You may hear people call these Hoot Owls. Of course, people may also call other owls hoot owls, too.
If you hear a hoo hoo hoo at night, then it is an owl and not a dove. They call more frequently as their breeding season starts in winter and early spring. But you can hear them during foggy days, mornings, or if they are startled by loud noises.
These are big birds, the size of Red-tailed Hawks. They have erect facial plumes that give them their name. They live throughout North America.
Males and females call in duets, sometimes, with the female higher in pitch. The pattern is such: HOO, hoo-HOO, hoo, hoo.
These big pigeons invaded North America in the 1980s via Florida. They are now found abundantly throughout North America, though least common in the Northeastern States and adjacent eastern Canada.
These birds are "coffee with cream" colored, with a black hind neck collar. They are often found in large noisy flocks.
Their song is a loud cooing with a distinctive pattern: coo-COO, cook.
These are fairly large owls found in Eastern hardwood forests, especially the swamps of the Southeast. They occur in the northern Rocky Mountains, and recently (since the 1980s) invaded into the forests of the Pacific Northwest.
While they often call at night, you are quite likely to see this large owl with the big round head during the daytime, too.
Their loud hooting call series sounds very much like: Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you-all?
These doves are bigger than Mourning Doves, but smaller than domestic pigeons. They are similar to Eurasian Collared-Doves, with their square tails. But the big white wing patches in flight and perched are always obvious.
These birds are found in summer from Texas to California. They are the birds primarily responsible for pollinating saguaro cacti in Arizona.
If you hear the "Who cooks for you-all?" call of Barred Owl in the desert, then you are hearing the song of White-winged Dove! They have a long song with slurred cooing phrases and a long final coo.
This article and accompanying videos discuss the most common birds at bird feeders in Florida throughout the year. Other feeder birds may be more common seasonally, but these should be present most of the year.
I start with a quick list of Florida feeder birds and then provide more information if you are so interested.
Feeding birds in Florida can bring much joy!
Here are 10 birds that you are most likely to see at your bird feeder in Florida:
Northern Cardinal
Mourning Dove
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Blue Jay
Common Grackle
Red-winged Blackbird
Tufted Titmouse
Downy Woodpecker
European Starling
Carolina Chickadee
The most common feeder bird in Florida is the Northern Cardinal. Read more about it, below.
Northern Cardinal. Greg Gillson
Two videos showing feeder birds of Florida
I have created two videos on feeder birds in Florida.
The first video is a brief overview of the Top 10 Birds that come to feeders in Florida.
The second video is more in-depth, covering the same species in more detail.
Here's the first brief video:
Just a quick couple of sentences and some photos. This video will give you the names of birds that are visiting your feeder in Florida.
Top 10 Feeder Birds of Florida [Brief]
Here's the longer, in-depth video:
It includes several videos and photos along with information on range, habitat, behavior, identification, and what they like to eat at feeders. This longer video gives an in-depth look at the birds visiting your feeder in Florida. The text for this video is reproduced below.
10 Most Common Feeder Birds of Florida [In-Depth]
Northern Cardinal
Northern Cardinal. Greg Gillson
Northern Cardinals are one of the most popular birds in the United States. Even people who haven't seen one in life have seen their image on logos and advertisements.
These birds are year-round residents from the northeastern United States south to Florida, west to the Midwest, southern Great Plains to Arizona.
They are found in woodlands, hedgerows, and dense backyard shrubs.
Both males and females sing, a series of repeated whistles.
These birds are less bulky than European Starlings, but just as long. The have a very long tail and big head with tall crest.
The bill is very thick at the base, short, with curved edges. It is usually obviously orange.
Males are bright red throughout, with hints of blue on the wings, tail, and back. They have a black throat patch that reaches to the eye and over the bill.
Females are dull brown or buffy yellow in coloration with red highlights on the edges of the wings and tail. Their crest isn't quite as pronounced as the males. They still show the black around the bill.
