How to plant a bird-friendly garden BirdsCanada has a great website to teach you how to design a bird-friendly garden. For more information visit https://birdgardens.ca/ Can you recommend some good resources for birds? For Bird Identification, Behavior, and Conservation Cornell Lab of Ornithology (Incredible database for ID, calls, and behavior info. Free and science-based) Website: allaboutbirds.org Merlin Bird ID App (Cornell) Free app that helps ID birds by photo, sound, or description. Great for beginners and experts alike. eBird is a community-driven bird sighting database, useful for birders and scientists. Website : ebird.org Nature Canada focuses on bird conservation, advocacy, and community science. Website : naturecanada.ca

How do I choose what type of feeder to use to attract birds? The Cornell Lab All about Birds has a lot of information on attracting birds to your garden, different seed types and feeders, and more. Visit their website at: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/browse/topic/feeding-birds/bird-feeders-feeding-birds How can I feed hummingbirds? To feed hummingbirds, create a 1:4 sugar-to-water nectar, using white sugar and boiled water, and offer it in a clean hummingbird feeder. Change the nectar every 3-5 days, or daily in hot weather, to prevent spoilage. Here's a more detailed breakdown: Nectar Recipe: Mix 1 part white sugar with 4 parts water. Bring the water to a boil, then add the sugar and stir until dissolved. Let the mixture cool before filling the feeder. Feeder Selection: Choose a feeder that is easy to clean and refill. Glass feeders are recommended as they are more resistant to chemical breakdown than plastic feeders. Placement: Place the feeder near plants that hummingbirds are already visiting, or near a location where they can easily spot the red feeder. Maintenance: Clean the feeder regularly to prevent the growth of mold and bacteria. Change the nectar every 3-5 days, or more frequently in hot weather. Additional Tips: No Red Dye: Avoid using red food coloring as it can be harmful to the birds. No Honey or Brown Sugar: Do not use honey, molasses, or brown sugar, as these can be harmful. Plant Native Flowers: Planting native flowers that hummingbirds are attracted to can help support their natural food sources as well as other wildlife. How should I clean my bird feeder? Scrub the feeder with warm, soapy water, making sure to focus on perches and seed access holes. Next, soak the feeder in a solution of 1 part bleach to 9 parts water for about 15 minutes before rinsing it thoroughly with water. Allow this to dry completely before refilling the feeder and putting it back up. Where should I place my feeder? To place your bird feeder effectively, consider a location that's safe for birds, visible to you , and provides a sense of security from predators. Ideally, place either within 1 meter of your house (or window) or 10-15 feet away from your home, or natural cover like trees or shrubs. Consider using baffles to deter squirrels and other pests. A location with some shade can protect birds from the harsh sun, and a sheltered area can offer protection from the wind and rain. How can I stop squirrels from going on my feeder? To prevent squirrels from accessing your bird feeder, consider using squirrel-proof feeders, installing baffles, and keeping feeders out of reach by hanging them high or on a wire away from trees . You can also make birdseed less appealing to squirrels by incorporating seeds they dislike. There are different feeders on the market that help deter squirrels such as weight-activated feeders. These feeders close their feeding ports when a squirrel's weight is detected, preventing access while allowing birds to feed. Tube feeders can also be effective because they have perches that birds can use, but squirrels are less likely to be able to reach the seed. Baffles are also effective ways to deter squirrels from your feeder. Smooth, plastic or metal baffles can be placed above and below the feeder to block squirrel access. Baffles also prevent squirrels from climbing up the pole. Feeder placement can also deter squirrels. Hang feeders high. Squirrels are agile, but they are less likely to climb if the feeder is at least 4 feet above the ground. Keep feeders away from trees. Squirrels can use trees as launching points, so position feeders at least 8-10 feet away from trees, fences, or other potential jumping surfaces. Consider hanging feeders from a wire. This can make it difficult for squirrels to climb to the feeder. Filling your feeder with foods that squirrels are less likely to eat is a good way to not attract them. Use a mix of cracked corn or add seeds squirrels dislike such as white millet, thistle, or safflower seeds into your bird seed mix. Clean the feeding area regularly. Remove spilled seed and debris to make the area less attractive to squirrels. Consider scent repellents. While not always foolproof, scents like peppermint oil, or vinegar can be used to deter squirrels. Provide a separate feeder for squirrels. This can help redirect their attention and reduce their interest in the bird feeder. Le Nichoir sells a variety of feeders in its Boutique, including feeders that have been designed to deter squirrels. Learn more at: https://boutique.lenichoir.org/collections/food

I have wild birds attacking me in my yard. What can be done? Birds such as American crows and Red-winged blackbirds are known to “attack” people, especially during breeding season. This is usually done by swooping at people’s heads, and sometimes making screeches. The best way is avoidance. Avoid the area where the birds are nesting. If this is not possible, wearing a baseball cap, holding an umbrella both work well as scare tactics. Remember that this behaviour will not last long, only a few weeks. It can come across as being frightening, but this behaviour means that these wild birds are being good parents and protecting their young the best that they can.

