Oscraps

I have more bird questions. :)

faerywings

faerywings

The Loopy-O
CHEERY O
The first one is going to be difficult to answer. I saw some unusual (to me at least) bird tracks in the snow at work and didn't take any photos. I thought it would be easy enough to image search and find something similar. Bzzzzp! I was wrong. :/

I am going to do my best to describe them and maybe someone might have an idea what it could be. This is in northern NJ and we have a lot of cardinals, chickadees, sparrows, corvids, owls, and hawks on the property at this time.

The feet themselves were ~1" with three distinct toes. The stride was alternating and there was a long-- ~3" drag line in the snow, which I assumed was a tail. I asked two of my coworkers if they had any ideas and they didn't either.

So definitely not a smaller bird that hops. And that is pretty much all I was able to rule out. Helpful, I know *wink*

My second question is also bird/work related. I am going to be making nesting bixes with the kids I teach and Amy gave me some suggestions of the natural materials we can use. I have feather throw pillows (I know-- they are awful on so many levels) and they "shed." Can I use those feathers for the nesting boxes?
My gut is saying no since they were probably treated with chemicals. But I would love an excuse to get rid of those pillows but I don't want to just toss 'em in a landfill either.

TIA!
 
When I asked Mr Google about using an old feather pillow here is one of the replies:

Offer almost any pliable and biodegradable material for nesting, including cotton wadding, cotton rags cut about a half inch wide and no more than 6 inches long, feathers from old down pillows or vests, cotton string or rope, cellophane (not plastic) Easter basket grass, and hair brushed from humans or pets.
 
My hair dresser up North used to put some hair from her customers out for nesting birds. Our neighbor kids had one of those old cap guns with the red tape, the robins built a nest under their porch and sure enough that tape was in it.
 
A-M said:
When I asked Mr Google about using an old feather pillow here is one of the replies:

Offer almost any pliable and biodegradable material for nesting, including cotton wadding, cotton rags cut about a half inch wide and no more than 6 inches long, feathers from old down pillows or vests, cotton string or rope, cellophane (not plastic) Easter basket grass, and hair brushed from humans or pets.
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Awesome to know this!!
BoatLady said:
My hair dresser up North used to put some hair from her customers out for nesting birds. Our neighbor kids had one of those old cap guns with the red tape, the robins built a nest under their porch and sure enough that tape was in it.
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I know that anything needs to be short so it doesn't get tangled up but that's also great to know!

TY so much!
 
I googled "pigeon track in snow" and it looks like that might be it or perhaps mourning doves which they say are similar. Def. shows the alternating pattern. We have mourning doves on the property so I am just going to have to keep looking out for more :)
 
faerywings said:
I googled "pigeon track in snow" and it looks like that might be it or perhaps mourning doves which they say are similar. Def. shows the alternating pattern. We have mourning doves on the property so I am just going to have to keep looking out for more :)
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Super! Funny thing is, I was thinkng mourning dove when I wrote pigeon. Not sure why I did that! I've watched the mourning doves around here and noticed sometimes they drag their tail feathers. Their feet are probably smaller than pigeons too. So might fit your size better.
 
Around Christmas I bought a local bird book, and new binoculars, and plan to start bird-watching myself as soon as it gets warm enough. So your bird threads spark my interest. I'm sure I'll have a million questions once I start. :wow2:
 
I am learning as I go but am very much obsessed already :)
Two quick things I have learned-- this is actually a very good time to start because it is much easier to see the birds in the trees. I was so frustrated last summer because I could hear them but couldn't find the buggers hiding among the leaves :)
If you haven't gotten the Merlian App on your phone, that is a huge help!
 
faerywings said:
I am learning as I go but am very much obsessed already :)
Two quick things I have learned-- this is actually a very good time to start because it is much easier to see the birds in the trees. I was so frustrated last summer because I could hear them but couldn't find the buggers hiding among the leaves :)
If you haven't gotten the Merlian App on your phone, that is a huge help!
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Thanks for the tips, Chris. Of course, that makes such sense to look for them now before the trees are filled out. We are moving up in temps so I can do that soon. I'll check out the Merlain App too.
 
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