Birds and Bloom

new year, new blooms: 10 FRESH FAVORITES
Beauty
Be t in Your Own Backyard
d
39 ways to
attract more
SPRING
MELODIES
why birds
sing
CARDINALS!
SAVE $$$ WITH A
WATER-WISE GARDEN
PICK THE PERFECT POT
KNOW YOUR PLANT

HARDINESS ZONE
NORTHERN
CARDINAL
THE # 1
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APRIL I MAY 2017 $3.99 I $4.99

Contents
BIRDS & BLOOMS APRIL I MAY 2017
Listen
to springs
melodies!
52
The stories
behind
bird songs
FEATURES
28
Attract More
Cardinals
Plant with a cardinals shelter,
food and nesting needs in mind.
34
Passing Down
the Trowel
Cherished memories of mothers
and grandmothers in the garden.
40
Know Your Zone
Grow plants that thrive in your
40
Grow for
growing conditions.
your zone
G ARD E N W I T H
34
A P U R PO S E
7 April To-Do List
8 Feeder Talk
Host nesting birds Moms best
10 Essentials garden advice
Pick the perfect pot
12 Top 10
New plants for 2017
18 Yard Smarts
Water-wise garden tips
21 Bird Tales
B A C KYAR D C HAT
45 Ask the Experts
52 Field Guide
Decode bird songs and calls
56 Travel
58 Across the Fence
Backyard blunders
60 Caption This 21 ON THE COVER
A male northern cardinal shows
62 Photo Quiz Bird off his vibrant red plumage.
66 Did You Know? tales Photo by Marie Read.
All about dandelions
New Blooms p. 12
Attract Cardinals p. 28
IN EVERY ISSUE Water-Wise Garden p. 18
4 From the Editor Hardiness Zone p. 40
64 For the Reader Spring Melodies p. 52
FROM THE EDITOR
Gardens need THE

HOT LIST
lightning. Cheri Brandts Croatian grandmother
said this to her 50 years ago, the day after an epic and frightening spring
Kirstens roundup of the
seasons must-sees and -dos.
thunderstorm. Grandma Ruza, only about 4-1/2 feet tall and wearing
her usual printed dress with an apron, went on to say that Cheri should
be thankful for lightning because it wakes up the
seeds in the garden. Today, Cheri, who lives in
Minnesota, tells her own grandchildren not to fear
thunderstorms because the plants need them.
In this garden kickoff issue, read heartfelt
tales of wisdom from mothers and grandmothers
on page 34. The stories are bound to give you
the warm fuzzies and maybe inspire you to share
your own lessons learned in the garden with the
next generation. (Psst! Dont forget Mothers Day is May 14. Moms 1 Capture your firsts!
love flowers or simply a day of working in the garden together!) San Juanita Cespedes of
As you gear up for the growing season, remember your zone. Harlingen, Texas, takes photos
Whether you have no idea what your hardiness zone is or youve of the first blooms on her
magnolia tree each year. She
known it for years, our garden expert explains on page 40 exactly
missed the daylight, but her
what it is and why you need to keep yours in mind.
husband held a flashlight and
Amid all this planting-season excitement, dont forget about the
together they took this photo.
birds! Right now, your feathered friends are on the hunt for a place
to call home. Head to page 8 to learn what to do if a bird family builds
a nest in your backyard. And on page 28, find out how to attract more
cardinals with the plants they need and love most for food, nesting and
shelter. Its easy to entice these bright red beauties year-round with
a few key plantings.
Good luck with this years garden, and happy spring!
KIRSTEN SWEET, EDITOR
P.S. Go monthly! Subscribe to Birds & Blooms Extra for more

of what you love between your regular issues of Birds & Blooms.
Sign up at birdsandblooms.com/plusextra.
2 Clean out your birdhouses.
Attract your favorite
ne w nesters with the guidelines
giveaway! win a feeder!
Perky-Pet is giving five lucky people
at birdsandblooms.com/
birdhouseguidelines.
a large-capacity K-Feeders Super Carousel 3 Join the Birds & Blooms team
bird feeder. It has eight feeding ports and as a volunteer Field Editor. Find
TREE SWALLOW: JOHN PIZNIUR
perches and holds up to 8 pounds of seed. more info at birdsandblooms

Plus, theres a baffle to .com/fieldeditors.
keep seed dry during
bad weather. Enter 4 Soak up spring migration on
at birdsandblooms the East Coast at New Jersey
.com/contests by Audubons Cape May Spring
March 30, 2017. Festival (May 19-21).
4 birdsandblooms.com APRIL I MAY 2017

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BACKYARD
Best flowering trees
to perk up your MORE STORIES & PHOTOS
BIRDS wer picks spring landscape
of your favorite birds, blooms
tufted titm
other freq
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Secrets to ice andDOS
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GARDEN WITH A PURPOSE
Purple Power
Grow elegant wisteria in your backyard and win over
the neighborhood birds, butterflies and bees.
BRING ON
THE BEES
Add a touch of
romance to
your garden with
garlands of
American wisteria
in Zones 5 to 9.
Pollinators love
to visit its long,
fragrant vines.
TO-DO LIST
April
Prepare your backyard
for an eastern bluebird
family. These birds start
house hunting early,
so clean out last years
birdhouse and make sure
its mounted about 5 to
10 feet off the ground.
Prune summer-flowering
shrubs, including American
wisteria and blue spirea,
to encourage masses of
nectar-laden blooms.
Fill your bird feeders

daily with sunflower seeds.
Natural food is in short
supply in early spring, but
migration is in full swing.
BILL LEAMAN
APRIL I MAY 2017 birdsandblooms.com 7

FEEDER TALK
HOME
TWEET HOME
American robins
typically construct
their nests in
trees and shrubs
below a layer of
dense leaves, as in
this red-flowered
crabapple.
THE FEED
Say Yes
to the Nest
Heres what to do when you come face-to-beak Robin
with a feathered family. BY R ACHAEL LISK A nestlings
CITIZEN SCIENCE
irds gather twigs, maybe youve lingered too long and Become a certified NestWatch
B twine and anything

they can get their
beaks on to create
theyre waiting for you to scram.
Even spooked birds most likely
will return within a day or two.
monitor; visit active nests every
three to four days and report
your findings to the Cornell Lab
of Ornithology. Get started at
a cozy home for their families this On the off chance that the
nestwatch.org.
time of year. With an increasing loss pair does not return, it probably
of natural habitat, its only a matter means the eggs are not viable. Give
of time until a budding brood moves
into your backyard.
yourself plenty of time to come to
this conclusion, however, and dont Thanks for this
discard any nest or its contents day, for all birds
A nest near your entryway without first reaching out to your safe in their nests,
Where a bird chooses to build a local wildlife agency.
nest is not always convenient for for whatever this is,
A bird out of the nest
its human hosts. But remember,
it isnt every day that youre given If the little one youve found has
for life.
BARBARA KINGSOLVER

