Birds of West Cobb

Introducing the American Robin In this blog post we are excited to be Introducing the American Robin to our readers Personally, I feel these birds are extremely undervalued members of the bird community. They have a TON of personality, play games, chase each other often, and their fledglings are absolutely adorable! It is hard to drive down any residential street in the Southeastern United States without seeing at least a few of these bright, beautiful & beneficial birds, hopping around in lawns and gardens, pecking at worms or other snack-worthy insects. An American Robin chases away a European Starling What do American Robins typically eat? We find that American Robins (members of the Thrush Family of birds) generally prefer live insects and worms for much of the year, however, in the Fall and Winter months when insects are not (usually) very active, they will eat the Dried Mealworms we put out for the other songbirds. But when there is a lot of crowding going on, some of the Robins will then begin to eat Suet Cakes or even sometimes grab a few Suet Nuggets. (I'll add links to the end of this blog for those brands that we recommend based on our successful experiences). In addition to the insects and suet, American Robins can also be found eating wild berries including Blackberries, Raspberries, Dogwood Tree berries and more. Here is a short video of a flock of Robins in the woods I captured at nearby Allatoona Creek Park. What do American Robins sound like? In Spring, the rapid, cheery calls of the Robins can be heard from dawn until dusk. You can hear them calling out with loud Cheap Cheap Cheap Cheap sometimes when they are being defensive, or you can hear them sing "Cheerio Cheerio Cheerio Cheerio" which makes us wonder if these are not actually English Robins in disguise? Where do you see American Robins? The American Robins are typically found in large lawns, golf courses, meadows and pastures. We have also spotted them chasing down worms in the rain gutters along the roadways in the South, or along bicycle trails where puddles have formed and there is lots of standing water to drink or bathe in. Normally, you'd seldom find them at the feeders as there are so many insects, spiders and worms around. It seems that anyone with a Sprinkler running in their lawn will also find flocks of American Robins as they will gather to eat any earthworms that come to the surface while the sprinkler runs, and the water penetrates the soil's surface. They will hop along the edges of driveways, curbs and streets and pause, waiting for any motion from the worms before immediately jumping on top of their location and pulling them out of the soil like spaghetti noodles! It's pretty entertaining to watch! An adult male American Robin jump out of the bath to dry off How can you tell the male American Robin and the female American Robin apart? How can you tell a male from a female American Robin? The male bird in most species of birds is going to have brighter colors, or deeper color, or more contrasting colors. Female birds will typically look similar in coloration & pattern however this is not always the case. Robins however, are very similar and it can be tough to tell them apart at times but the male does still have darker feathers. Even the fledglings have more pronounced dark feathers on their heads and more bright, rich orange on their breast and undersides of their shoulders. In the image below, You can see pretty clearly the differences in the male and female American Robin coloration between the males and female. (If you are having trouble still, the female is the one in the Top-Center, and the males are on both sides of her.) A Winter flock of American Robins visit to eat dried mealworms Are American Robins very territorial? Yes, American Robins can be quite territorial when it comes to (certain) other birds, and even other American Robins. In the Winter months they seem to flock together well and for the most part, and play quite nicely. However, in Spring when they are breeding, or if a nest is nearby, a pair of Robins will often chase off any birds that compete for the same food. There are some exceptions of course, as they don't seem to bully any birds that are larger than themselves. We have seen them chase (temporarily) Eastern Bluebirds, Hermit Thrushes, Carolina Wrens and a few species of Warbler (Pine Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warblers, Tennessee Warblers). However, Eastern Blue Jays, Brown Thrashers, Common Grackles have no issue standing firm and don't seem to be intimidated much, if at all. An American Robin eats nearby an Eastern Bluebird Do American Robins East Berries? Take a look at the short video below, which shows a flock of Wintering American Robins feasting on berries that are growing in a forested area a Allatoona Creek Park . Where do American Robins typically Nest American Robins most frequently nest in small or mid-size trees, with nests 5 feed above the ground or higher. We've seen them 30 feet or higher as well! Sometimes they will be found in mature Crepe Myrtles or Dogwood Trees which can be found all across the Southeast! What is a Robin's nest made of? The American Robins seem to prefer using Pine Straw for the bulk of their construction materials. There may be a few tiny twigs mixed in for support. When do you typically see the first American Robin Fledglings? We find that American Robins have already built their nests at the end of March or early April, and after another 6-7 weeks the babies are ready to leave the nest and follow the parents around for food and water needs. Just last week we were lucky enough to spot the first fledglings, visiting our water bowls and "shadowing" their parents when digging through our flower beds and lawn. Here is a photo and a video of "little Richard", as we like to call him. A fledgling American Robin visits our feeders for the first time What does a fledgling American Robin look like? With the image above, as well as the short video clip below, you can see a very recently fledged American Robin, visiting a plate of mealworms and then grabbing a sip of water from one of our tiny bird "pools". He's still figuring it out, as he is both cautious and inquisitive! Thanks for reading our Birds of West Cobb blog! We hope you enjoyed this topic an you value these wonderfully beneficial garden guardians as much as we do! Below we have shared a few links to the products mentioned above or pictured in the images that we captured. What are some helpful products that will help me feed American Robins? Dried Mealworms (5lb bag) Suet Nuggets from C&S 10" Terracotta plates for bird feeding or bird baths Suet Cakes for insectivores You can also find us on TikTok , I nstagram , and Youtube ! Thanks for reading and for your support! -Lisa & Dan ( BOWC )

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! 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) Netvue Birdfy Hummingbird Feeder with Solar Chargin A gorgeous adult male Ruby-throated Hummingbird perched at a feeder. Final Thoughts 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! - BOWC (Lisa & Dan)

