Wild Birds Unlimited

What’s that bird that’s always doing acrobatics on your feeder?? That’s a white-breasted nuthatch! These little guys live here in Augusta all year, but fall is a great time to watch them because you might figure out where they get their common name... from jamming nuts and seeds into tree bark and then using their beaks to hatch the seed from its shell! One of the funniest things about nuthatches is their ability to flip upside down or go sideways on vertical surfaces w...hile looking for food, or to get out of another bird’s way. White-breasted nuthatches like to eat insects (and spiders! ) so they are great to have in your backyard. At feeders, they love nuts and seeds, and they’re big fans of our WBU suet we even have an upside down suet feeder for them! A big thank you to Gary Whiting for this incredible picture, right in his back yard! Gary says, I call it ‘Impatient Nuthatch.’ My fly-through feeder is just out of the photo to the left. I think the Nuthatch on the bottom got tired of his friend waiting too long to get to the Bark Butter Bits, so he went right under him!

Our Favorite Feeders! (and the birds love them, too ) Thank you to everyone who joined us for our livestream! We told you some of our favorite feeders and what we love about them, now it’s your turn to tell us...What feeder has brought joy to your yard recently?? Let us know in the comments!

Time is running out to enter our drawing for $20 off any bird feeder! Don't forget to check out our contest post to see the details for how to enter! The contest will close tomorrow at 3 pm, and the winner will be announced during our live event at 6:30

We’re giving away $20 off a bird feeder of your choice! To enter the drawing, simply share this event to your page, and tag a bird-loving friend in the comments below this post for a second entry! The deadline for entry in our contest is 10/22 by 3 pm, and the winner will be announced live at the end of the event. We are going live this Thursday (10/22) at 6:30 pm to discuss different feeders, why we love them, and why birds do too! It’s a great opportunity to learn about attracting different birds to your yard by offering different ways for your birds to eat. We hope to see you there!

Who can relate?? One of the most common things we hear from our customers is that squirrels are cleaning out their feeders! Did you know we have a long list of solutions to this frustrating problem?? Our staff can help you find a way to make sure your bird feeders are actually feeding the birds! (And if you want to feed the squirrels, we can help with that too )

Wondering what to do with nesting boxes now that it's fall?? Nesting boxes are great for more than just nesting! In the colder months, birds seeking shelter from the cold weather will use these boxes to roost. So how can you help? - Take inventory of your nesting boxes. Now is a great time to repair or replace any damaged boxes to ensure they provide suitable shelter... - Clean out the nesting boxes-- many of us worry about disturbing a nest, but at this point in the year, these nests have already served their purpose. It is best to freshen up the nesting box to avoid pests and mold. pro tip: we carry a bird-safe nesting box/feeder cleaner in our store! - Uh-oh... what if there are eggs in the nest? There are many reasons this can happen, but at this time of year it is safe to assume the nest has been abandoned, and the nest can be discarded. - If you want to go the extra mile, we do carry boxes made for roosting! These have a ladder which allows the birds to perch so they can all squeeze in together, and the ladder can be taken out in spring for nesting. Offering shelter in the winter months is a great way to keep your birds around all year, and they will also remember these spots when they are looking for a good place to nest in the spring! image: Male and female Eastern Bluebirds in a wooden nesting box

Welcome to "What bird is that??" Wednesday! A spotlight on fall birds you might be seeing at your feeders! Today's bird is the rose-breasted grosbeak. One of the most beautiful songbirds in North America, the rose-breasted grosbeak stops through Augusta in spring and fall, as their preferred breeding ground is in the North Georgia mountains. The male has bold black and white feathers, but they are most recognized for the rosy feathers under their wings and the red triangle o...n their chest! They are members of the cardinal family, believe it or not. These beautiful birds love sunflower seeds, berries, and insects, and you will most likely notice them in your tray feeder or hopper, but our 'bug, nut, & berry' cylinder is also a great option for these guys. Have you seen any rose-breasted grosbeaks at your feeders? Feel free to brag in the comments below! If you would like more information on attracting migratory birds into your yard, our staff is always happy to help!

Looking for an excuse to skip raking the leaves? Look no further! This article from the National Audubon Society has some great tips for making your backyard a fall and winter haven for the birds, making you more likely to see some exciting new visitors this season! ... https://www.audubon.org//to-help-birds-winter-go-easy-fall

The Eastern Bluebird is definitely a local favorite! Fun fact: due to deforestation, North American bluebird populations were in a harsh decline; but thanks to the popularity of bluebird nesting boxes, they are in recovery! This is a good reminder that what we do in our backyards can make a big difference for wildlife.

Our much-awaited seed characters are back in stock to bring some festive fall fun to your yard! This is the last weekend to save 15% on ALL bird food, including these fun seed characters! Sale ends Monday the 12th, so don’t forget to come stock up on fall favorites!

Do you know what to do when a bird flies inside your house? With this lovely fall weather we've been enjoying, many of us here in Augusta have been opening our windows more. Unfortunately, our feathered friends sometimes take that as an invitation to come in! So what can you do?... 1. Remove immediate threats to the bird's safety: take dogs or cats out of the room, turn off ceiling fans, close doors to other rooms. 2. Remain calm: The bird is safe and so are you, and frantic energy will only make the little guy nervous and more prone to injury. 3. Turn off lights and leave the window open. The bird will follow the sunlight and find his way back out! 4. Uh-oh, what if it's dark outside? This may get tricky.. you can turn off indoor lights and turn on exterior lights, but the bird may feel more comfortable remaining inside until the sun comes up. 5. Rather than trying to trap the bird, you can hold up a large sheet and try to calmly herd it out the window. If the bird becomes too frantic it is best to de-escalate the situation by leaving the room again. A bird in the house can be a chaotic event, but most of the time it is best to simply let them find their way back out-- and they will! While this may not feel like the most efficient solution, it is far less dramatic for everyone involved. Do you have any funny bird-in-the-house stories? Feel free to share in the comments!

IRRUPTION ALERT: Pine siskins are heading south! An irruptive species of birds is one that sometimes breaks its typical migration pattern and irregularly winters well beyond its normal range. Huge flocks of Pine Siskins are currently migrating south and into Georgia, so this might be a year that we have them in Augusta! These little guys are extremely nomadic and are most attracted to nyger (thistle) feeders, but enjoy sunflower seeds as well. Pine Siskins are smaller than... the American Goldfinch, with bodies covered in brown streaks and wings that are highlighted with yellow feathers. You will also notice that their beaks are smaller and more pointed than most finches in our area. If you are lucky enough to spot one of these Pine Siskins, you can make a report on eBird to help ornithologists track their migration, and be sure to tell us about it too!