Pennsylvania Backyard Birds

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Post on Jan 12, 2025

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Pennsylvania Backyard Birds: A Complete Guide to Attracting and Identifying Feathered Friends

Pennsylvania boasts a rich diversity of birdlife, making it a fantastic location for backyard birding. Whether you're a seasoned ornithologist or a curious beginner, attracting and identifying these feathered visitors can be a rewarding and enriching experience. This comprehensive guide will equip you with the knowledge and tools to transform your backyard into a vibrant avian haven.

Identifying Common Pennsylvania Backyard Birds

Pennsylvania's diverse habitats support a wide range of bird species. Some of the most common visitors to backyard feeders and gardens include:

Familiar Faces:

• Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis): This vibrant red bird (males) is a year-round resident, easily identifiable by its distinctive crest and melodious song. Females are a more subdued brown. They're frequent visitors to sunflower seed feeders.
• American Robin (Turdus migratorius): A classic backyard bird, the American Robin is known for its cheerful song and reddish-brown breast. They're ground feeders, often foraging for worms and insects.
• Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens): The smallest woodpecker in eastern North America, the Downy Woodpecker is a frequent visitor to suet feeders and trees. Look for its small size and black and white plumage.
• House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus): This introduced species is now widespread, with males displaying a vibrant reddish face and breast. They readily visit feeders offering sunflower seeds and nyjer seeds.
• Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus): These tiny, acrobatic birds are year-round residents, known for their distinctive "chick-a-dee-dee-dee" call. They're active at feeders, enjoying sunflower seeds and suet.

Less Common, But Still Possible:

• Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata): With their striking blue, white, and black plumage, Blue Jays are intelligent and noisy birds. They often visit feeders, particularly those offering peanuts.
• Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura): This gentle dove is identifiable by its mournful cooing and long, tapering tail. They frequent ground feeders, enjoying grains and seeds.
• Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus): This large woodpecker is easily recognized by its spotted back and distinctive black crescent on its breast. They are attracted to suet and insect feeders.

Attracting Birds to Your Pennsylvania Backyard

Creating a bird-friendly environment requires careful planning and execution. Here's how to entice a variety of species:

1. Provide Food Sources:

• Bird Feeders: Offer a variety of feeders to attract different species. Sunflower seeds are a popular choice, while suet caters to woodpeckers and chickadees. Nyjer seeds attract finches.
• Plant Native Plants: Berries, seeds, and insects provide natural food sources. Consider planting native shrubs like viburnum, dogwood, and serviceberry.
• Water Source: Birds need a reliable water source for drinking and bathing. A birdbath, a shallow dish of water, or even a dripping faucet will attract them.

2. Offer Shelter and Nesting Sites:

• Trees and Shrubs: Provide dense shrubs and trees for cover and nesting sites. Evergreens offer protection during winter.
• Birdhouses: Install birdhouses of varying sizes to attract different species. Research the preferred nesting cavities for the birds you want to attract.
• Brush Piles: Leave a small area with brush and leaf litter for ground-nesting birds and insect foraging.

3. Maintain a Clean and Safe Environment:

• Cat Safety: Keep cats indoors to protect birds from predation. Cats are a significant threat to bird populations.
• Pesticide Avoidance: Avoid using pesticides and herbicides, as they can harm birds and their food sources.
• Window Collisions: Consider adding window decals or netting to reduce the risk of birds colliding with windows.

Resources for Pennsylvania Birders

Several resources can aid your birdwatching journey in Pennsylvania:

• Pennsylvania Game Commission: This official website provides valuable information on bird conservation and identification.
• Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania: This local chapter offers resources, workshops, and bird walks.
• Cornell Lab of Ornithology: A national resource with a wealth of information on bird identification, behavior, and conservation.

By following these tips and utilizing the available resources, you can transform your Pennsylvania backyard into a thriving habitat for a wide variety of fascinating bird species. Enjoy the beauty and wonder of these feathered friends!