Northern Cardinals eat larger seeds at your feeder, including black oil sunflower seeds and safflower seeds.
Mourning Dove
Mourning Dove. Greg Gillson
The mournful summer song of Mourning Doves is familiar to most, even if they don't know what bird makes the sound.
They are found across the United States as year-round residents. Birds summer in the northern Great Plains and south central Canada, but withdraw in winter.
These birds are found in towns and farms, and open country with scattered trees, often along rivers.
In spring they sing from power lines in residential areas. They may puff out their chests while cooing from the peak of your roof.
These birds are much larger than European Starlings, but also much smaller than American Crows. These birds have large powerful breasts, a tiny round head on thin neck, and long pointed tail. Their wings are somewhat pointed in flight. The bill is small as typical for all pigeons. Genders are identical.
These birds are warm tan or brown colored. The breast has a pinkish hue. The wings are gray. They have a few large black spots on the wing coverts. They have a black spot on the side of the neck below the cheek that sometimes shows some iridescent green feathers. The tail has white edges, best seen in flight.
At your bird feeder Mourning Doves eat all types of seeds. They are also attracted to water for drinking and bathing.
Tufted Titmouse
Tufted Titmouse. N Lewis. NPS.
Tufted Titmice are one of the favorite feeder birds in the East.
They are year-round residents from the Northeast to the Midwest and south to Florida and eastern Texas.
These birds like deciduous and mixed woods. They are found in parks, orchards, and residential areas with large trees.
They are acrobatic as they move through the tree canopy. But you will often hear them first, as they have a wide variety of both husky calls and clear whistled notes.
These birds are nearly the size of House Sparrows. They are larger than chickadees. They have stout bodies and a large head on short neck. The tails are medium in length. The crest is wispy and not always as obvious as one might think. The bill is short and stout.
They are gray above and pale below, often with a pale peach color on the flanks. There are black feathers around the eye, which make the eye look big and stand out on the pale face. There is also a touch of black on the forehead above the bill. Genders are similar in appearance.
Tufted Titmice eat black oil sunflower seeds, peanuts, and suet at your bird feeder.
Blue Jay
Blue Jay. skeeze Pixabay
Blue Jays are one of the most well-known birds in the United States.
Birds are found year-round east of the Rocky Mountains from southern Canada to Texas and eastward. There is a noticeable migration of some of their population in most of their range. Birds move northward into the Great Plains of Canada for the summer.
Though they are found in woodlands of all type, they are especially attracted to oak trees. They are common in residential areas, too.
Brash and conspicuous, Blue Jays have a complex social structure. The more the crest is raised, the more excited or agitated the bird is.
Jays are fairly large backyard birds. They are just a bit larger than American Robins. These are stout birds with large rounded or wedge-shaped tails. They have large legs and feet. They have a bushy crest. The bill is fairly long, strong.
Genders are similar in plumage. They are blue above, including the crest. They are gray below with a black necklace across the throat. The wings are barred with black, with white wing bars and trailing edges. The blue tail is barred with black and has white tail corners.
At your feeder, Blue Jays love whole peanuts and sunflower seeds.
Red-winged Blackbird
Red-winged Blackbird. Greg Gillson
Red-winged Blackbirds are common birds across North America.
In summer they are found from Alaska, across Canada, south into Mexico. In winter they abandon much of Canada and the northern Great Plains and Midwest.
They nest in marshes in summer, where there are cattails and similar plants. In winter they spread out into fields, cattle lots, and residential neighborhoods. These birds are colonial nesters in cattail marshes.
In fall and winter, they form very large flocks composed of many young-of-the-year, starlings, grackles, cowbirds, and other blackbirds. Such flocks can number in the hundreds of thousands, especially in the East.
These birds are about the size of American Robins, perhaps a bit smaller. They are stocky with a fairly long tail. They have rather flat foreheads that accentuate the long bill. The bill is fairly stout at the base, long, pointed, and straight on the upper and lower edges.
