April Showers Bring ... Hungry Spring Migrants
Everywhere we look these early spring days we see birds that have just arrived. Just in the last week we've had reports of many kinds of birds: robins, bluebirds, canvasback ducks, buffleheads, loons, red-winged blackbirds, white throated sparrows, pine siskins, vultures, goldfinches changing colors, and many others. We can expect many more arrivals of birds in spring plumage to arrive soon. Orioles are a big hit around here! They'll arrive at the end of April or early May. Keep your feeders filled!
Hummingbirds are On the Move!
Dear Friend of Nature,
Hummingbirds are some of the most beloved and sought after birds we can attract to our yards. It is always a benefit if you have multiple hummingbird feeders to make the experience even more enjoyable. Here are our top five suggestions.
Confound Bully Hummingbirds
For such a little bird, hummingbirds can be very feisty and aggressive when defending their territories, which includes nectar feeders. Multiple feeders, spread throughout your yard, will encourage more hummingbirds to visit and keep bullies at bay. The more feeders you offer and the more spread out they are, the more difficult it is for a protective hummingbird to defend all the feeders. This allows others, females or even juveniles, to eat more often, perhaps staying longer to feed or rest at feeders.
A fun way to view hummingbirds is to use a window feeder. We have two sizes, both of which work nicely, and bring the birds closer.
Super Powers
Hummingbirds are deceptively fast. They often seem to explode away from a feeder like a dragster. They typically fly at 30-45 miles per hour, but can fly up to 60 mph. They can even hover and are the only birds able to regularly fly backwards and occasionally upside down. They can do this because of their unique flexible wing joint that flaps in a figure eight allowing hummingbirds to easily hover to drink nectar.
Simply Sweet
Nectar is simple to make for hummingbirds. Use a 4:1 ratio of 4 parts water to 1 part plain table sugar. (No need for dyes or other sugar options.) Please first boil the water separately, add the sugar, stir to dissolve the sugar, then let it cool. Store extra in the refrigerator. Make sure you change the nectar every 3-4 days, and more often in hot weather to avoid mold developing in the nectar and nectar ports. Ask us about the nectar we carry which dissolves quickly in water. Tip: Keep a second feeder ready to replace the one you are cleaning.
Beyond Nectar
Speaking of feeders, these little birds have big appetites. Hummingbirds eat about every ten minutes, but their diet is not made up entirely of nectar. They spend more than 25% of their time foraging for small spiders and insects to obtain essential amino acids and other nutrients. And, they use their bill to catch them while flying. Who knew?!
Traveling Birds
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, usually the only variety East of the Mississippi River, are already on the move. They will start arriving locally in mid-late April and early May. Click on the Hummingbird Migration Map to see their progress!
Remember: Our Hummingbird Seminar is April 12th
Kathi and Michael Rock will be back to present a new Hummingbird Seminar on April 12th. The 10:00 session is full. The 11:30 session still has openings. Call to sign up soon, 608-664-1414, so we can save a seat for you. Other seminar details are below.
April Showers Bring ... Hungry Spring Migrants
Get your hummingbird supplies now! And watch for other spring migrants as they begin to arrive all decked out in their breeding plumage. Use your phenology calendar to list them there for later reference. This is a fun time of year.
Happy Birding!
Jan and Bob Ross
for all of us at Wild Birds Unlimited
Double Points Days:
Join us for Double Points Days April 17 - 19
Join the Daily Savings Club (DSC) any time
to receive 15% off bird food every day
and earn points for Savings Coupons.
April 2025 Specials*
Bird Food Specials
10% off Nyjer and Finch Blend
Goldfinch's Favorite Food!
During Bird Food Sales, DSC Members receive 20% off
bird food products.
Wren, Chickadee, Nuthatch and
Bluebird Houses 15% Off*
*while supplies last
Seed Cylinders: Buy 3, Get 4th Free*
*Free item of equal or lesser value
Cylinder, Hopper and Tube Feeders 15% Off*
*while supplies last
Aggregate Bird Baths 10% Off*
*while supplies last
Last Chance for a Heated Birdbath*
*$99.99 while supplies last
Advanced Pole System Hardware 10% Off*
*Includes all parts, poles, and accessories
Feeders sold separately
Extended: Everything Bluebird 15% Off
Sale includes Houses, Poles, Books, Mugs,
Photos, Cards & Mealworms
Click image above for a printable coupon!
Click on the Newsletter box below for our April Newsletter!
Visit us soon for other in-store special.
*All Specials are In-Store Only and Expire April 30, 2025
Sign Up for WBU Spring Seminars
Call ahead 608-664-1414 to reserve your seat. Reservations Required.
All seminars are FREE and held at our WBU store.
Bats
Sat. April 5th
10 am is FULL
11:30 am - Limited Openings
Led by Emma Raasch
Hummingbirds
Sat. April 12th
10 am is FULL
11:30 am - Limited Openings
Led by Kathi & Michael Rock
Watch for more Seminars coming soon.
Video: Hummingbird Feeders
Our hummingbird feeders are specially-designed with a built-in ant moat that keeps bugs out, and feeding ports that prevent rain water from diluting the nectar solution.
Click here to watch one of nature's most mesmerizing creatures.
Baltimore Orioles Return Late April
One of North America’s most popular fruit-eating birds is the oriole and we can help you attract them to your yard if they are in your area.
Orioles are known to enjoy orange slices, grape jelly and mealworms offered from tray-style feeders. Nectar feeders can also be used. Dissolve ¼ cup of table sugar in 1 cup of warm or hot water; cool and fill the feeder. Be patient and keep the foods fresh, replacing them every few days and be sure to keep your feeders clean, too.
Oriole Fun Facts
- When not feeding on nectar, orioles seek out caterpillars, fruits, insects, and spiders.
- The Oriole nest is an engineering masterpiece. They weave a hanging-basket nest with plant fibers, grasses, vine and tree bark and sometimes string or yarn placed out on the small twigs of a branch 6-45 feet in the air. This keeps them safe from most predators.
- The Baltimore Oriole is a common inhabitant of suburban landscapes due to is preference for open settings that are bordered with mature trees.
- Orioles are a member of Icteridae family, meaning that their closest bird relatives include meadowlarks, blackbirds, bobolinks and grackles.
- The oriole gets its name from the Latin aureolus, which means golden.
