Wild Birds Unlimited
For over twenty years, Wild Birds Unlimited has been proud to ¿Bring people and nature together¿
Hello, my name is Dan Sweigard, the new owner/operator of the Wild Birds Unlimited here in Lexington, KY. For over twenty years, Wild Birds Unlimited has been proud to "Bring people and nature together," here in Lexington, and we look forward to continuing the tradition. We are part of a Franchise with over 300 locations nationwide with a retail philosophy of "Educating people about birds and nature." In order to accomplish this, we are trained extensively on birds, bird activity and habits, and products available to the backyard birder. I, along with my staff, have all earned our certification as "Backyard Birdfeeding Specialists", and have been feeding in our own yards for years. We would love to bring all these resources together to help you with the hobby, so ask away.
We invite you to our website at http://www.wbu.com/lexingtonky
152 N Locust Hill Drive
Off Richmond Road
Lexington KY 40509
Phone 859-268-0114
Most Recently Answered Questions
Questions 1 - 14 of 14 (Page 1 of 1)Submitted by Donna Hammonds from Kevil, KY
Q: I have noticed a new bird stopping at our feeder. His body is black with a white breast and red on its head and neck. Any idea what it could be? It is about the size of a cardinal.
Answered 05/17/08 11:24:24 by Dan Sweigard
A: You are one of the lucky ones. The bird is called Rose Breasted Grosbeak. The male has the brilliant colors while the female is the same size but is a heavily streaked brown and white with orange yellow wing linings. The bird migrates great distances from Canada and the Great Lakes to Central and South America. They are traveling north and will arrive close to the Kentucky Derby date each year. They stop over for a rest in the area for about 10 days to two weeks. They will soon continue their migration but you can look for them in the fall as they return south. They eat various foods such as; sunflower, safflower, nuts and fruit as well as insects. Enjoy them while you can and they may return each year.Submitted by M. Shanks from Placentia CA
Q: While visiting in KY, we noticed white netlike nests hanging in many of the trees along hwy 264 and other areas. What are these? Do they belong to birds or insects. They seemed quite large and didn't take on a particular form but looked almost web like. Thank you.
Answered 05/06/08 12:42:42 by Dan Sweigard
A: I suspect what you saw was the nest of an insect called tent caterpillar. There are three types in the Kentucky area, the Eastern Tent Caterpillar, the Forest Tent Caterpillar, and the Fall Webworm. The insect spends the winter as an egg, as the eggs hatch they construct a tent of silken material. The larger the larvae grow the bigger the tent becomes. The larvae return to the nest each night after feeding all day. They have many natural predators and usually do not damage trees. The adult moths emerge from cocoons in late June or July.Submitted by Brenda from Enfield Ct
Q: I had feeders up all winter on my deck and the bird came in flocks, it was a great way to pass by the winter months, now that the weather is warmer, I have moved the feeders to the garden area, about 30 feet away from the deck. I have no birds. Will they come back,once they find the feeder even if the neighbors have feeders as well? I have all fresh seed, safflower, black oil sunflower, and thissle along with putting some on the ground and a beef suet cage as well. (which the woodpeckers LOVE. thansk for your help.
Answered 04/23/08 13:56:00 by Dan Sweigard
A: It sounds like you are doing all the right things, fresh food, a nice variety, with some on the ground. Birds habits change with the season and their focus right now is the nesting and attracting a mate. With nest building going on and fresh new seeds,flowers and insects coming out they have many sources for food. A typical bird only gets about 25% of its food from a well stocked feeder. Look for them early in the morning and at dusk as they are busy the rest of the day and tend to spend limited time at a feeder during the hottest part of the day. Keep feeding those birds!Submitted by Alesheia Meece from Louisville, Ky
Q: I often see Blue Jays at my feeder but can't tell which is the female. Is there a difference in size & color as in most birds?
Answered 04/14/08 13:08:49 by Dan Sweigard
A: You are perfectly correct. The male and the female are indentical in size and color. It is almost impossible to tell the difference when they are at a feeder. Only around a nest might you get a clue as to the female. An intersting fact is like a blue bird the blue jay has no blue pigment in their feathers. The feathers refract sunlight so that you only see the blue color of the light making the bird look blue.Submitted by Sheena from Ashland, Ky
Q: I need help identifying a black bird coming to my feeder. It's smaller than a crow, a little larger than a dove, though not as thick bodied. It's got a green/purple/pink sheen to it's feathers. The beak and feet are black. It's got a coarse call, not quite as coarse as a crow, though. Any idea what bird this is?
