The Bobolink is polygynous and was one of the first species in which multiple paternity (females laying a clutch of eggs sired by more than one male) was documented. In addition, this North American breeder is an extraordinary migrant, traveling to south of the equator each autumn and making a round-trip of approximately 20,000 kilometers. One female known to be at least nine years old presumably made this trip annually, a total distance equal to traveling 4.5 times around the earth at the equator! Why these birds make such an arduous journey each year is not as well understood as how they do it; the mechanisms of orientation and navigation in this species have been rigorously studied by several investigators. Magnetic clues appear to be particularly important for migrating Bobolinks.

Bobolinks have been shot as agricultural pests in the southern United States, trapped and sold as pets in Argentina, and collected as food in Jamaica. The species is not as abundant as it was several decades ago, primarily because of changing land-use practices, especially the decline of meadows and hay fields. The Bobolink’s tenacity and adaptability, however, should continue to serve it well.

This species nests during late winter in cold, snowy, and apparently foodless conditions, with eggs incubated at temperatures as low as -30° C. Second broods or replacement nests are not attempted in the seemingly more favorable May-June breeding period used by other boreal passerines. Once fledged, young stay in the natal territory until early June, when the dominant brood-member expels its siblings. Juveniles (dominant and expelled) remain on their natal or adopted territories until the next breeding season begins, when they are expelled in turn by adults. Thus, Gray Jays do not breed cooperatively, with young lingering on to help at the nest, as various other species of jays are known to do.

Over 60 million people in the world have already taken up the recreational sport of bird watching and a large number of the 60 million are doing so right in North America.  There are so many different habitats throughout North America that there is plenty space for a large variety of birds to congregate wherever they choose and live freely while onlookers admire them.

If you have never had the opportunity to attend a bird watching event, especially in North America, then it is highly suggested that you take any opportunity to do so that you can.  You will soon realize why there are already 60 million others enjoying their presence with how they live wildly and the different acts that they have.  Some are very social birds that fly in large numbers while other types of North American birds will live alone for their entire lives.  You will find some that will mate with a single partner for their entire lives, which shows true love and passion, even in these amazing creatures.  There are so many aspects to their lives that it really is no wonder why North American Birding is the fastest growing social sport today.

The cardinal is strongly sexually dichromatic—the male brilliant red and the female primarily grayish tan. It is an omnivorous passerine with a diet consisting mainly of seeds, fruits and insects. Plumage color results from ingestion and deposition of carotenoid pigments obtained from the diet during molt and may signal mate quality. New research has shown that brighter males have higher reproductive success and territories with greater vegetation density, and that plumage brightness in both the male (breast color) and female (color of underwing-coverts) is positively correlated with parental care (feeding nestlings).

Scientific Name: Turdus migratorius

The American Robin is the state bird of Connecticut, Michigan and Wisconsin, the American Robin is a familiar songbird in the thrush family.  They exist in towns and woodlands, and are commonly seen on suburban lawns exhibiting their "running and stopping" actions as they collect their morning worms.

The America Robin eats diverse things throughout the day, including earthworms in the morning, and fruits and berries in the late afternoon.  They are frequently lively during the day and gather in great flocks at night to settle in trees in secluded areas.

The average life span of an American Robin is about 2 years, with a few living as long as 14 years.  Robins are considered a representation of spring. The color of their eggs coined the name Robin's Egg Blue.  American Robins are especially affectionate of bathing, and are very engrossed with backyard garden bird baths.

Distinctive Features: ruddy-orange breast and belly, white under tail coverts, dark head with semi-circle white eye hoop, marked throat, black back and wings, mainly yellow bill, the adolescent is paler in color with dark spots on its breast.

Male & Female Characteristics: the male's colors are brighter and his head is black, where the female's head is gray.

Breeding Season:

April - July, 2 -3 broods per season, one of the earliest North American birds to lay eggs.

Migration: most travel south to Florida, the Gulf Coast, central Mexico and Pacific Coast, returning north in February and March.

Purple Martins are secondary cavity nesting animals.  Due to human contribution, east of the Rockies, Purple Martins have under gone a behavioral change. This means that, for the main part, they no longer distinguish natural cavities as possible nest sites. Due to numerous factors they have become dependent on humans to perform their need for nest sites. Factors such as widespread deforestation and urbanization have left the Purple Martin with little alternative

Placing a Purple Martin dwelling is not as benign or common place as other types of nest boxes such as a Bluebird box, for instance. Purple Martin houses were a frequent place sight in the 1940's due to a regular misconception that Purple Martins feed on mosquitoes. As that population ages and those people either take down the birdhouses, move or pass away, less and less housing is put up to reinstate the housing that is taken down. Regrettably, Purple Martin numbers reflect this tendency. Fortunately, North America’s largest swallow can bounce back with our help.

As well as, the sunflower seeds from our bird feeders, a usual diet for these stunning birds might include seeds of elms, blossoms of hickory or beech trees, buds of white ash, flowers and fruit. Insects of the woodland such as Rose Breasted gypsy moths and tent caterpillars are also table fare for Grosbeaks. The Grosbeaks enjoy crop damaging beetles, locusts, cut worms, chinch bugs and other creepy crawlers.

The Rose Breasted Grosbeak is of the finch species. The male has a black head, back, vivid red breast and white rump, sides and belly. The female Grosbeak has a beige color breast with heavy brown streaks on the sides, making it seem almost dull compared to the male bird. The bird's wings are black with white patches above and red, white and black below. The bird in flight shows startling pink-red linings on the wings. These birds have a large, stout, pale pink-almost white, conical bill. They have a long slightly jagged black tail with white spots.

The Rose Breasted Grosbeak is a much loved bird in Mexico, Central and South America. Here the locals are caring for them and often capture them for pets. We had not seen a Rose Breasted Grosbeak before and were so happy to have them come to our bird feeders. They have by now moved on for their journey to the northeastern states. We anticipate when the late summer days start to become crisp, these striking birds will again stopover our bird feeders on their way south for the winter.