{"id":2328,"date":"2021-01-20T14:09:59","date_gmt":"2021-01-20T22:09:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/trackersearth.com\/blog\/?p=2328"},"modified":"2021-01-20T17:29:43","modified_gmt":"2021-01-21T01:29:43","slug":"backyard-birding-part-2-of-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/trackersearth.com\/blog\/backyard-birding-part-2-of-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Backyard Birding [Part 2 of 2]"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"2328\" class=\"elementor elementor-2328\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-2dc5ce7 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"2dc5ce7\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-ad33925\" data-id=\"ad33925\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e26494c elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"e26494c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Make a Fine Feathered Friend<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-991bfd9 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"991bfd9\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-eb66058\" data-id=\"eb66058\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1fd568d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"1fd568d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Feed the Birds (tuppence a bag)<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-865c50e elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"865c50e\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-9988e60\" data-id=\"9988e60\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4bfa3aa elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4bfa3aa\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>You can attract more birds to your yard if you offer them a food source, especially in winter. Some people wonder if it\u2019s bad for humans to feed birds because they might become reliant on an artificial food source, or too used to humans, which could put them at risk. But most bird experts agree that it\u2019s okay to feed birds if we take some care about when and how we do it.<\/p><p>Birds don\u2019t hibernate and they have high metabolisms, so they have to stay active and search for food even in the coldest months. In summer there are plenty of bugs and berries for the birds, but in winter there is less food available and high need. This is when they can use our help. Setting up a safe bird feeder is a great way to help resident birds through the leaner months.<\/p><p>When setting up a feeder, which birds you attract depends on where you put the feeder and what food you offer. Here are some different feeder heights for attracting different visitors:<\/p><ul><li><strong>Ground level:<\/strong> mourning doves, sparrows, towhees, juncos<\/li><li><strong>Table level:<\/strong> cardinals, finches, jays<\/li><li><strong>Hanging feeders:<\/strong> titmice, goldfinches, chickadees<\/li><li><strong>Tree trunks:<\/strong> woodpeckers, nuthatches, wrens<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a986b55 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"a986b55\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h5 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Here are Some Basic Bird Feeding Do's and Don\u2019ts<\/h5>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c3bf6ef elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c3bf6ef\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>DO<\/strong><\/span> feed birds in the winter when they can use the help. Be consistent. If you are gone for a few days, they will find food at other feeders or from natural sources. But it can be stressful for them if you are inconsistent with winter feeding.<\/li><li><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>DON\u2019T<\/strong><\/span> feed birds in the summer. Now and then is okay, but there\u2019s plenty of food to be found in summer, and it\u2019s important for young birds to learn how to find food on their own, from natural sources. Two exceptions are hummingbirds and goldfinches, whose higher metabolisms can use a boost year-round.<\/li><li><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>DO<\/strong><\/span> place feeders in a good location.<ul><li>12 feet away from evergreen trees or bushes. Birds can quickly fly this distance and reach safe cover, but predators can\u2019t use it to hide in striking range of the feeder. Place thorny branches around ground-level feeders.<\/li><li>Closer than 3 feet from a window or 30 feet away. That is the optimal distance to avoid accidental bird crashes.<\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>DON\u2019T<\/strong><\/span> let your feeder get too dirty. Bird feeders need to be cleaned out regularly (old food and bird droppings), or bacteria will build-up, and they will become a health risk to birds. If you notice large amounts of seeds are left uneaten, put out a smaller amount.<\/li><li><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>DO<\/strong><\/span> use <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wild-bird-watching.com\/Bird_Seed.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">wild bird seed<\/a>, which is better for birds and the environment. These seeds are the best high-energy snacks:<ul><li>Black-oil sunflower seed<\/li><li>Nyjer seed<\/li><li>Cracked corn (medium-sized is best)<\/li><li>Suet cakes<\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>DON\u2019T<\/strong><\/span> feed birds human foods or table scraps, especially:<ul><li>Bread has no nutritional value, and moldy bread can harm them.<\/li><li>Salted foods, margarine, and vegetable oil are all bad for birds.<\/li><li>Dairy is not digestible.<\/li><li>Chocolate is toxic to birds.<\/li><li>Food scraps are probably not safe in general and will definitely attract rats!<\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>DO<\/strong><\/span> make your backyard into a bird sanctuary by offering food, water, and shelter. And protection from toxic sprays and hungry pets.