You asked: What is that black bird on my bird feeder? This page is intended to help our fellow “backyard birders” identify those black birds on, under or nearby their bird feeders. Here in the Southeastern United area, we have a number of birds that appear black at some angles or in certain lighting. It’s pretty interesting that most of them look very different in direct sunlight than they do on a very overcast day. I’ve compiled a list of those that we have seen at our feeders in the past several years. We are hopeful that these images help you identify your mystery bird(s) and help further your knowledge of the birds in your backyard. What is that black bird on my bird feeder? One of the most common black birds you'll find on your feeder is the aptly named "Common Grackle" The Common Grackle is one of the most common black birds to visit bird feeders in the Southeastern United States (as well as the Northeast and Midwest.) It is a species which is native to the United States and parts of Canada. You will typically see Common Grackles more frequently in the Fall and Winter months, often arriving with huge flocks of Red-winged Blackbirds, European Starlings and even Brown-headed Cowbirds. A Common Grackle poses for his photo on a makeshift bird feeder. What do Common Grackles prefer to eat? We've attracted Common Grackles (including the one photographed above, which we named "Gru") by offering a mixture of various seeds and protein options. We have provided C&S suet nuggets, but they seem to really enjoy peanuts and black-oil sunflower seeds that are included in the Special Feeder Mix from Cole's wild bird foods. A Common Grackle pauses between bites of his breakfast. The Common Grackle may appear black in certain lighting, but on cloudy days or in early morning light, many more colors will appear and it may surprise you how many shades of purple and blue that will appear. The Common Grackle is relatively the same size as an Eastern Blue Jay. When they are young, they appear brownish-grey and as they mature the contrast gets more intense. The adults not only have very dark feathers but the adults have bright yellow eyes with very contrasting black pupils. Grackles make some interesting sounds too, and we were lucky enough to capture a video of that here (below). Another really common black bird that you might find at your feeders or in your yard is the American Crow The American Crow prefers open-faced plates or platform feeders. We like to put suet nuggets and dried mealworms out for other bird species but luckily we only have a couple of Common Crows, as they are large and scare off a lot of the smaller birds just by being around. They are gentle though and are not aggressive to the smaller birds. Common Crows will however pillage an open nest for eggs or hatchlings in the Spring. Another great thing they will do for the bird feeding folks out there: Common Crows will gang up on birds of prey such as Hawks and Owls and chase them out of the area. They are also very vocal when predators are nearby like feral cats! An American Crow perched on our deck railing for a snack A fledgling American Crow already feeding itself at our dried mealworm plate. Crows can be seen as a nuisance in some circles, but we find them to be very timid, intelligent and playful. Around 4-5 years ago, we started seeing a pair of crows early in the morning and later in the afternoon. They would arrive cautiously, and one would keep watch high up in a nearby tree as the other flew down and quickly gobbled up some C&S Suet Nuggets . After a bit they would swap positions and the other would come down for a bite. Around 2 years ago they had one baby and now the 3 of them come visit us nearly every day. They are actually very quiet unless there is a predator nearby. Crows also make some hilarious sounds and there are countless videos out there on YouTube about Crows and their ability to use tools to access food, remove threats and more! Here is a quick video of an American Crow we captured in our yard, eating dried mealworms: An American Crow fledgling visits Birds of West Cobb for a fresh mealworm snack! Another native species and very common black bird you might find at your bird feeder is the Brown-headed Cowbird (Male pictured on right, female on left) The adult male Brown-headed Cowbirds appear black at a distance, and even up-close they appear largely black except for their namesake brown head! The male is quite a bit darker, the female is more of a brownish color throughout and, to us resembles a large female house finch except the color is smoother and there are much more subtle streaks on the breast. A male and female Brown-headed Cowbird perch together. In our experience the Brown-headed cowbird is a very quiet bird, which often moves in flocks of other mixed species like Common Grackles and European Starlings. The Cowbirds will typically arrive in late Fall or early Winter, and stay until early Spring. Brown-headed Cowbirds are native birds that get a pretty bad bit of publicity because they lay their eggs in the nests of other bird species, forcing these unwilling hosts to raise these offspring as their own. These birds are known as Here is a video of a young female Brown-headed cowbird which may aid in your ability to identify this species. Our Least Favorite but most common black birds you might see at your bird feeder is the European Starling European Starlings are very common black birds for us to see in our yard and can often be seen as pests, especially around your bird feeders. They are noisy when arriving in groups, and they will hiss and snap at other birds. Additionally, the European Starling will not only nest in bluebird nest boxes but will seek out any sort of cavity, whether it's in a tree or a vent pipe for a house, or an empty porch column cavity. But, they will also find other birds nesting in these places and drive them out, even evicting them forcibly and destroying eggs or viciously attacking the parents. An adult male European Starling perches momentarily for a photo. Two Juvenile European Starlings wait for food from their parents, as a Grey Catbird looks on from behind them. Starlings have very impressive coloration and patterns on their feathers. People have raised them as pets (which is illegal for native bird species). They can mimic other bird calls and even automotive alarm sounds and more. This is possibly how they have continued to breed at a staggering rate and now exist in much of North America. European Starlings were literally brought over from (you might have guessed it) Europe, back in the 1890’s. It was a science experiment that went a bit sideways. Initially there were only 100 birds and it was expected that these wouldn't probably make it. Before long these birds formed massive flocks and were notorious for eating entire crops of grains. To this day, they are considered pests by many although you have to admit that they have very unique colors in the right lighting, and once you have seen up close it is hard to mistake them for other birds. They are noisy, and sometimes flocks will cover your feeders and often you will find them on the ground beneath your bird feeders in groups, walking erratically and moving a bit like chickens. If you feed Bluebirds and other birds as we do with dishes of dried mealworms, you may need to put these dishes away for a few days to get rid of these birds. Another common black bird species you'll find on your feeders is the Red-Winged Blackbird RWB's or Red-winged Blackbirds are beautiful black birds that can be commonly found on your bird feeders, or in flocks in your yard or on your lawn. The Male of the species is a very crisp, dark black with red, orange, or possibly yellow shoulders. These colors turn to a much more clearly defined red as the birds mature. The juveniles and the females look very different, with no black at all on their feathers in their bodies. See below for some examples! An adult male Red-winged Blackbird perches on a leafy branch. A group of Red-winged Blackbirds gather to eat black-oil sunflower seeds and peanuts in the Winter. Red-winged Blackbirds are considered songbirds and often arrive in flocks from 20 birds to well over 300. They move around in tight formations on the ground and can also cover the tops of multiple trees simultaneously. One chipmunk or Squirrel quickly moving across the yard can startle them and cause an incredible burst of flight (and sound of all the wings beating) as they vacate the area. The female looks very dull in comparison to the male red-winged blackbird. The male is mostly black and when they spread their wings you can see Red, Orange and or orange-yellow on the wings. It is truly a sight to behold when they all take off at the same time (not to mention the sound of it!) A pair of juvenile Red-Winged Blackbirds enjoy some