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Blue Jay
This common, large songbird is familiar to many people, with its familiar crest; blue, white, and black plumage; and loud noisy calls. Blue Jays are members of the Corvids, known for their intelligence and complex social systems. They maintain tight family bonds. Their fondness for acorns has given them the nickname of the "harvester bird". Their caching away of nuts has been spreading oak trees since last glacial period.
Learn more about Blue Jays
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Dave's July Bird Chatter
After the cool spring weather relented and it finally warmed up our migrating birds finally made it to their nesting grounds. Wrens seem to be successfully nesting. Purple Martins are fledging their young, and Bluebirds appear to be having a good season with many folks enjoying them for the first time after installing nest boxes. Many people have Orioles, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, and Indigo Bunting gracing their yards. The length of time they visit the bird feeders depends on where you live and how vigilant you are to keep their food available. Summer bird feeding has been most enjoyable with a good variety of birds visiting well stocked feeders. Read more Bird Chatter
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More people are discovering the fun of attracting Blue Jays to their backyards. And one of the Jays favorite foods? Peanuts in a shell. Yes...Jays are boisterous and loud, but they are comical and entertaining as well. They provide a great service to the other birds acting as an early warning device by sounding the alarm when a predator shows up. At times they may sound a false alarm, allowing themselves easy access to the bird feeder. I often hear about their more dire acts, such as nest robbing. At times they can over power other birds. However, few people have actually seen it happen and it is more of an accusation passed down by word of mouth. This action is all part of the natural world birds live in. In reality, free roaming cats take more young birds from the nest than Blue Jays could ever accomplish.
So if you want some additional entertainment in your yard, put some peanuts in the
shell on a platform feeder for the Blue Jays. You may need to add a squirrel baffle to prevent these daylight robbers from stealing them. But once the peanuts are offered, it won't take long for the fun to begin. Watch the Jays as they pick a peanut and drop it, and repeat this process. They are testing for weight to determine which peanut has the most meat inside. You'll learn to identify each Jay in their social order as the dominant Jay gets his peanut first right down the chain of command to the most subordinate. At
times they will attempt to take two peanuts at once, which can be quite a challenge for them. Once a Jay acquires their bounty, they may fly to a branch, place the peanut between their toes, and pry it open. Other peanuts may be cached away for a snowy day. This has given the Blue Jay the nickname of "harvester bird' as they plant dozens of trees from stashing nuts.
Give it a try! Whether you toss the peanuts on the ground or put them on a squirrel proof platform, you'll enjoy the fun of attracting Blue Jays. You may want to ration the peanuts as the Jays will work until they are all gone. You may even see an occasional Red-bellied Woodpecker battle for his fair share. And don't be surprised when the peanuts have been consumed or carried off, if the Jays scold you to replenish their favourite treat.
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Wingtips: Dave's Favorite Bird Feeder
Platform Bird Feeders
Elevated platform bird feeders are another of the non-exclusive bird feeders. It does not exclude any birds. Large and small birds alike can access it very easily along with some birds that typically feed on the ground.
- A non-exclusive bird feeder that is very versatile.
- Can be hung or mounted on a pole or post. Some have a roof to protect the seed from inclement weather. Screen or perforated steel or nylon bottoms prevent water from accumulating in the feeder and helps to dry out seed if it becomes wet.
- Available in a variety of durable materials. (Cedar,
metal, recycled plastic and acrylic)
- Recommended feeds: Black oil sunflower seed, safflower seed, sunflower hearts, or any nut based mix combination. Also a good feeder to use with general wild bird mixes.
- A preferred feeder by Northern Cardinals
Excellent bird feeder for peanuts in the shell, shelled peanuts, meal worms, and fruits. We recommend using a squirrel baffle
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Protect Your Bird Feeders
A properly installed and located squirrel baffle or
raccoon baffle will protect your bird feeders. Don't
let the squirrels keep your birds away, damage your
bid feeder, and waste your wild bird feed.
Ask our staff for more details and applications available
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Excuse Our Mess
After 23 years Wild Bird Habitat is expanding, adding additional space to our existing south Lincoln store in the Alamo Plaza. Over the next few months there will be construction taking place. At times it may be a bit disorganized, but we will continue to do business and offer the same great services without interruption. We want to thank all our customers in advance for supporting Lincoln's Wild Bird Habitat Stores and we look forward to offering expanded services and product lines. |
Best selling
Squirrel Proof Bird Feeders
Brome Bird Care line of squirrel proof bird feeders are the only truly guaranteed squirrel proof wild bird feeders! At Wild Bird Habitat Stores you will find a complete line of Brome squirrel proof bird feeders.
