JUNIOR
E PLORERS
Indiana Winter Birds
PINE SISKINS ( pictured above ) are very small songbirds with sharp , pointed bills and short , notched tails . Adults are brown and streaky overall with subtle yellow edgings on the winds and tail . They can withstand temperatures down to -94 degrees by increasing their metabolic rate up to five times their normal rate for several hours .
BLUEJAYS can be very loud and aggressive . In the wintertime , Bluejays are somewhat quiet as they are nesting and feeding their young . Their favorite foods are peanuts , sunflower seeds , and suet .
CARDINALS were adopted as the state bird in 1933 . This bird is related to grosbeaks and buntings and are recognized by their “ cheer cheer cheer ,” “ whit-chew-whit-chew ” and “ purty purty purty ” whistles . The cardinal sings nearly yearround .
NUTHATCH is a year-round resident of Indiana and one of the most common woodland birds that visit our birdfeeders . Nuthatches are active , agile little birds with an appetite for insects and large , meaty seeds .
PURPLE FINCHES are less common , typically only seen in winter in Indiana . They are often seen eating fruit tree blossoms of apple , cherry , peach and plum trees .
SONG SPARROWS are streaky and brown with thick streaks on a white chest and flanks . They eat a lot of insects , especially in the spring and summer . They are a very beneficial bird to have in your garden ! Song sparrows will return to the same spot year after year to nest .
DARK-EYED JUNCOS are unique sparrows that can be found around woodland edges and suburban yards , feeding on the ground making ticking calls as they fly up into the bushes .
Try this at home ! PINE CONE BIRD FEEDER
SUPPLIES :
• Pine Cones
• Peanut Butter
• Small Bowls
• Popsicle Stick
INSTRUCTIONS :
1 . To prepare for this activity , scoop some peanut butter from the jar and put it into the small bowls .
2 . Next , pour some bird seed into the small bowls . Then , give each child a paper plate or plastic tray .
3 . Before beginning this activity , you may also want to cut the twine or string into pieces that are about 8 inches long for each child .
DIRECTIONS :
• Paper Plate or Tray
• Bird Seed
• Twine or String
• Scissors
1 . To begin making the pine cone bird feeders , your child will place their pine cone onto their paper plate or plastic tray and spread peanut butter on it using the popsicle stick .
2 . Sprinkle the bird seed on the pine cone so it sticks to the peanut butter .
3 . Tie the twine or sting or string around the top of the pine cone and hang them from a tree or hook .
Winter / Spring 2021 • 15