Safflower Seeds in Marietta, Georgia Another black bird species that you'll see regularly at or near your bird feeder is the The Rufous-Sided Towhee, more often referred to as the “Eastern Towhee” The Eastern Towhee is a very common black bird to see on or near your bird feeders. They will occasionally land on a tube feeder or a platform-style feeder, but for the majority of the time they will be seen on the ground at the base of your feeder support pole, or in low-lying brush, shrubbery or even a crepe myrtle or privet grouping. While not totally black, there is a large amount on the head and chest as well as wings and tail to include this beneficial songbird in our list! An adult male Eastern Towhee landed on a plate full of safflower seeds A female Rufus-sided Towhee stands in the sunlight on our deck railing. The Towhees are quite beneficial in gardens. They can be heard whistling what sounds like “Tow–Heee” or as we prefer to call them “Toby”. On or near the ground they will be seen flipping leaves and looking for a variety of insects, grasshoppers, earthworms and more. The male appears black with “rufous” or a rusty orange color beneath the wings, with a white stomach and a bit of white on the tail and wings which can be seen more easily while in flight. The female is More of a muddy-brown color instead of black, but similar in other ways. The adults have Red eyes with black pupils. It’s super cool to see them up close, with those piercing red eyes. They enjoy eating C&S Suet Nuggets , or dried mealworms sprinkled on the ground in Winter, and many live insects found naturally in your yard. We also have another blog post written completely about the Eastern Towhee, you can find it here . The Rose-Breasted Grosbeak is another black colored bird that you can find on your feeders (seasonally) here in the Southeast United States . The male Rose-breasted Grosbeak has a large amount of black feathers, but the standout feature of this bird is the massive beak designed for cracking open large seeds. (Male Rose-breasted Grosbeak pictured on the right with female on the left.) A female (left) and male (right) Rose-breasted Grosbeak share a meal. An adult male Rose-breasted Grosbeak shows off his crisp black, red and white colors. An adult male Rose-breasted Grosbeak enjoys Suet Nuggets. The Rose-breasted Grosbeak is a larger songbird with a beak that resembles that of a finch or a cowbird. They are huge fans of safflower seeds or a mixture of safflower and hulled sunflower seeds. The female is the same size of course but looks completely different – she has lots of brown, splashes of white and streaks of brown on the belly in different shades. The juvenile male looks like a combination of the two birds, but clearly has more black and sometimes a touch of the rose-breast feathers can be seen also! Have you checked out the latest Birdfy Smart Bird Feeders? These things are really cool, and take high quality photos that can identify over 6,000 species worldwide and can send you text notifications about the new species that was detected / photographed at your feeders! How cool is this? Birdfy Smart Feeder on Amazon Top Bird Feed mentioned in this post: C&S Suet Nuggets (Peanut Butter Flavored) Dried Mealworms (10lb bag) Safflower Seed (10lb bag) Hulled Sunflower Seed (10lb bag) Cole's Special Feeder Mix (20lb bag) Thanks for reading our blog, we hope you found this information useful and we wish you happy birding! - Birds of West Cobb (Lisa & Dan)

We recently had an exciting snow day at Bird of West Cobb which is located in Marietta, Georgia. It became quite the backyard birding party for our feathered friends! Recently we had a Snow Day at Birds of West Cobb and all of our favorite backyard birds came out to play (and eat!) in the snow! We were well-stocked with Dried Mealworms, a heated bird bath, and suet cakes as well as bird seed mixtures, basically all of the top bird food options for birds in the Southeast United States. An adorable male Pine Warbler clings to a solar light fixture while searching for food in the snow The forecast is always questionable, and many people joke that it must be nice to have a job where you are wrong 90% of the time... like the weather forecasters. However, January is statistically the coldest month of the year for Georgia residents and it's been a few years since we've had snow that stuck around for more than an hour or two. Here in Marietta, it felt like it was time so we stocked up and planned on not leaving the house for a few days with the iced roads and the countless bird visitors coming to the yard for sustenance. A Brown Thrasher (Georgia's State Bird) discovered our dried mealworms in the snow The weather really made for some entertaining bird watching when snow turned to ice and the birds slide to the food instead of gracefully perching We woke up early and by around 7AM EST the yard was already turning white. It kept coming down for a few more hours and we had between 4 and 5 inches of fresh powdery snow, before the temperature rose slightly and it actually rained softly for a bit. This made the top of the snow turn into a slick crusty layer that was difficult for us to walk on, but I have to admit it was slightly fun to watch the birds coming in for a landing and sliding for several inches before stopping fully. Northern Cardinals and House Finches crowd the tube feeders during the snowfall Why is it important to feed wild birds when it snows? Many Wild birds rely on insects or native seeds and berries for either the majority of their diet or their complete diet. In the southern states where snow is pretty rare, many species of birds have already traveled hundreds, or even thousands of miles to get to a warmer place for Winter months, where they can usually find plenty of nourishment. When temperatures plummet and food gets scarce, it's already difficult enough for the birds to find enough food to survive. But when you think of 3-5" of fluffy white frozen powder on top of the insects, leaves, seeds and berries it just becomes that much more difficult. There are parts of Georgia that are pretty barren and full of trees and streams. But much of metro Atlanta has been turned into suburbia and thousands of new subdivisions have been built with few trees. Coupled with manicured lawns and pesticides (or herbicides) being applied regularly, the backyard birding people like you and us DO make a difference. Bella the Eastern Bluebird enjoys fresh dried mealworms during a snowstorm How much does a bird have to eat to survive in colder weather? According to All About Birds , the smaller the bird, the higher the percentage of their body weight they must consume each day just to make it in this type of weather! It is estimated that tiny birds like Carolina Chickadees, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Tufted Titmice, House Finches, Gold Finches and small Sparrows may have to consume as much as 35% of their body weight EACH DAY just to survive! How difficult that must be, when it's covered in snow or frozen in a layer of ice! Medium-sized birds like the American Robin, Eastern Blue Jays or Northern Cardinals may require around 20-25% of their weight in food each day. Cooper's Hawks and Crows are estimated between 12% (small hawks) and as little as 4% for the Crows. A handsome Carolina Wren emerges from a brush pile to snack on some fresh mealworms How much food should you put out for the birds when it's cold? I'm certain that Lisa refilled the feeders 4 times on our snow day, and the next few days as well, because we had so many visitors that rely on insects and flipping leaves over to find their next meal. When snow falls it becomes a lot more difficult to find food, as well as fresh water that isn't frozen solid. We saw everything from House Finches to Brown Thrashers, and even had a couple of pretty rare guests swing by for food or water; the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker and the Cedar Waxwing! Not only are they pretty uncommon