Indholdsfortegnelse for December/January 2021 i Birds & Blooms

As long as my feeder is full and hungry birds like chickadees and cardinals let black oil sunflower seeds fall to the ground, dark-eyed juncos are a sure sight in my yard throughout the cold months. I always think of them as the cleanup crew because they busily forage for dropped seeds with their adorable pink bills. Juncos are an interesting species, with different forms calling various parts of the U.S. home. In some cases, these forms have very distinct field marks, despite all being known as dark-eyed juncos. Bird pros Kenn and Kimberly Kaufman explain it in detail in “Junco Family Tree” on page 36. Also in this issue, we feature the 12 finalists of the Backyard Photo Contest. Our staff narrowed the entries down to four favorites in…

“I was overly happy when I spotted a varied thrush in my yard, and he waited for me to get my camera. Such beautiful and subtle coloration.”Nevin Hayter CROFTON, BRITISH COLUMBIA SPOT THE DIFFERENCE It may be difficult to tell female or juvenile varied thrush apart from robins since they share similar coloring and size. You’ll know it’s a varied thrush if there are stripes on the chest and wings. FEEDING TIME Beckon varied thrushes to your yard with an open-air ground platform feeder. $50 at duncraft.com…

CONTEXT CLUES Although pine siskins call parts of the West home year-round, these birds are winter visitors in most of the U.S., flying in after the breeding season. Look for these social birds flitting about thistle feeders in busy flocks, often with goldfinches.…

Q Do male American goldfinches lose their black caps in winter? Kitty Carty PRINEVILLE, OREGON Kenn and Kimberly: Goldfinches, like most small birds, molt all their feathers at the end of summer or during fall. By the time winter arrives, the snappy yellow and black plumage of the males is replaced by a new, but much more drab, set of feathers, lacking the black cap and most of the gold tones. This molt during the fall is far less noticeable than the transition back to their bright breeding plumage in spring. It’s fascinating to watch how quickly the males transition back into their dapper summer plumage. Q What kind of bird is this? I saw it in a swampy area. Gail Jakubiak HUDSON, FLORIDA Kenn and Kimberly: Mainly a winter…

True or False? A. SNOW GEESE really do prefer the cold—some breed in Siberia or Greenland. B. MOSTLY WHITE birds have black tips on their wings to help them ward off predators. C. WHITE-WINGED SNOWFINCHES live in the high, snowy mountains of Europe and Asia. ANSWERS 1. SNOWY OWL 2. SNOW BUNTINGS 3. SNOWY EGRET 4. SNOWY PLOVER 5. DARK-EYED JUNCO, NICKNAMED SNOWBIRD A. TRUE B. FALSE; THE EXTRA MELANIN HELPS MAKE THE SURFACE OF THE FEATHERS STRONGER C. TRUE…

Wildfire Winterberry Ilex verticillata ‘Bailfire’, Zones 4 to 9 This large female winterberry starts to shine with loads of red berries as temperatures drop. Winterberries are native to the eastern U.S., require little maintenance, and tolerate clay and wet soil. Attracts: Light needs: Full sun. Size: 8 to 10 feet tall and wide. Grown for: A showpiece hedge that doesn’t mind moisture. Foliage: Dark green, turning yellow in autumn. How to get berries: Wildfire needs a male plant to produce its signature fruit. Grow Jim Dandy, a prolific pollenizer, nearby to see Wildfire’s benefits. BIRD BENEFIT Watch for berry lovers such as robins, bluebirds and cedar waxwings. They gobble up the bright fruit and appreciate the cover the shrub provides.…

WHEN TO DIG In warm and dry climates, gardeners can plant paperwhites outside in late fall for winter blooms. 1 Paperwhites NARCISSUS PAPYRACEUS, ZONES 8 TO 10 The pale, delicate blooms are lovely, but it’s the fragrance that makes paperwhites such a winner. In the darkest days of winter, these couldn’t-be-easier bulbs evoke the scent of spring. After forcing, you have to wait only four to six weeks before you start to see the blooms. Why we love it: It doesn’t even need soil to grow. Place bulbs in a shallow dish of stones, with the tops exposed and water just reaching the bottom of the bulb. 2 Amaryllis HIPPEASTRUM SPP., ZONES 8 TO 10 Big, brilliant amaryllis blooms stand tall on strong stems in a variety of hues, such…

