31
Aug

Molting, Migration, Moving

You have probably noticed a decrease in the number of birds using our feeders and birdbaths over the past few weeks.  And some birds have disappeared completely.  Regardless of where you live in the United States or Canada, if you have feeders, it is most probable you will notice a decrease in birds at your feeders for the next two months.  This is a natural cycle.  So, do not be alarmed if days go by in September and October and you see not one bird at your feeders – they will come back.  Just give them time.

Molting.  Most adult and juvenile songbirds are molting in August through October.  The adults are getting their winter plumage which is often duller colors.  Some will have an altogether different look – like the male American Goldfinches and indigo Buntings.  Juveniles are getting the last of their adult plumage.  After all the nesting and juvenile raising, I am guessing molting comes as a welcome period of rest for the adults.  And I think any of you who are parents, or grandparents, can understand completely!  During molting time, birds will come to feeders, but not quite as much, and they are often quieter when they come.

However, as soon as I say something about birds, they prove me wrong.  If any of you had the birdfeeder live-stream on yesterday morning, the crows and Blue Jays just would not give it up.  All that cawing and screeching!  I wanted to lean out my window and yell out, “Enough!!!!!  Give it a break, why dontcha!!!!!”  They are just SOOOO LOUD!!!  But, I am grinning as I type this.  I love to see and hear birds do exactly what they were created to do.  And not only do I think all those caws and screeches had a purpose, I also think crows and jays love to hear themselves caw and screech.  But IN GENERAL, birds are less active and more quiet from now till about November 1st.

Migration.  Although many of us think of migration as a fall event, it actually begins about mid-August.  Baltimore Orioles are a good example.  For much of the summer, especially in the late afternoon, the orioles used the large birdbath (Birdbath Cam) quite a bit.  Males, females, juveniles were all taking baths together.

Male Baltimore Orioles migrate to the southern parts of our southern states, the islands of the Caribbean, and Central and South America.  The males migrate first and then the females and juveniles migrate a week or two later.  Cleon and I think the males are mostly gone – we did see one three days ago, but only one, and not since then.  The females and juveniles are still here, but their number is dwindling.

The Gray Catbirds that used that birdbath all day long have also started their migration to some of the same regions as the Baltimore Oriole.

The Canada Geese families are still coming to eat under the feeders.  Some of these juveniles can fly and some cannot – it all depends when they hatched.  Generally, the parents of juveniles molt while their youngsters can’t fly, so they are finished when the youngsters are ready to take off.  From now on, we will see families gathered together into flocks and flying over our lake and our surrounding big agriculture fields.  Adults and juveniles together.  The adults have not been flying much this summer as they have been on the ground caring for and protecting their youngsters.  So both are strengthening their wings.  Some will migrate and some will stay here all winter – although not always here on our small lake as it sometimes freezes solid any time from December through February.  And then it is time for our ice fishermen!

You will see fewer Mourning Doves and even though we are within their winter range, very few or no Brown-headed Cowbirds.  But you might see an increase in male Red-winged Blackbirds – in winter plumage, so no obvious red epaulette. We have never seen a female Red-winged Blackbird in our neighborhood or around our lake.  That does not mean they are not here – just that neither Cleon nor I have seen one.

Moving.  You will continue to see Mourning Doves, but not as many.  And there will be obviously less House Finches.  If you have been watching the birdfeeder camera the last two months you will have witnessed both birds fighting amongst themselves – most especially on the platform feeder.  Those Mourning Doves can pack a wallop!

We had several good-sized families of both this year.  Both birds will now disperse.  Juveniles either have left their parents or in the process of lessening their ties.  Many of these juveniles will wander, and then settle in a new area.  This is not the same as migrating as migration is south this time of year and north in spring.  What they are doing is simply moving around to find a winter territory and maybe a place of permanent residence. This moving around can be in any direction. The Mourning Doves and House Finches you will see later this fall here at the feeders might be our resident ones, they might be a few adults and juveniles from this year’s nesting right here, or they could have wandered here from somewhere else.

Here is what you could see this winter on our platform feeder. The small birds are Eurasian Tree Sparrows. There are a few scattered Juncos, a female Cardinal, and a puffed-out European Starling – luckily we do not have too many of these! They can go through a cake of suet faster than I can go through a pint of chocolate ice cream – and that is saying something!

Over the next two months, the number of Tufted Titmice, and White-breasted Nuthatches should increase.  Hopefully Black-capped Chickadees and Northern Cardinals, also.  There will be fewer Blue Jays as they will disperse and wander – and they will be quieter.  But there could be more male Red-winged Blackbirds as fall progresses.  There should also be an increase in Downy and Red-bellied Woodpeckers – especially at the tube feeder holding peanuts and in October when we start offering suet.  And we do have generally two Hairy Woodpeckers and occasionally a Red-headed Woodpecker.  In years past, we have even had a Pileated Woodpecker pounding on the trees around the feeder.  They live in the large woodlands across the lake from us.

Keep an eye open for a Cooper’s Hawk – more rare is the Sharp-shinned Hawk.  We have had a Bald Eagle in our trees – especially in January and February. Illinois is now number two in Bald Eagle population after Alaska.  This increase in population centers on where the Illinois River meets the Mississippi and this is where there are now many eagles and many nests.  As the crow flies, we are not far from this area and so when the juvenile eagles disperse, some have settled here.  We have several large lakes close to us and I know of at least four nests.  So we will get a Bald Eagle or two at our small lake in winter – even if it is partially iced over.

For those of you who do not live in the area between central Illinois and St. Louis, you may see a bird on the platform feeder you have not seen before.  The Eurasian Tree Sparrow (see the photo above of the feeders last winter).  This bird is not native to North America – it was introduced to the St. Louis area in the late 1800’s, but in the past 30 years or so, it has expanded its range.  For about the last 4 years, we have had an increasing number here at our feeders – particularly our platform feeder.  And as their population grows, the number of House Sparrows lessens.  If this interests you, please click on Articles in this website’s menu and read: Eurasian Tree Sparrows and House Sparrows – Similarities and Differences.

And you will know that winter is well on its way when you start to see the Dark-eyed Juncos.  The subspecies we have here is the Slate-colored Junco.  And take a good look at the photo of the bird at the top of this section of the website – it is a male Junco.  When you see them, it is definitely time to get the heavy winter coats out of storage!

Female Junco at his house about 30 miles north of us.  Photo by our good friend  Jim Oettel.

P.S.  And as I am ready to post this, the crows and jays have started up again – where are my ear plugs!  And yes, I am still grinning…….