here, they are beautiful birds with tons of character AND style! A female White-Throated Sparrow forages in the snow and frozen leaves What is the best bird food for wild birds in the Winter? Birds require energy to keep warm, just like you or me. The best foods to provide wild backyard birds with this energy are the ones which are high in fat and protein. Avoid processed foods! Stick with raw seeds or nuts, dried or live mealworms and especially suet! For our top picks, scroll to the end and we'll share our favorite performing picks for Winter Bird Feed! A female American Robin perches in the snow and ruffles her feathers to keep warm, after eating 1/3 of her body weight in dried mealworms! Which birds will visit my birdfeeder when it snows? Over the course of the snow day and the following few days, we had visits from MANY of our favorites! Which is yours? This is the list of all of the wild bird species we spotted in just a few of those cold (and bright, white) snowy days! Of course, your results will vary based on the food you select! Tufted Titmouse Carolina Chickadee House Finch Chipping Sparrow White-throated Sparrow Carolina Wren American Goldfinch Purple Finch Northern Cardinal Eastern Blue Jay Northern Mockingbird Downy Woodpecker Hairy Woodpecker Red-bellied Woodpecker Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Eastern Blue Bird Red-winged Blackbird Common Grackle Cedar Waxwing American Robin European Starling Brown-headed Nuthatch White-breasted Nuthatch Pine Warbler Yellow-rumped Warbler Ruby-crowned Kinglet Brown Thrasher Cooper's Hawk Common Crow A Common Crow (Crowzie) new where to visit for snacks in this frigid weather! We may have missed a few but you can certainly see that the list is pretty long! To keep driving this point home, and also because our readers may find this particularly interesting, many of these birds would not have visited us if we only provided bird seed alone, and on the flipside if we had suet or mealworms only, we would have missed many of the seed-eating favorites. If you are new to bird feeding (or bird watching) a great way to diversify, or see more variations of the bird species in your area, is to offer more options to the wild birds when it comes to the food sources. Some species only eat insects/spiders. Some will only eat seeds. Some birds are only predacious and will only choose on rodents or (gasp!), other birds. If we think of any other bird species we missed last week we will update them above! An adult female Northern Cardinal snatches a crisp fresh safflower seed in her beak As always, thanks for reading! -BOWC ( birdsofwestcobb ) Here are the top Winter Bird Feeding Products which you may have spotted in the photos above, (along with the birds of course): TOP WINTER BIRD FEED PICK 1 : C&S Suet Cakes (don't forget the recycled composite feeder!) TOP WINTER BIRD FEED PICK 2 : Crunchy, delicious Dried mealworms . Look, you don't have to take our word for it but you'll likely more than DOUBLE the number of birds visiting your feeders for this delicious birdie snack! TOP WINTER BIRD FEED PICK 3 : Cole's Special Feeder Mix far better than just seeds alone, you'll definitely see an increase in your feathered visitors with this seed and nut blend! TOP WINTER BIRD FEED PICK 4: Safflower Seed - this favorite of ours is great for songbirds, and is NOT a favorite among the neighborhood squirrels. They'll still eat it if food is scarce, but they'd much rather dig up your lawn trying to find that last acorn. TOP WINTER BIRD FEED PICK 5: C&S SUET NUGGETS (Peanut Flavored) TOP WINTER BIRD FEED PICK 6: Hulled Sunflower Seed (also known as the Sunflower "meat" only, or "shelled seed"). A Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker Enjoys C&S Suet Nuggets at Birds of West Cobb TOP HEATER FOR BIRD BATH: We've been using this small bird bath heater for the last 3 years and it works very well! TOP HEATED BIRD BATH: If we decide to get a new upgraded model we'll likely go with this 14" terracotta bird bath with integrated heater element.

In this blog, Introducing the Carolina Wren , we will share photographs and information about one of our favorite backyard birds: the Carolina Wren. These tiny brown birds are entertaining for sure, but sometimes you cannot help but laugh out loud with some of their silly poses and quirky behaviors! An adult Carolina Wren perched in the morning sunlight What makes Carolina Wrens so entertaining to watch? Carolina Wrens are some of our favorite birds here at Birds of West Cobb ! The tiny Carolina Wren seems like a little feathered ball of energy, quietly flitting in to a shrub or other dense foliage. Then, switching to "hop" mode and bouncing all over the place with it's little tail generally pointing upward. What does the Carolina Wren bird call sound like? Carolina Wrens sing a series of fun, cheery songs in the morning during Spring and Summer. All of them are SURPRISINGLY LOUD but we welcome them anyway. Their typical happy song sounds a lot like they are singing "CHEERIO, CHEERIO, CHEERIO, CHEERIO". They will usually be perched in a stationary position like a porch railing or a low-limb in a small tree like a Dogwood or Crepe Myrtle. They find a good spot in the sunshine and let this call out, sometimes for 10-minutes or more! On the flip-side, if you hear the alarm call of the Carolina Wren, it could be because either you are too close to their feeders or their nest, or another predator is nearby. Perhaps a Cooper's Hawk, a domestic cat, or even a snake that you haven't even noticed yet. Birds have fantastic eye sight and listening to them can even inform you about your surroundings! This alarm call sounds more like someone "rolling their R's". This will be a short, shrill call repeating many times until they feel the threat has passed! We like to think of it as natures “backyard warning system”. What do Carolina Wrens eat? Carolina wrens are extremely beneficial in the garden (one more reason to use as little pesticides as possible, if you needed another one) as they consume a TON of small garden-variety insects, spiders, caterpillars, and butterflies & moths, and we've even seen them perch in a location which allowed them to eat small ants on certain occasions. Additionally, they will also eat earthworms or larvae of insects if given the chance, for example if a sprinkler is running and earthworms all come to the surface, you may spot a Carolina Wren flying in for a quick bite to eat. What type of bird food will attract Carolina Wrens to my feeder? Carolina Wrens have a high-protein and high-fat diet, which they rely on to sustain their energy levels and all of their entertaining behaviors. So when they are not eating insects, spiders, caterpillars or worms, they'll be visiting well-stocked bird feeders that have Suet Cakes, Suet Nuggets, or mealworms. We'll add a few links at the bottom of the blog to help you order some of our favorite options for these. An adult Carolina Wren inspects my Nikon Camera while I interrupt his mealworm breakfast. Carolina Wrens built a nest in a glass vase on our porch When we first started feeding the local wildlife at our home, we had a small chair and table set on our covered front porch. On the top of the table, we had a small glass vase with some fake flowers in it. This vase and fake flowers had been here for several years and had never moved, aside from us washing the pollen off each spring. Often, we enter and exit our house through the garage so we didn't even notice when something had changed. So it was likely being ‘updated’ by our new tenant for a couple of days, maybe even a week before we noticed the modifications made by the Carolina Wren couple. An adult Carolina Wren sits on a plate of dried mealworms on a chilly Winter morning Mid-Spring that year we noticed that the glass vase suddenly had some pine straw sticking out of the top. Upon further inspection, we realized that birds had built a nest down inside this vase, between the fake flower stems! We