Males are glossy black with yellow-edged red shoulders that can be hidden in the scapular feathers when the wings are at rest.
Females are a bit smaller than males. They are pale with heavy brown streaks on the under parts. Some populations show buff on the face. They may confuse beginners into thinking they are some kind of streaky sparrow. The flat crown and very straight and sharply pointed bill point to their identification as blackbirds.
At your feeder they will eat black oil sunflower seeds and suet.
Carolina Chickadee
Carolina Chickadee. N Lewis. NPS.
Carolina Chickadees are small, birds, unafraid to live near humans.
These are permanent residents in the eastern and southeastern United States.
They are found in backyards and deciduous woods.
Active and acrobatic, they frequently hang from the tips of branches to reach insects that other birds miss. In winter they form loose flocks with other small birds, especially including Tufted Titmice.
These are small birds, even smaller than American Goldfinches.
They are round-bodied with a big head on a short neck. The tail is long and active. Bills are small but stout.
They are gray above, paler gray below. The face is white contrasting with black cap and bib. Genders are similar in appearance.
At your feeder, Carolina Chickadees are fond of black oil sunflower seeds.
European Starling
European Starling. Greg Gillson
Starlings are often mistaken for blackbirds, but they are in a different bird family and don't share a lot of similarities, other than a general black coloration.
These birds are year-round residents from southeast Alaska across southern Canada and all of the lower 48 states into northern Mexico. In addition, birds move northward into northern Canada in summer.
They are found in urban, suburban, fields, and orchards. In autumn and winter they gather into huge flocks, often with blackbirds. They are frequently aggressive at feeders, driving off other birds.
These birds have the body size of an American Robin, but a much shorter tail. They are about 8-1/2 inches long from bill tip to tail tip. They have plump bodies, rather large heads, and short tails. Wings are short and pointed in flight, almost triangular. Their bills are long and pointed.
Dark brown worn birds in late summer get fresh new feathers in fall. Then their iridescent black feathers are tipped with white chevrons. These gradually wear off during the winter and spring. By summer they are mostly black, without many spangles.
Breeding birds have yellow bills, the bills are brown in the non-breeding season. Both genders are colored the same.
Because of their aggressive nature, most people do not like starlings at their bird feeders. Starlings have weak feet, so have trouble eating from tube feeders and special upside-down suet feeders.
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Red-bellied Woodpecker. skeeze. Pixabay
Red-bellied Woodpeckers are one of the common woodland birds in the East.
These birds are year-round residents from the Northeast to the Midwest, and south from Florida to eastern Texas.
They aren't too picky in their choice of trees. They are found in deciduous and conifer forests. They may be found in parks and neighborhoods with mature trees. Learn and listen for the loud rolling churr call of these woodpeckers. You may find they are more common than you first thought.
These birds are a bit larger than European Starlings. They a stocky with large head and short wedge-shaped tail. The bill is long, straight. and chisel shaped.
The upper parts, including the back and wings are covered with thin black-and-white bars. The head and under parts are pale tan or gray. They have white rumps and black tails with barred outer tail feathers.
Males have red crowns from their bill to their back. Some also show a reddish wash to their belly.
Females have red crowns from the top of their head back, with gray fore-crowns.
At feeders, Red-bellied Woodpeckers love suet, and also eat peanuts.
Downy Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker. Greg Gillson
Downy Woodpeckers are tiny and common visitors to backyards across the United States.
These woodpeckers inhabit nearly all of North America south of the tundra and away from the driest deserts.
Often found near water, they like small deciduous trees, willows, and brush. Common in backyards.
Like other woodpeckers, these birds hitch up small trees. However, they often cling to the small outer branches. They even hang on twigs and small bushes such as wild rose and teasel.
They are bigger than House Finches, smaller than Red-winged Blackbirds, but shaped differently than either. These birds have stocky bodies and big heads. They have short, stiff, pointed tails. The legs are short. The feet are large with strong claws. The bills of these woodpeckers are chisel shaped but especially short and petite.
