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Cedar Waxwing...read about this nomadic wanderer below
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Wild Bird Habitat Store's North Lincoln Store Has Migrated
Wild Bird Habitat's north Lincoln location is now at 4900 Dudley St. That's right! Wild Bird Habitat migrated north across the street from the little white house to 4900 Dudley. Our main entrance is on the west side of the building.
Lincoln's Wild Bird Habitat Stores. Serving Nebraska birders since 1993
Wild Bird Habitat Stores
South Lincoln / Alamo Plaza / 56th & HWY 2
and now in our new re-location at
North Lincoln / 4900 Dudley Street
Just across the street from our former location at the little white house
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Michael Forsberg's "FOLLOW THE WATER"
Details below
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August News Notes:
- Hummingbirds will be back by the middle of the month.
- Neo-Tropical birds will be gone or on the move by months end.
- Quiet times will soon be here as birds will be in full molt.
- Young Cardinals and other birds will be at the feeders now on their own.
- Fierce territorial defense will be coming to an end.
- Shorebirds will begin appearing on mud flats as they slowly drift south.
- Goldfinches, Doves and Cedar Waxwings will still be on the nest
- Keep the suet feeder filled as it will remain a popular treat for woodpeckers.
- Hot summer days, molting, and the availability of a new crop of natural foods may temporarily slow visits to the bird feeders.
Read more about Wild Bird Habitat's August news in
Dave's August Bird Chatter
below
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| TIPS ON ATTRACTING HUMMINGBIRDS BELOW |
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VORTEX BINOCULARS & SPOTTING SCOPES
Unlimited Lifetime Warranty
SEE THE DIFFERENCE
Now 10% OFF
Available at our south Lincoln location only
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Dave's August Bird Chatter Below
What our birds are up to this month
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FOLLOW THE WATER
"Follow the Water" is a journey down the Platte River, exploring where our water comes from and why we should care. This documentary follows photographer Michael Forsberg and videographer Pete Stegen as they travel 1,300 miles by bike, canoe and foot from one end of the Platte River Basin to the other. View Trailer
Saturday, Aug. 18
7:30 &10:30 p.m. Central Time
on NET
Explore more about the Platte River at
A Watershed in Motion
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Bird of the month
Cedar Waxwing
Cedar waxwings are a medium sized bird approximately 6 to 7 long and weighing around 2 ounces. They are smaller and browner than their close relative, the Bohemian Waxwing (which breeds farther to the north and west). It is a "silky, shiny collection of brown, gray, and lemon-yellow, accented with a subdued crest, black mask. These birds' most prominent feature is a small cluster of red wax-like droplets on tips of secondary flight feathers on the wings, a feature they share with the Bohemian Waxwing. The wings are "broad and pointed, like a starling's. The tail is somewhat short, and square-tipped with a terminal band on the end that is typically yellow or orange depending on diet.
CLICK to learn more about the Cedar Waxwing
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Pioneers Park Nature Center's
HerbFest |
Friends of the Nature Center
HERBAL FEST
SATURDAY, AUGUST 11
BEGINNING AT 3:00 pm
GET MORE INFORMATION AND REGISTER AT
or call: (402) 441-7895
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Online Bird ID and Bird ID Apps
Details below
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August is Time For Hummingbirds On The Great Plains
One of the most sought after birds in the backyard are hummingbirds. They are fairly easy to attract although they only occur in the
Central Great Plains and portions of the Midwest during the spring and fall migration. The balance of the summer is to
o
hot and dry
on the Plains
and the hummingbirds that pass through
in spring
continue their trip further north where it is heavily wooded and much cooler.
There is a variety of hummingbird feeder styles and most all prove to be functional. But a good quality hummingbird feeder will provide many years of service, will be easy to obtain replacement parts for, and some carry a lifetime guarantee. When purchasing a hummingbird feeder select one that either has bee guards or recessed ports that deter bees from feeding on the nectar. An ant guard is another feature that is built into some feeders, or an ant guard can be added to any of the feeders on the market. Although water is recommended to put in the ant guard to prevent ants from accessing the nectar, I prefer to use about 1" of vegetable oil. It works just as well and will not evaporate giving added protection.