a front-row seat to one of the feathers, its best not to interfere.
most exciting cycles of nature. That bird, called a fledgling, most
If possible, be hospitable and find likely left the confines of the nest PROTECTED BY LAW
another way to enter your home. on purpose. While it cant fly yet, Most birds and their nests are
Your feathered visitors stay only a fledging spends a couple of days protected by the Migratory
for a handful of weeks. Alert wandering around, hiding in shrubs Bird Treaty Act, which states
anyone who might frequent the or low branches. Rest assured that it is illegal to take, possess,
import, export, transport, sell,
LEFT: MARIE READ; TOP RIGHT: ROLAND JORDAHL; BOTTOM RIGHT: DANNY BROWN
door, and keep pets away from its folks are waiting in the wings
nearby. In fact, you may even hear purchase or barter any part
the nesting area.
of a nest or eggs unless you
If theres no alternative way to their scolding calls if you get too
hold a valid permit.
enter, contact your local wildlife close to their little one.
agency to ask for assistance. However, if you find a hatchling,
which is a very young bird with A robin with
Moving a nest on your own may a mouthful
technically violate the law, and no feathers, it probably fell out by of nesting
although some birds, like house accident. In this case, gently place material.
sparrows and starlings, arent the youngster back in the nest. If
protected by these laws, most the nest is not accessible, set the
bird species are covered. nestling in a small container filled
with shredded paper towel. Fasten
Abandoned nest with eggs it to the tree trunk or place it in
Its unlikely the adults have left a nearby shrub in hopes its parent
their eggs. Many birds dont start will care for it. Its a common myth
incubating until the last egg is that birds abandon their babies
laid, which is why you might not upon human contact. But be sure
see the parents for some time. Or to wash your hands after contact.

ESSENTIALS
Perfect
for gardener
who want tos
get creative.
TERRA-COTTA
Pros: An all-time classic, terra-cotta looks good
holding practically any sort of plant, and its
STONE porous surface means a decreased chance of
Pros: Strong and sturdy in all weather, a stone root rot. Plus, style options are limitless with
container insulates well against extreme temps. the addition of a fresh coat of paint.
Cons: Due to the heavy weight, stone pots are Cons: It absorbs moisture, which means pots
difficult to move around. Color options are also are susceptible to cracking in freezing weather,
limited, and proper drainage can be tricky. and plants need to be watered more often.
Find the Perfect Pot
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With endless options on the market, choose the right
home for every potted plant on your porch.
PLASTIC
Pros: Easy on the wallet, plastic pots come
in all shapes, sizes and colors. Soil retains
moisture, so gardeners can water their plants
less frequently. There are also self-watering
varieties for an even more hands-off approach.
Cons: This material may fade in the sun, and a
strong wind can blow one of these lightweights
over if its not properly weighted down.
RESIN & FIBERGLASS

Pros: Colors wont fade as fast compared to plastic, and theres
a multitude of choices when it comes to design and size, so these
containers mesh with any gardeners style and space.
Cons: Single-walled containers crack easily in subzero temps,
and if they undergo power-washing, they may be susceptible to
fraying. Resin and fiberglass options may also be more expensive
than their plastic counterparts.

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TOP 10
The Latest
and Greatest
Roll out the red carpet for 2017s brand-new plants. BY CRYSTAL RENNICKE
CONTAINER CARE
Keep your pansies and
other container plants
healthy by watering
regularly and maintaining
a thin top layer of mulch.
2
1 Cool Wave 2 Lemonade
Morpho pansy cosmos
VIOLA X WITTROCKIANA, COSMOS BIPINNATUS,
ZONES 5 TO 9 ANNUAL
Beautify the growing Quench your thirst for
3
season with cool-season all things citrus with
pansies. With delightful a cosmos in a rare,
delicately faded yellow
1: COURTESY OF COOL WAVE; 2: THOMPSON & MORGAN; 3: COURTESY OF PROVEN WINNERS, PROVENWINNERS.COM; 4: DOREEN WYNJA FOR MONROVIA
color and a spreading

and trailing growth habit, shade. The very first
theyre perfect for spring yellow cosmos bipinnatus
and autumn containers. on the market, this 3 Vista Fuchsia Supertunia
One of the first plants you beauty bursts to lemony PETUNIA HYBRID, ANNUAL
see in spring, its among life with a lush mass of A new line of the popular Vista Bubblegum Supertunia
the surest signs that flowers on strong 24-inch series, this fancy petunia packs a lot of color and blooms
winter is on its way out. stems throughout the hot on its sturdy stems. An annual, its bound to be the
Why we love it: These summer season. highlight of your containers, and it looks stunning
colorful pansies bloom for Why we love it: paired with other vigorous growers, such as sweet
a long time. Thats just one Its delicate, subtle color is potato vine.
of the benefits of the Cool more of a yellow wash or Why we love it: This low-maintenance, disease-
Wave brand. a tinge of yellow on white. resistant flower does not need deadheading.
GET SET FOR SUCCESS Consider every season, and slot in plants with different bloom
times to ensure a succession of blossoms throughout the year. You should also group
plants with similar light, water and soil requirements for best growth results.
4 Strawberry Shake hydrangea

HYDRANGEA PANICULATA, ZONES 4 TO 8
For a spectacular summer display, plant
a delightful new hydrangea. Sturdy
stems support large flower heads that
start out white and mature to a delicate
pink. Plant it as a foundation planting, in
borders or in containers.
4
Why we love it: A smaller hydrangea,
the shrub is ideal for little areas that need
color in the landscape. It is also perfect
for cut flower arrangements.

TOP 10
6 7
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6 Poco Sunset 7 Boulevard
dwarf red hot poker Nubia clematis
KNIPHOFIA, ZONES 6 TO 9 CLEMATIS, ZONES 4 TO 9
Pack a ton of color into Blooming prolifically in
a smaller space! The spring and reblooming in
5
bicolor red-orange and summer, Boulevard Nubia
orange petals on this adds charm to your yard.
sunny dwarf red hot poker With compact growth, it
make it a favorite with thrives with a flourish of
hummingbirds. Its short blooms in small places or
5 Under the Sea coleus growth habit at 16 inches in large planters. It climbs
COLEUS, ANNUAL tall, its deer resistance 4 to 6 feet tall when its
For a stylish coleus selection, check out Hort Coutures and its drought tolerance supported with an upright
Under the Sea collection. These sophisticated yet make it a favorite with training structure.
reliable annuals feature attractive colors and texture gardeners everywhere. Why we love it: The
along with distinctive foliage. Try Fish Net with its Why we love it: dark red, almost crimson
wine and chartreuse colors or Copper Coral for its The remarkable color color is stunning growing
striking gold and copper foliage. keeps going until late up a trellis.
Why we love it: These striking coleus plants look as summer, even in its
if they were found on the ocean floor. first season.
PRACTICE PLANTING PATIENCE Many of these fresh faces are so new that they
may not be readily available at the garden center just yet, but they will be eventually.
While you wait, plan how to use them in your garden next year!
8 Compact Fire Red

SunPatiens
IMPATIENS X HYBRIDA, ANNUAL
Heat up containers and flower baskets
with fiery scarlet red impatiens. True
to their name, they thrive in sun to part
sun and are also heat-tolerant. Glossy
green leaves serve as a backdrop to the
8
showy flowers.
Why we love it: All gardeners
appreciate a plant with a strong
resistance to downy mildew.

