Birds Archives - Appalachian Creations, Inc.

The Tiger Lily – The Common Orange Daylily

June 22, 2015 By Jenn Stumer Leave a Comment

Tiger Lily Hemerocallis fulva

by Jenn Stumer

Appalachian Creations, Inc.

The Tiger Lily… Famous for appearing along roadsides from coast to coast, this common wildflower is known by a host of different names in different parts of the world. Some may know it as Tawny Daylily or Roadside Lily, Ditch Lily or Railroad Lily.

This common orange daylily was introduced into the United States in the late 19th century as an ornamental perennial. This is the one found in every grandmother’s garden and the one seen blooming right now along roadsides from coast to coast. It is the number one daylily to naturalize. Once established, it multiplies and spreads to form dense patches that overwhelm all weeds. It requires no care and is tolerant of any soil (although it really LOVES moist and wet soils which is why it grows so well in roadside ditches. It loves shade but will also flourish in sun as well.

Once quite popular with homeowners and landscapers for the large, showy flowers, hardiness and the ability to spread, nowadays, the Tiger Lily has fallen a bit to the wayside in landscape designs simply because it can be an aggressive spreader. Some even consider it invasive. Taking their place is the new hybrid Daylilies that vary in height, color and length of blooming period.

Where does the Tiger Lily get its Name?

The Tiger Lily gets its “Lily” name from the similarity of the flower to other lilies. True lilies carry the genus name “Lilium.” Some major differences are: Daylilies grow from tuberous roots and Lilies grow from bulbs. Daylily flowers last only one day and Lily flowers can last up to a week. The foliage differs as well with Daylilies having long, flat blades that grow in clumps. The Lily has one, single unbranched stem from the bulb. There is actually a true Lily bearing the name “Tiger Lily” that has large orange flowers covered in spots.

The Tiger Lily can grow up to four feet tall and produce numerous 4-5” flowers on their stems. The tiger lily flower only lasts one day and is actually edible. Dried or fresh flowers are used in Asian cooking and are known as “golden needles.” The shoots and roots are also edible and when baked, lily roots are said to taste like potatoes! Oh and did I mention they attract butterflies and hummingbirds???

Eastern Bluebirds and Nest Boxes

June 25, 2014 By Jenn Stumer Leave a Comment

Eastern Bluebirds – by Jenn Stumer, Appalachian Creations, Inc.

Imagine our surprise when we found a pair of eastern bluebirds moving into the nest box our son Joey made. The house was installed about a month ago even though it was a little late in the season for bluebirds. We were still hopeful and thought it wouldn’t hurt to put it up. A family of wrens started moving in a short time later so we really gave up hope. Then about two weeks ago, my husband Joe sent me the picture above. The bluebirds found the nest box, kicked out the wrens and moved right in! Amazing! (Although I’m sure the wrens didn’t think so.)

Preferring open country, bluebirds were rare in Pennsylvania before the 1900s, when forests covered most of the state. They increased in number as forests were cut in the early 1900’s but declined sharply in the mid-1900’s because of the widespread use of pesticides and competition for nest sites from house sparrows and starlings. Today, bluebirds have made a significant comeback mainly because of landowners installing nest boxes.

Bluebird nest boxes are used to increase available nest sites and attract the bluebirds. They are easy to make or can be purchased at a local garden center or bird supply store. Once you have a nest box, mount it on a fence post or a 4X4 post that is at least 8 feet tall. (The first 2 feet should go into the ground.) The nest box is then mounted 4 to 6 feet above the ground. Be sure to choose a spot so that the box faces away from prevailing winds.

To attract migrating bluebirds, prepare nest boxes for use by February (this is why we thought we were too late.) Leave them up all year as some eastern bluebirds stay year-round. To ensure that they are weather-tight and clean, open the boxes after each nesting season and remove all nesting materials.

For the bluebirds that do migrate south in the winter, expect them to return in early March. The males will arrive first with the females arriving a short time later. The adults often return to the same territories where they previously lived, and the young from the previous year return to breed near the area where they were hatched.

When they arrive, the bluebirds look for suitable nesting sites. Pairs begin breeding in early April. Because of this most pairs will raise two broods in a season. The female lays three to six pale blue eggs, which she incubates. The eggs hatch within 2 weeks, and the babies are fed in the nest by both the male and the female for about 3 weeks. The adults then feed the young out of the nest for another 10 days before they are on their own.

Now for their diet…Insects, including grasshoppers, crickets, beetles, and caterpillars, make up 68% and the remaining 32% is fruit. They gather insects from leaves, branches, and the ground. They also catch insects in the air by hunting from perches, a technique known as “hawking.”

