\nCorpus Christi Caller
\n 8\/12\/2006
\nProbably because of the climactic change, some unexpected birds have turned up here this summer. I consider the little titmouse calling in my neighborhood somewhat out of place.<\/p>\n
Several hooded orioles have been seen at feeders and therefore probably nested. One at the home of Erwin Becker, off Ennis Joslin Road, has been there for several summers.<\/p>\n
Another, here for at least the second time, is at the feeder of Sharie Del Rio on Paloma. Another, probably a pair, has been seen nipping at the feeder on the porch of Jerry and Elizabeth Susser, on Wilshire Place.<\/p>\n
Hummingbirds have continued to be present all summer this year. The rubythroated mostly have moved on, but there are black-chinned and buff-bellied, probably nesting. I leave one feeder up all year, filled with homemade syrup (one cup of sugar to four cups of water, brought to a boil). Never use food coloring. It is not good for birds.<\/p>\n
I spoke with a man who lives near Lake Corpus Christi about a bird who talks to him at night. It calls from far away and when he answers, it calls again, closer.<\/p>\n
We figured the bird probably is a goatsucker, a pauraque, a South Texas special. One was found nesting at a cemetery near Hilltop, across Leopard. The nest, on the ground, was discovered by Mary Maull as she hunted for butterflies.<\/p>\n
These nocturnal birds call at dusk. I have seen them on Christmas counts on a road near Blucher Park, and also have heard them from there. The field guide describes their call as “purrrweear!” Their eyes glow red in darkness. The first I saw were at Welder Wildlife Refuge near Sinton.<\/p>\n
Nesting season is the most dangerous time for birds. Some birds feel close and comfortable with humans, others don’t. I often hear of mourning doves nesting in hanging baskets on porches. Cardinals occasionally pick this spot, too.<\/p>\n
If a bird nests on your porch, and you feel that way, try to remember that nesting season is short. Nests, however, sometimes are used for successive clutches. Doves fledge at 15 days and northern cardinals leave the nest between nine and 11 days.<\/p>\n
Sometimes baby birds fall from the nest or end up on the ground when they are learning to fly. If this happens, replace the chick in the nest if possible; if not, put the chick in a box back in the tree.<\/p>\n
Babies raised by parents have a much better chance at life. If you must take care of them, place them in a cardboard box with a partial lid.<\/p>\n
Don’t try to feed a solid diet, instead give warm milk with a bit of sugar added from a medicine dropper as a starter. When you are sure the bird can swallow, start feeding very small bits of solid food, at intervals of a few minutes.<\/p>\n
Very lean, raw ground beef is the basic food. To the meat, the following may be added: hard-boiled egg yolk mixed with baby cereal and milk or water to a consistency that may be picked up on the end of a toothpick. Some birds like and eat fruit, scraped raw apple, banana or a mashed grape. Some will eat mashed peanuts or sunflower seeds. No bird caregiver is available in Corpus Christi now.<\/p>\n
Kris Meeks, a young woman who works in the office at Executive House Condominiums, has successfully raised a white-winged dove this year. If you undertake to care for a baby bird, you must have plenty of patience. Good luck.<\/p>\n
Phyllis Yochem, a Corpus Christi resident, has studied birds in Texas since 1960.<\/p>\n
MORE YOCHEM COLUMNS \u00bb<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Corpus Christi Caller 8\/12\/2006 Probably because of the climactic change, some unexpected birds have turned up here this summer. I consider the little titmouse calling in my neighborhood somewhat out of place. Several hooded orioles have been seen at feeders and therefore probably nested. One at the home of Erwin Becker, off Ennis Joslin Road, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[413],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n