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During the early summer, birds primarily sing to attract mates and defend territories. By July, many baby birds have fledged, and even those species with multiple nests per year have finished breeding by early August. Birds like American robins and red-winged blackbirds stop holding territories and start joining flocks, which reduces their territorial singing. As the dawn chorus wanes, an odd silence overtakes the woodlands.
Why do the birds in my yard have bedhead?
All birds molt, from hummingbirds to penguins. For some species of birds, after breeding, molting begins鈥攁 systematic replacement of feathers. They grow an entirely new set of feathers through a complete molt, typically in late summer for some birds in North America. When birds molt feathers on their wing, some flight feathers are less than full length, making birds less maneuverable and powerful in flight. Some birds, like ducks or geese, use this time to spend with their young who also may not be able to fly as well. To avoid attracting predators, many birds, such as sparrows, warblers and thrushes, lie low, call infrequently and hide in plants and shrubs.
When will they say their farewells?
Hummingbirds and orioles in Minnesota kick off fall migration by starting to make their way south in August. As days shorten and the weather changes, they gather in groups and begin their journey. While August is the peak time for oriole migration, many of Minnesota's warblers, sparrows, grosbeaks, swallows, turkey vultures and red-winged blackbirds start their journey in September, stretching into October and early November, depending on the season. Some birds, like blue jays, cardinals and woodpeckers, actually stick around to overwinter in Minnesota and are a welcomed sight in the cold winter months.
Fall migrants may pass through Minnesota from their summering ground in the Arctic, including shorebirds like avocets, willets, buff-breasted and western sandpipers and phalaropes. While the woods may seem quiet, there鈥檚 actually quite a bit of bird activity about, as they prepare to undergo feather transformations and fall migration!
Come visit the bird feeders at the Bloomington Visitor Center to see if you can spot any bedhead birds for yourself and witness the higher activity at the feeders throughout migration! This is the time of year when birds are fueling up before heading south on their journey. If you鈥檙e looking for a more guided experience, join a volunteer naturalist at one of the upcoming Birdwatching Treks. Visit the events page on the refuge website to learn more!
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