<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-da72301 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"da72301\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h5 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Make or Modify a Backyard Bird Feeder<\/h5>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a744bff elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a744bff\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>Make:<\/strong> Setting up a bird feeder in your yard will give your kids a great place to observe and identify different birds and to record their observations. \u00a0Here are some environmentally friendly\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/k12\/make-your-own-feeder\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">DIY birdfeeders<\/a>\u00a0from our friends at Cornell University.<\/p><p><strong>Modify:<\/strong> Or you can buy an inexpensive\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Kettle-Moraine-Single-Feeder-Hanging\/dp\/B00677G590\/ref=sr_1_6?dchild=1&amp;keywords=suet+cage+feeder&amp;qid=1611012745&amp;sr=8-6\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">suet cage<\/a>\u00a0and make suet with your kids. Suet is a great energy source for birds in the winter. Plus, it\u2019s easy and fun to make! Here\u2019s a simple recipe:<\/p><p>What you need:<\/p><ul><li>1\u00bd cups lard or shortening (avoid palm oil)<\/li><li>\u00be cup nut butter (any kind)<\/li><li>3\u00bd cups wild bird seed<\/li><li>1 cup oatmeal (unflavored)<\/li><li>\u00bd cup cornmeal<\/li><li>Ice cube tray<\/li><\/ul><p>What you do:<\/p><ol><li>Mix together the seed, oatmeal, and cornmeal.<\/li><li>Melt and stir together the lard\/shortening and nut butter in a separate bowl.<\/li><li>Mix the dry and melted ingredients together.<\/li><li>Spoon into the squares of the ice cube tray.<\/li><li>Freeze for 1-2 hours.<\/li><li>Remove cubes and place them in your suet cage, as needed. Best in winter (not recommended in temps over 50 degrees).<\/li><\/ol>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f9f3e11 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"f9f3e11\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"614\" src=\"http:\/\/trackersearth.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/misty-ladd-zTEXgmip05A-unsplash-1024x786.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-2332\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"http:\/\/trackersearth.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/misty-ladd-zTEXgmip05A-unsplash-1024x786.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/trackersearth.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/misty-ladd-zTEXgmip05A-unsplash-300x230.jpg 300w, http:\/\/trackersearth.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/misty-ladd-zTEXgmip05A-unsplash-768x590.jpg 768w, http:\/\/trackersearth.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/misty-ladd-zTEXgmip05A-unsplash-1536x1179.jpg 1536w, http:\/\/trackersearth.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/misty-ladd-zTEXgmip05A-unsplash-2048x1572.jpg 2048w, http:\/\/trackersearth.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/misty-ladd-zTEXgmip05A-unsplash-scaled.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">Credit: Misty Ladd (Unsplash)<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-1e7f3ff elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"1e7f3ff\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-9e8f8a7\" data-id=\"9e8f8a7\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f011867 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"f011867\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What are Whiskers?<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ee06133 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ee06133\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>It\u2019s best to observe birds using your wide-angle vision\u2014what we at Trackers call your Whiskers. To see with your Whiskers, put both hands in front of your face, then pull them apart until you can barely see them at the far edges of your vision. Animals, including birds, can see and sense when you are focused directly on them. It makes them nervous because that\u2019s what predators do. When you observe birds using your Whiskers, you don\u2019t look directly at them, so they relax and let you get closer. It\u2019s more than just what your eyes are doing. The bird will watch your body language and know when you are overly focused on them (like they\u2019re reading your mind). If you use all your senses and your Whiskers while observing animals, the animal will be more relaxed, you\u2019ll take in more of your environment, and you\u2019ll better understand how the animal relates to its surroundings. It\u2019s a great skill to develop!<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bf9e931 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"bf9e931\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Closing the Gap<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5a92a3b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5a92a3b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Learning to get close to wildlife is a dynamic mix of how you move, how quiet you are, and how accustomed the wildlife is to you. At Trackers, we call all these skills <strong>Closing the Gap<\/strong>. With any wild animal, including birds, Closing the Gap is about exploring the relationship between you, the animal, and the environment.\u00a0<\/p><p><strong>Mission:<\/strong> Challenge your kids to see how close they can get to a bird or group of birds. It will probably take a while to gain a bird\u2019s trust\u2014which means more time outside! Kids can spend an hour a day following these steps:<\/p><p><strong>Part 1<\/strong><\/p><ul><li aria-level=\"1\">Before starting this mission, lock all cats and dogs inside so they don\u2019t scare birds away (or eat them). In fact, if you have a cat, consider using a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.birdsbesafe.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">bird safe collar<\/a> all the time. In America<a href=\"https:\/\/abcbirds.org\/program\/cats-indoors\/cats-and-birds\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> cats kill billions of wild birds every year!<\/a><\/li><li aria-level=\"1\">Set up a feeder so birds are sure to come by.\u00a0<\/li><li aria-level=\"1\">Start out sitting far from the birds\u2019 eating spot. Let the birds get used to you. You\u2019ll know they\u2019re used to you when they don\u2019t fly off or hide when you arrive.