were so lucky to have this table sitting directly in front of one of our windows so we could peer out between the blinds, from our living room and watch Wren E. Wren and Mrs. Wren E. Wren incubate and protect the eggs, and then later fly in and out constantly feeding the children over the next few weeks. One evening while the birds were away briefly, I counted 5 eggs in the nest. They were so small that it was incredible to think they would be bouncy, animated little birds in barely a month. This time they ended up with 3 happy healthy young Wrens. Close-up photo of a Carolina Wren which visits daily for his nutritional requirements (eating dried mealworms). When our Carolina Wrens first left the nest They grow up so fast! I was washing our cars in the driveway a few weeks later and looked around the corner toward the porch and noticed one small juvenile wren was on the deck floor, under the table! I was afraid that something happened to the nest at first and I wanted to help somehow. I heard the parents making their alarm call at this point and realized they were alarmed by me, being so close to their young. I took a step back and the fledgling flapped a few times and was mid-air in the blink of an eye. This little wren flew right past my face and landed on the roof rack on my car. A few minutes later the other two fledglings popped out of the top of the vase and followed suit. A Carolina Wren looks like an Angry Bird character while choosing the best dried mealworm from the plate. Where do Carolina Wrens typically build nests? Some birds are tree or branch nesters, and others are cavity nesters. Some birds even prefer ledges or platforms. However, Carolina Wrens fall into the cavity nesters category. While they will sometimes nest in a birdhouse, they seem to enjoy small spaces and more, let's call it "unique construction". We have seen them nest in a vase, a barbecue, the base of a patio heater, and even an old work boot that was left on our neighbor's porch for too ling. Naturally, they will nest sometimes in low-lying shrubbery, or brush piles. We have enough property that we keep a brush pile out there for them to nest in or forage in, and it has worked well over the years to keep the Carolina Wrens around. Carolina Wrens sound the alarm call In the video clip below, Wrenny Wren starts off with one of those shrill, alarm calls, but then switches to his happy "Cheerio cheerio cheerio call". Enjoy! A Carolina Wren with suet crumbs on top of his beak perches before flying down to the deck to look for bugs. In this video, we found that Wrens absolutely ADORE small terracotta plates for small plants, as long as a little bit of water has been added. Take a look as he takes a very long enjoyable bath, after digging around and flipping leaves all morning! What birds are similar to the Carolina Wren? This photo (below) shows a “Winter Wren”, which is a different species entirely from the Carolina Wren. The Winter Wren often can be seen during migration, or over the Winter-to-Early Spring period where they will generally be found in the Southern states. They are shaped and sized very closely to the Carolina Wren, however they are a different species and almost appear as if they were dirty or have mottled feathers like a fledgling Carolina Wren might have. A Winter Wren sings while perched on a branch How Many Wren Species are their in the North America? There are NINE species of Wren in North America. While they have similarities between them, they are all unique in their size, coloration, calls and esapecially their diet! While 9 species may seem like a lot, there are actually 88 species of Wrens worldwide! ( link to referencing material on wikipedia ). Carolina Wren's can be attracted to your feeder with the following Bird Feed Options C&S Suet Cakes and a Kingsyard Composite (recycled plastic) suet feeder C&S Suet Nuggets : these can be used in a plate or a platform feeder like this one Dried Mealworms : Note: we tested these and they came out way ahead of "black soldier fly larvae" which apparently have a different taste that our local birds do not enjoy. A Carolina Wren finds some dried mealworms we sprinkled in the fresh snowfall in Marietta, GA Jan 2025 Carolina Wren Bird House Here is a great option for a Carolina Wren Bird House Nest Box We selected this model because it has the Audubon stamp of approval and it has adequate ventilation. Many of the birdhouse options out there do not have enough airflow and this is very important for the safety of the parents and the young when they nest! Need more help identifying a Carolina Wren in your yard or at your feeder? These options are sure to help you identify that energetic bouncy brown ball of feathers in your yard (or on your feeder!) Peterson's Field Guide to Birds Smithsonian's Handbook: Birds of North America -- Eastern Region Thanks for reading our blog and watching our videos! -BOWC (Lisa & Dan)

In this blog, we answer the question "What is Georgia's State Bird?" You may have guessed that it was the mosquito, but it’s actually the Brown Thrasher. So, what is Georgia's state bird? Traveling through Georgia, or even living here as a resident and you may wonder "What is Georgia's State Bird?" The Georgia State Bird is the Brown Thrasher. It was selected to be the state bird by the Governor of Georgia in 1935 ( Eugene Talmadge ), however, it wasn’t officially recognized as such until 1970 after being pushed by the Garden Clubs of Georgia! You can read more about it here in this article by AJC . A Brown Thrasher (Georgia's State Bird) perched in a tree above it's nest. Do we have many Brown Thrashers in Marietta, Georgia? Since we started feeding backyard birds years ago, we have almost always had a Brown Thrasher or a pair of them, visiting our feeders. The first year it was just one Thrasher, but we got to know him a little bit and then we named him “Thor” because he absolutely dominates the feeding area when he is present. Thor is not scared off by Robins, Towhees, Blue Jays or Grackles. I'm pretty sure with his attitude, he'll probably even take a stand against a small hawk. Where do you usually see Brown Thrashers? Brown Thrashers are usually spotted near dense shrubbery, low tree limbs, or under the protective cover of small trees like Dogwoods or Japanese Maples. Often, you will hear a Brown Thrasher rustling around in the leaves well before you spot them. In our case, our resident Thor will glide in effortlessly (and quickly) and perch on or near the ground. After a quick safety check (hawks, cats, people) Thor the Brown Thrasher will start the search for insects or mealworms we tossed out for he and other birds. He will sometimes grab the leaves with two feet and flip then out of his way, other times he will use his bill to toss them. Either way, it’s pretty entertaining to watch Thor looking for food. Towhees, Bluebirds, and even Carolina Wrens better look out because Thor isn't afraid to chase them away from his food source! An adult Brown Thrasher perches while selecting the perfect mealworm snack. Can you attract Brown Thrashers with a bird feeder? So, can you attract Brown Thrashers to your yard with a bird feeder? Absolutely. You have to keep in mind that Thrashers are primarily after high-protein diets like insects, spiders, caterpillars, and earthworms, similar to warblers, thrushes and even woodpeckers. So how do you attract Brown Thrashers to your feeder? Match their natural diet as closely as possible. We PREFER using dried mealworms, but they will also come visit your feeders in search of Suet when insects are scarce, and they will also visit your bird bath as well! Like most Southerners, we've had Brown Thrashers in the yard long before we started to feed the birds, although feeding them brought them closer than we had been to them before. If you are ever outside and near some thick, dense shrubbery and you hear something flipping leaves, and you catch a glimpse of a brownish bird about the size of a Blue Jay or a Common