American Goldfinch; FNAL (Fermi Lab), Photographer: Ann Sullivan	American Robin; FNAL (Fermi Lab), Photographer: Tom Bentley	Eastern Bluebird; Missouri Department of Conservation	Carolina Wren; US Geological Survey, Photographer: Chan Robbins	Cedar Waxwing: FNAL (Fermi Lab), Photographer: Gene Oleynik
Chipping Sparrow; FNAL (Fermi Lab), Photographer: Ann Sullivan	Dark-eyed Junco: FNAL (Fermi Lab), Photographer: Gene Oleynik	Eastern Meadowlark; FNAL (Fermi Lab), Photographer: Gene Oleynik	House Finch; FNAL (Fermi Lab), Photographer: Ann Sullivan	Northern Mockingbird; US Geological Survey, photographer: George Jameson
Yellow-billed cuckoo; Environmental Protection Agency	Yellowshafted flicker; US Geological Survey, photographer: A. Wilson

DID YOU KNOW:

Songbirds, such as cardinals (above), bluebirds, goldfinches, orioles, wrens and mockingbirds are the most numerous and colorful birds in our area.  These small birds, with their beautiful, often complicated songs, flit and dart around our yards and in the woods.

EATING HABITS:

Almost all baby songbirds are fed insects, worms and caterpillars by their moms and dads.  These creeping crawlies are high in protein, fat and moisture.  Birds, unlike mammals, do not produce milk.  So...never feed a baby bird milk.

THE YOUNG:

Mom, and sometimes Dad (depending on the songbird species), incubates the eggs for about two weeks.  After hatching, the young songbirds spend about 10 to 14 days in the nest, frowing to adult size and developing eathers.

HABITAT (HOME):

Songbirds live in areas that have places to hide and a source for food.  Different songbirds build different types of nests.  A cup nest may belong to a robin or a goldfinch, a handing nest is probably a Baltimore Oriole.

DEFENSIVE HABITS:

Baby songbirds have no way to protect themselves.  Once they leave the nest, the young birds ar very vulnerable to predators, especially house cats, until they learn how to hide and when to fl away.

UNUSUAL FACTS:

• Birds have a poorly developed sense of small.  If you find a newly hatched songbird on the ground, you can place it back into the nest.  If you cannot each the nest, make a substitute nest from a frozen whipped cream container.  Punch holes into the bottom, pack it with leaves and grass, tie it tightly onto a nearby tree, as high as you can reach, and put the baby in it.  Mom and Dad will return soon.

• In most cases, the male songbird is the one who sings.  He uses his songs to attract a mate and to warn off other male birds.

 (Photo credit: Cardinal FNAL (Fermi Lab), Photographer: Tom Bentley)