Many people like to make homemade nectar for the hummingbird feeder. (one part sugar, no artificial sweeteners, to four parts boiling water. Dissolve well and refrigerate. Never add any coloration) Homemade nectar requires changing at least every other day to prevent harmful bacteria from forming which develops from the refined sugar. Commercial nectars are safer and only require changing once a week. Hang the hummingbird feeder in a shady spot if possible and have them ready by the second week of August. For more information on attracting hummingbirds stop by either Wild Bird Habitat Store.
CLICK to read more on attracting hummingbirds including tips and fun hummingbird facts
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| Why Mourning Doves make noise when they take off in flight Learn why below |
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ARNIE'S CORNER
A division of the Wild Bird Habitat Stores
Up Coming Events Sponsored in part by Arnie's Pet Food Store
- August 11, 10 AM - 2 PM: HUSKER DOGFEST / dogfest.unl.edu - On UNL City Campus
- September 2, 5 PM - 9 PM: 2nd Annual DOG BOWL In the Pinewood Bowl at Pioneers Park - watch for more details
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| Our Best Squirrel Proof Bird Feeders Check them out below |
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Dave's August Bird Chatter
By months end, most of our Neo-tropical birds will have departed or will be gathering to do so. Orioles, Rose Breasted Grosbeaks, and Tanagers are just a few of those who must get an early start. Purple Martins and Chimney Swifts will be forming pre-migratory roosts as they get ready to depart. Most birds weigh a scant two to four ounces and travel to South and Central America for the most part. Some of these birds will travel the almost 600 miles non-stop across the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico. That is quite a feat by any standards especially for a hummingbird that weighs as little as two grams, less than a penny.
CLICK to read more of Dave's Bird Chatter
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- Want to learn more about the birds of Nebraska?
- When to look for seasonal birds?
- What areas of Nebraska specific birds occur?
Nebraska Birds - Online provides data for more than 500 birds that occur in Nebraska. Easily search for birds in alphabetical order or enter a specific bird in the search box for easy to understand information about a bird . Includes maps to show where the bird permanently resides or migrates through.
This is a free online service continually updated as birds are dynamic and ever changing. Check it out at:
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FREE - Online Guide to Birds of North America
This online guide to North American Birds features over 800 species of birds in 22 Orders and 74 families. The guide covers all of North America's regular breeding birds - as well as non-breeding species that regularly or occasionally visit North America, north of Mexico.
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FREE - Guide to Birds of North America APP
I never thought I'd leave the hard copy field guide of birds in my car when I took a bird walk. But this bird guide APP has become my primary guide to birds
.
Best of all it's free. Available for I-Phone and Android from your APP store.
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Song Sleuth APP - ID Birds by Calls
Song Sleuth is a fun and easy way to learn birding by ear. Everywhere you go, Song Sleuth can listen to the birds singing around you, and instantly show you the most likely bird species that it heard. The app provides all the tools you need to determine which is the correct bird. Save and share your recordings, and learn about each bird with the built-in David Sibley Bird Reference. Available for I-Phone and Android from your APP store.
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FREE - Bird Identification Guide - MERLIN BIRD ID
Free, instant bird ID help for 2,000+ North, Central, and South American, and European birds.
Answer five simple questions about a bird you are trying to identify and Merlin will come up with a list of possible matches. Merlin offers quick identification help for all levels of bird watchers to learn about North America
Snap a photo of a bird, or pull one in from your camera roll, and Merlin Photo ID will offer a short list of possible matches. Photo ID works completely offline, so you can even identify birds in the photos you take when you are far from cell service.
World-Class Content, Professional bird photos, ID text, sounds, range maps
Available for I-Phone and Android from your APP store from
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ALL ABOUT BIRDS
Your online guide to birds and bird watching free from the Cornell Bird Lab. Use this Bird Guide to identify birds, learn about the life history, listen to the sounds, and watch bird behavior on video
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Guide to Birds of North America version 7 includes over 6,500 color photos, 1,400 songs, 552 videos, 700 quizzes, side-by-side comparisons and more. Available at Wild Bird Habitat Stores on flash drive or download at:
Download online
save $5.00 using the code
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Identify Plants With An APP
PLANT SNAP
PlantSnap is a mobile app that helps you identify plants, flowers, trees, cacti and mushrooms. Simply snap a photo of the plant, and PlantSnap tells you what it is!
