1851

When warmer weather comes, humans aren&rsquo;t the only creatures that become more active in the backyard. The onset of summer brings with it many new and exciting things, especially as it relates to backyard bird watching.&nbsp;

With <a href="https://1851franchise.com/wildbirdsunlimited/spring-migration-risks-rewards-and-how-bird-feeding-hobbyists-can-help-2709701" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">spring migration</a> over and mating season winding down, the summer months are front and center. Opportunities to observe new generations of birds engaging in strange new behaviors for the first time are abundant. Post-nesting season adds both excitement and intrigue to the backyard happenings of many a bird watcher&mdash;from bird parents teaching their fledglings where to find food and how to eat from feeders to other, more entertaining growing pains, this year&rsquo;s offspring comes alive in the summertime. Here are some fun things to look and listen for at feeders over the next few months.&nbsp;

&ldquo;Fledglings are still growing out their feathers, so their bodies often appear mottled or slightly fuzzy,&rdquo; <a href="https://www.wbu.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=the-myriad-benefits-of-feeding-the-birds-in-the-summer-2710330" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">Wild Birds Unlimited&rsquo;s</a> Product and Hobby Education Manager Brian Cunningham said. &ldquo;There are often spots or streaks on the head, back, breast or flanks until the feathers are fully grown, making it fairly easy to spot the offspring from their parents.&rdquo;

An entertaining behavior many fledglings exhibit is disrespecting personal space. Within the first two weeks of leaving the nest, fledglings often act as a shadow to their parents, remaining in ultra-close proximity as a safety and learning measure.&nbsp;

&ldquo;Watch for one or more birds closely following or outright chasing a parent,&rdquo; Cunningham said.

&ldquo;When hungry, many fledglings harass their parents by continuously begging for food. Their incessant chatter and &ldquo;feed me&rdquo; cries will ring throughout your backyard for weeks as these young ones learn to fend for themselves&rdquo;, Cunningham said, explaining that these calls can be single- or double-noted and sound like squeaks or chip notes.&nbsp;

&ldquo;Chickadees and goldfinches are notorious for incessant feeding chatter,&rdquo; he said.

Coupled with these &ldquo;feed me&rdquo; calls comes specific body positioning as fledglings prepare to accept their highly-anticipated morsels. A fledgling may beg with its mouth open toward the parent. Fledglings may also move their heads from side to side and flutter their wings to get the attention of their parents when they&rsquo;re hungry. Bird watchers should keep an eye out for these specific behaviors. Doing so helps distinguish fledglings from adult birds.&nbsp;

Another physical attribute indicative of a given bird&rsquo;s relative age is its tail feathers. Typically, when there&rsquo;s &ldquo;no end&rdquo; in sight, a bird is likely still on the younger side.

&ldquo;Tail feathers are usually the last to fully grow,&rdquo; Cunningham said. &ldquo;Young birds&#39; tail feathers can appear very short or it can look like a bird has no tail.&rdquo;

Armed with the ability to identify the younger birds from the older ones, backyard bird watchers can better adjust their spaces and provide the necessary resources to help these fledglings thrive. One way to support growing feathered friends is by filling backyard feeders with <a href="https://1851franchise.com/wildbirdsunlimited/how-wild-birds-unlimited-is-constantly-innovating-its-product-line-2709702#mainTrending" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">high-protein seed blends packed with mealworms and tree nuts</a>.

Besides high-protein foods, adult birds need plenty of fat-powered energy when it comes to raising, feeding and defending their young against intruders. It takes a lot of energy, and they need good food to do it, which is where <a href="http://1851franchise.com/wildbirdsunlimited" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">Wild Birds Unlimited</a> comes in. The brand&rsquo;s proprietary food blends are specifically designed to support the seasonal needs of a variety of species in order to support their growth and development, bringing the quality of the backyard bird feeding hobbyist&rsquo;s experience to a whole new level.

&ldquo;We&rsquo;re always looking for new ways to better support bird nutrition with the foods that we offer,&rdquo; Cunningham said. &ldquo;We continually learn about wild birds&rsquo; needs and preferences through new research. &ldquo;This&nbsp; allows us to better support these fledglings through their adolescence so that they have the best chance to repeat the cycle next year, bringing us the joy of watching a new generation as we did them.&rdquo;

&nbsp;

The Myriad Benefits of Feeding the Birds in the Summer

1851 Franchise

Learn how to maximize your time spent observing your feathered friends this summer. 