Grackle, it’s probably a Brown Thrasher. A Juvenile Brown Thrasher easily blends with his surroundings What Color eyes do Brown Thrashers have? Here is an interesting note about the eyes of a Brown Thrasher. I read in several blogs and social media posts that some people believe that when Brown Thrashers are very young, juveniles or fledglings, their eyes appear grey or blue/grey. As the story goes, when they mature their eyes begin to turn brighter and brighter yellow. It was interesting that for most of the articles I read this was all based on theories, but I couldn't find anything at the time with proof. Well, here at Birds of West Cobb @birdsofwestcobb we have seen it to be true. We've now witnessed this natural "phenomenon" if you will, over a dozen times. The image below shows a very early fledgling, which just started visiting with his parents. Take a look at the light gray eyes! A juvenile Brown Thrasher perches momentarily, before disappearing into the Salvia flowers below the deck. Is it true that Brown Thrashers have a larger vocabulary than Mockingbirds? Brown Thrashers have an INCREDIBLE vocabulary. Years ago, I experienced a Northern Mockingbird that seemed to have an endless list of calls and sounds. While impressive, I have now seen several Thrashers do the same and with at least 4-5x as many calls and sounds as the mockingbird. Brown Thrashers can mimic or call with over 1,000 sounds, and research shows that this could actually be a lot higher still, (as much as 3,000 different calls!) That is insane to think of, and it may be more vocabulary than some people I know… ha! There is an article on the Georgia Department of Natural Resources website that talks more about it, and gives a lot more information about the Brown Thrashers in general. This adult Brown Thrasher was photographed while hunting for breakfast on a chilly Winter morning in Marietta, GA. Can you share a video of a Brown Thrasher? Check out this recent video clip below of a Brown Thrasher taking a bath on a warm day! We cannot stress enough the importance of keeping a clean fresh bird bath for ALL of your birds. We actually have 3 different sized plates or terracotta plant dishes that work incredibly well as bird baths. Thanks for reading our blog here at Birds of West Cobb! -Lisa & Dan Attracting Brown Thrashers - Top Product Links: When it comes to attracting Brown Thrashers to your feeder and your yard, the products below will work wonders. They may not work overnight, but with consistency you'll be very impressed how well these options work! Composite Platform Feeder Crispy Dried Mealworms High-Energy Suet Cakes and a Hanging Suet Cake Feeder to hold it C&S Suet Nuggets (another favorite of Thrashers in our yard!)

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 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! 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. 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. 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. 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). 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. 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). 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. 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

We picked 5 of the Best Tube Feeders to help you in your search for products that are durable, easy to clean, and stand up to the elements for years of future bird-watching bliss. Keep reading for links to these products (below) Droll Yankees New Generation Droll Yankees Classic Feeder Perky-Pet 325SCOMBO Droll Yankees YF-M Yankee Flipper (This one is fun!) Audubon Kay Home Products Die-Cast Aluminum Finch Tube Feeder A tufted titmouse perches on a droll yankees tube feeder. Tube-type bird feeders provide lots of perch space for your feathered friends, holding up to the elements. A few of the feeders listed below even have extra benefits! A Mourning Dove perches on a Perky-Pet tube feeder with a large base and 360-degree perch! Introduction: "Tube Feeders" are a staple in every serious (and amateur) backyard birder's feeding toolkit. There are several benefits to using a tube feeder, let's look at some of the most common reasons first, and then take a look at the 5 feeders we picked: Visibility: You can see from a distance when the food level is low and needs refilling. You will also be able to see more birds perched and eating in a smaller footprint, thanks to multiple perches on each side of the feeders. Versatility in attracting various bird species: We have seen Northern Cardinals, House, Carolina & Gold Finches, Mourning Doves and more on our tube feeders, all at the same time!! The birdseed placed in a tube feeder generally stays dry (or mostly dry) when compared to several other feeder designs. This helps the feeder stay clean for longer periods of time and provides more fresh food for your backyard birds! Ease of maintenance and cleaning: This is a deeper topic we'll explore a bit further in a bit. NOT all tube feeders are created equally! An adult male American Goldfinch perches on a tube feeder for a meal. Related to the last bullet point, and also the topic of durability: Many cheap, low quality feeders from online shops and even some local stores simply will not last. They use cheaper acrylic / plastic which will fade and yellow after only a year or two, and you won't be able to see the feed levels or tell if the feeder is clean or not. Additionally, some feeders are made by companies that didn't exist 3 months ago, and likely will not exist in another 3 months. This means that if you have a part that breaks or a screw that went missing, you'll likely not be able to get it from the customer support team (because they don't exist!). With that being said, we stuck with the top 5 BEST TUBE FEEDERS on the market that are also from top-tier companies that have been around for YEARS! Top 5 Tube Feeders for Backyard Birding 1. Droll Yankees New Generation Tube Feeder Droll Yankees has been producing very high-quality bird feeders for many years. In fact, they've been doing so since 1969, and they produced the FIRST commercially sold Tube Feeders. It's no wonder that this is our Number One pick on our list! This is an ideal feeder for an amateur, or an absolute bird fanatic (if there is one in your family it would make a great gift as well). This feeder features the following: 1 pound of seed capacity 4 perches / seed ports UV "Stabilized" polycarbonate tube ( prevents fading and yellowing! ) It comes with a metal hanger and a metal cap Made in Connecticut! For the model described above - it is priced currently at 39.99 on Amazon! (Please note that this is subject to change!) Droll Yankees New Generation tube feeder 2. Droll Yankees Classic Tube Feeder This feeder is a BIG step-up in size and capacity from the prior feeder in our list. The 30" long tube feeder variation ( currently 25% off on Amazon ) has the following features: 4 Pound Capacity means you'll need to refill less often! 