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TOP 10
9 Graceful Grasses
Prince Tut
Egyptian papyrus
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The newest member of
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of the sedge family at a
perfect in-between size
of 30 to 38 inches tall.
Why we love it:
The smaller stems have
large poms at their ends,
which add whimsical flair
to containers without
flopping over midsummer.
EVEN MORE
TO TRY IN 2017
Ritzy Rose yarrow
(Achillea millifolium):
Compact hot pink
blossoms that fade to
pastel. Zones 4 to 8.
Blue Enchantress
hydrangea (Hydrangea
macrophylla): A repeat
bloomer with heavy
9: COURTESY OF PROVEN WINNERS - PROVENWINNERS.COM; 10: JOHN GLOVER/ALAMY STOCK PHOTO

clusters of purplish blue
9 flowers in acid soil and

pinkish ones in alkaline
soil. Zones 4 to 9.
10 Ornamental Mint Mini mint

MENTHA REQUIENII, ANNUAL
Grow this fragrant mint as an attractive
ground cover or as a small potted plant
to cheer up your backyard. Its petite
scented leaves spread quickly to fill in
small spaces. Sold as multiseed pellets,
it is super simple to start from seed or
direct sowing.
Why we love it: A quickly spreading
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10
Crystal Rennicke is a writer in
Wisconsin. She looks forward to the
new plant introductions every year.
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YARD SMARTS
7 Ways to Be
Water-Wise
Quench your gardens thirst and save
time and money on watering, too.
RISE AND SHINE!

Water your plants,
like the sedge,
Autumn Joy sedum
SAXON HOLT/PHOTOBOTANIC; TOP RIGHT: DAVID AUSTIN ROSES
and artemisia shown

here, first thing in
the morning, when
temps are cool
and evaporation
rates are low.

I
ts possible to reduce
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20 to 50 percent with
3 Spread mulch. It prevents
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a few easy changes. To keep your add to the planting area. A layer
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prime, try these tips from the for your buck. Organic types are
National Garden Bureau and the best; try grass clippings free of
Gardeners Supply Co. weedkillers, evergreen needles
and shredded leaves.
1 Use organic matter, such

as compost, chopped-up
leaves or composted manure, 4 Be extra frugal and capture
all of the free water you
to supplement your soil. These
organic materials increase the
can by placing rain barrels or a
cistern at your downspouts. A OUR
water-holding capacity of soil. 1,000-square-foot roof collects COUNTRY
A good rule of thumb is to add about 625 gallons of water from HOME
1 inch of compost per year. just 1 inch of rain.
CONTEST
2 Give your plants a solid
soak. While sprinklers get
the job done, a soaker hose is
5 Know the characteristics
of your planting site, such
as the amount of sun and shade
Give us a peek into
your home or garden
even better. It applies the water it receives, soil type and wind
and you could win
directly to the soil by the roots,
so up to 90 percent is actually
conditions. Make a plan to group
plants with similar needs.
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Its the place we gather with
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from rain, so once established, precious moments. In at least
they require less attention. If 500 words, tell us all about
youre looking for perennials your favorite spot in your
suited for drought conditions,
house or garden, and share
your best bet is usually native
plants that are adapted to your
six photos of that beautiful
climate and soil type. place you call home. Visit
birdsandblooms.com/contests
7 Keep up with garden chores.

Healthy plants mean less
work! When you stay on top of
to see contest categories
and official rules.
tasks such as weeding, thinning CONTEST ENDS JULY 7, 2017.
and pruning, you add to the
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BIRD TALES
Soar Into the Season

Take a moment to appreciate natures glory with
breathtaking reader photos and stories.
Last May,
I dedicated myself to
a big month of birding,
going out for at least one
hour a day every day. To
accomplish this, I often
went bird-watching at a
nearby cemetery over my
lunch hour. Toward the end
of the month, this brown
thrasher posed nicely for
me on top of a hedgerow.
Travis Bonovsky
BROOKLYN CENTER,
MINNESOTA

BIRD TALES
Painted
buntings
never fail to catch my
eye with their brilliant
array of colors. This
particular bunting was
perched on a thistle.
I took its photo two
springs ago in the
Texas Hill Country.
Bill Draker
BANDERA, TEXAS
I took this
picture of a young
killdeer at Peaceful Valley
Ranch in Theodore
Roosevelt National Park
in North Dakota. I used
my Nikon D5200 camera
to get the shot.
Albert Myran
DICKINSON, NORTH DAKOTA

WARBLER
WATCH
Listen for the cheerful

song of yellow warblers
during spring migration.
They sing sweet-sweet,
Im so sweet.
As an avid
bird-watcher
and photographer, it was
a thrill to capture this little
yellow warbler, one of
my favorite birds, during
migration season. Warblers
tend to move around a lot
and dont sit still for very
long. I took quite a few
shots of this bird, most
of which didnt turn out.
I was very excited when
I discovered this gem of
a photo among the duds.
Kris Chelf
COUNCIL BLUFFS, IOWA
An American
robin came to play
in the water of a small
birdbath on my back
deck. It dipped its head
in the water and turned
around and around. The
bird had fun splashing and
making water droplets fly.
I snapped several photos,
hoping to capture the
water movement as well
as the motion of its wings.
Mary Jo Mantey
PORT AUSTIN, MICHIGAN
SPLISH SPLASH!
Baths are a surefire way
to attract more birds. Any
shallow dish filled with an
inch of water will do.

BIRD TALES
This was the grumpiest bluebird the couple to stick around. It

on the block. Ive seen these birds worked! A few weeks later, the
nest box was full of pale blue
only rarelyand never one in our eggs. Not long after that, little
backyardbut last April, this male chirps started coming from
the box, begging for food. Mr.
eastern bluebird showed up. Grumpy was now Mr. Happy
To my utter surprise and delight, he played in the dead Dad. He kept busy guarding the
tree stump in our front yard, going in and out of one of nest, bringing food to the little
the cavities and feasting on insects. ones and staying close to his
I immediately grabbed my camera, and I sat there mate. A few times, I even caught
for hours watching him come and go while I took the two of them sharing worms
picture after picture. He perched on the tree stump and and caterpillars.
always had that grumpy look on his face as if he were Mr. Grumpy had become a
frowningthe opposite of the bluebird of happiness true bluebird of happiness, and
Id heard so much about! seeing all of this made me pretty
A few days later, a female eastern bluebird arrived happy, too!
on the scene, and Mr. Grumpy was suddenly grumpy no Dawn Turner ALEXANDRIA, OHIO
more. I immediately ran out and bought my first bluebird
nest box and lots of mealworms and suet to convince

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attract more
CARDINALS
For a backyard full of
SCARLET-HUED FLIERS
and their mates,
GROW PLANTS THEY LOVE
to eat and shrubs to
shelter their families.
BY H E ATH E R L A M B
Bridges Worth Building
by
Bianca Charig Verdure New York, NY
J
ack H. Charig, 511th Engineers Light Pontoon
my father, was Company, Bailey Bridge specialist.
born in Germany Because he spoke fluent German,
into a prosperous French, Italian and Spanish, Jack
merchant family of served as the official interpreter
Russian descent. During childhood for the company. On Aug. 22,
his future seemed assuredthe only 1944, during a mission in northern
uncertainty was whether, after France, German shells overturned
completing university studies, he his command car. My father was
would follow his father into the pinned while his buddies left to
business or go into medicine or law. JACK CHARIG
get help. That night, two French
His life was interrupted in the had studied dental farmers using an ox with chains
1930s by the nightmare of Nazism technologyso the righted the car, freeing my father.
and the tragedy of his fathers death Army sent him My father received the European-
to a unit that
at the hands of Adolph Hitlers constructed bridges.
African-Middle Eastern Campaign
army. At the age of 16, my father Medal, Good Conduct Medal
escaped from Germany and went to and WWII Victory Medal for his
Switzerland, then to Italy and Portugal. service. His captain recommended him for
In Portugal, he secured passage, along with the Bronze Star, but the paperwork was lost at
1,600 others, on a freighter bound for the headquarters during the Battle of the Bulge.
United States. When the ship arrived weeks At wars end, my father returned to the
later, nearly half of its passengers had died. States, where he met and married my mother,
Shortly after his arrival, Jack registered for Laura, a ballerina. The couple started a family.
the military draft and was inducted into the At the same time my father was studying for
Army on April 12, 1943. During his interview, his bachelors degree at New York University
he was asked what type of work he did. My and working full time. The stress caused him
father replied, Im a dental technologist to lose his sight for a year, but he battled back
constructing false teeth and bridges. and eventually graduated from Columbia
On April 19, 1943, he was shipped to Fort University School of Dental and Oral Surgery.
Bragg, North Carolina, for basic training. He opened his dental practice in Manhattan,
Then he went to Fort Meade, Maryland, to New York. To his friends and acquaintances,
become a 155 mm Howitzer specialist. When my father seemed indestructible. He was a
a colonel heard that he constructed bridges, reliable constant in an ever-changing world
my father was immediately attached to the and his memory will forever be a part of us.
IN THE KNOW
Designed and
implemented during
WWII, the Bailey Bridge,
a portable structure,
could be erected in
BRIDGE: IWM (B 7656)
three hours with fewer