The overall pattern of these birds is black-and-white stripes. The wings are black with numerous white spots and bars. The back is white. The underparts are white or tinged with buff. The face is white; the crown and nape is black, the ear covert black, and there is a black malar stripe. The tail is black with white outer tail feathers. Males have a red spot on the nape that females lack.
Downy Woodpeckers eat suet at your feeder.
Common Grackle
Common Grackle. GeorgiaLens. Pixabay.
Common Grackles are large, lanky blackbirds.
These birds are summer residents east of the Rocky Mountains from across Canada southward to the Gulf Coast. They are year-round residents in the eastern and southeastern United States.
They use a wide variety of habitats including open woodlands, fields, and marshes. They are numerous in feedlots and residential areas.
In winter they often form huge flocks with other blackbirds and starlings. They are noisy.
They are larger than Red-winged Blackbirds, nearing the size of Mourning Doves. These are long birds, with long keel-shaped tails. The legs are long. The crown is flat. The bill is longer than the head, pointed, but rather stout at the base.
The black plumage of the males shows iridescent purple or bronze in good light. Females are a bit duller. They eyes are yellow. Juveniles are dull brown with dark eyes.
Common Grackles sometimes take over bird feeders driving off other species and are disliked because of this.
Recommended Products for feeding birds in Florida
Amazon Affiliate Links
If you are looking for feeders and bird food, here are products I use or recommend. If you purchase from these links, I earn a small commission. Thank you for your support.
This hopper feeder is just the right size and durable. The best high quality mixed bird seed for this bird feeder that I highly recommend is Wagner's Songbird Supreme. This combination attracts the widest variety of feeder birds.
For common backyard birds and birds at your feeder, this is a good little book.
I'm using these Celestron Nature DX ED 8x40s almost exclusively now. I am impressed that such a low-priced binocular has such good image quality. Perfect for beginners! Yes, there are better binoculars at $500, $1000, $2000. But why? They're not that much better.
Ever thought about having two bird feeders in your backyard – one for the tiny, colorful hummingbirds and another for the more common birds?
Well, we're here to answer a simple question: Can you put a hummingbird feeder next to a bird feeder?
Let's break it down and find out if these two feeders can share the same space and attract a variety of feathered friends to your garden.
Broad-billed Hummingbird. Greg Gillson.
Can You Put a Hummingbird Feeder Next to a Bird Feeder?
Yes, you can definitely put a hummingbird feeder next to a bird feeder.
In fact, doing so can create a lively and diverse birdwatching environment in your backyard.
Hummingbirds, with their vibrant plumage and aerial acrobatics, offer a striking contrast to the more common garden birds that visit standard feeders.
This combination not only adds visual interest but also broadens the range of species you can observe.
Moreover, it promotes biodiversity by attracting a variety of birds to your garden, contributing to a healthier local ecosystem.
Additionally, it's worth noting that sometimes active birds at the seed feeder can startle hummingbirds.
To promote a more harmonious feeding environment, consider placing the feeders 4 - 6 feet apart.
This spacing allows birds to access both feeders simultaneously, ensuring that all your feathered friends can enjoy their meals without disruptions.
Things to Consider When Placing these Feeders Together
1. Spacing and Placement
Place the feeders at a distance that allows different bird species to access them comfortably.
Hummingbird feeders should be positioned slightly higher than bird feeders, as hummingbirds are more agile and prefer to feed in mid-air.
This arrangement prevents territorial conflicts between birds.
The recommended distance is 4 - 6 feet apart.
2. Food Types
Use the appropriate food for each feeder.
Hummingbirds are primarily attracted to nectar, while other birds enjoy seeds, suet, or insects.
3. Feeder Design
Consider the design of the feeders.
Hummingbird feeders often have small, specialized ports for their long beaks, while bird feeders may have perches or trays.
Make sure the feeders are designed to accommodate the specific needs of the birds you wish to attract.