I found an injured mammal, what do I do? Le Nichoir does not accept any wildlife except for birds. This includes all mammals. If you find a mammal in distress, it is best to call a mammal rehabilitator. There are a few in Quebec, such as SOS Miss Dolittle, Refuge Pageau and more. Please call these centres for more information.

Why is a woodpecker drumming on my house? Woodpeckers drum on homes as a sign of: 1) Territorial signalling (drumming). Males drum loudly to mark territory and attract mates, especially in spring. They often choose resonant surfaces like metal gutters, wood siding, or chimney caps because the sound carries further. 2) Foraging for insects: If you have wood siding or eaves, they may be pecking to reach insects living in or under the wood, like carpenter ants or larvae 3) Nesting or Roosting: Woodpeckers may try to excavate a cavity for nesting, especially in soft wood, older siding, or where there’s existing damage. How can I stop Woodpeckers from damaging my home ? First it is important to identify why the woodpecker is drumming, and whether this is only a temporary behaviour during spring or if the bird is excavating a hole and going to cause more damage. Some ways to stop woodpeckers from pecking on your home is to install visual deterrents such as reflective tape, shiny streamers, pinwheels, or plastic owls. Move them regularly so birds don’t get used to them. Motion-activated sprinklers, wind chimes, or even hanging CDs may startle the bird and can also work. Another option is to exclude access by covering the targeted areas with bird netting, hardware cloth, or metal flashing to block access to drumming or nesting sites. It is important to inspect the area for insects and have a pest control professional check for wood-boring insects if birds continue to actively peck an area. In spring and early summer, woodpeckers may be protected during nesting season, so avoid disturbing nests once established. Prevention is best done early in the season.

Can wild birds get frostbite? Wild birds can get frostbite , especially in extremely cold weather conditions. When it does happen, it typically affects un-feathered or poorly insulated areas like: toes and feet, combs and wattles (in birds like wild turkeys) and occasionally beaks. Frostbite is most likely to occur when: temperatures fall below -20°C (-4°F), especially with windchill, birds are weakened, sick, or underweight, and birds are exposed to prolonged cold without adequate shelter or food. Some signs of frostbite in wild birds include: swollen, discolored or blackened toes or feet, limping or inability to perch properly, loss of digits or toes or general signs of lethargy or distress. Any wild bird found with potential frostbite should be brought to Le Nichoir.

I found a loon on the ground and it is unable to fly. Is it injured? Loons, and many other diving birds can’t fly immediately off of land because their legs are positioned far back on their bodies, making them excellent swimmers but not good for walking or taking off from land. This anatomical adaptation, which aids in efficient swimming and diving, hinders their ability to generate the necessary running start on land for flight. Sometimes these birds see wet or shiny surfaces, such as wet pavement and they can mistake it for a waterway. They then become stranded. If you find a loon or a similar species of water bird, please call Le Nichoir 450-458-2809 for more instructions. These birds will require rescuing. Once brought to Le Nichoir an x-ray and other diagnostics will be done to determine if the bird is injured. If the bird is in good health, it will be released.

FAQs Archive - Le Nichoir

Q: Hatching vs Fledgling

How can you tell the difference between a wild hatchling and fledgling bird? If you come across a baby bird, it’s important to understand whether it needs help. The key is knowing whether it’s a hatchling or a fledgling . Hatchlings are very young birds, usually just a few days old. They are typically naked or have only a few wisps of down, their eyes may still be closed, and they are completely helpless. They can’t move around, perch, or feed themselves. If you find a hatchling on the ground, it likely fell from the nest and will need help. If it’s safe to do so, gently return it to the nest. Fledglings are older and have most of their feathers. They may still look a bit fluffy and awkward, but their eyes are open and they can hop, flutter, and perch. For most species it’s completely normal to see fledglings on the ground. They've left the nest and are learning to fly and their parents are usually nearby, still caring for them. It is important that you identify the species before deciding on a un-necessary rescue.This can be done by sending a photo or video to Le Nichoir at info@lenichoir.org for identification.