Subject: Sunflower Report [Long]
Date: Nov 27 01:43:31 1997
From: pgparlee - pgparlee at onlink.net


=================== SUNFLOWER RESEARCH REPORT ======================
Posted: 27 Nov 97 by Paul <pgparlee at onlink.net>
To: "Tweeters" tweeters at u.washington.edu
====================================================================

INTRODUCTION

Backyard bird feeding is a convenient way to enjoy wildlife. According
to a recent Census Report, over 65 million Americans, young and old,
have given it a try.

What has made watching birds the fastest growing hobby in the country,
second only to gardening? Whatever it is, watching birds, like watching
fish or other animals, seems to make people feel good.
MILLIONS OF AMERICANS ENJOY WILDLIFE-RELATED RECREATION,
PUMPING BILLIONS INTO NATIONAL ECONOMY, SURVEY SHOWS

.....77 million adults enjoyed some form of wildlife-related recreation
in 1996, according to a nationwide survey sponsored by the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service. Wildlife watchers spent $31 billion in 1996. Feeding
birds and other wildlife was by far the most popular activity, with 54.1
million participants.
[NOTE] 1966: 54.1 million participants; 1996: 65 million.
No doubt there has been a corresponding increase in dollars spent!

The vast majority of millions of backyard birders feed their birds
sunflower seed. That represents significant numbers when it comes to
dollars, jobs, imports, exports, and contribution to the national
economy. Here are some of the facts.

========================================================

HISTORY and World Production

Although the sunflower grows almost everywhere, it is thought to be
native to South America. It is grown today from the bottom of South
America to the Canadadian prairies.

Even before Columbus discovered America, Native Americans were using the
sunflower as a main source of food. They used it to thicken soup, in
bread, and as a drink after being smashed and added to water. In early
America the stem was smashed into a pulp to make paper.

Today the sunflower is used for many more things. The petals are used as
fodder or animal feed, they can give a yellow dye, and can be made into
soap, planters, or candles. The seeds can be eaten plain or made into
vegetable oil.

The sunflower, which got the name "flower of the sun" has the botanical
name Helianthus Annuus. A single sunflower growing up to 18 inches in
diameter can produce up to 2,000 seeds!

Sunflower was developed first as an important commercial oilseed crop in
the Former Soviet Union (FSU). The oil has found widespread acceptance
as a high quality, edible oil throughout much of the world. Major
producing countries or areas are the FSU, Argentina, Eastern Europe,
USA, China, France, and Spain. These seven countries or areas of the
world produce about 84 percent of the world's production of both oilseed
and nonoilseed sunflower.

Historically, the FSU has been the number one producer of sunflower,
producing about 27 percent of the world's production in 1991-92. During
much of the 1970s, the United States was the world's second largest
producer, but in the 1980s Argentina became firmly entrenched in second
place. Average yields per acre during the 1977-1992 period were 1,184
pounds for oilseeds and 1,196 pounds for non-oilseed sunflower. North
Dakota's average yield ranges from 1,200 to 1,400 pounds per acre.

========================================================

SEEDS
SOURCE: http://www.ianr.unl.edu/pubs/Wildlife/g669.htm#see

When choosing seeds, think about the birds that interest you and the
types of seeds that attract them. Small black oil-type sunflower seeds
are overall the most widely preferred bird seed, so these normally are
the major portion of seeds offered. They have high energy content, and
the thin shells allow easy use by smaller birds such as chickadees, pine
siskins, juncos, and native sparrows, as well as cardinals, mourning
doves, grosbeaks, and others. White proso millet is another attractive
seed used especially by smaller birds, and a small amount of finely
cracked corn is good in a mix. Safflower is being used increasingly,
with reports that cardinals, chickadees, house and purple finches,
nuthatches, and mourning doves consume it, but that it is less
attractive to grackles, starlings, house sparrows, and squirrels.

Keep in mind that birds prefer good quality seeds that are reasonably
fresh. Seeds that are too old or of poor quality may be avoided or just
scattered from the feeder onto the ground. Small holes in sunflower
seeds, for example, may indicate insect damage and reduced quality.
Niger thistle seeds, which are often used in finch feeders, are highly
attractive to finches when fresh, but may be rejected when several
months old. Although commercially packaged seed mixes offer a
convenient way to get started in bird feeding, such mixtures often
contain large amounts of filler seeds that birds do not prefer, and the
seeds may not be as fresh as ideal. A good alternative is to purchase
preferred seeds in bulk and mix your own, or try fresh specialty mixes
available from sources that specialize in bird feeding products. One
seed combination that is attractive to a wide range of desirable
backyard songbirds is:
50 percent sunflower seeds
35 percent white proso millet
15 percent finely cracked corn.

