The Birds of Spring 2019: A Photo Blog

Spring 2019 came in with less than dull roar, maybe even a dull peep. The lack of song in the forests and colour in the sky was getting a bit depressing, and between the snow and the rain (and more snow and rain) we wondered if it would ever show up at all. Slowly but surely, one after the other in what seemed like choreographed movements, the Spring migrants returned to Ontario... with a mighty bang. The regular Spring feeder visitors arrived, and they brought their friends along to take part in the feast. Everyone from Baltimore Orioles, to Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, and even Indigo Buntings and Scarlet Tanagers have been making appearances in people's backyards. We'd like to share with you some images of the colourful birds who have graced the yards of the WBU Barrie team so far this season.

*See captions for descriptions of each photo

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Rose-breasted Grosbeaks were some of the first spring-time feeder birds to arrive in our backyards. The male of this species is easy to make out in a crowd with his bright rosy chest, and contrasting black and white plumage. Female Rose-breasted Grosbeaks are often mistaken for the smaller female Purple Finch with their similarly streaked brown and white plumage, and white eyebrow. Rose-breasted Grosbeaks are well known for their beautiful song, which was described by early naturalists as "entrancingly beautiful". To hear their calls, click here. When choosing a nesting site, it is completely up to the female while the male guards their territory. They nest in a variety of environments including forest edges, gardens, parks, and even backyards, preferring trees such as Maple, Hemlock, and Spruce. Because of this, there is a good chance that if you have a pair feeding in your yard, they will choose to nest nearby and bring their young to your feeders once they have fledged. To help attract Rose-breasted Grosbeaks try offering safflower seed, sunflower seed, Bark Butter Bits, and native fruit varieties such as Elderberry.

An adventurous male Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus) taking a drink of water from an Umbrella Ant Moat. Photos by WBU Barrie Team Member Leanne.

Male Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus) waiting for his turn at the feeder. Photo by WBU Barrie Team Member Shayna.

Female Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus) resting after foraging on Maple flowers. Photo by WBU Barrie Team Member Shayna.

Baltimore Oriole

Famous for their fluorescent orange & black plumage, and affinity for oranges, Baltimore Orioles have ranked themselves at the top of the 'Favourite Spring Birds' list. We have seen an influx of Orioles appearing at our feeders this Spring, with reports and photos being shared from all across North America. A species that is not so common for this region that has been spotted at feeders recently is the Orchard Oriole. Male Orchard Orioles sport more of a 'burnt orange' vest compared to the neon orange of the Baltimore, whereas the females of the two species are very similar in appearance with more yellow plumage colouring and lack of black cap. You can find more information on Orchard Orioles by clicking here. Orioles are known for their intricately woven tear drop-shaped nests which are built anywhere from 6ft to 60ft above the ground in deciduous trees. They will often nest close-by reliable feeders and bring their young to the feeders once they have left the nest. To help attract either of these species, you can offer a wide variety of foods including nectar, halved oranges, BirdBerry Jelly, Bark Butter & Bark Butter Bits, suet, and live mealworms.

Bright orange male Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula) feeding on oranges and live mealworms from our Spiral Treat Tray. Perfect for offering multiple foods to multiple species. Photo by WBU Barrie Team Member Leanne.

Stunning male Baltimore Oriole ((Icterus galbula) perched in a Maple tree. Photo by WBU Barrie Team Member Shayna.

Something you don't see every day, and a great size comparison between this female Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) and female Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula). Photo by WBU Barrie Team Member Kristen.

Female Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula) feeding on oranges and BirdBerry Jelly from our Recycled Oriole Feeder. Photo by WBU Barrie Team Member Heather.