PlantSnap can currently recognize 90% of all known species of plants and trees, which covers most of the species you will encounter in every country on Earth.
Available for I-Phone and Android from your APP store for $3.99
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Wild Bird Habitat's Squirrel Proof Bird Feeder Selection
When it comes to squirrels, Wild Bird Habitat doesn't only have you covered with our functional squirrel baffles, we offer a large variety of squirrel proof bird feeders, several with lifetime warranties, and all that can be repaired, not tossed because of any damage.
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Des Moines Wild Bird Feeds
Now in new packaging
More about Des Moines Feed below
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The Wild Bird Habitat Stores
are proud members of the
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Why do Mourning Doves make a distinctive sound when they fly off?
Unlike other birds which take to flight silently, Mourning Doves make a very distinctive whistling sound which is clearly heard each time they fly off. The reason is that taking off takes a lot of effort faster wing beats and different angulation of the wings than in level flight the wings have to almost touch on upbeat and down beat and the speed of the wing flap is so fast that their legs have to propel them up before the wings come down on the bottom of the down stroke with the air pressure the end primary feathers distort and on the up stroke at top come apart and the air escapes this creates the whirring sounds we know so well.
- Mourning Doves will eat as much as 12 to 20 percent of their body weight daily, averaging roughly 71 calories.
- The Mourning Dove is the most widespread and abundant game bird in North America. Every year hunters harvest more than 20 million, but the Mourning Dove remains one of our most abundant birds with a U.S. population estimated at 350 million.
- During the breeding season, you might see three Mourning Doves flying in tight formation, one after another. This is a form of social display. Typically the bird in the lead is the male of a mated pair. The second bird is an un-mated male chasing his rival from the area where he hopes to nest. The third is the female of the mated pair, which seems to go along for the ride.
- Mourning Doves forage on the ground, and in heavily hunted areas they may inadvertently eat fallen lead shot causing lead poisoning. It has been reported doves have eaten up to 43 pellets. Studies have found this problem is worst around fields specifically planted to attract the doves, and that about 1 in 20 doves ingest lead pellets.
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Why Dog Dental Care Is Important
Arnie's Pet Foods Tells Why below
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Our Audubon Wild Bird Feed!
Where did it go???
Well we are glad to say that Des Moines Feed has the same great product but under a new brand name.
Please welcome...
The Des Moines Wild Bird Feed Blends.
Dear Valued Customers,
Des Moines Feed Co. has updated one of its brands to reflect the changing times. Effective March 1, 2018 the Des Moines Feed Audubon Brand Wild Bird Feed, will be rebranded to the "Des Moines Wild Bird Feed Blends". You will see a change in the design of bags. You WILL NOT see any difference in the sizes, and there WILL NOT be any change to Des Moines Feed wild bird feeds inside.
The new design is a clear package made from recycled materials and can be recycle as #4 materials. This clear packaging allows our customers to see the air-cleaned grains. Included on the front is the "verified" NON-GMO logo. Wild Bird Habitat is proud to offer our customers the Des Moines Feed Company brand name and thank you for your continued support of our products and services.
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| Attractor Suet Plugs below - highly nutritious #1 suet plugs on the market
Check them out below |
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ARNIE
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a division of Wild Bird Habitat
Dental Care For Your Dog
Did you know 70% of all dogs will develop some form of periodontal disease in their lifetime? The cause is plaque build up on the teeth. It can create gum disease, cavities, and loss of teeth. More serious problems can occur when the plaque becomes absorbed in the blood and travelers to the heart potentially plugging arteries.
Stop by Arnie's Pet Foods in the Alamo Plaza at 56th & HWY 2 and check out our line of pet care dental products. Ask our canine consultants why caring for your dogs teeth is an important part of your canine companions over health and well being.
Arnie's recommends regular brushing, dental chews, and check-ups a part of your pet's health care routine.
