Stores remain open for curbside pickup. We are closed to foot traffic beginning Saturday, March 28. In order to comply with the Governor’s order to #StayAtHomeMN and do our part to help lessen the burden on the health care system, our stores will be closed to in-person shopping for the period of March 28th through April 10th. Curbside pickup will continue…
Similar names, different families With their beautiful songs, alliterate names and often remarkable resemblances, it’s easy to confuse thrushes and thrashers. Both are Passerine—perching—songbirds, but their family tree splits into unique branches. Thrushes are part of the Turdidae Family Turdids found in Minnesota include: American Robins, Eastern Bluebirds, Veerys, and Swainson’s, Hermit and Wood Thrushes. All are known for their…
Nesting season is almost here! This year, consider providing a place for your backyard birds to raise their young. It’s a great way to get an up-close look at the different life stages of your favorite birds! The best bird houses are made with quality materials like untreated wood (order of preference: cedar, pine or cypress or non- pressure treated…
Birds will flock to open water! When temperatures drop, birds are in a constant struggle to maintain their body temperatures. A steady source of fats and proteins will help to nourish and fuel birds’ metabolic needs and keep them warm. But also important—a source of water that isn’t frozen and doesn’t require using body heat to melt it. The solution: install…
During the winter, when the leaves are off the trees, is a great time to spot hawks. With shorter daytime hours, the hawks are especially busy hunting for their next meal. Here are a few hawks you may see in our area over the winter. Rough-legged Hawk These beautiful hawks visit us during the winter from the Arctic. These hawks…
Northern Cardinals are best known for the male’s bright red hue. But there’s a surprising change in coloration that occurs as a cardinal matures, with males and females taking on differing amounts of the red pigments as adults. Take a look at our video.
Peanuts are a favorite food for many backyard birds. High in fat, oil and protein, peanuts provide a great energy source for stoking birds’ high metabolisms. Our unsalted peanuts are grown in the USA and are sought after by Blue Jays, cardinals, chickadees, nuthatches, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, titmice and woodpeckers. In-Shell Peanuts Blue Jays, chickadees and nuthatches cache peanuts away in…
Harsh winter weather and scarce food options are challenges for our backyard birds. See the following short video for a few things you can do to help increase their chances of survival.
1. Provide a variety of fresh, high-quality, nutrient-rich seeds and suet. A variety of seeds will attract a variety of birds. Black oil sunflower, sunflower chips, Golden Safflower, peanuts and Nyjer all provide the needed high-oil content that birds need, especially over these winter months. Suet that includes peanuts, sunflower, and even insects, will help your backyard birds through the…
While we simply get out our heavy coats, hats, gloves and boots for the winter, our backyard birds go through some amazing changes to make it through the cold and snow. Behavioral Changes We can all notice some of the behavioral changes birds make during the winter months. Some birds migrate. The other birds that stay tend to congregate in…
Seed cylinder, cakes and bells contain seed, fruit, nuts and/or insects held together by an edible gelatin.
Often our customers, seeing our open barrels of peanuts (In-Shell Peanuts and Peanut Pickouts), ask us which birds eat peanuts?
Pause to consider the functions required of various birds’ feet: perching, clinging, walking, swimming, preening, carrying objects, egg rolling, mating displays, and even heat loss regulation.
Here’s a quick video to help you feel confident in identifying these similar-looking birds.
Many birds—not only orioles and bluebirds—enjoy mealworms and will benefit throughout the year from the protein, fat and fiber they provide.