Many other combinations also work well, and you can adjust mixtures to
fit your situation. Food preferences may vary somewhat depending on
where you live and on what birds frequent your feeders. Some experienced
bird feeders recommend that at least 75 percent of the seed offered
should be black oil-type sunflower.

Grit
Occasionally providing grit, such as sand or fine poultry or canary
grit, is also beneficial because it is retained in the gizzard where it
helps in grinding seeds. When snow covers the ground, birds may resort
to using grit from old roofing shingles, which may be unhealthy for
them. Eggshells or crushed limestone can serve as grit and may provide a
needed calcium source during the egg-laying season. Grit can be mixed
with seeds or placed in a tray or on the ground.

========================================================

ABOUT SUNFLOWER SEED:
SOURCE: http://www.maineaudubon.org/bfee.htm

Seed Varieties:
Sunflower seed is the favorite choice of black-capped chickadees,
evening grosbeaks, tufted titmice, blue jays, American goldfinches,
house finches, purple finches, and northern cardinals. Seed-eating birds
will eat little else as long as sunflower seed is available, and as a
result, it should comprise the bulk of the food you provide. Sunflower
seed is best offered UNMIXED in its own feeder.

There are two varieties of sunflower seed. Grey-striped sunflower seed
has long been familiar to people who feed birds, and it is especially
preferred by tufted titmice, common grackles, and blue jays. In recent
years, black-oil sunflower seed has become the popular choice of people
who feed birds. Smaller than the grey-striped variety, with a thinner
hull and higher calorie content, black-oil seed is preferred by
chickadees, evening grosbeaks, rose-breasted grosbeaks, and finches.

[NOTE]: *** From: Michael Price: <mprice at mindlink.net>
About striped sunflower: In Europe, black sunflower is very difficult
to come by for some reason, and people are feeding exclusively striped
sunflower. One of the unforeseen results is that bill damage among some
of their wintering birds, including their chickadee-equivalent species,
the tits, is not uncommon. Some feeding of striped sunflower doesn't
seem to hurt them, but if they have to feed on it all winter, the
cumulative damage to their bills sometimes results in crossing and
breaking]. ***

Hulled sunflower hearts and chips are also available, though at a
premium price. The primary advantage of this seed is that it eliminates
the accumulation of hulls on your lawn. Sunflower hulls in quantity are
toxic to plant life and will kill the grass under the feeder if not
periodically raked up and removed.

========================================================

GEIS RESEARCH PAPER ON SEED PREFERENCES:
http://www.wildbirdcenter.com/feedpref.htm

Sunflower Products (Helianthus annuus)

Black striped sunflower seeds (BSS) is an extremely popular and
effective bird food. The form commercially marketed as bird feed tends
to have relatively small seeds because the BSS crop is screened so that
the larger seeds can be used for human consumption. This is doubly
advantageous since the larger seed is generally less attractive to birds
than the smaller seed. The two other forms of BSS are described below.

Eller
Eller is a small form of BSS grown in Georgia for export to
Europe. Cardinals, purple finches (Carpodacus purpureus), house finches,
house sparrows and white-throated sparrows all showed a preference for
Eller over the regular BSS, while blue jays, scrub jays and tufted
titmice preferred the larger BSS.

Large Black Striped Sunflower Seeds
Jays and tufted titmice were the only species that preferred
this large seed (obtained by screening).

Gray Striped Sunflower Seeds
Although this large sunflower seed is visually appealing to
people, very few birds preferred it. Only the species liking large seeds
(jays and tufted titmice) found this form as attractive as BSS. This
rather expensive sunflower product can be viewed as an inferior
substitute for BSS.

Hulled Sunflower Pieces and Sunflower Kernels
Whole or broken kernels of hulled sunflowers were very
attractive to American goldfinches (Carduelis tristis) and house
finches. They were also readily taken by some species that prefer White
Processed Millet (WPM) to BSS, such as white-crowned and white-throated
sparrows, which took sunflower kernels and pieces more readily than
WPM. Sunflower kernels have the added advantage that their use by birds
does not result in the accumulation of hulls, which some people find
objectionable.

