I've mentioned in the past that hanging hummingbird feeders will attract many more birds than just those tiny jeweled miracles. It didn't take me long to learn that making citrus available has an even bigger effect.
I have all sorts of photos taken here at Casa Kittling showing how orioles, tanagers, towhees, doves, woodpeckers, and other species of birds all flock in to devour citrus that's put out for them, but today I'm going to share three photos taken outside a cottage in the Mule Mountains outside of Bisbee, Arizona. Denis and I traveled extensively in the area, but we found it just as easy to sit outside the cottage and let the critters come to us. I even learned that making citrus available did more than just attract birds. You'll see what I mean!
The shyer birds always started out on the fringes, moving from one scrub oak to another, checking to see if the human sitting there (me) was safe. |
The shy ones, like this Western Tanager, would see how I behaved with the braver birds before deciding that they'd like to chow down on the oranges, too. |
Birds aren't the only critters attracted to citrus. So are ants, and ants can make a very tasty snack, which is why this lizard has set up shop beneath the orange. See it? (Many of the ants did not.) |
Next week, I'm going to share one of our favorite places to do some birding in Cochise County, Arizona. Stay tuned!
Those are fabulous pictures, Cathy! Thanks for sharing. I didn't know that citrus was so appealing to so many birds. It's not surprising, when you think about it, though. I look forward to seeing more pictures!
ReplyDeleteIt could be that the desert climate here has a lot to do with it-- anything juicy would attract attention. It's been my experience that birds are very opportunistic and will try anything once. What I love about putting out citrus is that adult birds would load up on it to feed their young.
DeleteI've never heard about using citrus fruit to feed birds - what a great idea! Looking forward to next week's photos too.
ReplyDeleteIt has the added bonus of being healthy, eh? ;-)
DeleteWhenever I offer citrus to the birds in our yard, it is an instant hit and birds of many kinds come calling.
ReplyDeleteThey certainly do love it. The only birds around here that won't touch it are house sparrows, house finches, and Inca doves.
DeleteI remember when you posted photos of parent birds getting fruit you had put out for their babies, and I was very inspired at the kindness to the bird families. That and the birdbaths, waterfall, drinking fountain, etc.
ReplyDeleteI think I always feel sorry for any parent with demanding children. Putting food out for the parent birds makes their lives a tiny bit easier.
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