Backyard Birds Long Island

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Post on Nov 15, 2024

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A Feathered Feast: Backyard Birds of Long Island

Long Island, with its diverse landscapes, offers a haven for a vibrant array of bird species. Whether you're a seasoned birder or simply enjoy the beauty of nature, attracting these feathered friends to your backyard can be a rewarding experience. Let's explore the common backyard birds you might encounter on Long Island, tips for attracting them, and resources to further your birdwatching journey.

Common Backyard Birds on Long Island

From the familiar to the less common, Long Island's backyard boasts a colorful cast of characters:

• House Finch: These bright red males, with their brown-streaked females, are a familiar sight at feeders. They enjoy sunflower seeds, millet, and suet.
• Northern Cardinal: A splash of crimson against the winter landscape, these cardinals are a year-round resident. They favor black oil sunflower seeds, cracked corn, and suet.
• Blue Jay: Bold and boisterous, these intelligent birds are often seen raiding feeders for sunflower seeds and peanuts. They're also known to cache food for later.
• Downy Woodpecker: The smallest woodpecker in the eastern United States, these birds tap on trees for insects and visit feeders for suet and sunflower seeds.
• American Goldfinch: These bright yellow birds (males) with their black wings and black caps are a joy to watch as they flit through gardens, feeding on seeds.
• Eastern Bluebird: A stunning blue beauty with a rusty-orange chest, these birds prefer open areas and can be attracted with mealworms, suet, and fruit.
• Mourning Dove: With their soft cooing calls, these gentle birds are often seen on the ground feeding on seeds. They also enjoy sunflower seeds and cracked corn.
• American Robin: These iconic birds, with their orange-red breasts, are a familiar sight in spring and summer. They feed on worms, berries, and fruits.
• Carolina Wren: With their loud, bubbly songs, these small brown birds are common in shrubbery and gardens. They enjoy suet, mealworms, and seeds.
• White-breasted Nuthatch: These acrobatic birds climb down tree trunks headfirst, searching for insects. They're also known to visit feeders for sunflower seeds, peanuts, and suet.

Attracting Backyard Birds to Your Long Island Haven

Creating a bird-friendly environment requires a little effort but pays off with endless feathered entertainment. Here are some tips:

• Provide a Variety of Feeders: Different birds have different preferences. Offer a range of feeders, including tube feeders for smaller birds, platform feeders for larger species, and suet feeders for woodpeckers.
• Choose the Right Food: Stock your feeders with a variety of seeds, including sunflower seeds, millet, cracked corn, and suet. Consider offering specialized blends for specific bird types.
• Offer Water: Birds need water for drinking and bathing. Provide a shallow birdbath or a water source with a dripper for constant activity.
• Create a Bird-Friendly Landscape: Plant native trees, shrubs, and flowers that provide food, shelter, and nesting sites. Consider leaving a portion of your yard unmowed.
• Provide Shelter: Birds feel safe when they have places to hide from predators. Plant dense shrubs and trees, or install a birdhouse.
• Avoid Pesticides: Pesticides can harm birds and their food sources. Opt for natural pest control methods or integrated pest management.

Resources for Long Island Birdwatching

Looking to delve deeper into the avian wonders of Long Island? Here are some valuable resources:

• Long Island Audubon Society: This organization offers bird walks, educational programs, and resources for bird identification.
• Cornell Lab of Ornithology: A comprehensive online resource for bird identification, information, and conservation.
• eBird: This platform allows you to submit your bird sightings and track your birdwatching progress.

Remember, even small actions can make a big difference in attracting and protecting birds on Long Island. Start by offering a bird-friendly environment in your own backyard and watch as your feathered friends become a regular part of your daily routine.