than 40 soldiers and
was used to transport
heavy tanks and
artillery across water.
MARCH 2017 * REMINISCE.COM 29

PREVIOUS SPREAD: MARIE READ; THIS SPREAD, LEFT: BILL LEAMAN; ABOVE: DENNIS FRATES/ALAMY STOCK PHOTO
S
etting out a bird feeder filled with black oil sunflower seeds is a surefire way
to attract northern cardinalsbut ambitious gardeners shouldnt stop there,
because the right plants bring in these ruby red beauties and other songbirds,
too. The key is to focus on the trifecta of providing food, cover and places to raise
young, says Gary Ritchison, an ornithologist at Eastern Kentucky University and
writer of the bird guide Northern Cardinal. A deep dive into the life of cardinals
unveils clues to help you attract the ubiquitous backyard birds.
clue#1
A BILL BUILT FOR SEED
The shape and structure of a
cardinals bill reveals the birds clue#2
food preference. The downward YEAR-ROUND RESIDENTS
curve, typical of seed-eating birds, Although seeds are a favorite food,
allows them to crack open or cardinals eat a lot of wild fruits.
crush seeds. Cardinals also have As nonmigratory birds, they seek
larger jaw muscles than many a variety of foods as availability
other songbirds, which means they changes throughout the year.
can consume bigger seeds. When Theyre pretty adaptive, Gary says.
selecting plants, look for some They have to be, as a resident bird.
with medium-sized seeds as well But as they consume fruits,
as a mixture of seasonality. studies suggest, cardinals still are
Seed-bearing plants to try: corn, after the seeds, often discarding
Purple Majesty millet, nasturtium, much of the fruit pulp. For that
Dogwood trees purple coneflower, safflower, reason, fruits with larger seeds may
(left) and purple sunflower and sweet pea. be more attractive. Also look for
coneflowers a range of fruiting times and, since
(above) provide cardinals forage low to the ground,
food for cardinals. shorter varieties.
Berry plants to try: dogwood,
hackberry, northern bayberry
and serviceberry.

A northern cardinal
nest is safely hidden clue #3
away in the shelter
of a boxwood shrub.
SCARLET FEATHERS
The vivid crimson color of male clue #4
cardinals comes from carotenoid INCOGNITO NESTS
pigments, which are found in red For cardinal nests, concealment is
fruits. Eating more of these key: The showy birds look for the
scarlet-hued snacks, especially camouflage of dense shrubs and
ABOVE: STEVE AND DAVE MASLOWSK; LEFT: MARAKIT ATINAT/ISTOCK; RIGHT: BILL LEAMAN
during molt, helps a male form trees. Compared to other birds,
brighter red feathers. The their nests are low, only 4 to 8 off
flashy color boosts his ability to the ground. Cardinals are territorial
successfully attract mates and during breeding and the male stays
defend a pairs nesting territory. near the nest, so to see cardinals
Red-fruited plants to try: year-round, host a nesting pair.
hawthorn, raspberry, sumac For their first nests in April or
and winterberry. May, cardinals often choose the
protection of evergreens. Pairs
raise several broods a year and
select different sites, so a mix of
small, dense trees and shrubs is
Dill attracts hungry
butterfly and moth ideal. Wild grape is a good addition,
caterpillars that too, because cardinals use its bark
cardinal parents for nesting material.
feed their nestlings. Cover plants to try: box elder,
eastern red cedar, hawthorn,
nannyberry, rose and wild grape.
SUNFLOWER KINGS
Tuck several of these
sunny varieties around
your yard.
Suntastic is a dwarf
multiflowered variety that
blooms successive times
and was a 2014 All-America
Selections winner.
Soraya grows to about
6 feet with multiple sturdy
branches, and it also was
an AAS winner.
Mammoth Grey Stripe,
Mammoth Russian and
Sunzilla have enormous
seed heads on towering
stalks 12 to 16 feet tall.
Aztec Gold, Royal Hybrid
and Snack Sneed are known
for producing high-yield
seeds the birds devour.
clue #5
YOUNG MOUTHS TO FEED
Parent cardinals feed their young
almost exclusively with insects,
which provide the protein that
nestlings need to grow muscle.
When very young, the babies
eat soft-bodied insects such as
clue #6
Its the males turn
caterpillars. Planting additional
to feed his ravenous
beds of butterfly host plants is brood of nestlings in
a good way to help stock the TREE DWELLERS their dogwood home.
pantry for the weary parents. Often foraging on open ground,
For much of the year, 75 cardinals need to retreat quickly to
percent of the food that cardinals safety. In summer, they use the same
eat is plant material, but at the shrubs that provide nesting sites, but
height of summer breeding season, in winter, they escape to evergreens.
the majority of their diet is insects. During cold weather, cardinals form
Caterpillar host plants to try: flocks that move around in search of
dill, fennel, hollyhock, mustard food. So yards with plentiful food and
greens and snapdragon. cover have the best chance of hosting
that picture-perfect vision of red
dotting a snow-covered tree. Heather Lamb is a birder,
Evergreens to try: arborvitae, gardener and writer in
juniper and spruce. Columbia, Missouri, where
she teaches journalism at
the University of Missouri.

