Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
Red-tailed Hawks have been seen hunting as a pair, guarding opposite sides of the same
tree to catch tree squirrels.
Q Is it okay to feed bread to birds?
A
Breadgetsmoldyquickly,attractsratsandmice,andlacksthenutrientsthatmostbirds
need. I strongly recommend other feeder offerings instead, especially sunflower seeds.
Ducks and pigeons can grow very fond of bread; it's especially important to leave
bread off the bird-feeding menu in cities that prohibit the feeding of these birds.
Q My neighbor puts out eggshells for birds to eat because she says it helps them get
the calcium they need. Is that true?
A
Yes. Especially during the nesting season, female birds require calcium to form strong
eggshells. Birds can get calcium from natural foods, such as small snails, sow bugs, and
slugs. But recent studies have found that in some areas acid rain leaches calcium out of
thesoil,possiblymakingitharderforthesepreyspeciestogetenoughcalcium,ultimately
affecting the birds.
You can provide a good source of calcium for the birds by crushing shells from hard-
boiled eggs and setting them out for the birds to eat. If you use shells that haven't been
cooked, bake them in the oven at 250 degrees for 20 minutes to protect birds from sal-
monella. Don't microwave them — they may shatter!
When birds are suffering from calcium deficiencies, they sometimes eat inappropriate
substitutes. Blue Jays have been observed chipping and consuming house paint, espe-
cially in the Northeast when snow is covering the ground. Researchers believe the Blue
Jays are interested in the calcium found in paint and that they are stockpiling the paint
chips for spring. Unfortunately, paint also contains ingredients that might not be so
healthy for the birds. Providing eggshells can help them while preserving your house!
WEDDING RICE — BAD FOR BIRDS?
Rice absorbs a lot of water when cooked,
so some people worry that it might swell
in birds' stomachs, causing their stomachs to explode. But many birds eat uncooked
rice in the wild. Bobolinks are even nicknamed ricebirds for this food preference. Even
thoughricethrownatweddingswon'tresultinexplodedbirds,someplacesbanthrowing
riceorbirdseedatweddingsforotherreasons:slipperyseedcanbeahazardforwedding
