Nj Backyard Birds

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Post on Nov 05, 2024

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A Feathered Feast: Backyard Birds of New Jersey

New Jersey boasts a diverse landscape, from bustling cities to peaceful forests and serene coastlines. This variety also attracts a rich tapestry of birdlife, making your backyard a potential haven for feathered friends. If you're looking to attract and identify the birds visiting your New Jersey garden, you've come to the right place.

Common Backyard Birds in New Jersey

Songbirds:

• American Robin: This iconic bird is a year-round resident, known for its cheerful song and distinctive orange breast.
• Blue Jay: A bold and intelligent bird, the blue jay is easily recognizable by its bright blue plumage and black head crest.
• Cardinal: The male cardinal's vibrant red feathers make it a welcome sight in any backyard, while the female boasts a muted reddish-brown color.
• Chickadee: Tiny but energetic, the chickadee is a frequent visitor to feeders, offering a charming "chick-a-dee-dee-dee" call.
• Downy Woodpecker: This small woodpecker is a frequent sight on trees, drumming with its beak and searching for insects.

Other Backyard Favorites:

• Mourning Dove: With its soft cooing sound and gentle demeanor, the mourning dove is a common sight in parks and backyards.
• House Finch: This colorful finch is known for its bright red head in males, while females exhibit a brown and white plumage.
• Goldfinch: The goldfinch is a vibrant yellow with black wings and a distinctive song.

Creating a Bird-Friendly Backyard

Attracting birds to your backyard is as simple as providing them with the essentials:

• Food: Set up feeders with various seeds, suet, and nectar to cater to different bird species.
• Water: A birdbath provides birds with a source of water for drinking and bathing. Keep the water fresh and clean.
• Shelter: Plant native trees, shrubs, and bushes to offer birds nesting sites, protection from predators, and sources of natural food.
• Avoid Pesticides: Choose organic pest control methods to protect birds from harmful chemicals.

Identifying Birds in Your Backyard

• Birdwatching Guides: Invest in a bird identification guide specific to New Jersey, or use online resources like the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's "All About Birds" website.
• Birdwatching Apps: Apps like Merlin Bird ID by Cornell Lab of Ornithology can help you identify birds by sight, sound, and location.
• Field Trips: Visit local nature centers, parks, and wildlife sanctuaries to observe birds in their natural habitat and learn from experienced birders.

Birdwatching in New Jersey

New Jersey offers numerous opportunities for birdwatching, from the Delaware Bay shorebird migration to the diverse ecosystems of the Pine Barrens. Here are some popular birdwatching destinations:

• Cape May: Known as the "Birdwatching Capital of the East Coast," Cape May is a migratory stopover for millions of birds.
• Delaware Bay: During spring and fall, the Delaware Bay attracts thousands of shorebirds, including the endangered Red Knot.
• Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge: This refuge provides sanctuary for a wide variety of migratory birds and resident species.

Contributing to Bird Conservation

Bird populations are facing numerous threats, including habitat loss, climate change, and disease. By creating a bird-friendly backyard and supporting conservation efforts, you can play a role in ensuring these feathered wonders continue to grace our skies.

Here's how you can make a difference:

• Support organizations like the Audubon Society.
• Advocate for bird-friendly policies.
• Report any signs of bird distress or illegal activity.

Enjoy the delightful presence of birds in your New Jersey backyard, and contribute to their well-being for generations to come.