The one-on-one
time we shared in
the garden was
not just about

growing food. It
was about growing
the appreciation
and love we had
for each other.
DeAnne Beyer
passing
down the
trowel
For every bed of colorful tulips and thriving vine of

ripe tomatoes, a little history and wisdom are buried
in the soil. From one generation to the next, families
inherit and share the joys of digging in the dirt and
seeing what sprouts. In honor of Mothers Day,
Birds & Blooms readers recount what they learned
and loved about being shoulder to shoulder with
Mom or Grandma in the backyard.
BY KAITLIN STAINBROOK

Whether in the kitchen
or the garden, my mom and I made
quite a team. She was always on board
with my harebrained ideas. I started
keeping a journal of my gardening
adventures in 2002, and I carefully
recorded everything from temperature
variations to pest problems. My journal
entries also tell of hard-fought battles,
with my mom and me joining forces
against weather and wayward wildlife.
One memorable August entry said, We
found out what was chewing our cabbage
and tomatoes. A groundhog! Mom was
picking tomatoes and it was hiding in the
tomato plant. Scared her to death! For
a while after that incident, we carefully
searched each plant for camouflaged
critters before tending the garden.
Although the pages of my journal
are mostly filled with dates, facts and
numbers, my memory is filled with PREVIOUS SPREAD, LEFT: LAMBERT/GETTY; ABOVE RIGHT: LIDIEBUG/ISTOCK;
something far sweeter: early-morning
conversations that Mom and I enjoyed
during planting and harvesting, the air
around us heavy with lingering dew; and Nanas favorite rose was the yellow-pink
THIS SPREAD: ROSE: R ANN KAUTZKY/ALAMY STOCK PHOTO
the times we sat side by side in the heat Peace rose. Her sun-drenched English garden was
of the day, sipping ice water under the bursting with these and other perennials, such as hot
cool shade of the fruit trees. pink ruffled peonies. Every Memorial Day, she gathered
As I look back, I realize that the one- her peonies and took them to the family plot. Nana
on-one time we shared in the garden was lived in Yakima Valley, Washington, which is known for
not just about growing food. It was about orchards, so apple and pear trees were perfectly at home
growing the appreciation and love we in her yard. She espaliered the trees, carefully pruning
had for each other. We were sowing and and training them to grow flat against a wall. She also
reaping the sweetest and most abundant had beds of red petunias around her swimming pool.
harvesta harvest that never ends. Every September, we said goodbye to the swim season by
DeAnne Beyer LANCASTER, OHIO plucking the heads off the petunias and throwing them
into the pool to float. To a 6-year-old, it was magical.
Stacy Heintz CLE ELUM, WASHINGTON

I was raised on a dairy farm, and
like the rest of our neighbors, my mom had the usual
vegetable garden. Unlike the neighbors, she also had a
large flower garden filled with peonies, bleeding hearts
and dianthuses. I didnt realize the legacy she left me
until I started flower gardening years later. I think of
her when my own peonies and dianthuses bloom.
Ken Wellnitz DAVENPORT, IOWA
As a child, I loved walking in

A PIECE OF HISTORY my grandmothers garden. She always
French horticulturist Francis grew zinnias; my garden would not be
complete without zinnias. One lovely
Meilland developed the Peace summer day, as I was taking a walk in
rose and sent cuttings to my garden, I spotted this tiger
friends around the world as swallowtail butterfly touching down.
Butterflies love zinnias as much as I
the Germans invaded France. do, and this particular species is one of
The rose was given its name my very favorites. When I look at this
when peace was declared on photo, I remember my grandmother
and wonder if perhaps her spirit was
VE Day in 1945. It has since visiting my garden that day.
become a garden classic. Mary Lou Jubin NORTON, OHIO

Grandma Minnie loved
pansies. After we moved her from
her home and big yard into a small
apartment, my mom would take her
shopping each spring to pick out
six-packs of pansies. Then Mom would
plant the most beautiful window boxes
and planters for Grandmas porch. My
grandma would patiently deadhead to
encourage more blooms, and I still use
that good gardening lesson today!
Jessica Allen
PALMYRA, PENNSYLVANIA
My grandmother was quite

the gardener, and from a very young
age I loved working beside her in
her lush garden in Hampton,
Virginia. Her living and dining
rooms always smelled sweet
because she picked almost
every bloom right from her
PANSIES: CRAIG LOVELL/EAGLE VISIONS PHOTOGRAPHY/ALAMY STOCK PHOTO
garden and created beautiful
flower arrangements.
She swore by dehydrated
cow manure for fertilizer and had
hundreds of jonquils, huge hydrangea
bushes (alternating pink one year and
blue the next), irises, Shasta daisies,
annual zinnias and more. Every time I
work in my own garden, I think of her.
Beth Jeffress MIDLOTHIAN, VIRGINIA Mom had a huge vegetable garden
in the back corner of our yard. We planted, watered
and weeded, but what I most looked forward to was the
harvest. There was invariably enough for a quick taste
test while we gathered the bounty. Mom would always
tell me to wash them off first, but I was too excited and
would pop the fresh veggies right into my mouth!
Doreen Damm NEW PORT RICHEY, FLORIDA

DO IT TOGETHER!
Share your gardening passion
with your favorite kid.
Start seeds indoors by
planting them in egg cartons
and watering lightly with a
spray bottle. Kids will love
seeing what sprouts!
Have the little ones help
plant tomatoes, basil, oregano
and onions to make a pizza
garden. When it comes time
to harvest, your apprentice
gardeners can be chefs, too.
THE CARE AND KEEPING OF PANSIES Make a toad abode. Give
Pansies grow well in cool temperatures. They do your child a clay pot to paint
and decorate, then place it on
best in spring and fall in the north and are winter its side in a shady location.
annuals in the south. Plant them in full sun and
water regularly. Pansies come in every color of
the rainbow and look fantastic in containers.
I grew up in San Jose, California, where

just about anything we planted grew well, but when I
was 12 years old, my family moved to Tucson, Arizona.
Mom left behind her sunflowers, vegetable garden,
peach and fig trees, ice plants and lots of healthy grass.
Tucson was another story. She watched one plant after
another die. Ive never seen my mother so angry and
frustrated with gardening. Mom never gave up, though.
She was determined to grow a garden in the desert.
As she dug holes for plants, she would hit caliche
(soil particles cemented together by lime). A lesser
gardener may have been tempted to give up and just
stick the plant in the hole, accepting that the roots
would be shallow, but not Mom. Instead, she went
out and bought herself a caliche pole, which is a later, she still has that pole; I frequently ask to borrow
heavy metal rod with a sharp point on the end. It was it for my own yard!)
either that or a jackhammer. Over and over again, she She taught us all so much, including the importance
slammed that pole against the hard soil until the hole of water conservation, planting annuals in cooler
was deep enough and there was enough drainage for months, and which drought-tolerant plants flowered
her to put the plant in its new home. best. When it was my turn, I knew exactly what to do.
My mom has always been a hard worker. She wanted As a result, I have my own beautiful desert garden thats
my brothers and me to learn how to be hard workers as bird-, bloom- and butterfly-friendly. Thanks, Mom!
well, and I remember us kids gathering around several Deborah Lockett TUCSON, ARIZONA
holes and taking turns with the pole. We learned that
gardening wasnt always a pleasure. (Thirty-five years

know
your ZONE
Drought-tolerant
perennials, like
Mediterranean
spurge and The
Edwardian Lady
rose, are right
at home in their
zone in this sunny
California garden.