12 metal perches / feed ports means you'll have seating for way more birds! Another top quality feeder made in Connecticut! The current cost for this feeder is listed at $89.99 (25% off!) which is a great value when looking at the product durability, capacity and a brand name/history to back this product up! Droll Yankees Classic 12-perch feeder 3. Perky-Pet 325SCOMBO: This feeder is one we've owned also. We love that their are two tiers of small reservoirs with a perch that goes all the way around the feeder. This allows larger birds like Cardinals, Blue Jays, and Mourning Doves to be able to sit more easily and comfortably while they feast. Here are some additional features: The filler cap locks down to prevent squirrels from simply just prying it open and getting a nearly unlimited buffet! LARGE capacity: This tube feeder maxes out at 4.5 pounds! Metal Parts are powder coated for durability (The same finish that is used heavily in automotive and commercial machinery applications) Bronze finish (while plastic) looks great and holds up well! The Perky Pet 325S Combo provides 2 tiers of 360-degree perching 4. Droll Yankees YF-M Yankee Flipper (Definitely one of the best tube feeders in our book) Guys & Gals, this is a truly iconic feeder. While some might consider it pricey, it has a very unique (Not to mention FUN) bonus feature. Below the feeder perches is a battery and an electric motor. When a large amount of weight pushes down on the perches, the motor engages and the perches at the bottom of the feeder begin to spin. Squirrels don't stand a chance. Incorporate an affiliate link to this feeder. Some additional features for you below, but first, a classic video clip showing this feeder in action! We are talking about HOURS OF ENTERTAINMENT! Video credit goes to the Droll Yankees team for this gem. Extra-Large Capacity: 5lbs seed capacity! Powder coated metal components 100% Squirrel Proof! Battery lasts for YEARS. A fully charged battery lasts for weeks in most cases. Made in Connecticut! Currently on sale, (11% off!) and priced at $153.78 on Amazon The Yankee Flipper from Droll Yankees is exteremely entertaining and can save you money on wasted seed! 5. Audubon Kay Home Products Die-Cast Aluminum Finch Tube Feeder: This feeder is on the opposite end of the price spectrum from the Yankee Flipper. However, it still has some entertainment value! House Finches, Purple Finches, American Goldfinches and Pine Siskins natively enjoy eating Thistle in the Fall/Winter months in large meadows and pastures. A lot of property owners these days mow the thistle plants down though and so there is less food available to the finches and siskins. You can change that, with this Audubon Licensed product! This feeder holds up to 1 pound of Nyjer Thistle seed or finch food seed mix. There are 6 feed ports / perches, specially designed for Finches and siskins Bright yellow color is the standard for Finch feeders There is an EZ Clean button, which opens the base and makes cleaning out the feeder a snap! The Audubon Kay Finch Feeder is perfect for dishing out thistle to your small finch friends! Tips for Choosing the Right Tube Feeder We recommend you decide which birds you like to target. Most of the feeders we have listed can be used with a wide variety of foods, from Sunflower to Safflower, to Dried Mealworms and lastly, Thistle (which is a tiny seed in comparison to Sunflower). We prefer feeding multiple species and are sure to include a feeder more specific to the finches and siskins, and have a separate feeder for Blue Jays, Cardinals, Doves and other larger birds. For more info about our favorite feed, you can view our blog post here. Conclusion Tube feeders provide a Fast-Fill method for bird feeding that keeps your feathered passerine friends well-fed, and provide multiple perches so even if the feeder turns, or twists in the wind, you'll likely have a good vantage point to see your favorite birds in action chowing down! Do you have a favorite Tube feeder? Drop a comment below and let us know why you love that particular model!

What is that yellow bird on my feeder? Is that a Goldfinch, Warbler, a Pine Siskin or something else? 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. 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! 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! 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! 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! 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! 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! 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. Is that yellow bird on my bird feeder an American Goldfinch? Attracting Yellow Birds: Our Top Product Recommendations below Warblers (Pine, Yellow-rumped, Tennessee) As well as Kinglets (Ruby-crowned) C&S Suet Cakes link here C&S Peanut Suet Nuggets link here Dried Mealworms link here American Goldfinches Hulled Sunflower Seed link here Safflower Seed link here Thistle Seed (seems to work best in Winter months) link here

Introducing the Brown Thrasher: The Melodic Mimic of the Southeast The Brown Thrasher, known for its rich, melodious song and striking brown appearance, is a captivating bird found throughout the Southeastern United States. This sometimes elusive, yet enchanting bird offers birdwatchers and backyard enthusiasts a delightful experience. Brown Thrasher Identification and Appearance: Brown Thrashers are medium-sized birds with a distinctive reddish-brown upper body, head and tail with streaked breast. They have a very slightly curved bill and mature adults have piercing yellow eyes with black pupils that give them a somewhat fierce expression. Their long tails and strong legs are perfect for ground foraging, where they spend much of their time searching for insects and other small prey. They can often be heard in the brush flipping leaves around with their long beaks and legs. Where do Brown Thrashers Live? (Brown Thrasher Habitat) Preferring dense shrubs and thickets, Brown Thrashers are often found in gardens, woodlands, and hedges. They seem to prefer the thicker brush for foraging as well as nesting, although they make their way out of the brush from time to time, to grab a snack, or to fly to a low limb where they will sometimes sing for hours. Are Brown Thrashers good at mimicking other sounds? Thrashers are highly-skilled mimics, capable of imitating the calls of other bird species, making their songs a complex and varied composition. Not only are they excellent at mimicking other birds and sounds, but they have the largest vocabulary of any songbird in the United States! These birds are generally solitary and can be quite secretive, often heard more than seen. However, we often see 2 of them feeding in close proximity of each other, and sometimes one will even chase the other away! Brown Thrasher Feeding Habits: Brown Thrashers have a varied diet that includes insects, fruits, and nuts. To attract these birds to your backyard, consider setting up a bird feeder with a mix of seeds and suet, and plant native berry-producing shrubs. Providing a water source, like a bird bath, can also help entice them. Additionally, our resident Brown Thrashers seem to really enjoy Dried Mealworms as well as Peanut Suet Nuggets. ( We've added some helpful links below for you, for these products ). When do Brown Thrashers typically Breed and Nest? During the breeding season, which typically spans from April to July, Brown Thrashers build their nests in dense shrubs or low trees. They lay 3-5 eggs, which both parents take turns incubating. The young fledge after about two weeks, and the parents may raise two broods per season. Conservation Status: Brown Thrashers are currently not considered threatened, but their populations can be affected by habitat loss and fragmentation. Planting native shrubs and maintaining a bird-friendly backyard can help support these beautiful birds. Bird Watching Tips To maximize your chances of spotting Brown Thrashers, listen for their varied songs early in the morning or late in the afternoon. Keep an eye on dense shrubbery and ground-level foliage, where they are most likely to be foraging. Enhance Your Birding Experience Bird Feeder:   Composite Suet Feeder C&S Suet Cakes (we recommend these for Woodpeckers, Thrashers and more!) C&S Suet Nuggets (I've seen our resident Brown Thrashers feasting on these many times) Hatortempt Dried Mealworms ( Best value in the 10lb bag !) Field Guide:   National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America Brown Thrasher information / fact References Audubon Guide to North American Birds All About Birds - Brown Thrasher Bird Watching Academy - Brown Thrasher This blog post related to Brown Thrashers not only provides valuable information for bird enthusiasts but also includes affiliate links to products that enhance birding experiences. This approach ensures the blog is educational, engaging, and monetized effectively. Thanks for visiting!