Our mission at Arnie's Pet Food Store is to provide the highest quality line of dog and cat foods produced by family owned and operated facilities where the safety of their pet foods and biologically appropriate nutrition is first and foremost.
Check out our product line of
all natural complete nutrition
dog and cat foods:
Alamo Plaza
56th & Hwy 2
Lincoln, NE 68516
(402) 904-3573
On Staff CANINE CONSULTANTS
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Get out in nature this winter with the help of
THE PIONEERS PARK NATURE CENTER
check out activities through August at
Healthy kids and adults play outdoors
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PEANUT BIRD FEEDERS
One of Dave's favorite and bird feeders
Check out Dave's photos below
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Peanut Feeders - A picture is worth a thousand words
photos by Dave of Wild Bird Habitat
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Brome Bird Care
Squirrel Proof Bird Feeders
Check out these amazing feeders below |
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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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Environmentally friendly feeders!
Check out Birds Choice professional feeders below
Made in the USA / Lifetime warranty |
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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SQUIRREL PROOF
BIRD FEEDERS
2 YEAR TO LIFETIME WARRANTIES
BROME
BIRD CARE
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Did you know the Wild Bird Habitat Stores not only offers 21 varieties of wild bird feeds, but also has a full line of poultry feeds, and pigeon feeds? And all our feeds are NON-GMO, pesticide free, and premium grade. Ask our staff if you raise poultry or pigeons for more information.
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Nebraska - A top birding region in North America
Learn below where to go birding in Nebraska |
Nebraska - A top birding region in North America
Learn below where to go birding in Nebraska |
Hard copy field guide or APP?
Get free bird ID APPS below from Cornell Bird Lab |
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WHERE TO GO BIRDING IN NEBRASKA
A top North American Birding Area
Listing more than 400 bird watching sites across the state of Nebraska. From the Missouri River Valley to the panhandle's rugged Pine Ridge, you'll find world class bird watching, scenic vistas, and a remarkable Nebraska Heritage around every corner.
nebraskabirdingtrails.com
Bird watching in seven counties in Eastern Nebraska. Find birding sites right out your backdoor in Cass, Dodge, Douglas, Lancaster, Sarpy, Saunders, and Washington counties.
nebraskametrobirding.com
Central Nebraska, one of the major migratory routes on the continent. From Sandhill Cranes to Prairie Chickens, shore birds to prairie dog towns, it's an incredible journey you don't want to miss.
nebraskaflyway.com
Chicken Dance Birding Trail, 27 counties in Southwestern Nebraska
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Wildlife Rescue needs your help
Lear below how you can help |
Deter squirrels and blackbirds with Nutra Safflower & regular safflower
Everything you need to know - scroll down |
Project BEAK
Bird Education Awareness for Kids
Connect kids with birds below |
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Want to know what birds birders are seeing in your area?
Want to let other birders know what birds you see?
Its fun and easy at
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Wild Bird Habitat Stores
recipients of the 2015
Best U.S. Birding Retailer
from
Gold Crest Distribution, Birding Business Magazine
& leaders in 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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Caged Peanut Feeders -
Feed woodpeckers not squirrels & starlings
photos by Dave of Wild Bird Habitat
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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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During spring and early summer dozens of migrating and nesting birds become injured or orphaned. Volunteers are needed to help these birds recover and return to the wild.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Founded in 1979, Wildlife Rescue Team, Inc is a non-profit, independent, all volunteer organization dedicated to raising and rehabilitating Nebraska's injured and orphaned wildlife for eventual release back into their natural habitats. Wildlife Rescue Team, Inc relies solely on private private donations and contributions, membership fees, and donations of products for the benefit of ongoing rehabilitation efforts.
YOU CAN HELP
There is always a need for cash donations as well as wildlife rehabilitators, phone volunteers, people willing to build cages, locations for animal releases, people to pick up injured or orphaned animals to transport to drop off locations, local businesses to provide discounts for supplies, and veterinarian assistance.
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South Lincoln Location. |
Wild Bird Habitat Store
South Lincoln, NE location
5601 South 56th Street
In the Alamo Plaza
(402) 420-2553
North Lincoln, NE location
4900 Dudley Street
(402) 464-4055
Toll Free Phone: (800) 606-2553
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