Brome Bird Care, located in Knowlton, Quebec, Canada, is home to the Squirrel Buster™ brand of squirrel proof bird feeders. Lead by its founder, Paul Cote, and supported by an impressive list of patents, Squirrel Buster feeders have come to be recognized as the leaders in the squirrel proof category. All Squirrel Buster feeders work the same way. When a squirrel lands on a Squirrel Buster, its weight automatically closes the seed ports, denying access to the seed but not harming the squirrels in any way.
All Brome Bird Care feeders, designed with the planet in mind, are 100% recyclable and certified lead free. They need never be discarded because of a missing part as spare parts are always available. Maintaining, repairing, preserving and recycling are essential for our future.
Brome Bird Care Squirrel Proof Bird Feeders come with warranties from two years to lifetime on the Brome Plus. Parts are always available for repairs even if the factory warranty expires.
"These are our best selling line of squirrel proof bird feeders. Functional squirrel proof bird feeders backed by no-frills factory warranty. Of the Brome Bird Care line of squirrel proof bird feeders, The
BROME CLASSIC and the
BROME PEANUT are our top sellers. You not only have ongoing support from Brome Bird Care but also from the Wild Bird Habitat Stores with our 100% satisfaction guarantee".
Dave of Nebraska's Wild Bird Habitat Stores in Lincoln
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Summer Bird Feeding
Feeding birds during the summer is completely opposite of feeding birds during the winter. In fact each season bring a diversity in bird species as well as activity. During the winter survival is the key. But during the summer the focus is on raising a family. Yes! Each season brings a different variety of birds to our yards to enjoy. Learn more about the joys of
from the Wild Bird Habitat Stores
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Black Oil Sunflower Seed
25 LB Bags - $11.49
- Premium Grade A
- Pesticide Free
- Certified NON-MGO
Some outlets have 20 LB. bags of black oil sunflower seed for just $9.99. Sound like a great deal? Its 4 cents a pound more than Wild Bird Habitat's high quality black oil sunflower seed. Big box stores have 50 LBs. for just $17.99. Most those seeds never reached maturity, were infested with insects, or had
pathogens
and were sold off to economy bird feed packagers at a low cost. You can't fool the birds with low quality wild bird feed or mixes loaded with filler seeds. Trust us. Its like the old adage: "You get what you pay for". Provide quality wild bird feed and you'll attract more and a bigger variety of birds. Wild Bird Habitat has 23 years of experience as backyard bird feeding specialists and we know the difference a quality wild bird feed can make in your backyard.
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This is the time of year when many young birds are beginning to fledge from the nest. On their first attempt they often times end-up on the ground, much like the first time we tried to walk and fell down. Although these birds may seem to flounder, you can bet the parents are nearby to protect, and encourage their offspring. Too many times people will pick these youngsters up with good intentions thinking they are in trouble. However it is best to leave them alone unless they are in immediate peril from a cat or other eminent danger. You may place them back in the nest if you can safely do so. Unlike mammals, handling young birds will not lead to their abandonment by the parents, a common misconception. If you must retrieve a young bird that is in danger, or if it becomes orphaned or injured, you can contact a licensed rehabilitator in your area who will care for them. Once the bird has been rehabilitated they will release them back into the wild.
Birds, Mammals, Reptiles
- Wildlife Rescue, Inc. / Lincoln, NE area / (402) 473-1951
- Wildife Rehab, Inc. / Omaha, NE area / (402) 341-8619
Raptors (Hawks, Owls, Falcons, etc.)