I think what helped fill our bluebird house so late in the season was the extended winter and spring we experienced. Without that I’m not sure we would have them in residence. The wrens would still be happily living in the nest box and we would be hoping for bluebirds again next year!

The Hummingbirds Are Here!

May 16, 2014 By Jenn Stumer Leave a Comment

Hummingbirds are Here! by Jenn Stumer – Appalachian Creations. Inc.

With cooler temperatures lending such a late start to this spring season, it’s been easy to forget about the Ruby-throated Hummingbirds. Imagine my delight when I saw one hovering over the burgundy pansies in my hanging baskets! I knew there were very little options for food for them so I hung my liquid feeder the same day. Of course the arrival of this Archilochus colubris, prompted me to research more information on them. Which I’m happy to share!

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds begin their migration from the south and arrive around the same time every year regardless of the temperatures in our area. They need the warmth of the sun, and they need food sources as soon as they arrive. This cooler weather prevents them from feeding, and forces them to go into torpor, a state of being still and stiff, in order to conserve energy. If they can’t find food to generate warmth, they might not survive.

Hummers will feed every 15-20 minutes all day long. An adult bird can eat twice their body weight in one day but it burns this up with the high metabolism necessary to sustain its rapid wing beat and aerodynamic maneuvers. Nectar is their primary source of food from which they gain carbohydrates for energy. But they do not suck nectar as you would expect them to (as in drinking through a straw). They place their open bill in the feeder and lick up the nectar at a high rate of speed similar to how a cat drinks. The birds will also catch and eat insects and spiders that will provide them with fats and proteins. They will spend more time eating insects to fatten up as the time draws near for their southern migration.

The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is the most common hummingbird in our area. The adult males migrate north several days before the females and young males in order to claim their territory. The territory is usually rich in nectar-containing flowers and could cover a quarter acre or more. Hummers are extremely protective of their food source and will defend their territory by chasing intruders out of their space. They will descend aggressively upon cats, squirrels, butterflies, moths, bees, larger birds and even humans to defend their territory. Even the female builds her nest away from the male territory.

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds like to nest in deciduous or mixed woodland areas often near or over water. The female alone builds the nest usually on a downward facing tree branch anywhere between 4’-50’ off the ground. She will use old flowers and leaves and lichen on the outside. The inside is lined with soft plant down and spider’s silk. The outside diameter is no bigger than a half dollar. Old nests are reused for several seasons and refurbished every year.

Female Hummingbirds provide all the care for the babies. They lay 1-3 eggs, incubating them for about two weeks. Upon hatching, the young are no bigger than peas. They are blind and featherless and virtually helpless, in need of constant care. They are fed by the female as she is hovering. She inserts her bill into the baby’s throat and pumps in nectar and insects. Because brooding periods vary with the weather, a female may have several broods in a season.

Hummingbirds have unique skeletal and flight muscle adaptations that enable them to have high maneuverability in flight. Muscles make up 25-30% of their body weight. Their wings connect to the body only from the shoulder joint. From this joint the wing rotates almost 180 degrees. This allows the bird to move freely in any direction. They can fly not only forward but also straight up and down, sideways and backwards. And of course they can hover in order to drink nectar and eat insects. During hovering, their wings beat an average of 53 beats per second. When moving backwards, 61 beats per second and an astonishing 75 beats per second when moving forward. When they fly, they always follow regular routes. This is called traplining.

Hummers have more feathers per square inch than any other bird and have no down feathers. Many of the feathers are iridescent and require sunlight to show colors. The ruby-throated adult male sports the tell-tale brilliant red throat. The immature males may show some slight coloring in this area but do not fully mature until the following spring.

Hummingbirds are guided by sight. They can see the color red, especially large groups of it, from over half a mile away. But they are not only attracted to red. Orange, pink, purple, white and blue flowers will also draw them.

Hummingbirds share favorite plants with butterflies. Mimosa, butterfly bush, shrub verbena, monarda and hollyhock are a few examples. Cardinal vine, trumpet vine, honeysuckle, rose of Sharon, and Rhododendron are Hummingbird magnets. They are also attracted to artificial feeders. And they love dripping water. They will fly through it instead of perching on a bird bath.

The oldest known Ruby-throated Hummingbird on record is 9 years and 1 month of age. Almost all hummingbirds of 7 years or more in age are females, with males rarely surviving past 5 years of age. Possible reasons for a higher mortality rate in males may be weight loss during the breeding season (it takes a lot of energy to defend its territory), followed by a grueling marathon migration south.

The Ruby-throats are back! And the late start to spring may be hindering them from keeping up with their regular diet. Not much to be done about the cool temperatures but if you have an artificial feeder, fill it and put it out! In researching this article, I learned a good bit about them that I didn’t know before. I hope you enjoy reading it!

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