In this blog, we'll take a closer look at the Top 10 Myths about Hummingbirds. Some of these are simply false and would mean no harm to our tiny feathered friends. However, some could pose a threat to the health and safety of these amazing creatures. We hope you find it educational and informative! Myth one:  Hummingbirds migrate on the backs of larger birds. Let's face it, Hummingbirds are very tiny creatures. They have a maximum flight speed of around 25 miles per hour. Couple these facts with the idea that they have to travel hundreds, and sometimes THOUSANDS of miles and it's no wonder someone came up with this MYTH . It is false, however. To answer your question, "Do Hummingbirds migrate on the backs of larger birds?" The answer is a very clear "No.". Hummingbirds drink flower nectar eat tiny insects throughout Spring and Summer, and gain as much as 30% of their body weight in preparation for their multiple day journey South in Fall, and North-bound again in Springtime. (Bonus fact: They also migrate alone, not in flocks!) Myth two: Hummingbirds Will Die if They Stop Flying . Contrary to popular belief, hummingbirds do NOT die if they stop flying. They often perch to rest, and at night, they enter a state called torpor to conserve energy, typically this occurs when it's colder outside, see Myth 8 below for more details on this! (Reference: Audubon Society ) Myth three: Red Dye in Nectar Attracts More Hummingbirds. Red dye is actually completely unnecessary and studies have been shown it to be harmful to hummingbirds. They are attracted to the color of the feeder itself, not the nectar. Stick to a simple sugar-water mixture (1 part sugar to 4 parts water (link to prior blog post) (Reference: Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center ) Myth Four: Feeding Hummingbirds in Fall Prevents Them from Migrating. Providing man-made nectar or natural flower-based nutrition for these Hummers in Fall will NOT stop hummingbirds from migrating. Migration is triggered by changes in daylight, not food availability, so keep your feeders out as long as hummingbirds visit and we even recommend leaving them out several weeks after you think they have moved on, just in case there are any stragglers or birds that were re-routed due to major storms, or released by a rehabber! (Reference: Audubon Society ) Myth five: Hummingbirds Only Feed on Nectar. While hummingbirds do certainly love their nectar, they also eat small insects like gnats, fruit flies, tiny aphids and even small spiders, which provide protein and other essential nutrients. (Reference: National Geographic ) Myth six: Hummingbirds Are Aggressive and Fight Constantly. Hummingbirds are definitely territorial, but they aren’t inherently aggressive. What does this mean exactly? Their "fighting" is usually about defending food sources, which is crucial for their survival, and this is largely due to their high energy needs. Additionally, some species are very social and gather in huge groups around food sources (Western United States and Canada), while the Eastern Ruby-throated hummingbirds are far more territorial and do seem to give chase to one another constantly. (Reference: Audubon Society ) Myth seven: Hummingbirds Are Attracted to Scented Flowers or Sugar Water. This is a pretty big Myth, folks! Did you know that Hummingbirds have NO sense of smell . They rely on their eyesight, and navigate toward bright colors, like red, to locate flowers and hummingbird feeders! (Reference: Georgia Department of Natural Resources ) Myth eight: Hummingbirds Can’t Survive Cold Weather. While hummingbirds prefer warmer climates, some species, like the Anna’s Hummingbird, can actually survive cold temperatures by slowing down their metabolism during torpor (a deep restful state.) (Reference: Birds & Blooms ) Myth nine: Just before hummingbirds migrate, you should add some additional sugar to their nectar to give them a "boost". This one has potential to harm our hummingbird friends. Multiple publications and universities have studied the man-made nectar equivalent and found that it is the closest formula to the level of sugars naturally occurring in flowering plants. Hummingbirds have been around for millions of years, and they have been drinking nectar all along. Who are we to mess with their proven methodology of feeding? In fact, too much sugar can harm the hummingbird's kidneys, not to mention a ration of more than 1 part sugar to 4 parts water will also be much more likely to attract bees and wasps to your feeders! Myth ten: Hummingbirds Only Live for a Year or Two. Look, hummingbirds certainly do have rapid metabolisms, and while that might suggest that they have short lifespans, hummingbirds can live much longer than that. Some species, like the Ruby-throated Hummingbird which we have in Georgia as well as along the whole East Coast, have been recorded living over 9 years! (Reference: A stellar list by hummingbird species, brought to you by the American Bird Conservancy ) We hope this list has been educational and has helped you dispel some common myths that you may have spotted on social media or heard about from a friend or family member. Our goal is to educate our birding friends and to protect our sweet hummingbird buddies at the same time! If you enjoyed this post, we would appreciate a comment, a like, or if you took the time to share it with a friend! -Birds of West Cobb (Lisa & Dan)

In this Blog Post, we are pleased to introduce you to one of our backyard favorites: the Tufted Titmouse! We’ve included photos and information about these energetic little birds for you! Everyone, we’d like you to meet Mickey. He’s our Tufted Titmouse friend from the Marietta, GA area. He wakes us up in the morning with a couple of high-pitch calls and tells us that we need to refill the Safflower seed and the C&S suet nugget s (aka Scoob balls). Mickey is not much for hanging around and conversing with the other birds, but when it’s hot enough outside he has been known to dive into a birdbath and play around like a puppy in a kiddie pool! We are lucky in Marietta to see these birds year-round. They are very quick and their aim (for grabbing a single safflower or sunflower seed, or a C&S suet nugget ) is definitely something to witness firsthand. The tufted titmouse has the ability to fly in from a ridiculous angle, perch for a moment, and grab a seed from a tube feeder and fly away again in only a matter of seconds. You have to be patient to capture it, and hopeful that you grabbed a frame or two of them while they are paused and trying to find that perfect seed. Tufted titmice (plural form of Titmouse) often nest in bluebird nest boxes or boxes with similar size and shape. You can hear their call all over the Southeast United States whistling for their mates. What does the Tufted Titmouse eat? Well, we already mentioned Safflower seed and black-oil sunflower seeds, but we’ve seen them eat small chunks of peanuts, Suet Nuggets from C&S , and in the coldest months during Winter they can even be seen eating dried mealworms. Do you love Mickey and the Titmice as much as we do? Feel free to drop a comment below, we’d love to hear from you! Thanks for reading @birdsofwestcobb Don’t forget to share this with your friends and neighbors that love wild birds as much as we do! (-Lisa & Dan)