- Raptor Recovery Nebraska / Statewide / (402) 994-2009
Or call the Wild Bird Habitat Store during business hours (402) 420-2553
How to Find a Wildlife Rehabilitator where you live
Get help for orphaned, sick or injured wildlife using this state-by-state listing
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Go birding in Nebraska at
NEBRASKA METRO BIRDING |
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Go birding in Nebraska at
CHICKEN DANCE TRAIL |
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Go birding in Nebraska at
NEBRASKA FLYWAY |
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The Cornell Lab Bird Academy
Broaden your understanding of birds
- Free and premium content for all knowledge levels
- Learn everything-from birding basics to college level ornithology
- Courses, interactives, videos, articles, and all kinds of bird-ology
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Summer Bird Feeding Program Suggestions
Grackle proof bird feeders are an investment that you will enjoy all year long. Many of these feeders carry a Lifetime Warranty and any needed repairs are made right at the Wild Bird Habitat Store.
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BIRD ID APPS
Cornell Bird Lab offers two apps that includes a wizard to help you identify birds. Best of all there is no charge for these apps. Check them out and start identifying the birds you see today.
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Why Should U.S. Bird Enthusiasts Care About
the Canadian Boreal Forest?
The Boreal Songbird Initiative (BSI) is a non-profit organization dedicated to outreach and education about the importance of the North American Boreal Forest to birds, other wildlife, and the global environment.
As the voice for boreal birds, the Boreal Songbird Initiative is committed to protecting the Canadian Boreal Forest-the largest intact forest on Earth-on behalf of the billions of migratory birds that rely on it.
Why is this United States-based organization working on Canadian forests? The North American Boreal Forest-the majority of which is in Canada-is the largest intact forest left on Earth and is critical to North American birds. It also stores remarkable amounts of carbon and is the largest source of unfrozen fresh water on Earth, helping to keep our planet cool and our waters pure. Although we are primarily driven by the need to conserve boreal bird habitat, we recognize that these other values are also important reasons for conserving large portions of this majestic forest.
The mission is to protect critical bird habitat within the boreal forest for the billions of birds that call the boreal home. The BSI supports the
Boreal Forest Conservation Framework
, which calls for the conservation of at least 50% of the boreal forest and the application of leading-edge sustainable development standards in the remaining lands. The boreal forest-North America's bird nursery-is a biodiversity hotspot that sustains billions of migratory birds and countless other wildlife. The race to develop the boreal forest is on, and without science-based conservation strategies much of the forest and the countless values it provides will be gone before we know it.
Each spring, between 1 to 3 billion birds begin making their way up to North America's boreal forest. Some have shorter trips from the Lower 48 while others begin their journeys as far away as southern South America. During peak migration, millions of individual birds may cross the U.S. border into Canada toward the boreal forest on any given day or night. Many species of birds do in fact migrate at night, so that the migration of these huge numbers of birds can go largely undetected. Many will stop in places scattered throughout the U.S. along the way, becoming the beloved backyard birds of spring and fall migration we have come to know and cherish.
Of species regularly found within Canada and the United States:
- 80% of waterfowl species regularly breed in the boreal
- 63% of all finch species regularly breed in the boreal
- 53% of warbler species regularly breed in the boreal
Attend the documentary THE MESSENGER at the Mary Riepma Ross Theater in Lincoln, NE. April 22 - 28, 2016, presented by Nebraska's Wild Bird Habitat Stores.
Wingtip: Although up to 3 billion birds enter the Boreal Forest every spring to breed, more than 6 billion birds migrate out of the Boreal Forest every fall after the nesting season to or through the United States.
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Wild Bird Habitat Stores
recipients of the 2015
Wildlife Communicator Award
from the
Nebraska Wildlife Federation
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Wild Bird Habitat Stores
recipients of the 2015
Earth Keeper Award
from the
Wachiska Audubon Society
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Environmentally Friendly Bird Feeders
Although the durability and natural look of cedar bird feeders continue to be preferred, the new line of feeders made from 100% post consumer recycled plastic is gaining in popularity. Many of these bird feeders have a lifetime warranty against fading, pealing, cracking, and chipping. They clean up like brand new, even after years of use. And speak of easy cleaning, many of the cedar and recycled plastic feeders we stock have removable perforated steel bottoms. This also allows moisture to pass through and the seed to remain dry.
Made in the USA
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Wild Bird Habitat Stores
recipients of the 2015
Best U.S. Birding Retailer
from the
Gold Crest & the Bird Feeding Industry
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Nutra Safflower for Goldfinch
Nyjer thistle seed has traditionally been the preferred seed of the American Goldfinch. The cost of Nyjer seed can vary greatly as it is a product imported to North America from India and Ethiopia and they set the price, and the price is rising once again. Nyjer is an oil seed which is why it is enjoyed so much by finches. In countries where it is grown this seed is crushed and used for cooking oil, much as in North America we crush black oil sunflower and safflower seed for cooking oil.