Answered 04/07/08 15:59:27 by Dan Sweigard
A: The bird you describe sounds like the Common Grackle. They migate to southern states and are returning in flocks. They usually nest in small colonies of up to 75 birds. They can be aggressive around other songbirds so they often dominate feeders. If you wish to keep them from feeding at your feeders you can try a number of solutions including cages with opening too small for them to enter but allows song birds. Using a smaller feeder that require the bird to cling to feed restricts them because they are too heavy to do this. You can also feed pure Safflower to minimize the flock as this is not a favorite seed of the Grackle.Submitted by Linda McCrystal from Harrodsburg Ky.
Q: Dan, We were told that the purple Martin scouts were out now, and would bring their family back between the 15th -27th. Is this true? We were also told to put vanilla extract in the Martin house to attract them., So thats what we did! We will see.
Answered 04/07/08 15:51:18 by Dan Sweigard
A: The Purple Martin scouts have arrived in the area and are setting up in houses. This often happens as early as March 15 so many homes are up and running. The vannila helps to attract them. Observe your house for the next two weeks to be sure other birds such as starlings do not set up nests. If they do simply clear out the nests so they are clean for the Martins. Not every home gets birds the first year since birds will often return to homes each year. You can also purchase a tape that plays martin songs called "Dawnsong". This will also increase the chanses of getting martins. They are wonderful birds and well worth the wait for the families.Submitted by Jennifer from Lexington, KY
Q: When is the best time to put out hummingbird feeders and how can we draw them into our yard?
Answered 03/25/08 17:10:06 by Dan Sweigard
A: Hummingbirds arrive early in April. You can start to put out feeders by April 15 but the total population of birds arrive in May. A good rule of thumb is Mothers Day. The feeder simulates a flower with nectar so the best way to attract them is to plant red trumpet shaped flowers. This can also be done with hanging baskets. To attract them start by placing the feeder in full view as Hummers locate food by sight. As you start to get birds to the feeder, you can move it closer to the house for viewing. They will soon be comfortable enough with you that you can sit next to the feeder while they eat. Remenber the secret to feeding Hummers is FRESH, FRESH, FRESH. The nectar should be thrown out every three days and cleaned and replaced with fresh netar. It is sugar/ water and will spoil quickly in the sun. To attract them to your feeder you can do a number of tricks, hang red ribbons on the feeder pole, or a bright scarf. If you notice one male protecting a feeder you can add multiple feeders out of the sight line of the first so he can not protect them all. Enjoy nature's helicoptersSubmitted by susan from lexington, ky
Q: Dan, I recently purchased a house near a hiking trail and saw bluebird boxes along the trail. My brother is very involved in the bluebird effort in Pennsylvania, tracking and counting growth at a nearby State Park, and working to build the population. How prevelant are bluebirds here in KY? And I'm confused about the best place for a bluebird box, is it a field, or are they less picky than that? Thank you.
Answered 03/25/08 14:57:18 by Dan Sweigard
A: The east coast has a larger population of Bluebirds but the Lexington area is blessed with a large population also. The Bluebird prefers an open field or meadow like area. You should keep the box as far away from tree lines and shrubs as possible. This helps keep out their competitors. The box should be five feet off the ground and face it away from prevailing winds. They might nest in a box close to a trail if the trail itself provides some of the open space they like to have. Often what happens is the bluebird boxes are placed too close to trees and wrens and sparrows take over the box.Submitted by MauiBill from Medford OR
Q: We have a pine tree in our front yard that pigeons dearly love. Evenings find anywhere from 10 to 20 roosting and pooping. We have bird droppings in the bark under the tree and on our driveway and sidewalk. Is there anything I can do to force them to find another spot. Thanks for your help. MauiBill
Answered 02/28/08 22:02:59 by Dan Sweigard
A: The problems with large focks of birds roosting in one location is common this time of the year. If it is only one tree then you might be able to manage the problem yourself. A commonly used solution is to play a Bird Distress tape from the USDA office in Louisville or it may be purchased from Aplied Electronics in Little Rock at 501-821-3095. Plan to use this for a period of at least three to five nights. Use an external speaker to play the noise in the tree. Start to play one half hour before dark before the birds roost. Stop playing after dark as they will get used to the noise. The USDA-APHIS-ADC in Louisville has publications to give you the exact details and answer all your questions. Large populations might take more drastic steps and the USDA can steer you to the help you need. Their address is 3231 Ruckriegel Parkway, Suite 107 Louisvill Kentucky 40299. The telephone number is 502-582-5536. If you live in a different state the USDA office can direct you to the correct resources.Submitted by Scott from Lexington, KY
Q: a mockingbird has taken over my birdfeeders, driving all of the other birds away--but not the squirrels, alas. i split the feeders between the front of the house and the back (where they all were before), but he is 'protecting' both sets currently. have you any suggestions?
