17th February 2007

Starving Robins Sign of Global Warming?

Are Starving Robins Just One More Sign of Global Warming?
by Laura Thieme

In the past two weeks, I have monitored the plight of the robins not just in our neighborhood, but also around Columbus.  About two weeks ago, I asked my secretary to inquire as to what I should feed the robins?  I’d read sometime ago that water was essential, as well as apples, raisins, peanuts, sunflower seeds, and suet.  I had also noted that robins typically ravage my crabapple and berry trees in January when ice and snow prevented ground feeding supplies.   But this year was different.  January was unseasonably warm, yet the robins ate the crabapples and berries in January despite the weather.  However, for most of February, temperatures have hovered around the zero degree mark, and snow has covered the ground.   How do robins go that long without food or water?

Robins Starving in Columbus

The store near my house, WildBirds Unlimited, on Rt. 33, in Dublin, sells supplies and recommended suet, sunflower seeds without the shells and mealworms, and fruit.  I tried feeding the robins cut apples but that didn’t work.  I read online that it’s difficult to feed robins in the winter, as they’re not feeder birds, nor do they prefer seeds.  But I have found two highly successful methods of keeping them alive around my house - frozen/thawed organic cherries and water in an electric outdoor dog bowl.  The cherries were a huge hit, and in fact, I need to go to the store for more.  Blueberries were also attempted, but while this attracted birds (robins, cardinals, blue jays, and finches), I didn’t see the robins eating them at all.  Robins also like platform feeders, which I found at Meijer in short supply.  And for the suet that everyone recommends, I’ve got two types outside and have yet to see the suet receive attention.  I do have the suet feeder as well as the platform feeder - so we’ll continue to watch.  It took a couple of hours for the robin to try eating off the platform feeder, but one robin finally jumped on top of it, and flew off with a cherry in her beak.  I’ll try to post some pictures I took by tomorrow.

Robin Waiting for Food

So, does this relate to global warming?  I read an article today in the Columbus Dispatch about the robins.   Apparently, there are dead robins all over Muirfield.  I’ve seen dead robins alongside Antrim Park’s intersection of the park and Olentangy River Road.  I’ve seen them fly across Bethel in a weakened state, and barely miss getting hit by cars.  Some are not so lucky.  According to the article, they’re trying to post signs that say “Slow Down, Save A Robin”.  Robins are supposed to migrate south during the winter, but if the Fall and Winter is warm, they’re likely to stay behind.  If the winter season hits hard without warning, there is little time for the robins to escape or find alternate sources of food.

Additional Resources:

Article about Robins and Feeding Them -
Ignore their recs about not feeding them - feed them frozen cherries and give them fresh water

Yardener.com - What to Feed Robins in Winter
http://www.yardener.com/FeedingRobins.html

Ohio Dept of Natural Resources - Division of Wildlife - American Robin Defined
http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/wildlife/Resources/wbirds/birdid/robin.htm
 

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