This brand page has been paid for by 1851. Content within this page that is paid will showcase a Sponsored icon. This means the brand has engaged 1851 FRANCHISE to write the content. Content without the Sponsored Icon is aggregated media placements the brand earned. Questions can be sent to editorial@1851franchise.com

the-myriad-benefits-of-feeding-the-birds-in-the-summer

Comfort Keepers

Comfort Keepers - Midyear Press Release 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Comfort Keepers® Hits Mid-Year Stride With Strong Franchise Growth and Rising Demand for In-Home Care

comfort-keepers-franchise-midyear-momentum-2025

petbar

petbar - Garrett Dewan - Why I'm Investing - 1851 Franchise

Why Garrett Dewan Is Choosing To Reinvest in petbar

petbar-franchise-austin-garrett-dewan-multi-unit

Paris Baguette

NJBIZ: Paris Baguette Ramps Up Expansion With New Franchises, Facility and 2030 Growth Target

njbiz-paris-baguette-ramps-up-expansion-with-new-franchises-facility-and-2030-growth-target

Busy Bee Jumpers

Top 10 Reasons To Buy a Busy Bee Jumpers Franchise in 2025

top-10-reasons-to-buy-a-busy-bee-jumpers-franchise-in-2025

Home Halo

home-halo-former-athletes-frachisees-image

Why Former College Athletes Can Make Winning Home Halo Franchise Owners

former-college-athletes-home-halo-franchise

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Development Website Builder

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Wendy's CEO Kirk Tanner Steps Down - Breaking News - 1851 Franchise

Wendy’s CEO Kirk Tanner Steps Down Amid Challenges, Leaving Franchisees Facing Uncertainty

wendys-ceo-transition-kirk-tanner-franchisee-uncertainty

"Come in, We're OPEN" sign against abstract background

Small Business Optimism Dips, Raising Concerns for Franchise Owners

small-business-optimism-dips-raising-concerns-for-franchise-owners

Photo of Roof Scientist truck and trailer

Roof Scientist Expands Into Northern Indianapolis as Entrepreneur Dale Speckman Launches New Business in Fishers

roof-scientist-expands-into-northern-indianapolis

Image of Donald Trump pointing with red stripes in the background

August 1 Tariff Deadline Is Said to Have ‘No Extensions’: What This Could Mean for Franchises

august-1-tariff-deadline-franchise-impact

What June’s Jobs Report Means for the Franchise Industry

what-junes-jobs-report-means-for-the-franchise-industry

Unlocking Superpowers: How KidStrong Is Building the Next Generation of Confident Kids — and Thriving Franchise Owners

kidstrong-franchise-confident-kids

Image of a kid growing up, developing with kidstrong, high fiving and smiling. 

How KidStrong has Become the Franchise Disrupting Child Development by Partnering with Purpose-Driven Franchise Owners 

kidstrong-franchise-opportunity-child-development

Picture of kids for franchise business Kidstrong which focuses on child development and fitness

KidStrong Is Pediatrician-Recommended for Raising Confident, Capable Kids and Families Can't Get Enough

kidstrong-child-development-program

Bringing Robots to Main Street: How Elad Inbar’s RobotLAB Franchise Is Powering the Local AI Revolution

bringing-robots-to-main-street-how-elad-inbars-robotlab-franchise-is-powering-the-local-ai-revolution

The Ultimate Guide to Selling Franchises: How To Create a Strong Incentive

how-to-build-strong-incentives-to-attract-prospective-franchisees

From Prescriptions to Pastries: Kari Khandelwal Creates a Comforting Community Bakery 

From Prescriptions to Pastries: Kari Khandelwal Creates a Comforting Community Bakery in Overland Park, Kansas

paris-baguette-franchise-overland-park-khandelwal

Kansas Couple Revitalizes Local Childcare With Children’s Lighthouse

From Corporate Careers to Community Roots: Kansas Couple Revitalizes Local Childcare With Children’s Lighthouse

kansas-couple-opens-childrens-lighthouse-gardner-olathe

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores - Agg - 1851 Franchise

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores

hooters-franchise-model-company-owned-closures

Hely and Hiral Patel Bring Their Longtime Dream to Life With The Brass Tap

brass-tap-franchise-pasadena-maryland-hely-hiral-patel

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Ricki Oberoi and Layne's Chicken Fingers logo

The Myriad Benefits of Feeding the Birds in the Summer

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS