns are not viable. Blue Jays play an essential role in oak tree seed dispersal, which has helped increase the population of oak trees and expand their range since the last glacial period.

📸Thank you Karen Hooper for this perfect wintery photo! 📸

05/12/2024

Feed The Birds So You Can Watch the Birds

Project FeederWatch is a winter-long survey of birds that visit feeders across North America. 🌎❄️ Operated by our partners at Birds Canada, Wild Birds Unlimited is a proud sponsor. 🎉

FeederWatchers periodically count the birds they see at their feeders from November through the end of April and submit their data. 📋 This helps scientists track movements of winter bird populations and long-term trends in bird distribution and abundance. 📊✨

Join now! 🛒 Anyone interested in birds can participate – including children, families, individuals, classrooms, retired persons, youth groups, nature centers and bird clubs. 👩‍🏫👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Learn more here: https://join.feederwatch.org/

Featured Birds: House Finches
Featured Product: EcoTough® Hanging Tray Feeder (Red) with No-Mess Blend

05/12/2024

AKA “Snow Birds”….

…and a mainstay at feeders!

A Dark-eyed Junco tucks in a foot to keep warm while watching the snow fall.