Oil-type Sunflower Seeds
The small, black oil-type sunflower seed (BOSS) is superior to
other foods, including BSS, for most bird species. Among the common
species visiting feeding tables, only the tufted titmouse, grackle and
blue jay did not demonstrate a preference for oil-type sunflower over
BSS. Some species that are normally regarded as small-seed eaters took
oil-type sunflower much more readily than BSS. For example, mourning
doves found it almost as attractive as WPM, while both white-throated
and song sparrows took it readily. Shortly after the conclusion of the
major portion of this study of nation-wide tests, oil-type sunflower
that was substantially smaller than that used in the tests became
commercially available.
When the reaction of birds to this smaller seed was compared
with that to the seed used in earlier tests, the smaller seed was found
to be far more attractive for several species, especially American
goldfinches.

This information suggests that the superior performance of oil-type
sunflower would have been even better had smaller seed been used.
Incidentally, the smaller seed is viewed by the sunflower industry as
"inferior" and is less expensive than the "higher" quality seed.
Oil-type sunflower seeds tend to last longer in bird feeders because of
the greater number of seeds per unit weight. There are from two to four
times as many oil-type sunflower seeds as BSS in the same weight. The
difference is particularly important when one considers the number of
seeds found in a 50 pound bag of bird seed. A bag of the small oil-type
sunflower seed contains over 600,000 seeds while conventional BSS has
about 179,000 seeds per 50 pound bag.

Niger (Guizotyia abyssinica)
Niger (also called thistle seed) was very attractive to
goldfinches. It was generally unattractive to all other species, with
the exception of mourning doves and house finches. This food is
especially effective when presented in the summer in tubular feeders, to
attract goldfinches at a time when their plumage is especially
beautiful.
[NOTE] Also excellent feed and loved by Redpolls and Pine Siskins.

Wheat (Triticum aestivum)
A number of bird species eat wheat, but none find it nearly as
attractive as WPM or BSS. Among the common visitors to feeding stations,
mourning doves, house sparrows and white-throated sparrows all find
wheat to be about one-fifth as attractive as WPM.

This general unattractiveness makes wheat an ineffective
ingredient when included as it commonly is in wild bird food mixes.
Because of their general attractiveness, oil-type sunflower seed and WPM
should play a prominent part in most feeding programs. Although BSS,
which has traditionally been used, is an excellent bird food, the
oil-type sunflower seed is more attractive to most species and is no
more expensive. People wanting to maximize bird feeding activity should
avoid the use of commercial mixes which typically contain generally
unattractive foods such as wheat, milo, peanut hearts, hulled oats and
rice. However, because the species composition of the birds present
varies from time to time and also from place to place, it is impossible
to recommend what would constitute the appropriate ratio of attractive
ingredients. Therefore, it is not possible to formulate an entirely
satisfactory seed mixture.

The present study suggests that the best over-all results can be
obtained by purchasing oil-type sunflower seed and WPM and offering them
separately. This technique also facilitates recognition of the
differences in feeding behavior among the various species. Specifically,
those species that prefer WPM tend to use the ground or large platform
feeders, while many species taking oil-type sunflower seed readily use
elevated feeders with small perching areas such as tubular feeders. The
present research establishes that the results of earlier studies applies
throughout the United States and that the efficiency with which wild
birds are fed could be improved by recognizing the great differences
among bird species in the specific foods they find attractive and the
manner in which they prefer to eat. This information on feeding
preferences and behavior can be used to present foods known to be
attractive in the amounts and ways that are most efficient for the
desired bird species present.

=======================================================

"High-Energy Seed"
SOURCE: United Kingdom birding site

Having the highest oil content and energy value of any food available
this mixture is especially valuable at times when extra demands are
being placed on our birds. The periods leading up to breeding, migration
and moulting, cold weather, and breeding all place extra demands for
energy. Contains Black Sunflower Seeds, Sunflower Hearts, Peanut
Granules, Canary Seed, Millet, Hemp Seed, Pinhead Oatmeal and Kibbled
Maize.

Black Sunflower Seeds
The Black Sunflower Seed is more commonly known as the 'Oil' Sunflower
Seed. Primarily used for the manufacture of margarine and cooking oil,
it is the most cost-effective means of supplying high-energy foods to
wildlife. Much of the seeds supplied to the U.K. are grown in the
Eastern Block countries. Though cheaper, these sunflowers are not
subject to the strict pesticide and safety regulations enjoyed in
Europe, and consequently pose a potential health hazard to Wildlife.