Rufous Hummingbird. Greg Gillson
4. Maintenance
Cleaning should be done every few days in warm weather and less frequently in cooler seasons.
So go ahead, set up your hummingbird feeder next to your bird feeder, and get ready for a symphony of colors and songs right in your own backyard.
Regularly clean and refill both feeders.
Cleanliness is crucial to prevent the growth of mold, bacteria, and diseases that can harm the birds.
5. Predator Protection
Ensure that the feeders are placed in a location that minimizes the risk of predation.
Keep them away from areas where cats or other predators can easily ambush visiting birds.
Providing some natural cover nearby, like shrubs or trees, can also help birds feel safer while feeding.
6. Visibility
Position the feeders in a spot where you can easily observe and enjoy the birds.
Consider placing them near a window or a seating area in your garden to enhance your birdwatching experience.
By carefully considering these factors, you can create a harmonious feeding station that attracts a variety of bird species while ensuring their safety and well-being.
Conclusion
In the world of backyard birdwatching, the answer to the question, "Can you put a hummingbird feeder next to a bird feeder?" is a resounding "Yes!".
By following some simple guidelines and considering the needs of both hummingbirds and other bird species, you can create a harmonious feeding station that will delight both you and your feathered friends.
Remember the importance of proper spacing, choosing the right food for each feeder, and maintaining cleanliness.
By doing so, you'll be providing a safe and inviting haven for a diverse array of birds to visit and enjoy.
So go ahead, set up your hummingbird feeder next to your bird feeder, and get ready for a symphony of colors and songs right in your own backyard.
Whether you're mesmerized by the agile acrobatics of hummingbirds or the melodious chirping of sparrows, the coexistence of these feeders will enrich your birdwatching experience and bring you closer to the fascinating world of avian wonders.
Happy birdwatching!
Anna's Hummingbird
FAQ
Can hummingbirds and other birds share the same feeding space?
Yes, they can! With the right setup and considerations, hummingbirds and other birds can coexist peacefully at the same feeding station.
How should I space the feeders to avoid conflicts?
Place the hummingbird feeder slightly higher than the bird feeder, ensuring there's enough vertical space between them. This helps prevent territorial disputes.
What kind of food should I use for a hummingbird feeder?
Hummingbirds are attracted to nectar, which you can make using a simple sugar-water solution (1 part sugar to 4 parts water). Avoid using honey, as it can be harmful to them.
What food is best for a bird feeder?
The food you use depends on the birds you want to attract. Common options include seeds, suet, mealworms, or a blend of these. Different bird species have varying preferences.
Will the presence of hummingbirds deter other birds from visiting the feeders?
In most cases, hummingbirds won't deter other birds. However, providing enough feeding opportunities and space can prevent competition.
Can I attract specific bird species with certain feeder designs?
Yes, you can. Different feeder designs cater to specific birds. For example, tube feeders are great for finches, while suet feeders attract woodpeckers. Choose feeders based on your target species.
About the Guest Author
Lily Aldrin is a Cornell-educated ornithologist, a passionate pet bird owner, and an avid birder. Lily shares her experiences on BirdAdviser.com, and some of her favorite works include curating a list of Birds by State in the USA.
This article and accompanying videos discuss the most common birds at bird feeders in Delaware throughout the year. Other feeder birds may be more common seasonally, but these should be present most of the year.
I start with a quick list of Delaware feeder birds and then provide more information if you are so interested.
Feeding birds in Delaware can bring much joy!
Here are 10 birds that you are most likely to see at your bird feeder in Delaware:
Northern Cardinal
Mourning Dove
Red-winged Blackbird
Carolina Chickadee
American Goldfinch
Blue Jay
Song Sparrow
European Starling
Tufted Titmouse
Red-bellied Woodpecker
The most common feeder bird in Delaware is the Northern Cardinal. Read more about it, below.
Northern Cardinal. Greg Gillson
Two videos showing feeder birds of Delaware
I have created two videos on feeder birds in Delaware.