PLANTS ARE HAPPIEST IN THEIR COMFORT ZONE. FOR A HEALTHY AND
PRODUCTIVE GARDEN, BE SURE TO GROW PLANTS THAT ARE THE RIGHT
FIT FOR YOUR GROWING CONDITIONS. BY MELINDA MYERS

Passionflower is a
perennial in Zones 6 to 9
but an annual elsewhere.
Right: Euphorbia
polychroma is hardy
in Zones 4 to 8.
W
PREVIOUS SPREAD: SAXON HOLT; THIS PAGE, LEFT: VRABELPETER1/ISTOCK; RIGHT: WALTERS GARDENS INC.; RIGHT, MAP: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Each of the 13 zones in the U.S. represents a
10-degree Fahrenheit band of minimum winter
temperatures. Those areas are then subdivided into
5-degree segments (thats why you may see a or
b) to more precisely represent that area within
each section. Youll also notice that the lower the
number, the colder the winter temperatures.
As you look at the map, you may notice islands
of warmer or colder zones within the band of
hen youre at the garden center another. Large bodies of water, urban heat islands
or shopping from an online nursery, a plants zone (areas that are warmer than rural areas because
is always clearly marked on the plant tag, seed of human activity), mountains and valleys
packet or online profile. These hardiness zones influence the surrounding climates and growing
reflect the average minimum cold temperatures for conditions. These microclimates also exist within
an area and tell you whether the plant will survive your landscape. Sheltered areas may allow you to
the winter cold in your backyard. If your hardiness grow less-hardy plants, while more-exposed areas
zone is within the plants range, the plant has require tougher specimens.
passed the first test for growing success. For absolute success, take it one step further.
For example, my Wisconsin home is in Zone 5a, Make sure the plants you choose are suited to all the
where the average minimum winter temperature growing conditions in your landscape. Once again,
range is -20 to -15 degrees Fahrenheit. Although check the tag, seed packet or plant profile to know
the temperatures rarely get that cold (while some for a fact that your selection will receive the sunlight,
years it may be colder), its crucial that I buy plants soil type and moisture it needs to thrive. Then make
that tolerate deep winter chills. When you push the sure there is sufficient space for it to reach full size;
limits of your zone, as many gardeners do, you risk its amazing how fast those little plants grow into
failure when temperatures drop below the limits large specimens. All these factors together mean a
that a plant can endure. healthy, thriving and beneficial backyard.
Take a look at the USDAs Plant Hardiness Zone
Map on the next page. Identify your location, match Melinda Myers checks hardiness zones when she
the color in your region with the key next to the selects and recommends plants. Like many gardeners,
map, and voila: thats your number. You may want she suffers from zone envythe desire to grow plants
to choose plants that are one zone hardier than your that arent tolerant of the climateand occasionally
region, just for a bit of added insurance. pushes the plants limits, with variable results.

USDA
HARDINESS
ZONES
AVERAGE ANNUAL
EXTREME MINIMUM
TEMPERATURE
1976-2005
HEAT HARDINESS
The highs matter, too.
Some plants are more heat-tolerant than others.
The American Horticultural Society developed its
Plant Heat Zone Map to help you select the most
ideal plants for your garden. The 12 zones are
based on the average number of days where the
temperature exceeds 86 F, the point where many
plants suffer short- or long-term damage such as
withering, leaf and flower drop, stunting and more.
Look for the heat zone map at ahs.org.
Hardiness zones reflect the average annual minimum cold temperatures for an area.
If its difficult to precisely locate your city on the map here, use the interactive
version on the USDAs website (planthardiness.ars.usda.gov). Enter your ZIP code,
and your hardiness zone and average minimum winter temperature range appear.

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BACKYARD CHAT
Ask the Experts

Bird and garden pros tackle the toughest backyard questions.
Q When a brown-colored thrush Kenn and Kimberly: Thrushes arent common visitors to
visited my platform feeder, it gobbled feeders because they dont eat seeds. Their typical diet is
mostly insects and berries. Since your mix included berries,
up the food. In it was a mix including it was probably going for those. If you want to attract
berries, nuts, sunflower seeds, milo, thrushes and other birds that dont typically visit feeders,
millet and suet cake. The bird didnt add a water feature with moving water. Even a small
touch the suet. What should I serve fountain or dripper can work like a charm if it has an area
large and flat enough for birds to splash in. For a long-term
in the feeder to lure this bird back? plan, consider planting native fruiting trees, shrubs and
Kirk Klag TIMKEN, KANSAS vines. Dogwood, serviceberry, elderberry and wild grape
are among our favorites for attracting thrushes.
Swainsons
thrush
BILL LEAMAN

ASK THE EXPERTS
Q I planted Maximilian
sunflower last spring. It
grew amazingly well in my
clay soil. What plant can
Q I took this photo of a duck on Lake Tillery you recommend as a color
in North Carolina. I have looked through all contrast but with the same
of my bird books and online to try to identify growing conditions?
it, but have not come to a conclusion. Can you Sheila Dyke HUDSONVILLE, MICHIGAN
identify it? Roger Hatley MARSHVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA Melinda: There are a few perennials
ABOVE, MIDDLE: HELIANTHUS MAXIMILIANA SANTA FE/JACK GANSE/HIGHCOUNTRYGARDENS.COM; RIGHT: RICHARD DAY/DAYBREAK IMAGERY
that complement the yellow blossoms of
Kenn and Kimberly: This ones a challenge! The long- the 5-foot-tall, summer-to-fall-flowering
bodied shape and thin red bill identify it as a red-breasted Maximilian sunflower. Start the season with
merganser, but because hes a male in a transitional stage, the icy blue flowers of willow amsonia.
he wont look like any picture in a field guide. For part of The fine foliage looks great all season
the year, the male is in nonbreeding plumage that looks like and turns to beautiful amber in fall. Blue
the females, with a reddish brown head and white chest. false indigo (Baptisia) is another spring
This bird is molting and showing some black feathers on his bloomer. The blue flowers transition to
head. When the molt is complete, hell have a sleeker look, attractive black seedpods. Both the flowers
with a greenish black head, white collar and red chest. and seedpods stand out against the blue-
green foliage. Summer-blooming swamp
Q I noticed a few birds sitting milkweed will please both you and the
around the birdbath with their tails butterflies that come to visit. The large
purple flowers of tall ironweed (Vernonia)
resting in the water. Why? appear about the same time as Maximillian
Bill Bellairs OXFORD, MICHIGAN and make a gorgeous combination. Finish
Kenn and Kimberly: Usually theres a good reason off the season with white or pink flowers
for the things that birds do, but in this case, its just a of turtlehead. Include a few ornamental
coincidence. They couldnt cool themselves by sticking grasses such as our native prairie dropseed
their tails into the waterthe tails consist of nothing but and switchgrass cultivars like Northwind.
feathers and have no nerve endings. So if they have the These add a wide variety of textures and
tail tips underwater, its just a result of the position that seasonal interest with their foliage, flowers,
they happen to be in at the moment. fall color and persistent seed heads.
GROW BEAUTIFUL YELLOW Maximilian sunflower in Zones 4 to 9. The 3-inch blooms
that appear in August are nectar-filled and irresistible to pollinators like butterflies and
bees. Meanwhile, birds devour the plants nutritious seeds throughout the fall season.