Answered 02/26/08 21:46:52 by Dan Sweigard
A: There are times when one bird ruins the experience because he is so difficult to deal with. You did the right thing by placing the feeders in separtate spots. I have two suggestions for you that might do the trick. Set one of your feeders up as a perfect source of feed for the Mockingbird. Use his favorites including quality seed, a ground feeding area and fruit in the form of berries or orange slices. Set your other station up with a feeder he can not use or has no interest. In this area use any of the feeders they would not normally use. Try feeding Nyger and enjoy the Finches or use an upside down suet feeder that only a clinging woodpecker or nuthatch could use or small clinger feeder that the mockingbirds cannot land on. This should discourage them from protecting both feeders. If this fails you might try to just pull all feeders into the house for two weeks to encourage him to move to another area. After two weeks put them back out and see what happens. Good Luck Remember sometimes you can't control nature but it is fluid and will probably change on its own in the next 30 days.Submitted by Caroline from Pikeville, KY
Q: Dan, I recently submitted a question to you concerning squirrels before I read your response to Virginia's question. I don't think my husband did any research about designing a bird feeder with unwanted squirrels in mind. I have a doctors appointment in Lexington at the end of March. This may sound silly but would it be possible for me to stop in with the feeder he built and let you look at it? Maybe there is something we need to purchase that can be incorporated into the design for a better constructed system. Thank you.
Answered 02/13/08 16:04:02 by Dan Sweigard
A: Building your own birdhouse or birdfeeder is a wondulful hobby project and we encourage people to enjoy all aspects of this wonderful hobby. We welcome your visit to look at our feeders to see if you can add any features to your feeder that will make it both safe or more effective. Either myself or my staff would be happy to look at your design. I am typically in the store everyday. I will be out for a meeting on March 27-30 but otherwise I am available. Feel free to call me at 859-268-0114 when your are coming to the area so I don't miss you.Submitted by Gail from Lexington, KY
Q: Hello, What does it mean when an injured bird has "thrush"? Can this be easily detected if you know what to look for?
Answered 02/08/08 21:53:10 by Dan Sweigard
A: Gail, Thrush is an infection, most common in caged birds. Brief Description: www.birdhealth.com Thrush is a common disease of pet and other birds. It is a condition that distresses the bird, causing it to become depressed and lifeless. A bird with thrush often shows dropping changes because the infection irritates the bowel lining. The dropping of thrush commonly infects the mouth, causing birds to swallow excessively. It may even infect the sinus and cause sneezing. Thrush infections are potentially life threatening when left unattended. Thrush is always caused by an underlying stress factor. Stress factors include, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, fluctuating temperatures, environmental change, psychological stress and underlying illness. Symptoms would be difficult to detect in wild birds. Thank you, DanSubmitted by virginia from danville, ky.
Q: do you have any foolproof feeders which will keep squirrels out? I don't mind feeding them, but am looking for one feeder which they cannot access.
Answered 02/08/08 21:38:27 by Dan Sweigard
A: Virginia, The short answer is No. Squirrels are resilient creatures, and when they are hungry they do what they have to do to eat. However, there are several products out there that will make a big difference. The Wild Birds Unlimited Eliminator also known as the Squirrel Buster classic is an excellent "squirrel Proof" feeder. It is a large tube with a spring system safely secured in the center of the tube. The seed ports are at the bottom and when the squirrel rests on the perches the spring system lowers the perches, which in turn closes the ports. The Droll Yankee products are also very successful products. They are very long, and very durable tubes that force the squirrel down to the perches. All of the perches in three of the styles available break away giving the squirrel nothing to hold to. The fourth Droll Yankee, the Yankee flipper actually has a battery powered perch which spins when the squirrel's weight hits it and actually whips the squirrel off the feeder. Those two are the best in my opinion, but there are others that have a proven track records. Heritage Farms makes a quality product along w/ the little brother to the Squirrel Buster Classic, the Squirrel Buster Plus. My personal experience is to avoid the products on the market That have springs on the outside of the feeder which tend to pop off and rust. Their is an alternative to feeders though, when it comes to beating the squirrels. Safflower seeds! Squirrels simply don't like the taste, while all of the birds that visit my yard take to it readily. The third option is to place your feeder in the middle of the yard away from trees on a pole with a squirrel baffle on the pole at about 5 feet high. Good luck, DanSubmitted by Krista from Lexington, KY
Q: Dan, what type of bird seed would be best to put out this time of year?
Answered 02/01/08 15:55:50 by Dan Sweigard
A: Fall and Winter is a great time to feed the birds. To attract the largest variety to your feeder you should use a Blend which contains several types of seeds. The base for a good blend will always start with black oil sunflower, as this is the most attractive seed to the largest number of birds. Other good choices in the blend will include safflower, millet and peanuts. When choosing a blend read the ingredients on the package. Just like our food packaging the highest percentage ingredients are listed first. Look for a blend that starts with black oil sunflower. Try to avoid filler seeds that are less popular with the Kentucky birds like wheat products and MILO. These are cheaper seeds used to keep the price down but are much less effective at atracting the songbirds to your feeder.