Finding Food:

Everything needs to eat! I was surprised to see a White-throated Sparrow eating the fruit on Highbush Cranberry this week when so many other food sources are still available. These berries have an unpleasant odour. (I learned the hard way one Christmas when I used the cranberries to string with popcorn for decorating. The next day, the room had a nasty smell!) They tend to be a last resort to eat by most species in the late winter when other food sources have been exhausted.

Caterpillars provide a high source of protein and make prized food for both migrating birds and those that will be staying for the winter. This Black-capped Chickadee took over a minute to swallow this squirmy "worm".

Juicy caterpillars can be extracted from insect nests in trees by pulling at the leaves. A Blue Jay closely inspected a fall webworm nest for some food.

Insects are the preferred food of the Ruby-crowned Kinglet. They flitter their wings almost continually in the search for food. Tiny insects can be found on many plants including Asters and Goldenrod.

I recently found 50 Golden-crowned Kinglets in a field! It was a cold day and they stayed primarily at ground level to find food. I was happy to get 2 individuals in the same picture!