Q Why do robins sometimes leave the place
where theyre building a nest and not return
for a long time? Lillie Wrobel DYSART, IOWA
Kenn and Kimberly: Theres a lot of variation in how long
it takes for the female robin to construct a nest. Rarely, it
may take only a couple of days, but usually its closer to a
week, and it can even be up to two weeks, especially in bad
weather. Sometimes the female robin stops working on the
nest for a few days if theres too much rain. At other times,
she may pause for the opposite reasonshe needs mud
for the nests foundation and may have to wait for rain if
there isnt a muddy spot nearby.
An American
robin pair
look after
their young.
ASK THE EXPERTS
Q Last spring, only the

bottom of my 15-year-
old birch tree had leaves
(photo below). The upper
branches were green and
flexible, so I dont think
they were dead. There was
also dark sap running down
the trunk. What happened?
Cindy Ortmann BISMARCK, NORTH DAKOTA
Melinda: Bronze birch borer is the most
common pest of paper bark birches.
The wormlike borer feeds under the tree
bark, and the feeding eventually blocks
the flow of water and nutrients to the
leaves and branches. This results in stunted
growth, defoliation and dieback starting at
the top. To confirm borer presence, look
for D-shaped exit holes and raised areas on
the branches and trunk. The oozing red sap
is another indication of an infestation.
Pink dianthus Severely infested trees with more than
and azalea create one-third dieback may be difficult to save.
pops of color, A mild infestation is treatable with a
while rocks systemic insecticide labeled for bronze
add interest.
birch borer. Consider hiring a certified
arborist (treesaregood.com is a reliable
resource) who has access to effective
chemicals and equipment and the
Q I want to add a rock garden with a feeding experience to treat for this pest.
station to my landscape. How will rocks affect
my regular ground feeders, like the cardinals
and doves? Will birds search for and find seeds
that have fallen to the ground?
Debra Pojman OLMSTED TOWNSHIP, OHIO
Kenn and Kimberly: Rock gardens are wonderful, and
birds will certainly forage for seeds and insects among the
rocks, but we have a few words of caution. Keeping feeding
stations neat, from removing fallen seeds to cleaning up
bird droppings, can be challenging in a rock garden. Seeds
that birds cant reach may attract rodents, such as mice
and rats. If possible, maintain a little distance between a
rock garden and a feeding station.
TOP: HANNAMARIAH/ISTOCK
PAPER BARK BIRCH TREES prefer cool, moist summers like those in their native
habitat of nothern North America. When planted in areas with hot, dry summers, the
trees may become stressed and more susceptible to the bronze birch borer pest.

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ASK THE EXPERTS
American robin
Q Why do robins eat only worms from the Q I found these flowers
lawn? I never see them at my bird feeders, on a nature trail. Are they
which exclusively contain black oil sunflower some sort of violet?
seeds. Pat Schulthies LOYSVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA Veronica McAvoy DUBUQUE, IOWA
Kenn and Kimberly: Robins primarily eat invertebrates, Melinda: This native spring-flowering
such as earthworms, beetle grubs, grasshoppers and wildflower is a hepatica. The white petal-like
caterpillars. They also eat a variety of fruits and berries. structures are actually bracts that persist
Because seeds arent part of an American robins usual and brighten their surroundings for several
diet, you need to be creative with your offerings. To attract months. Once they fade and fall, the glossy
robins to your feeders, try live mealworms along with a leaves remain. Hepatica lightens up shady
variety of fruits and berries, such as blueberries, apple areas of your landscape. Look for these
halves and grapes. Robins also love water, so a water feature beauties at garden centers near you that
is a smart way to bring them to your feeding station. specialize in wildflowers.
Q I spotted this downy

woodpecker on the side MEET THE EXPERTS
of my sugar maple tree.
It had its head turned
and tucked into its wings
as if it was sleeping.
What was it doing?
Larry Barger HAMILTON, OHIO
TOP LEFT: JAMINNBENJI/SHUTTERSTOCK
Kenn and Kimberly: The bird

appears to be taking a short nap. Kimberly and Melinda Myers
When downy woodpeckers go to sleep Kenn Kaufman are is a nationally
for the night, they usually escape to the duo behind the known, award-
a tree cavity. But sometimes, even Kaufman Field winning garden
midday, a woodpecker may fall asleep Guide series. They expert, TV/radio
for a short time while clinging to a tree trunk. It does speak and lead host and author
this by bracing against the tree with stiff tail feathers and bird trips all over of more than
locking its toes onto the bark. the world. 20 books.

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FIELD GUIDE
A yellow warbler
midsong
F
rom lovely melodies
to raucous squawks,
birds make all sorts
of interesting sounds.
Of course they arent
making that variety of sounds just
to entertain you; they have more
practical reasons for belting their
hearts out. Birds use songs and calls
to communicate with other birds,
particularly their own kind, and
when you dig deeper, the reasons
get even more complex.
A few species, like turkey
vultures, are almost always silent,
but most birds are chatterboxes
and have several different calls.
This is especially true for birds that
A chickadees most
common call sounds as if live in flocks for part of the year,
it is saying its own name, such as chickadees.
chickadee-dee-dee. Black-capped chickadees have
at least 15 distinct calls that they
use in various situations. If their
flock is foraging in treetops, they
Tune in to make short, light contact calls

and a louder note when the flock is
ready to move on. Chickadees make
Bird Songs
various alarm calls when danger is
FROM LEFT: JOHN GILL (2); MARIE READ
near. Rival males have aggressive

calls they use when theyre about
to have a showdown. Members of
a mated pair have several noises
Whether protecting their territory or finding they use to communicate with each
other near the nest, and young
a partner, birds create fascinating music for all chickadees make food-begging
kinds of reasons. BY KENN AND KIMBERLY KAUFMAN and distress calls.

Male Baltimore
orioles sing to
defend territory
or lure a mate.
Some types of alarm notes are Its primarily the male birds VOICE
recognized by other birds, not just that sing, mostly in the breeding LESSONS
the species that makes them. When season, and they use their songs to Birds generally are born
a mixed flock of different species announce a territory claim. If you knowing how to make the
is moving through the forest and see a male robin or oriole singing right call notes by instinct,
one member spots an approaching away, hes warning other males that but many have to learn
hawk, it pays for every bird in the this plot of ground is already taken their songs by listening to
flock to recognize the alarm call. and to stay off his turf. His song can adults of their own kind.
While calls typically consist of also serve to attract a female or to For that reason, some
a single note, bird songs tend to be help the male stay in touch with his species (like white-crowned
more complicated and have a very mate, but territorial defense seems sparrows) have song
distinct purpose. The songs can be to be the main motivation. dialects that vary from
beautiful, like those of the wood However, the male in some one place to another, while
thrush or hermit thrush, but thats species of warblers has two song the calls tend to be the
not always the case. The yellow- types: one for chasing away other same within every location.
headed blackbird, for example, has males and the other for keeping in
a rough nasal snarl for a song. But contact with his mate.
although its not the prettiest song And there are some bird species,
out there, that harsh performance especially in the tropics, in which Kenn and Kimberly Kaufman also
works just as well as any of the the males and females even sing communicate with songs and calls,
other melodious offerings from duets. All of these different sounds and Kimberly was once the lead
different bird species. add variety to natures soundtrack. singer in a band.

FIELD GUIDE
The kiss of the sun for pardon,

The song of the birds for mirth,
One is nearer Gods Heart in a garden
Than anywhere else on earth.
Dorothy Frances Gurney

Chestnut-sided
warblers spend their
winters in Central
America, often joining
up with flocks of
tropical birds.
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TRAVEL
Take a Tour of OKLAHOMA
Oklahoma City
Oklahoma
City
Learn why this busy metro is nicknamed The Big Friendly.

