Migratory Birds
Migratory birds are
those species that generally migrate south each fall from breeding
grounds to their wintering grounds. They may winter in habitats throughout
the Southeast Region, or even farther south into Mexico, Central and
South America and the Caribbean. In the spring they return north to
their breeding grounds, where they have young and the cycle repeats.
Migratory birds are definitely in the majority
in contrast to resident birds that do not
migrate.
Of the 836 protected
migratory bird species, some 59 species are game birds. That is, hunting
seasons are, were, or could be developed for them. Here, we are talking
about ducks, geese, swan, various species of doves, snipe, rails,
certain pigeons, and gallinules. In contrast to the hunted birds,
there are 777 species (93 percent) considered nongame birds. They
are represented in groups such as marsh and wading birds (6%), birds
of prey such as hawks, owls and eagles ( 9%), shorebirds (10%), sea
birds (16 %), and perching birds (59%). This last group make up the
song birds that come to our feeders, and the neotropical migratory
birds that usually do not (because they are insect eaters and not
seed eaters). We hear much talk about these "neotrops" today. They
are the warblers, vireos, flycatchers, hummingbirds, swallows, and
others that migrate to wintering grounds south of the United States
- in Mexico, South America and Central America, and in the Caribbean. |
Migratory
Birds and Habitat Programs
All migratory birds
are listed as a trust species for the Department of the Interior according
to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1916. The U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service has the primary responsibility for administrating
the Act, its amendments, and subsequent acts through the Division
of Migratory Birds and Habitat Programs. Declining species
and species groups are a major priority. |
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Through a regulatory process
that begins each year in January and includes public consultation,
the Service establishes the frameworks that govern all migratory bird
hunting in the United States. Within the boundaries established by
those frameworks, State wildlife commissions have the flexibility
to determine season length, bag limits, and areas for migratory game
bird hunting. Each state has primary responsibility and
authority over the hunting of wildlife that resides within state boundaries
The State fish and wildlife agencies
that sell hunting licenses are the best source of information regarding
hunting seasons, areas open/closed to hunting, etc. |
For Migratory Waterfowl
Hunters: In order to hunt migratory waterfowl (ducks, geese,
etc.), you must possess both a state hunting license and a Federal Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp (Duck
Stamp). For information on Federal regulations and migratory bird
hunting information such as season timing and bag limits, see the
Division of Migratory Bird
Management Web sites.
To obtain a license,
contact the state
in which you wish to hunt or fish. Usually you can buy a license at
any retail outlet dealing in hunting and fishing equipment or sporting
goods stores. They generally also have regulation booklets, Federal
Duck Stamps, and season/bag limit information available. Duck stamps
are generally available at local Post Offices and refuge visitor centers. |
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Notify the US Geological
Survey, Bird
Banding Lab at 1-800-327-BAND of any aluminum bands that are inscribed
with "CALL 1-800-327 BAND" or "WRITE BIRD BAND LAUREL MD 20708 USA"
followed by an 8 or 9 digit number. Older bird bands were inscribe
as "AVISE BIRD BAND WASH DC".
The lab does NOT track
every band such as plastic covered aluminum bands on pigeons or bands
on falconry birds. Contact the American
Racing Pigeon Union, Inc. or the National
Pigeon Association to find out more about bands on pigeons or
your State
Natural Resource Department for further information on falconry
bands. The more information you can provide, the more likely
the individual bird or marking project can be identified.
Important information
to note include:
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Size, shape, color of marker, color of codes, shape and
placement of codes on the marker (a sketch can be more useful
than a written description),
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Age and sex of the bird if available,
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Date the bird was observed,
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Exact location of the bird,
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Your name, address, and preferably a daytime telephone number
in case there are any questions.
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If you encounter a
bird on the ground with no apparent injuries, especially during the
spring time, you have most likely found a young bird of "fledgling"
that is learning to fly. Young birds often leave the nest before
they are capable of flight. They spend a few pre-flight days hopping
on the ground and flapping their wings. The parents keep an eye on
it and feed it when necessary. The best thing to do with this bird
is to leave it alone if it is in a safe area. Bring your cats
or dogs indoors for the day. It can be placed up on a tree
branch or in a shrub if in a dangerous situation but must remain in
the same area so its parents can find it. Do not believe the
myth that if you handle a nestling, the parents will smell your scent
and abandon the chick. Mammalian predators do follow scents
though. If you approach a nest too often, or too closely, you
may actually be leading a predator to it. |
While feeders serve
as great focal points to observe our avian neighbors, they can also
become vectors for disease.
Diseased birds show a wide variety of symptoms such as unresponsiveness;
unkempt feathers; "warts" around the eyes, beak, and feet; or you
may see nothing at all. In some cases, the birds will stop using
a contaminated feeder entirely.
The following
8 steps will help keep your feeder safe for birds:
1. Give Them Space: Avoid crowding by providing ample feeder space.
2. Clean Up Wastes: Keep the feeder area clean of waste food and droppings.
A broom and shovel is good, but a shop vac will help even more.
3. Make Feeders Safe: Use feeders without sharp points or edges. Even small
scratches allow bacteria and viruses to infect otherwise healthy birds.
4. Keep Feeders Clean: Clean and disinfect feeders regularly. Use one
part of liquid chlorine household bleach in nine parts of warm water
to disinfect. Make enough solution to immerse an empty, cleaned
feeder completely for two to three minutes.. Allow to air dry.
Once or twice a month should do, but weekly cleaning is best especially
if you notice sick birds at your feeders.
5. Use Good Food: Discard food that smells musty, is wet, looks moldy or has
fungus growing on it. Disinfect any storage container that holds
spoiled food and the scoop used to fill feeders.
6. Prevent Contamination: Keep rodents out of stored food. Mice can carry and
spread some bird diseases without being affected themselves.
7. Act Early: Don't wait to act until you see sick or dead birds.
With good prevention you'll seldom find sick or dead birds at your
feeders.
8. Spread the Word: Encourage your neighbors who feed birds to follow the same
precautions. Birds normally move among feeders and can spread
diseases as they go.
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Four parts water to
one part sugar (a 4:1 ratio) has been shown to be the closest to the
sucrose content of natural flower nectar. Concentrations stronger
than this (3:1 ratio, and stronger) are readily consumed by "hummers",
but no scientific evidence exists regarding the potential helpful
or harmful effects on them. Do not use molasses or honey as
they are harmful to the birds. There is no need to add
red dye to the solution because the birds are attracted to the color
on the feeder such as bright red feeder parts or a red ribbon.
During the hotter months of summer, be sure to clean your feeders
frequently to kill harmful fungus. A cleaning solution of 1
part bleach and 9 parts of water works best. |
Awnings, eave extensions,
and window screens will eliminate all reflection and stop the collision
problem. Silhouettes of flying hawks or falcons do work, but
they perform best when applied outside the glass. Hanging ornaments
such as wind chimes, wind socks, and potted plants also
help. Misting the outside of the window with a very weak detergent
or soda solution will eliminate the reflection but will also impair
visibility for you. |