Phoebe
& Robin Platform
by Duncraft
Catbird
Brown Thrasher
Eastern
Phoebe
Say's Phoebe
Black Phoebe
Robin
Blue Jay
Mourning Dove
House Finch |
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Emberizidae
Subfamily: Emberizinae
Genus: Melospiza
La. passer sparrow, small bird
La. forma form, kind, species
Swiss-German emmeritz bunting or
yellow hammer
Gr. melos a song;
Gr. spiza a finch
La. melodia melody |
|
| Six inches long. Brown and white streaks
back across the crown, brown and black speckles in streaks over its breast and sides of
its white underside. Brown and black wing feathers with white borders. Gray tail. Inhabits woodlands, groves, wetland edges, open country, farms and vacant
lots in towns from southern Alaska across Canada below 60 latitude to Newfoundland and
throughout the U.S. to central Mexico. Most migrate short distances, some remain resident
year around.
Builds a well concealed nest of grass, rootlets, bark shreds and
leaves lined with fine grass and hair in trees, bushes, trunk cavities, wood heaps and in
vines against sides of houses, usually near or on the ground, sometimes up to six or eight
feet, sometimes in open fields. Lays four to six, more or less, white speckled eggs
which hatch after about two weeks incubation and young leave the nest in about another
week and a half. Raises two or even three broods in a season. |
| Eats grains, insects and fruit.
Pumps
its tail in flight and characteristically disappears into bushes. Always flies downward
when alarmed. Likes birdbaths; get one. Spirited
singer who sings many melodies at all times of day and night in fair or foul weather. F.
Schulyler Mathews describes the Song Sparrow as, "The flower of his family, a
musician of exceptional ability." |
Earnest Seton
Thompson |
The Phoebe platform which may be suitable (or may
not, depending on the circumstances) for Song Sparrows has a 6" by 6" base,
approximately a 6" ceiling, an open front and partially open sides.
Gilbert H. Trafton, the author of "Bird Friends", 1916, recommended platforms
open on all four sides for Thrashers, Catbirds and Song Birds. See Platform Discussion
Chances are slim of attracting song sparrows to any particular shelf, but a pair might
like the open cavity in the right spot. Mount low maybe behind a bush so the parents can
approach the nest unnoticed, higher if predator cats may be about, amidst a vine covered
wall would be ideal.
Phoebe
& Robin Platform
by Duncraft |
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