At Wild Bird Habitat Store we have received many reports and have had personal experience that Goldfinch readily feed on Nutra Safflower seed. In fact they may prefer it over Nyjer thistle seed. This could be a great alternative to supplementing Nyjer thistle seed for attracting Goldfinch. One benefit of Nutra Safflower is that this is a product grown by American farmers.
Nutra Safflower is available in 20 and 50 pound bags at the Wild Bird Habitat Store locations or by bulk quantity.
Internet customers can order Nutra Safflower seed on line. Although Wild Bird Habitat Stores Internet store offers free shipping on orders over $100, there is
no free shipping on wild bird feeds. That allows us to keep our Internet wild bird feed prices low.
Order Nutra Safflower on line.
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Peanut Feeders - A picture is worth a thousand words
photos by Dave of Wild Bird Habitat
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Caged Peanut Feeders -
Feed woodpeckers not squirrels & starlings
photos by Dave of Wild Bird Habitat
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Best Woodpecker Suet Plugs
Attractor High Energy Suet Plugs available at
the Wild Bird Habitat Stores
- Roasted Peanut Attractor Plugs
- Sunflower Attractor Plugs
- No-Melt Peanut Butter Attractor Plugs
By the pack or by the case, woodpeckers love 'em
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Nebraska Birding Trails Website
Has a New Look
The Nebraska Birding Trails was developed in 2003 listing more than 400 birding sites across Nebraska. Chaired by Dave Titterington of Nebraska's Wild Bird Habitat Stores with members of the Nebraska Bird Partnership's Birding Trails Work-group which was comprised of members from government agencies, the University of Nebraska, Nebraska Travel and Tourism, Nebraska Ornithologists Union, and conservation groups and individual birders, it was an immediate success. Recently the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission with the help of Nebraska Educational Television revised the Nebraska Birding Trails website to give it a new look and make navigation locating birding sites easier. We hope you check it out at:
NEBRASKA BIRDING TRAILS
Two other websites developed by the Educational Work-group of the Nebraska Bird Partnership have also been revised.
PROJECT BEAK -
Project BEAK is an interactive, web-based curriculum that contains scientifically accurate information about avian conservation, avian form, function and other adaptations that help birds survive, Nebraska's unique avian biodiversity, Nebraska's threatened and endangered birds, plus video clips, interactive games, quizzes and diagrams, additional resources and links, and classroom lesson plans.
This website is devoted to helping Nebraskans and visitors identify and learn about the over 400 species of birds which can be found in our state. Are you trying to identify a bird you saw? Use "search by characteristics", where you can search by size, color, range, and habitat. Or, you can search or browse the full Nebraska bird list by common name, scientific name, or bird group.
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At the Bird Expo in Mexico, MO the Wild Bird Habitat Stores
received the Best Birding Retailer of 2015 Award
Over the 23 years Lincoln's Wild Bird Habitat Stores have been in business they have received numerous awards. These awards included The Lincoln Journal Star, Howard Wiegers "Conservationist of the Year Award", the Edna Shields "Sharing Nature with Children Award", the "Earthkeeper Award" and "Lyman's Award" from Wachiska Audubon, and the Better Business Bureau's "Integrity Award". On September 30th, 2015, the Wild Bird Habitat Stores were recognized by leaders in the birding industry as the 2015 Best Birding Retailer of the Year by leaders in the biding industry. On October 27th, 2015 at the Nebraska Wildlife Federation's Wildlife Awards Banquet the Wild Bird Habitat Stores were honored
to receive the "2015 Wildlife Communicator Award".
The successes Wild Bird Habitat has been recognized for is only because of the friends and customers our business has generated, our dedicated staff, and all those who continue to support bird conservation, environmental education, and outdoor birding recreation that Wild Bird Habitat has been honored and privileged to partner with over the past 23 years. We thank everyone for their support.
Dave, Linda, & Katie Titterington
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South Lincoln, NE location
5601 South 56th Street
In the Alamo Plaza
North Lincoln, NE location
4840 Orchard Street
in the little white house
Toll Free Phone: (800) 606-2553
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