BY GR ACE HUFFMAN OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA
WHY I LOVE IT
My city is full of what
youd expect from a
metropolis (art museums,
restaurants and a vibrant
community), but it has
surprises, too. It hosts
tons of public events
and festivals, like the buntings, too. Spring River, where you can
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: CARL SHORTT JR./MYRIAD BOTANICAL GARDENS; JANICE CARTER; SKIRVIN HILTON; HIDESY/ISTOCK
Memorial Marathon in and fall bring migrating rent kayaks and stand-up
April. There is also a lot raptors, such as osprey paddleboards, zip-line
of birding here. During and peregrine falcons, and across the river or climb
the 2015 Christmas Bird winter means bald eagles an 80-foot-tall ropes
Count, volunteers soaring over Lake Hefner course jungle gym and
spotted 116 species! and Lake Overholser. ride a winding slide
back down. From top: After you
THE FEATHERED ADVENTURE ON tour the citys Myriad
LOCALS Botanical Gardens,
THE RIVER ESSENTIALS watch for scissor-
Our state bird is the Drive 30 minutes EAT Tuckers Onion tailed flycatchers,
scissor-tailed flycatcher, northwest to hike the Burgers; its namesake the official state bird.
so it makes sense that trails of the Stinchcomb At the end of a long
burger was invented here
they would be easy to Wildlife Refuge, or stay day, put your feet up
STAY Skirvin Hilton, the at the Skirvin Hilton.
spot in our capital city close to downtown and
in summertime. You can visit the 15-acre Myriad citys oldest hotel
usually see them perched Botanical Gardens. PLAY H&8th Night
on telephone lines. Search If youre more of the Market, an annual street
a little more and youll adrenaline-seeking type, festival in June with a
find painted and indigo explore the Oklahoma focus on food trucks
METER MEASURES
The worlds first parking meter was installed here in 1935 and
charged a nickel an hour, prompting some indignant
locals to declare paying for parking un-American.
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ACROSS THE FENCE
When I was a new birder, I saw a male

rose-breasted grosbeak. I was horrified
to see that the bird was bleeding from
his breast. I had a good laugh at one of
my first lessons in identification when
I realized thats the nature of the bird.
Mary Ann Groat TRAVERSE CITY, MICHIGAN
I planted onions and My rubber

garlic next to my gardening
beans to keep bugs shoes made a
away. They stunted
the beans growth,
tweeting sound
and those were the that I mistook
shortest pole beans for birds
Ive ever grown. chirping on
Mary Anne Thygesen my patio!
PORTLAND, OREGON Rose-breasted
Sharon Dresel grosbeak in
MUSTANG, OKLAHOMA dogwood
Have you committed a

backyard blunder?
Bird and garden bloopers made these readers turn red in the face.
After I moved into my small cottage, the first thing I did was I stepped on
get rid of the unsightly, obnoxious shrubs. As I was digging, pulling the tongs of a rake
and yanking, a neighbor walked down her driveway and sweetly asked that was leaning
what I was doing. Why, getting rid of these ugly shrubs, I replied.
Well, it turns out those were her shrubs on her property line.
against a tree.The
By then, it was too lateI had removed all but one. In the end, handle whacked
however, she and I became good friends. me in the face!
Kate Winters COULEE DAM, WASHINGTON Linda Barnes
NEW LONDON, OHIO
I love red-winged blackbirds, so when I heard YOUR TURN!
Q:
one calling from the red maple in my yard, I
quickly opened the window to listen to the shrill What birds song is
song. But I forgot that the house alarm was on! your favorite and why?
BILL LEAMAN
The police came and I was given a $75 false

Share your answer at birdsandblooms.com/submit.
alarm ticket. Bridget Kirkish MEQUON, WISCONSIN

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YOU DONT SAY
Caption This!
A robin exhibits major determination in this funny photo.
A lan Gubanich of Reno,

Nevada, watched a pair of
American robins collect
material for a nest they built in his
honeysuckle bush. These particular
strings were still attached to a stake in
his wifes vegetable garden; eventually
Alan cut the strings into smaller
pieces and the robins flew away with
them. What do you think this robin is
thinking with its bill full of string? Go
to birdsandblooms.com/youdontsay
to write a caption for this photo. Well
publish our favorite in the next issue.
LA ST ISSU E S
WIN N IN G
C A P TIO N
SQUIRREL: LYNNE BERGHOFF
Good to the
last drop!
SU BM IT TED BY
Y
MA RY LOU RILE
SHARE YOUR BEST FUNNY NATURE PHOTOS! Follow the Submission Guidelines on page 64.
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PHOTO QUIZ
answers
All Over Indigo on the

b o t to m !
See how many of these brilliant blues you recognize.
1 2
Linda Groleau
DUNBARTON, NEW HAMPSHIRE
True or False?
A. Despite the name, western
bluebirds are found along the
East Coast.
B. The brighter the male
blue-footed boobys feet,
the better its chances of
attracting a mate.
C. The blue morpho butterfly
isnt blue. The hue is actually
Richard Buquoi a trick of the light.
GEORGETOWN, TEXAS
3 4 5
Gen Marie Stys

LOUDON, Laura Olson Ken Jordan
NEW HAMPSHIRE CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE, NEW JERSEY CROSSVILLE, TENNESSEE
ANSWERS 1 PLUMBAGO; 2 INDIGO BUNTING; 3 EASTERN BLUEBIRDS; 4 AMERICAN ROBIN EGG; 5 IRIS; A. FALSE; B. TRUE; C. TRUE

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FOR THE READER
Find the Hummingbird
In each issue, we hide a hummingbird like the one above EDITORIAL

left. In the February/March issue, we hid it on page 60. Executive Editor Jeanne Ambrose
If you find it, enter at birdsandblooms.com/contests. Editor Kirsten Sweet
Art Director Sharon K. Nelson
Well draw winners to receive Birds & Blooms seeds. Associate Editor Kaitlin Stainbrook
HIDDEN OBJECT GUIDELINES Layout Designer Chase Patt
No purchase necessary to enter to win. Purchase will not Copy Chief Deb Warlaumont Mulvey
improve your chances of winning. Sweepstakes is open Copy Editors Dulcie Shoener (senior),
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Contributing Copy Editor Michael Juley
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Editorial Services Manager Dena Ahlers
Province of Quebec). Sweepstakes begins on March 1, 2017, and ends on Editorial Production Coordinator Jill Banks
May 3, 2017. Find official rules at birdsandblooms.com/contests. VOID WHERE Birding Experts Kenn and Kimberly Kaufman
PROHIBITED. Sweepstakes sponsored by RDA Enthusiast Brands, LLC. Horticulture Expert Melinda Myers
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BIRDS & BLOOMS (ISSN 1084-5305) (USPS 013-271), Vol. 23, No. 2, April/May 2017 RDA Enthusiast Brands, LLC, 2017. Published bimonthly by RDA Enthusiast Brands, LLC, 1610 N. 2nd St., Suite 102, Milwaukee WI 53212-3906. Periodicals Postage Paid at Milwaukee,
Wisconsin, and additional mailing offices. Publications Mail Agreement No. 40065693, Canadian GST No. 865444285RT. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to BIRDS & BLOOMS, PO BOX 5294, HARLAN IA 51593-0794. Send undeliverable Canadian addresses to canada_
upm_harlan@cpmx.ca. Questions about your subscription? Email customercare@birdsandblooms.com; visit birdsandblooms.com/customercare; or write to BIRDS & BLOOMS CUSTOMER CARE, PO BOX 5294, HARLAN IA 51593-0794. For address changes, include both old and new
addresses. If the post office alerts us that your magazine is undeliverable, we have no further obligations unless we receive a corrected address within one year. Subscription prices: In U.S.: $19.98 for one year, $29.98 for two years, $39.98 for three years. (Canada: one year, $23.98
CDN plus GST or HST, where applicable; international subscriptions: $25.98 per year, U.S. funds prepaid.) Send new subscriptions to PO BOX 5294, HARLAN IA 51593-0794. Allow four to six weeks. Material in this publication may not be reproduced in any form without permission.
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new year, new blooms: 10 FRESH FAVORITES

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