If you are lucky enough to have a backyard in Idaho, you might have noticed the beautiful backyard birds of Idaho visiting your property each day! Learning about the backyard birds of Idaho and being able to attract and identify them is definitely an interesting activity. And, if you’re still not into it, you’re missing out on a lot!
State Bird of Idaho
Measuring 6–7 inches in length and a prominent member of the Thrush family, the Mountain Bluebird is featured as the state bird of Idaho. Their bodies are mostly covered in a pale blue color. The color is darker on the backside.
Fun Fact: The Mountain Bluebird was adopted as the state bird of Idaho in 1931!
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Backyard Birds of Idaho
● Did you know there have been more than 432 bird species recorded in Idaho?
● 8 species among the backyard birds of Idaho have been introduced into the North American continent.
● Out of them, 1 species is now extinct.
Attracting Birds to Your Idaho Backyard
Do you want to attract more backyard birds to your backyard? Attracting these native birds is an exciting process as you need to figure out what will reinforce their returning behavior. Here are 4 things that you need to work upon as a starting point:
● Safety
● Food
● Water
● Shelter
Fun Bird Watching Activities for Your Backyard
Backyard bird watching (or may I say it as a soap opera in your backyard) is fun because each species that visits your backyard possesses different characteristics. Some are busy gathering food for their partners at home, while some species prefer to travel in pairs. Some bird species that visit you might be aggressive feeders, while others patiently wait for their turn.
Here are some fun bird watching activities for your backyard are:
● Great backyard bird count.
● Categorizing the birds.
● Identifying the words that visit your Idaho backyard.
Identifying Backyard Birds
Use a balanced study approach that includes monitoring the 4 important characteristics of backyard birds:
- Field Markings
- Color
- Voice
- Behavior
A field guide might also ease your pain of identifying backyard birds.
Lesser Goldfinch
Lesser Goldfinches are yellow and black with a vibrant yellow underside. They are found in the southeastern region of North America. They are most common in Texas and California. Their population is stable and common. They make their homes in open woods, gardens, and near streams. They gather in oak, cottonwood, and willow trees. Lesser Goldfinches eat mostly seeds, but also some insects. They are considered permanent residents, not migrating out of their range.
California Quail
The California Quail is found in California as well as the Northwest. It is a large, round bird with a gray body and a head plume. The plume looks like one big feather but it is actually 6 feathers overlapping. The California Quail can be found roaming the ground looking for seeds and insects to eat.
Black-billed Magpie
Black-billed Magpies are noisy birds that sit on fence posts and road signs. The Black-billed Magpie has a black and white body. Magpies enjoy eating fruits, insects, and small animals. They flap steadily in flight showing their white feathers and long tails.
Steller’s Jay
Steller’s Jays are blue with a black head and a triangular crest. They are found near evergreen forests in the mountains of the western United States. They make their homes in pine and oak forests. Their population is widespread and common. Steller’s Jays make their nests out of mud. They stay in the high canopy and fly down in long, lazy swoops. They eat nuts, seeds, or handouts from humans! Steller’s Jays are permanent residents but may move to lower elevations in the winter.
Cedar Waxwing
Cedar Waxwings have a silky, shiny body that is brown and gray. These birds like to eat berries and can be found perched in fruit trees. The Waxwing has a high, thin whistle. Many times you will hear a Cedar Waxwing before you will see it. The Cedar Waxwing can be found throughout North America.
European Starling
The European Starling is the most numerous songbird found throughout North America. They are an all-black bird with short tails, pointed bills, and triangular wings. Although in the winter, they are covered with white spots. European Starlings are sometimes viewed as aggressive as they run along the ground.
House Finch
The House Finch can be found in most neighborhoods in North America. The House Finch has a bright red head and chest. House Finches like to eat sunflower seeds. The House Finch is a noisy bird and likes to be around other birds.
Bird Feeders that Attract Backyard Birds
The mantra of attracting backyard birds more quickly is to use mixed seeds. Some great seeds to use are Nyjer seeds, Sunflower hearts, and Black oil sunflower seeds.
Final Words
We hope that by now you have a comprehensive idea about how to attract the backyard birds of Idaho. Can you tell an American Robin from a Downy Woodpecker, a House Wren from a Black-capped Chickadee? If not, then add it to the list of activities for your next bird-watching session!