The first video is a brief overview of the Top 10 Birds that come to feeders in Delaware.
The second video is more in-depth, covering the same species in more detail.
Here's the first brief video:
Just a quick couple of sentences and some photos. This video will give you the names of birds that are visiting your feeder in Delaware.
Top 10 Feeder Birds of Delaware [Brief]
Here's the longer, in-depth video:
It includes several videos and photos along with information on range, habitat, behavior, identification, and what they like to eat at feeders. This longer video gives an in-depth look at the birds visiting your feeder in Delaware. The text for this video is reproduced below.
10 Most Common Feeder Birds of Delaware [In-Depth]
Northern Cardinal
Northern Cardinal. Greg Gillson
Northern Cardinals are one of the most popular birds in the United States. Even people who haven't seen one in life have seen their image on logos and advertisements.
These birds are year-round residents from the northeastern United States south to Florida, west to the Midwest, southern Great Plains to Arizona.
They are found in woodlands, hedgerows, and dense backyard shrubs.
Both males and females sing, a series of repeated whistles.
These birds are less bulky than European Starlings, but just as long. The have a very long tail and big head with tall crest.
The bill is very thick at the base, short, with curved edges. It is usually obviously orange.
Males are bright red throughout, with hints of blue on the wings, tail, and back. They have a black throat patch that reaches to the eye and over the bill.
Females are dull brown or buffy yellow in coloration with red highlights on the edges of the wings and tail. Their crest isn't quite as pronounced as the males. They still show the black around the bill.
Northern Cardinals eat larger seeds at your feeder, including black oil sunflower seeds and safflower seeds.
American Goldfinch
American Goldfinch. Greg Gillson
The American Goldfinches are favorite backyard birds across North America. Many people call them “wild canaries.”
These active birds are year-round residents coast-to-coast across northern and mid-latitudes of the United States.
In summer birds move into southern Canada. In winter birds are found throughout the United States.
They are found in weedy pastures and brushy clearings. In town, they favor parks and residential areas with lawns and scattered trees. They often feed on thistles or dandelion seeds on the ground. But they also fly over open spaces between trees with a bounding roller-coaster flight and a lilting “potato chip” call.
These are small birds, smaller than House Finches. They are rather plump birds with small round heads and short tails. The bill is small but it is conical for eating seeds. It is colored pink.
Summer males are striking with their brilliant yellow and black plumage. The body is yellow and they have a black crown. The wings and tail feathers are black and white.
Females are duller olive-green without the black crown. They have thin white wing bars.
Juvenile birds in fall show striking tan wing bars on the black wing.
In winter both genders are pale gray and tan with brown wings and tail. They may only show a hint of yellow on the head and throat.
At your feeder, American Goldfinches love black oil sunflower seeds and Niger seed. They are especially common at feeders in summer and fall.
Mourning Dove
Mourning Dove. Greg Gillson
The mournful summer song of Mourning Doves is familiar to most, even if they don't know what bird makes the sound.
They are found across the United States as year-round residents. Birds summer in the northern Great Plains and south central Canada, but withdraw in winter.
These birds are found in towns and farms, and open country with scattered trees, often along rivers.
In spring they sing from power lines in residential areas. They may puff out their chests while cooing from the peak of your roof.
These birds are much larger than European Starlings, but also much smaller than American Crows. These birds have large powerful breasts, a tiny round head on thin neck, and long pointed tail. Their wings are somewhat pointed in flight. The bill is small as typical for all pigeons. Genders are identical.
These birds are warm tan or brown colored. The breast has a pinkish hue. The wings are gray. They have a few large black spots on the wing coverts. They have a black spot on the side of the neck below the cheek that sometimes shows some iridescent green feathers. The tail has white edges, best seen in flight.
At your bird feeder Mourning Doves eat all types of seeds. They are also attracted to water for drinking and bathing.
Tufted Titmouse
Tufted Titmouse. N Lewis. NPS.
