Syracuse.com - Springtime is mating time for most Central New York birds

[HuntingNY-News]

"Ducks, especially mallards, are especially promiscuous. If you took blood samples of mallard ducklings, it's very possible that the male hanging out with the female was not the only father.

Male and female goldfinches at the Beaver Lake Nature Center. Goldfinches are among the species of birds that mate late, compared to other local birds. David Lassman / The Post-Standard  

The mating season for birds of all shapes and sizes is in full swing as spring unfolds in Central New York.

Though some birds still haven't returned yet from the south, there's plenty that have and more than enough avian romance to go around.

Laura Erickson, author and former science editor of the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, was asked this week what she's seeing out there this year and other questions about this seasonal bird behavior.

How does this spring compare to last year's, when we had a relatively snowless winter and early thaw?

"Spring migration is much later this year. But some birds, like robins and waterfowl, respond to temperature and other weather conditions, and came back earlier than other species."

Generally, which birds mate the earliest? Which birds are doing it right now as we speak? Which ones mate the latest in the season?

"Great horned owls are among the very first to nest—they often start mating around Valentine's Day. Right now, great blue herons, ducks and geese are mating and laying eggs. Cedar waxwings and American goldfinches don't mate until July."

Which birds pair and mate for life? And what happens if one of them dies?

"Canada geese and swans mate for life and stay together year round. If one partner dies, the other one will eventually find a new mate, but it could take as little as a few weeks or up to several years."

Which birds are the most promiscuous?

"Ducks, especially mallards, are especially promiscuous. If you took blood samples of mallard ducklings, it's very possible that the male hanging out with the female was not the only father."

Which birds are the most prolific and have the largest number of young?

"Ducks and grouse have a large number of chicks--sometimes as many as 14 or so."

Which birds are the most picky when it comes to selecting a nest site?

"All birds are very selective about their nest sites. Each species has its own habitat needs -- some quite broad, others quite narrow. They are "picky" within these habitat constraints."

Which birds don't seem to care where they do it?

"Ducks are the birds most often observed mating. Birds are exceptionally vulnerable during mating, and try to find somewhat hidden areas for this."

In the coming weeks, if you happen upon a young bird that's fallen out of its nest what should you do? Many believe that once you touch it and put your scent on it, the mother will have nothing to do with it? True?

"Birds recognize their young as we do, by sight and sound, not by odor. So birds can be put back into their nest if they're true nestlings that have fallen out by accident.

"Many of the baby birds people find are fledgings—young that have left the nest on their own, but aren't quite able to fly yet. Blue Jays and robins are among the most often found as young fledglings.

"If you find one of these in a quiet, safe area, leave it alone. It's parents are busy with a few other fledglings at the same time but will return.

If the bird is in an unsafe area, place it in the nearest safe spot—a bush or tangle.

"Taking a baby bird home to raise is illegal, violating the Migratory Bird Act. Unless you are trained in wildlife rehabilitation, it will be very harmful to the fledgling."

To learn more about CNY birds, visit Cornell Ornithology Lab's website.

View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog