do birds eat dandelion seeds

With just a few days remaining for us in Chignik Lake, we continue to add to our project documenting bird species within a three-mile radius of this tiny, remote village on the Alaska Peninsula. With approximately 75 different types of birds observed – and good photographs of most of those species – much as been accomplished, including getting photographs of birds that, to the best of our knowledge, had never before been recorded out here. But, as with any project of this scope and complexity, much remains undone. We only now are getting into making videos and immediately have been intrigued by the unique possibilities this medium offers. With open invitations to return for future visits, we hope to make it back to this paradise by The Lake.

Aside from brief clips of a Fox Sparrow in song, Pine Siskins coming to Barbra’s hand for seed, and a Red Crossbill going to town on White Spruce cones, this is the only bird video we’ve made. It’s the first video we’ve planned out and edited.

For the past few days, dozens of finches – Pine Grosbeaks, Pine Siskins and Common Redpolls – have been foraging virtually nonstop on dandelion seeds in the unmown lawn outside our front door. We’d been enjoying watching this show (and listening to the constant, cheerful bird chatter) from our kitchen and from the boardwalk leading from our house to the school where Barbra teaches. The Pine Grosbeaks in particular have been quite tolerant of our presence – if not downright curious to the point of approaching us. (I once had a Pine Grosbeak land on my head as I was photographing them.) In fact, individual of all three species have approached so close at one time or another we might have reached out and touched them.

The siskins’ numbers appear to be populated by recently fledged members. Earlier this past spring, we saw a redpoll with nesting material and they, too, appear to have young among them. We’re not sure about the Pine Grosbeaks. At present there are about eight grosbeaks – an even number of male and female birds – and although this species might be seen in any season here in Chignik Lake, we’re not sure if these are individuals that overwintered here and filled the spring air with their beautiful song, or whether this a group that is merely passing through. In any event, although David Narver who, back in the early 1960’s compiled the only other detailed list of birds occurring in we’ve been able to find, reported redpolls as “uncommon” and made no mention at all of Pine Siskins and Pine Grosbeaks, redpolls and grosbeaks have been common during our entire three years here. Siskins showed up for the first time two winters ago and have been common since. At times, we’ve counted upwards of 60 birds in flocks of redpolls and siskins, and at least 40 in a flock of Pine Grosbeaks that spent a week or two in the village stuffing themselves on alder cones.

living well off the beaten path Search

We are running out of time in Chignik Lake, but we are not stopping to add to our project of recording bird species within three miles of this small, isolated village on the Alaska Peninsula. Many accomplishments have been made, including obtaining photos of birds that, to the best of our knowledge, had never before been documented here. Approximately 75 different species of birds have been observed, and good photographs of the majority of those species have been obtained. However, much remains unfinished as with any project this size and complexity. We recently started creating videos, and we were immediately drawn to the distinctive opportunities this medium presents. We hope to return to this paradise by The Lake and extend our invitations to do so in the future.

This is the only bird video we have created, with the exception of a few seconds showing a Red Crossbill feasting on White Spruce cones, a Fox Sparrow singing, and Pine Siskins approaching Barbra for seed. It’s the first video we’ve planned out and edited.

Numerous finches, including Pine Grosbeaks, Pine Siskins, and Common Redpolls, have been feeding on dandelion seeds in the unmowed lawn outside our front door almost nonstop for the past few days. From our kitchen and the boardwalk that connects our home to the school where Barbra teaches, we had been enjoying this show and the incessant, happy chatter of the birds. Specifically, the Pine Grosbeaks have been extremely receptive to our presence, even going so far as to approach us. (A Pine Grosbeak once perched on my head while I was taking pictures of them. Individuals from all three species have actually occasionally come so close that we could have touched them.

There seem to be more recently fledged members among the siskins. We noticed a redpoll with nesting materials earlier in the spring, and they also seemed to have young among them. We’re not sure about the Pine Grosbeaks. There are currently eight grosbeaks, an equal number of male and female birds. While this species can be seen in Chignik Lake throughout the year, we are unsure of whether these birds are individuals that overwintered here and filled the springtime air with their lovely song, or if this is a group that is just passing through. In any case, redpolls and grosbeaks have been common during our entire three years here, despite the fact that David Narver, who back in the early 1960s compiled the only other detailed list of birds occurring in we’ve been able to find, reported redpolls as “uncommon” and made no mention at all of Pine Siskins and Pine Grosbeaks. Since their initial appearance two winters ago, siskins have become more frequent. We have occasionally seen flocks of redpolls and siskins with up to 60 birds, and a flock of Pine Grosbeaks that spent a week or two in the village gorged on alder cones, with at least 40 birds.

Personally I’ll pass on dandelions. Well, maybe I’ll keep the dandelion wine recipe. It calls for 3 quarts of dandelion flowers. All I’ll need to do is make sure to pick them before I cut them down.

He trod on the stem, made his way to the tip, and consumed every seed. He then proceeded to the following one, stepping on the stem, going to the end, and eating the seeds. Does he know how to eat dandelion seeds only because his grandfather taught him, or is he the only bird in the world that does?

Still, dandelion mixtures have been used to repel mosquitoes and treat a variety of conditions, including arthritis, jaundice, upset stomach, warts, dairy allergies, toenail fungus, and urinary tract infections.

I’m not sure why some species are attracted to dandelions, but birds put a lot of effort into collecting the tiny seeds. It’s nearly worth it to leave some of my dandelions alone for the birds’ food alone.

Even though the majority of us have never purposefully eaten dandelion seeds, certain markets do carry dandelion greens. They are available at Whole Foods, and their website has a recipe for dandelion greens with warm balsamic vinegar that calls for two and a half pounds of greens.

FAQ

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