\u00a0<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-513b4b2 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"513b4b2\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-998ac52\" data-id=\"998ac52\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-33d866f elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"33d866f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" src=\"http:\/\/trackersearth.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/john-duncan-aYa5CO7VKcE-unsplash-1024x683.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-2333\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"http:\/\/trackersearth.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/john-duncan-aYa5CO7VKcE-unsplash-1024x683.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/trackersearth.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/john-duncan-aYa5CO7VKcE-unsplash-300x200.jpg 300w, http:\/\/trackersearth.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/john-duncan-aYa5CO7VKcE-unsplash-768x512.jpg 768w, http:\/\/trackersearth.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/john-duncan-aYa5CO7VKcE-unsplash-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, http:\/\/trackersearth.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/john-duncan-aYa5CO7VKcE-unsplash-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, http:\/\/trackersearth.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/john-duncan-aYa5CO7VKcE-unsplash-scaled.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">Credit: John Duncan (Unsplash)<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-76216a3 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"76216a3\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-3059e16\" data-id=\"3059e16\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c3a05f0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c3a05f0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>Part 2<\/strong><\/p><ul><li aria-level=\"1\">Once a bird is used to you, it\u2019s time to play Red Light-Green Light. Notice the bird\u2019s body language so you can Close the Gap. When a bird is feeding or singing, it\u2019s comfortable. That\u2019s a Green Light to move closer. When it stops feeding or singing or stiffens its posture, that\u2019s a Red Light and you should freeze. Try acting like a deer and pretend to munch on some grass.<\/li><li aria-level=\"1\">As you move closer, continue watching the bird with your Whiskers. Don\u2019t walk straight towards it either\u2014that\u2019s more predator behavior. Instead, circle around it. You should wander toward the bird gently and with patience, not barge straight through.\u00a0\u00a0<\/li><\/ul><p><strong>Part 3<\/strong><\/p><ul><li aria-level=\"1\">Continue playing Red Light-Green Light as you move closer and closer to the bird. See how close you can get to its foraging spot or perch while respecting what it\u2019s telling you with its body language. Pay Attention to the birds\u2014stop where they tell you to stop. This game is about exploring your relationship with an animal.\u00a0<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-faf9657 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"faf9657\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" src=\"http:\/\/trackersearth.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/hessey-sossah-At3ckBEqsWk-unsplash-1-683x1024.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-2331\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"http:\/\/trackersearth.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/hessey-sossah-At3ckBEqsWk-unsplash-1-683x1024.jpg 683w, http:\/\/trackersearth.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/hessey-sossah-At3ckBEqsWk-unsplash-1-200x300.jpg 200w, http:\/\/trackersearth.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/hessey-sossah-At3ckBEqsWk-unsplash-1-768x1151.jpg 768w, http:\/\/trackersearth.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/hessey-sossah-At3ckBEqsWk-unsplash-1-1025x1536.jpg 1025w, http:\/\/trackersearth.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/hessey-sossah-At3ckBEqsWk-unsplash-1-1367x2048.jpg 1367w, http:\/\/trackersearth.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/hessey-sossah-At3ckBEqsWk-unsplash-1-scaled.jpg 1282w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">Credit: Hessey Sossah (Unsplash)<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-1c56dfd elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"1c56dfd\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-29cb91e\" data-id=\"29cb91e\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f74e7d8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"f74e7d8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">More Resources<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-8f395ea elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"8f395ea\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-bd3d0f8\" data-id=\"bd3d0f8\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d8eba5d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d8eba5d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>If your child enjoys these birding activities, here are some additional resources to check out for more family birding fun:<\/p><ul><li><a href=\"https:\/\/spark.trackersearth.com\/product\/bird-language-basics-2-15\/\">Trackers birding classes<\/a>\u2014expert instructors will ignite your kids\u2019 passion for birding and teach them everything from bird language to identifying local species.<\/li><li>Websites<ul><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">All About Birds<\/a>\u2014this website by Cornell University\u2019s Lab of Ornithology helps you ID birds, learn all about them, listen to recordings of their songs and calls, and watch videos of their behavior. Super comprehensive.<\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.audubon.org\/get-outside\/activities\/audubon-for-kids\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Audubon for Kids<\/a>\u2014chock full of fun facts and activities all about birds.