Tufted Titmice are one of the favorite feeder birds in the East.
They are year-round residents from the Northeast to the Midwest and south to Florida and eastern Texas.
These birds like deciduous and mixed woods. They are found in parks, orchards, and residential areas with large trees.
They are acrobatic as they move through the tree canopy. But you will often hear them first, as they have a wide variety of both husky calls and clear whistled notes.
These birds are nearly the size of House Sparrows. They are larger than chickadees. They have stout bodies and a large head on short neck. The tails are medium in length. The crest is wispy and not always as obvious as one might think. The bill is short and stout.
They are gray above and pale below, often with a pale peach color on the flanks. There are black feathers around the eye, which make the eye look big and stand out on the pale face. There is also a touch of black on the forehead above the bill. Genders are similar in appearance.
Tufted Titmice eat black oil sunflower seeds, peanuts, and suet at your bird feeder.
Blue Jay
Blue Jay. skeeze Pixabay
Blue Jays are one of the most well-known birds in the United States.
Birds are found year-round east of the Rocky Mountains from southern Canada to Texas and eastward. There is a noticeable migration of some of their population in most of their range. Birds move northward into the Great Plains of Canada for the summer.
Though they are found in woodlands of all type, they are especially attracted to oak trees. They are common in residential areas, too.
Brash and conspicuous, Blue Jays have a complex social structure. The more the crest is raised, the more excited or agitated the bird is.
Jays are fairly large backyard birds. They are just a bit larger than American Robins. These are stout birds with large rounded or wedge-shaped tails. They have large legs and feet. They have a bushy crest. The bill is fairly long, strong.
Genders are similar in plumage. They are blue above, including the crest. They are gray below with a black necklace across the throat. The wings are barred with black, with white wing bars and trailing edges. The blue tail is barred with black and has white tail corners.
At your feeder, Blue Jays love whole peanuts and sunflower seeds.
Song Sparrow
Song Sparrow. Greg Gillson
Song Sparrows are widespread across North America.
These birds summer from southern Alaska and across Canada to the Ohio River Valley and in the West to southern California and Arizona. In winter most birds leave Canada and the northern Great Plains, except for a population in western Canada. The winter birds push south to Florida and Texas into northern Mexico.
These birds are found in a wide variety of brushy habitats. They are found in open woodlands, marshes, and backyards landscaped with large bushes and brambles.
They spend a lot of time hopping on the ground looking for food. They eat insects and invertebrates in summer, but mostly seeds in winter.
They are a bit smaller than House Sparrows. They have a round body, round head, and longer tail with a rounded tip. The bill is triangular, short and thick at the base.
Across their range these birds show much variation. Desert birds are paler. Northwestern birds are dark and reddish. Alaskan birds are much larger. In general, they are gray, streaked with brown, with breast streaks forming a center spot on the breast. The pattern of the head is complex but rather diagnostic. The white throat is bordered by a flaring lateral throat stripe. Genders are identical.
Song Sparrows will visit platform feeders, but more likely stay under dense bushes, venturing out on the ground below the feeder.
Red-winged Blackbird
Red-winged Blackbird. Greg Gillson
Red-winged Blackbirds are common birds across North America.
In summer they are found from Alaska, across Canada, south into Mexico. In winter they abandon much of Canada and the northern Great Plains and Midwest.
They nest in marshes in summer, where there are cattails and similar plants. In winter they spread out into fields, cattle lots, and residential neighborhoods. These birds are colonial nesters in cattail marshes.
In fall and winter, they form very large flocks composed of many young-of-the-year, starlings, grackles, cowbirds, and other blackbirds. Such flocks can number in the hundreds of thousands, especially in the East.
These birds are about the size of American Robins, perhaps a bit smaller. They are stocky with a fairly long tail. They have rather flat foreheads that accentuate the long bill. The bill is fairly stout at the base, long, pointed, and straight on the upper and lower edges.
