Ask the Experts
Our pros cover strange bird behavior, mystery blooms and more!
QGrackles come to my backyard feeders in large numbers. These intruders discourage my regular birds and eat all the sunflower seeds. Do you have any suggestions?
Kenn and Kimberly: It can be frustrating when large flocks of grackles and other blackbirds wreak havoc on feeders, gobbling up enormous amounts of food and chasing away other birds. Fortunately, in most areas, big flocks of blackbirds are likely to visit only a few times per year. When the blackbird flocks show up, try using tube-style feeders that hang in the middle of a wire cage. Smaller birds can access the feeder, but larger ones, like grackles and starlings, can’t get through. This type of feeder will keep out blue jays, too, but you can entice them back when the blackbird flocks have moved on.
Lois Vander Waerdt ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI
On a recent outing to Horicon Marsh in Wisconsin, I captured a photo of this bird among some Canada geese. What kind is it? Lynette Redner DELAVAN, WISCONSIN
Kenn and Kimberly: Snow geese come in two color morphs: one white with black wingtips, the other blue-gray with a white head, often called “blue goose.” At a glance, this looks like the latter. But a couple of things about it seem odd, like the mostly black bill—on an adult snow goose the bill should be mostly pink. Being with Canada geese is also suspicious, because snow geese usually travel in flocks of their own. Size might be the key: If it was a lot smaller than the Canada geese, it was probably an odd snow goose.
If it was close to their size, it may have been a hybrid.
I grew this plant from a small cutting. Can you tell me what kind of plant it is? Brenda Cook GUYTON, GEORGIA
Melinda: This is a justica, and as you discovered, it’s easy to propagate from cuttings. The plant’s colorful flowers brighten shady locations spring through fall. These frost-tender plants are hardy in Zones 9 to 11 and are grown as evergreen perennials or shrubs in milder climates. The plants die back to the ground, but the roots usually survive in Zone 8. Justicas are commonly grown as container plants and have been popular since the Victorian era.
A flock of jays steals my dog’s food right out of her bowl! Is this normal behavior? Is there any way to discourage it, besides removing the bowl? Rebecca Garber DUNMORE, WEST VIRGINIA
Kenn and Kimberly: Many kinds of birds are adaptable enough to figure out new food sources. We’ve heard of jays, woodpeckers, grackles and other birds stealing pet food. Unfortunately, blue jays are very smart and resourceful, and once they discover an easy food supply like this, it’s hard to discourage them. But they’re creatures of habit, too. If you can feed your dog indoors for a few days, the jays may get out of the routine of doing this and go on to committing some other kind of mischief.
I’ve recently started painting the insides of the birdhouses I build to make them last longer, but the birds are uninterested in making a nest inside. Are the painted interiors the problem?
John Kenney RAHWAY, NEW JERSEY
Kenn and Kimberly: It’s hard to say why birds seem reluctant to use boxes with painted interiors, but there’s no good reason to paint the inside. On hot summer days, paint on the interior of the box can release potentially harmful fumes. If your boxes are not made from a water-resistant wood and you’re concerned about the lifespan of the box, the North American Bluebird Society recommends painting the outside with good-quality exterior stain or latex paint. Use a neutral color in northern areas and a light color in hot climates to reduce overheating.
I picked about 100 milkweed seedpods. How do I get them to grow? Someone told me to spread them over mulch and lightly work them in. Steve Ripp
NEENAH, WISCONSIN
Melinda: Many gardeners have found collecting and growing milkweed plants from seed a bit challenging. The seeds must be mature to sprout, so collect seeds from pods just before or as the pods split open. Increase your chance of success by removing the seeds from the pod. Separate the seed from the fluff and store in the refrigerator or an airtight container for several months. This cold treatment is needed to end dormancy and increase sprouting success. Sow seeds indoors in a quality potting or seed-starting mix. Move transplants into the garden after the danger of frost. You can also plant seeds directly outdoors in the fall.
Pink moss roses have come up every year in our flower bed for the past 15 years. This is the first time we’ve ever seen a white flower produced. What are the chances it will continue to come up as a white bloom in the future? Deborah Whiting MIDLAND, TEXAS
Melinda: Moss roses are self-seeding annuals that can return to the same general location for many years. Hybrid cultivars do not always produce duplicate offspring. Cross-pollination and mutations also result in changes in flower color, plant size and growth habit. The white flowers may continue to appear and produce additional white offspring, or this may have been a one-time occurrence. Enjoy the surprise!
A robin attacks our car and flies into our sunroom windows. What causes this behavior, and what should we do?
Craig Carty MOUNTAIN HOME, ARKANSAS
Kenn and Kimberly: At certain times of year, robins, cardinals and other birds are very territorial. They mistake their reflection for another bird and will launch repeated attacks to drive the “intruder” away. The only truly effective way to discourage these attacks is to eliminate the reflection until the bird loses interest. Cover your car mirrors with small garbage bags, securing them with rubber bands. For your sunroom windows, try hanging sheets of dark plastic, newspaper or old sheets on the outside of the window. Or rub soap on the outside of the window where the robin usually attacks. Either approach should do the trick.
Is it OK to give wild birds our leftover whole wheat bread to eat?
Brittany Hook TONEY, ALABAMA
Kenn and Kimberly: We discourage people from feeding bread to birds, as there are far too many potential risks. Bread gets moldy quickly, and mold can pose a number of health problems for birds. If the chunks of bread are too large, they can actually block the digestive tract. Bread doesn’t have much value as a food source for most of your favorite fliers, so when it’s fed to them on a regular basis, it can cause nutrient insufficiencies. Bread is also more likely to attract raccoons, rats and other unwelcome guests.