Mailbag Monday is a regular feature where you have the opportunity to ask birding and wild bird related questions on any topic, from identification to feeding to behavior and more. Knowing what questions have been previously answered can help you submit your most pressing questions without risk of duplication, and these common birding questions can help everyone be a better birder, whether in the field or in your own backyard.
Previous Mailbag Monday questions are archived here, with the most recent questions listed first. Read through the list to see what questions have already been answered, and submit your own inquiries to Mailbag Monday!
Leftovers for Birds
Charles Haynes
12/27/2010 – Submitted by Mary in Illinois.
"I have a ton of leftovers from Christmas dinner, including rolls and other bread. Is it safe to give this food to the birds?"
Expensive Seed
Nathan Siemers
12/13/2010 – Submitted by Jim in Utah.
"The lesser goldfinches and American goldfinches are arriving at my feeders in larger numbers and I know that Nyjer is their favorite food, but it is also the most expensive and my budget is tight this winter. Can I give them cheaper foods and still have them visit my feeders?"
Heated Bird Baths
Jan
12/6/2010 – Submitted by Ruth in Pennsylvania.
"I would love to put in a heated bird bath, but we really can't afford to buy anything. I had thought of a fish tank heater, wondering if that could keep a bird bath usable during our freezing winters. Is that a workable idea? Is there something else I could use for them until the weather warms back up?"
Keeping Warm
Dawn
11/29/2010 – Submitted by Becca in Massachusetts.
"Every winter, I'm afraid of the cold hurting my backyard birds because they always seem slower and less active during a cold snap. What can I do to help them keep warm?"
Vagrant Birds
Kevin Cole
11/22/2010 – Submitted by Karen in Georgia.
"Do you think the robin in England that you reported will be able to find his way back to America?"
Disappearing Goldfinches
thefixer
11/15/2010 – Submitted by Beth in New Jersey.
My goldfinches have been missing from my feeder for about a week now. Could they have moved on to find a more comfortable place to roost through the cold months? Will they come back?
Bird Irruptions
Thom Quine
11/8/2010 – Submitted by Phil in New Hampshire.
I had a few pine siskins at my feeders last fall and winter, but this year I've got dozens of them. Why are there suddenly so many?
Suet Feeding
James Gates
11/1/2010 - Submitted by Liz in Alabama.
A pair of pileated woodpeckers took up residence in our neighborhood about two years ago. They venture into yards fairly regularly but we can’t get them to eat from suet feeders. Is there a trick to convincing pileated woodpeckers to be more frequent guests in our yards?
Bird Irruptions
Putneypics
10/25/2010 – Submitted by Kathy in Wisconsin.
Years ago we had flocks of evening grosbeaks that would come in during the winter months and clean out our feeders but I haven't seen one here in years. Our pine siskin and redpoll numbers have also declined greatly in the last few years. What's happening up north?
Winter Feeding
Chris Williamson
10/18/2010 – Submitted by Lynn in Colorado.
What birds usually stay through the winter and should we switch to a different type of feed?
