Doves
Author: Jean Woods

I now have a full flock of ring necked doves visiting
regularly. This started several years ago when 3 doves began
feeding in the yard under the decorative birdfeeders. Doves eat
off the ground and won't eat at any of the bird feeders, but
everyone else is so messy there is plenty for them to pick up.
They don't seem to use the garden bird bath either, but they do
love the pond. Now after 4 years the flock seems to be up to
10-12 or so. I must admit I don't pay as much attention to them
as I do to the smaller birds and I am not sure why, possibly
because they don't eat at the unique bird feeders, but they are
just as interesting as the others. What I do notice most about
them is that their wings squeak when they fly. Well, if it
isn't their wings it sure sounds like it. Pay attention the
next time you see some.

I also get Oregon Junkos and dark eyed Junkos. They ignore the
fancy birdfeeders too, preferring the seed left on the ground.
They don't seem to sing instead they have a rather distinctive
click. The Junkos will use the garden birdbath fountains I
wonder a bit about the nuthatches and creeper and some of the
other insect eaters that visit my habitat. They seem to be
attracted to the seed mix I give the other birds in the wooden
birdfeeders and in the decorative birdfeeders as well. But
their normal diet is insects, what is with that? I figure that
anyone who wants to come to the decorative birdfeeders is a
welcome addition to the family.

Other migratory birds that come regularly to the fancy bird
feeders are members of the finch family. In the spring they
prefer the wooden birdfeeders to be filled with thistle seed
and can go through pounds of it without really trying. This
time of year however, they seem to enjoy the same seed mix that
the others want in their bird feeders. This may be because there
is plenty of thistle seed available naturally. Make sure to keep
the birdfeeders and birdbaths clean and full this time of year
as everyone is getting ready for the long flight to winter
quarters.


About The Author: After working for over 20 years in an office,
I decided to work at home and sell something I really like. To
me there is nothing like the sound of birds chirping in the
morning. So after lots of pondering I chose to help them out
and provide them with their own home at
http://www.birdbathplus.com/