Page 20
2013 Fall Home Improvement September 25, 2013
Special edition of LINCOLN DAILY NEWS.com
An interesting habit of the woodpecker
is that it will grab up large nuts from the
feeder, take them to a tree and wedge
them into the bark, then peck the nuts
into smaller edible pieces.
In the wintertime they enjoy suet, pea-
nuts and sunflower seeds. In addition
they enjoy fruit such as grapes, oranges
and mangoes.
In winter months the goldfinch loses
much of its brilliant luster, taking on a
more drab coloring. In the spring the
males will develop the more brilliant
colors, while the females remain drab.
Finches are drawn to small seeds such
as nyger or thistle seed. They will feed
at most any type of feeder and have no
qualms about perching on hanging feed-
ers that sway in the breeze.
One may identify the bird first by its
song rather than its look. The notes of
the bird song in flight sound similar to
the words po-ta-to-chip.
American goldfinch
The dark-eyed junco is a species of sparrow that may arrive in
the winter months. They have dark markings on their wings and
bright white tail feathers that they flash in flight. The junco is also
one of the most common North American birds, with an estimat-
ed population of nearly 630 million. They can be found in every
state in the union, including Alaska.
These birds travel in flocks and are seed eaters, foraging for na-
tive grasses and weeds in the wild, and preferring small seeds
such as millet in the backyard feeder.
Dark-eyed junco
Pine siskin
feeder, lowering their heads, spreading
wings and tails, and making threatening
calls. They will also lunge at the competi-
tors and engage in fights in flight.
These birds are unique in that they store
food in their esophagus for later consump-
tion. In cold temperatures, the birds take in
food to digest during the night, helping to
keep their energy level and body tempera-
ture high to stave off the chill.
Descriptions of birds and their habits obtained from
/
The pine siskin is a nomadic bird that may overwinter with you
one year and be gone the next. Small in stature, they carry brown
streaks with flashy, bright yellow markings on their wings that
show when they flutter around feeders.
The winter flocks develop aggressive tendencies around food
sources. They will challenge competitors around the thistle
