Bird Dads Come in All Shapes and Sizes
Bird dads come in all shapes and sizes, but it's their role in raising their offspring that really sets them apart. Here are a few example of seasonal behaviors to look for in your yard:
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FATHER OF THE YEAR AWARD
- Downy Woodpeckers share daytime nest duties with their mate. Only the fathers incubate and brood at night and they roost in the nest until their offspring fledge. Downy Dad's
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SHARP DRESSED MAN
- Ladies love a sharp-dressed man, even in the bird world. Only the most colorful, sharply dressed House Finch and Goldfinch males are preferred by their female counterparts. Carotenoids, a pigment found in foods that create red, orange and yellow to violet colors in feathers, help a potential Dad communicate his reproductive fitness via a vibrant and bright plumage. It also shows females that he can be a good family provider, knowing where to find quality food and lots of it.
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PROUD PROVIDER
- Chickadee and nuthatch males feed their mate while she incubates and broods the eggs. He also helps feed the young once they have hatched.
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HE'S A ROCK STAR
- Adult male Song Sparrows love to perform. They sing about 6-20 different melodies every eight seconds and may average over 2,300 songs during an entire day. The larger their repertoire of songs, the more successful they are in attracting a mate and in holding their territories.
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A FAMILY MAN
- Mourning Dove Dads love to raise families. They may have up to 6 clutches per year, usually with two eggs per clutch. This is among the most of any North American birds, most likely since the average life span for an adult Mourning Dove is only 1 1/2 years.
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WHOMP, WHOMP DEBBIE DOWNER HERE...
- Male hummingbirds play no role in helping their mate raise their young. To make matters worse, they intimidate the mother and fledglings as they try to use the hummingbird feeders.
Look for these and other seasonal bird behaviors as more and more fledglings show up (with or without their fathers) in your backyard.
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