Males are glossy black with yellow-edged red shoulders that can be hidden in the scapular feathers when the wings are at rest.
Females are a bit smaller than males. They are pale with heavy brown streaks on the under parts. Some populations show buff on the face. They may confuse beginners into thinking they are some kind of streaky sparrow. The flat crown and very straight and sharply pointed bill point to their identification as blackbirds.
At your feeder they will eat black oil sunflower seeds and suet.
Carolina Chickadee
Carolina Chickadee. N Lewis. NPS.
Carolina Chickadees are small, birds, unafraid to live near humans.
These are permanent residents in the eastern and southeastern United States.
They are found in backyards and deciduous woods.
Active and acrobatic, they frequently hang from the tips of branches to reach insects that other birds miss. In winter they form loose flocks with other small birds, especially including Tufted Titmice.
These are small birds, even smaller than American Goldfinches.
They are round-bodied with a big head on a short neck. The tail is long and active. Bills are small but stout.
They are gray above, paler gray below. The face is white contrasting with black cap and bib. Genders are similar in appearance.
At your feeder, Carolina Chickadees are fond of black oil sunflower seeds.
European Starling
European Starling. Greg Gillson
Starlings are often mistaken for blackbirds, but they are in a different bird family and don't share a lot of similarities, other than a general black coloration.
These birds are year-round residents from southeast Alaska across southern Canada and all of the lower 48 states into northern Mexico. In addition, birds move northward into northern Canada in summer.
They are found in urban, suburban, fields, and orchards. In autumn and winter they gather into huge flocks, often with blackbirds. They are frequently aggressive at feeders, driving off other birds.
These birds have the body size of an American Robin, but a much shorter tail. They are about 8-1/2 inches long from bill tip to tail tip. They have plump bodies, rather large heads, and short tails. Wings are short and pointed in flight, almost triangular. Their bills are long and pointed.
Dark brown worn birds in late summer get fresh new feathers in fall. Then their iridescent black feathers are tipped with white chevrons. These gradually wear off during the winter and spring. By summer they are mostly black, without many spangles.
Breeding birds have yellow bills, the bills are brown in the non-breeding season. Both genders are colored the same.
Because of their aggressive nature, most people do not like starlings at their bird feeders. Starlings have weak feet, so have trouble eating from tube feeders and special upside-down suet feeders.
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Red-bellied Woodpecker. skeeze. Pixabay
Red-bellied Woodpeckers are one of the common woodland birds in the East.
These birds are year-round residents from the Northeast to the Midwest, and south from Florida to eastern Texas.
They aren't too picky in their choice of trees. They are found in deciduous and conifer forests. They may be found in parks and neighborhoods with mature trees. Learn and listen for the loud rolling churr call of these woodpeckers. You may find they are more common than you first thought.
These birds are a bit larger than European Starlings. They a stocky with large head and short wedge-shaped tail. The bill is long, straight. and chisel shaped.
The upper parts, including the back and wings are covered with thin black-and-white bars. The head and under parts are pale tan or gray. They have white rumps and black tails with barred outer tail feathers.
Males have red crowns from their bill to their back. Some also show a reddish wash to their belly.
Females have red crowns from the top of their head back, with gray fore-crowns.
At feeders, Red-bellied Woodpeckers love suet, and also eat peanuts.
Recommended Products for feeding birds in Delaware
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If you are looking for feeders and bird food, here are products I use or recommend. If you purchase from these links, I earn a small commission. Thank you for your support.
This hopper feeder is just the right size and durable. The best high quality mixed bird seed for this bird feeder that I highly recommend is Wagner's Songbird Supreme. This combination attracts the widest variety of feeder birds.
For common backyard birds and birds at your feeder, this is a good little book.
I'm using these Celestron Nature DX ED 8x40s almost exclusively now. I am impressed that such a low-priced binocular has such good image quality. Perfect for beginners! Yes, there are better binoculars at $500, $1000, $2000. But why? They're not that much better.