Female Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula) sampling an orange. Photo by WBU Barrie Team Member Shayna.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

They may have shown up late this year thanks to the unusual "Spring" weather we've had, but when they did arrive, the Ruby-throated Hummingbirds demanded attention (and food)! Tiny but fierce, these little gems are a stunning and entertaining species to have visit our yards. Both male and female Ruby-throated Hummingbirds exhibit metallic emerald green plumage & white/grey underparts, with males sporting a bright red throat. Both sexes are known to defend their food sources and territories against not only other hummingbirds, but larger species as well. Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are our only breeding species of hummingbird in Eastern North America, and due to them being accustomed to humans, will often nest where we can easily view mom and her babies. Taking all of these factors in to account, it's easy to understand why Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are a Spring favourite! To attract this species to your yard, simply fill a hummingbird feeder (we recommend our High Perch Hummingbird Feeder) with a nectar solution made of 4 parts water, 1 part sugar. Be sure to clean your feeder every few days & fill with fresh nectar. Another excellent way to attract hummingbirds is to plant native plants such as Bee Balm and Wild Bergamot. Not only will growing native plants attract hummingbirds, but it will attract a variety of pollinators & other insects which serve as food for numerous species! For a list of native pollinator friendly plants, click here.

A stunning male Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) perched on a WBU High Perch Hummingbird Feeder. Photo by WBU Barrie Team Member Kristen.

Male Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) perched in a tree, surveying his feeding territory. Photo by WBU Barrie Team Member Kristen.

Female (note the lack of throat patch) Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubrisfeeding) feeding on nectar from a WBU High Perch Hummingbird Feeder. Photo by WBU Barrie Team Member Jen.

Indigo Bunting

Perhaps the bird that's caught us most off-guard this Spring, is the Indigo Bunting. While they have been known to visit bird feeders from time to time, this year they have been popping up everywhere! The males of this species are quite difficult to confuse with any other native species due to their striking all-over blue plumage. Female Indigo Buntings can range from light to darker brown with a slight blue tinge in the wings and tail. Indigo Buntings choose covered nesting sites that are low to the ground, and can be anywhere from forest edges to roadsides. As omnivores, this species' diet consists of a wide variety of food items including but not limited to, dandelion, thistle, serviceberry, elderberry, spiders, and aphids. The most common seed they have been attracted to this year has been our WBU Finch Blend, sunflower chips and they also enjoy foraging on the ground for white proso millet. 

A handsome male Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea) posing for a photo. Photo by WBU Barrie Team Member Kristen.

A handsome male Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea) posing for a photo. Photo by WBU Barrie Team Member Kristen.

Male Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea) feeding on WBU Finch Blend. Photo by WBU Barrie Team Member Jen. 

Female Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea) feeding on WBU Finch Blend. Photo by WBU Barrie Team Member Jen.

Scarlet Tanager

Last but not least on our list, the Scarlet Tanager. Not one of us at WBU Barrie have had one at our feeders, though many of you have! This species is typically found high in the forest canopy singing their robin-like call, but many have found their way to backyard feeding stations to dine on fruit and jelly. Male Scarlet Tanagers are an incredible red, with contrasting black wings and tail, with females displaying a nice greenish-yellow with dark wings and tail. Males will typically arrive early to establish nesting and feeding grounds, and will defend this territory voraciously. When the females arrive, they pair off and remain monogamous for one breeding season. While they are not typically feeder visitors, you can try to attract Scarlet Tanagers to your yard by planting native plants such as Serviceberry, or Elderberry. Like with Orioles, you can also try offering WBU Bark Butter, halved oranges, and BirdBerry Jelly.

WBU Barrie Team Member, Shayna, captured this blurry photo when she caught a fleeting glimpse of a male Scarlet Tanager (Piranga olivacea) just moments before a thunderstorm hit.

Of course we can't forget our old faithful pops of colour such as American Goldfinches, Blue Jays, and Northern Cardinals, but there's nothing quite like the feeling you get when those Spring migrants adorn your yard once again. Spring is here! 🐦🌻

Have a photo you'd like to share with us? Post on our Facebook page, or tag us in your photos on Instagram!

Happy Trails

- Shayna