Sunflower Hearts
The Sunflower Seed without the seed coat or husk, the Sunflower Heart,
kilo for kilo, is the highest energy food available. Attractive to the
widest range of creatures from humans to hedgehogs, this food surpasses
all other known foods for quality, safety and suitability.

Oystershell Grit
During the breeding season it is vital that birds have an adequate
calcium intake to help in the production of healthy egg shells. Our
Oystershell Grit provides a wholly natural calcium source that can also
be offered at other times of the year as a mineral supplement to aid
digestion. You can either feed it by sprinkling a little in with a seed
mix or putting a small amount on the corner of the bird table.

Niger Seed
Niger is widely referred to as a thistle seed. This is not the case.
It is in fact a member of the compositae family, and is closely related
to the sunflower. Often used as a 'tonic' food, Niger seed is oil rich
and attractive to a wide range of species.

========================================================
FEEDING SAFFLOWER:

Source: SELECTIVE BIRD FEEDING Grace Truman
gopher://psupena.psu.edu:70/0%24d%20800111312
If you want to feed only cardinals, doves and white-throated sparrows,
switch from black oil sunflower to safflower.

[NOTE] From: Michael Price <mprice at mindlink.net>
About safflower: It's quite a bitter-tasting seed, so any
animal with a developed sense of taste usually avoids it; many birds
can't taste, or can't as well as a squirrel, say, and consume it
readily.

========================================================

The RIGHT SEED
Source: http://www.kaytee.com/wild/feeding/finding.html
The type of food placed in your feeders has a tremendous impact on the
type of birds you attract. Many birds relish the larger, harder seeds
such as oil and striped sunflower seeds. If you had to choose just one
seed to feed in fact, it would be the OIL sunflower because of the
variety of birds this seed will attract.

========================================================

SOURCE:
US Fish & Wildlife Service pamphlet, "Homes for Birds"

When the ground is covered with snow and ice, it's hard to resist just
tossing seed out the door. But it's healthier for the birds to get their
"hand-outs" at a feeding station, off the ground.

Regardless of the season, food that sits on the ground for even a short
time is exposed to potential contamination by dampness, mold, bacteria,
animal droppings, lawn fertilizers and pesticides. It's best, for the
birds' sake, to use a feeder.

Seeds that wind up on the ground are likely to be contaminated by
dampness and bird droppings. If the birds don't eat them, rodents will.
The most effective way to attract the largest variety of birds to your
yard is to put out separate feeders for each food.

[NOTE] Reference: Corn, Ground Feeding
From: Michael Price <mprice at mindlink.net>
One thing about corn: it's *quite* hygroscopic, so it moistens
any mix of which it's part, promoting toxic mold growth. I'd suggest
feeding it only to waterfowl, or feeding only in parts of the country
where the relative humidity is low. --- Yup... and it gums up feeders
something fierce!

========================================================

KAYTEE website "ASK THE EXPERTS", Wild Bird Discussion section,
http://www.kaytee.com/experts/wild/message_board.pl

Message 2 of 3 in thread "SUNFLOWER SEED NUTRITION"

Name: Dr. Blake Hawley
E-Mail: -- No Address -- (go to Kaytee website)
Subject: RE: SUNFLOWER SEED NUTRITION
Date: 11/21/97

Message Content: On 11/15/97, Paul G. Parlee wrote:
> Could you please answer the following questions for us about
> sunflower seed:

> 1. What is the difference in nutrition received by birds
> fed with black oil as opposed to striped sunflower seed?
> Can you break down the nutritional content by percentage
> for each seed type?

The primary difference between oil and striped sunflower is the fat
(oil) content. Oil sunflower has 1-2 % more protein, and about 5-10%
(depending on the type and cultivar) more oil. Basically they are the
same otherwise. Average 19-22% protein; 35-49 % fat; 4% fiber; 0.11%
calcium; 0.33% phosphorus, small amounts of vitamins and minerals.

> 2. What are the implications for composting and mulching
> using sunflower seed hulls given the allelopathic affects of
> decomposing sunflower seeds (which release toxins
> retarding plant growth)?

Allelopathy is the way certain plants prevent other plants from growing
too close to them. This is usually done using chemicals that the plant
produces and release into its surroundings. It is a natural process of
many plants including pines, walnut trees, and sunflowers.