I never leave home without my camera. I pulled over one day to capture some birds in a tree. Then I saw this darling pair of California quail snuggling on a fence post in the snow. I was so excited! Kim Steed MINDEN, NEVADA At this time of year, we think of decorating and hanging ornaments on our Christmas tree. I also love to look outside and see nature’s winter ornaments, such as red berries encased in ice, which are stunning against a winter background. But nothing brightens a scene like a brilliant male cardinal in the snow. Anne Duvall GREENCASTLE, PENNSYLVANIA This tiny common redpoll was waiting for his turn at a feeder in my backyard on a cold morning when I noticed him. I know it must be…

Find the Hummingbird In each issue, we hide a hummingbird like the one above left. Enter to win at birdsandblooms.com/contests if you find it. Winners get a one-year subscription to Birds & Blooms. In the October/November issue, we hid it on page 58. HIDDEN OBJECT GUIDELINES No purchase necessary to enter to win. Purchase will not improve your chances of winning. Sweepstakes is open to legal residents age 18 years or older of the U.S., its territories and possessions, or of Canada (excluding the Province of Quebec). Sweepstakes begins on Nov. 4, 2020, and ends on Jan. 7, 2021. Visit birdsandblooms.com/contests for official rules. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. Sweepstakes sponsored by RDA Enthusiast Brands, LLC. Contact Us! CUSTOMER CARE For subscriptions, renewals, gifts, payments, account info and inquiries: Email: customercare@birdsandblooms.com Visit:…

When looking for words to best describe the varied thrush, the phrase dramatically beautiful certainly comes to mind. About the size and shape of the American robin, this fancy thrush sports a bold black band that resembles a necklace on its rich orange breast that contrasts with a blue-gray back, orange wing bars and a wide black stripe across its eye. Females are similar but paler. Seeing this species is a treat, since varied thrushes are “not the kind of bird to sit out in the open,” says Maeve Sowles, president of the Lane County Audubon Society in Oregon. “You hear them more than you see them.” These particular thrushes live year-round in the wet forests of the mild Pacific Coast—all the way from southeastern Alaska to Northern California. Females…

Watering plants inside a dry home, especially in winter, can turn into a daily chore. Houseplant watering systems are here to save the day and to keep you and your plants happier by providing consistent moisture, without overwatering. To pick the right solution, all you need to know is how much water your plants need. Try these handy gadgets—they’ll keep watering to a minimum while keeping your plants looking their best. Spikes and Globes These simple devices let water slowly drip into the soil. Watering spikes require a glass or plastic bottle to act as a reservoir. Watering globes are an all-in-one solution, and many have a pretty blown-glass look. Depending on the size of your container, you may need several spikes or globes to keep your plant evenly watered.…

In winter, we start to bake spiced cookies, prepare pumpkin pies and eat warm, hearty casseroles made with winter vegetables. Whether we do it consciously or not, we shift what we eat to adapt to the change in seasons. When it comes to what birds munch in winter, the same principles apply, although their quest for survival is far more perilous than ours. “It comes down to two things: food availability and calorically dense nutrition,” says John Rowden, senior director of bird-friendly communities at the National Audubon Society. “Without the abundance of spring and summer, birds have to work harder to find food and sample more of their environment.” While birds have quite a few high-activity phases in their lives, including migration, breeding and raising young, limited food supplies make…

200,000 During World War II, British armed forces used more than 200,000 homing pigeons to deliver crucial messages. Some of the birds were awarded medals for their bravery. 364 Engineering students at Purdue University built a licking machine and found that it takes 364 licks to reach the center of a Tootsie Pop, not three as Mr. Owl famously claimed. 4 In the Harry Potter books, the starring wizard’s owl, Hedwig, is female. But male snowy owls were used for the movie since they have a whiter appearance and weigh only 4 pounds—slightly less than female owls. 5 Five NFL teams are named after real and made-up birds: Eagles, Ravens, Cardinals, Falcons and Seahawks. 57 After 57 years, Kellogg’s decided to give Toucan Sam a controversial makeover. The Froot Loops…