<\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/k12\/quests\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Family Bird Quests<\/a>\u2014part of the Cornell U website, this page has tons of fun birding activities for families to do together.<\/li><\/ul><\/li><li>Apps (all free)<ul><li>eBird\u2014track and upload all your bird sightings.<\/li><li>iBird\u2014ID by color, location, shape, habitat or even by song (Lite version is free).<\/li><li>Merlin\u2014upload a photo or answer 5 questions to discover \u201cWhat\u2019s that bird?\u201d<\/li><li>Audubon Bird Guide\u2014a digital guide with tons of images and bird sounds.<\/li><\/ul><\/li><li>Videos<ul><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Bird-Language-Basics-Jon-Young\/dp\/B0074XHJJ6\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Bird Language Basics with Jon Young<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li>Guidebooks<ul><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Sibley-Guide-Birds-2nd\/dp\/030795790X\/ref=asc_df_030795790X\/?tag=hyprod-20&amp;linkCode=df0&amp;hvadid=312168166316&amp;hvpos=&amp;hvnetw=g&amp;hvrand=11447649115598484553&amp;hvpone=&amp;hvptwo=&amp;hvqmt=&amp;hvdev=c&amp;hvdvcmdl=&amp;hvlocint=&amp;hvlocphy=9061081&amp;hvtargid=pla-434079760006&amp;psc=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Sibley\u2019s Guide to Birds<\/a>\u2014this is a book for adults, but it\u2019s comprehensive and beloved by the birders.<\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.audubon.org\/audubon-birding-adventures-kids-book\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Audubon Birding Adventures for Kids<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/What-Robin-Knows-Secrets-Natural\/dp\/054400230X\/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&amp;keywords=what+the+robin+knows&amp;qid=1611002224&amp;sr=8-1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">What the Robin Knows<\/a> by Jon Young<\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Young-Birders-America-Peterson-Guides\/dp\/0547440219\/ref=sr_1_1?crid=28TYEQNUAIE39&amp;dchild=1&amp;keywords=the+young+birder%27s+guide+to+birds+of+north+america&amp;qid=1610589753&amp;s=books&amp;sprefix=young+birder%27s+guide+to+birds+of+north%2Cstripbooks%2C225&amp;sr=1-1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Young Birder\u2019s Guide to Birds of North America<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Birds-National-Audubon-Society-Guides\/dp\/0590054821\/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&amp;keywords=National+Audubon+Society+First+Field+Guide%3A+Birds&amp;qid=1610589795&amp;s=books&amp;sr=1-1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">National Audubon Society First Field Guide: Birds<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/National-Geographic-Guide-America-Second\/dp\/1426330731\/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&amp;keywords=National+Geographic+Kids+Bird+Guide+of+North+America&amp;qid=1610589886&amp;s=books&amp;sr=1-1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">National Geographic Kids Bird Guide of North America<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Look-That-Bird-Naturalists-Northwest\/dp\/1632173174\/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&amp;keywords=karen+dewitz&amp;qid=1610589962&amp;s=books&amp;sr=1-1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Look at That Bird!: A Young Naturalist&#8217;s Guide to Pacific Northwest Birding<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b8f3519 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b8f3519\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"color: var( --e-global-color-text ); font-family: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-family ), Sans-serif; font-weight: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-weight ); font-size: 1rem;\">I\u2019m really excited about this last series because it\u2019s specific to the Pacific NW, written for kids, and has fun birding activities. Plus the author is a former Trackers writer.<\/span><\/p><p>Winter is a fantastic time for kids to see and interact with birds. Not only are they one of the most common and easiest animals to see, in the wild or in your yard. So arm your kids with some guidebooks or an app, set up a feeder, and get them outside bonding with the fun birds.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In my last backyard birding blog, I wrote about how kids can identify birds based on their size, shape, field marks and song. I also explained some Trackers skills like territory mapping and understanding Bird Language. This week I\u2019ll show you some ways kids can get to know their new feathered friends even better. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":2329,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,7,16,11,12],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2328","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","category-animal-tracking","category-children-outdoors","category-nature-awareness","category-nature-kids"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/trackersearth.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2328","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/trackersearth.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/trackersearth.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/trackersearth.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/trackersearth.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2328"}],"version-history":[{"count":19,"href":"http:\/\/trackersearth.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2328\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2352,"href":"http:\/\/trackersearth.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2328\/revisions\/2352"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/trackersearth.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2329"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/trackersearth.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2328"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/trackersearth.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2328"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/trackersearth.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2328"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}