The chemicals are typically released from the roots. This is much more
important in growing plants, rather than decomposing plants. Any
compost heap should be made up of different vegetative matter including
grass clippings, leaves, kitchen scraps (excluding bones, meat scraps or
oils), and fresh vegetables or horse and cow manure but never just one
or two of these items. Sunflower hulls are an excellent PART of a
compost heap and will help create an excellent mulch.

> 3. Do allelopathic toxins released enter the food chain of
> plants, birds, and insects? What are the affects, if
> any, of allelopathic toxins upon birds?

These toxins do not enter the food chain and do not affect any wildlife.
Remember, these are natural compounds.

> 4. What processes and chemicals do you apply to raw
> sunflower seeds during their production as birdseed.

We only clean the seed and remove any debris. NO chemicals are used on
these seeds.

> 5. What is the waste factor by weight of hulls in a 50 lb
> bag of striped, and a 50 lb bag of black oil sunflower seed.
> In other words, what is the actual SEED ONLY weight for
> each type after being hulled.

For striped, 40-50% of the weight is hulls, for oil, 35-45% is hulls.

Kaytee does offer a Waste-Free product which contains 60% hulled
sunflowers and a separate mix called Sunflower hearts and Chips, which
also has no hulls.

REPLIES by Dr. Blake Hawley, Kaytee Seed website

========================================================

ALLELOPATHY AND SFS HULLS

RE: Sunflower alleopathy: In Fine Gardening issue #37, May/June 1994,
Frank Einhellig, plant physiologist of Southwest Missouri State
University replied:

"Sunflowers produce a number of compounds in their stems, leaves,
and in the hulls of their seeds that will inhibit the growth of a
variety of plants. Mulching with sunflower hulls could harm plants
because toxins could leach from the hulls into the soil and inhibit the
growth of susceptible plants."

[NOTE]: Leaving hulls on grass can kill it over time, but the problem
can be avoided by periodic cleanup and disposal of hulls.

========================================================

HOW PLANTS KEEP OTHER PLANTS AWAY
http://miavx1.acs.muohio.edu/dragonfly/itc/glossary.htmlx

Allelopathy is a chemical process that a plant uses to keep other plants
out of its space.

There are several types of chemical alleopathy. In one kind, the plant
that is protecting its space releases growth-compounds from its roots
into the ground. New plants trying to grow near the allelopathic plant
absorb those chemicals from the soil and are unable to live. A second
type of allelopathy releases chemicals that slows or stops the process
of photosynthesis. An allelopathic plant may also release chemicals
that change the amount of chlorophyll a plant has in it. When a plant's
chlorophyll levels are changed, it cannot make the food it needs, and
the plant dies.

There are several ways in which an allelopathic plant can release its
protective chemicals:

Volatilization
Allelopathic trees release a chemical in the form of a gas through
small openings in their leaves. Other plants absorb the toxic chemical
and die.

Leaching
All plants lose leaves. Some plants store protective chemicals in
the leaves they drop. When the leaves fall to the ground, they
decompose. As this happens, the leaves give off chemicals that protect
the plant.

Exudation
Some plants release defensive chemicals into the soil through their
roots. Those chemicals are absorbed by the roots of other trees near the
allelopathic one. As a result, the non-allelopathic tree is damaged.

======================================================

YEAR ROUND FEEDING:
http://www.kaytee.com/wild/feeding/finding.html

Some people have argued that we can endanger birds by feeding year
round. There is no scientific evidence, however, that shows that
feeding birds discourages migration or increases the range of birds. Nor
do birds become dependent on our feeding stations. Fortunately, nature
prepares her avian children to fare well with or without us. Roger Tory
Peterson, a prominent ornithologist, summed it up well when he said,
"The truth of the matter is, birds could very well live without us, but
many, perhaps all, of us would find life incomplete, indeed almost
intolerable, without the birds."

========================================================

CLEANING FEEDERS
US Fish & Wildlife Service pamphlet, "Homes for Birds"

When you feed birds in confined area, you have to expect bird droppings,
feathers, an occasional insect or two and left-over food mess. While
you don't have to wash the feeder daily, you should clean it regularly.
Diseases like salmonella can grow in moldy, wet seed and bird droppings
in your feeder tray and on the ground below. It's a good idea to move
your feeders (just a foot or so) each season to give the ground
underneath time to assimilate the seed debris and bird droppings.

Keeping your feeders clean should not become a major undertaking. The
degree of maintenance required is directly related to the types of birds
you want to attract.

A thistle feeder for goldfinches should be cleaned about once a month
depending on how often it rains. Feeding hummingbirds requires cleaning
at the very least, weekly, preferably more often -- two or three times a
week. Sunflower and suet feeders may need to be cleaned only once a
month.

Feeders made of plastic, ceramic and glass are easy to clean. Wash them
in a bucket of hot, soapy water fortified with a capful or two of
chlorine bleach, then give them a run through your dishwasher.

Use the same regimen with wood feeders, but substitute another
disinfectant for the bleach so your wood won't fade.

========================================================

MATCHING THE FEED AND FEEDER TO SPECIES

TUBE FEEDER WITH BLACK OIL SUNFLOWER
goldfinches chickadees
woodpeckers nuthatches
titmice redpolls, pine siskins

ADDING A TRAY TO THE TUBE FEEDER WILL ALSO ATTRACT
cardinals jays
crossbills purple finches
white-throated sparrow house finches
white-crowned sparrows

TRAY OR PLATFORM FEEDER -- WITH MILLET
doves house sparrows
blackbirds juncos
cowbirds towhees
white-throated sparrows tree sparrows
white-crowned sparrows chipping sparrows

TRAY OR PLATFORM FEEDER -- WITH CORN
starlings house sparrows
grackles jays
juncos bobwhite quail
doves ring-necked pheasants
white-throated sparrows

NIGER THISTLE FEEDER WITH TRAY
goldfinches house finches
purple finches redpolls
pine siskins doves
chickadees song sparrows
dark-eyed juncos white-throated sparrows

FRUIT
orioles tanagers
mockingbirds bluebirds
thrashers cardinals
woodpeckers jays
starlings thrushes
cedar waxwings yellow-breasted chats

HANGING SUET FEEDER
woodpeckers wrens
chickadees nuthatches
kinglets thrashers
creepers cardinals
starlings

PEANUT BUTTER SUET
woodpeckers goldfinches
juncos cardinals
thrushes jays
kinglets bluebirds
wrens starlings

========================================================
SOURCES OF INFORMATION
========================================================

KATEE SEED WEBSITE: Extensive information available including "Ask The
Expert" responses. http://www.kaytee.com/wild/feeding/finding.html

US Fish & Wildlife Service pamphlet, "Homes for Birds," Edited by Terry
Ross. For more information about attracting, feeding, and sheltering
wild birds, see the Backyard Birding page:
http://www.bcpl.lib.md.us/~tross/by/backyard.html

Web Usegroups: Birder experiences with SFS allelopathy killing grass
http://www.gardenweb.com/forums/load/lawns/msg0918461519931.html

RE: Sunflower alleopathy: In Fine Gardening issue #37, May/June 1994,
Frank Einhellig, plant physiologist of Southwest Missouri State Univ.

Article Allelopathy:
http://miavx1.acs.muohio.edu/dragonfly/itc/glossary.htmlx

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
http://www.fws.gov/~r9mbmo/pamphlet/prob.html

Excellent information can be found in the BIRDYARD website:
http://home.sol.no/~tibjonn/birdyard.htm

GEIS RESEARCH ARTICLE ON SEED PREFERENCES: (EXCELLENT PAPER!)
http://www.wildbirdcenter.com/feedpref.htm
"Feeding Preferences of Wild Birds". Here are the scientific facts on
what birds prefer what foods, written by Aelred Geis, Ph.D., of the U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service. Dr. Geis's findings have been cited in almost
every major book on bird feeding written in the last ten years,
including the Ortho Series on Attracting Wild Birds, and Audubon Society
Publications. Dr. Geis is now director of research for Wild Bird Centers
of America.

Overview of Wild Bird Feeding Aelred D. Geis, Ph.D.
http://www.birdware.com/owbf.htm

Secrets To Wild Bird Feeding http://www.birdsforever.com//blackoil.html

Michael Price, Vancouver, BC Canada <mprice at mindlink.net>

Special thanks to a lovely lady librarian for her efforts on my behalf,
who will remain nameless here, but knows who she is.

Experiences of birder friends. To all, thank you very much.

============================= end =============================

Thoughts on Music and Birds...
...Speaks what cannot be expressed,
...Soothes the mind and gives it rest
...Heals the heart and makes it whole
...Flows from heaven to the soul.
*****