Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan

Rosann Kovalcik, Owner

Rosann Kovalcik, Owner

We’re passionate about birds and nature. That’s why we opened a Wild Birds Unlimited Nature Shop in our community.

Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan

20381 Mack Avenue
Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236

Phone: (313) 881-1410
Fax: (313) 881-2008
Email: Send Message

Store Hours:
Mon - Fri: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Thurs: 10:00 am - 8:00 pm
Sat: 9:30 am - 5:00 pm
Sun: 11:00 am - 4:00 pm

Additional Website:
Visit our other website

Comments:
Free parking available at rear of store.

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We can show you how to turn your yard into a birdfeeding habitat that brings song, color and life to your home.

Fledglings

Young Bird Fledglings Experience Life Away from the Nest

This summer, parents across the country will spend countless hours with their children, taking them to places they’ve never seen before. The same can be said for the millions of wild bird families that will be introducing their young fledglings to a whole new world of experiences.

People who only feed the birds during the winter miss out on many fun and fascinating wild bird "family" activities. By mid-spring and throughout much of the summer, fledglings leave the nest and continue to be fed by their parents, while also being taught to eat from feeders. Watching this fun and fascinating activity is one of the true payoffs of the bird feeding hobby.

Here are some characteristics and behaviors to look for when watching these fledgling birds as they begin to leave the nest:

  • Fledglings are about the same size as adults, but often their plumage color is muted and similar to adult females.
  • In some species, fledglings' tails are shorter than the adults', because the tail feathers are still growing. A recent research study demonstrated that supplemental bird feeding provides a direct nutritional benefit that supports higher-quality feather growth for birds like these fledglings.
  • You can recognize Downy and other woodpecker fledglings by their fresh and dapper plumage, whereas that of the adults is worn and dusky from their repeated trips in and out of the nest hole.
  • Chickadee fledglings follow their parents to the bird feeder and perch nearby as the parents go to get food. They either wait, looking like they are waiting to be served, or they call incessantly "teeship teeship" and flutter their wings until fed.
  • After one to three weeks, the parents stop feeding their fledglings and may even peck at them if they persist in begging for food.

Some foods are better than others for new fledglings. Insects are highly favored, so mealworms are attractive to parents feeding young. Jim’s Birdacious® Bark Butter® and Bark Butter Bits are also excellent as they are highly nutritious, easily carried, and easily swallowed.

It’s a perfect time to be seasonally savvy with your bird foods. Stop by the store and we'll help you pick out the the high protein and high fat foods that will help to get your neighborhood fledglings off to a strong start. 

Nectar...the Recipe for Perfectly Fun Feeding

(It's that time of year again!)

Hummingbirds 

For such little birds, hummingbirds can be very feisty and aggressive when defending their territories, which include nectar feeders. Multiple feeders, spread throughout your yard, will encourage more hummingbirds to visit and keep bullies at bay. Speaking of feeders, these little birds have BIG appetites. Hummingbirds are constantly on the move, eating about every 10 minutes, and not just nectar. They spend more than 25% of their time foraging for small spiders and insects to obtain essential amino acids and other nutrients. Hummers use so much energy flying that they can eat double their weight in nectar and insects each day. Despite popular belief, hummingbirds do not suck up nectar with their bills. They actually lap it up with their tongues. While dipping their grooved tongues into nectar sources at up to 12 times a second, the nectar is drawn up and into their mouth each and every time. Hummingbirds are VERY fast. They often seem to explode away from a feeder like a dragster. They typically fly at 30-45 mph, but can reach up to 60 mph! They can hover and are the only birds able to regularly fly backwards and occasionally upside down. They do this because of an extremely mobile shoulder joint.

For the best chances of attracting hummingbirds, try following these simple tips:

  1. Be sure your feeders are not too close to other bird feeders. We usually recommend a distance of at least 10 feet from other feeders.
  2. Location, location, location! Situate the feeder so that it is visible from above and not blocked by trees, overhangs, etc. In order for the birds to find the feeders, they must be able to see them from above. These birds are quite bold when it comes to human contact, so place your feeder close to the house so you can catch all the action, or try our handheld Nectar Dot feeders!
  3. Add a natural pop of color in the form of flowers, especially those with red, purple, or pink blooms. For the most eco-friendly yard, stick to native plant species only.
  4. Keep your nectar fresh and your feeders clean; do both every 2-3 days for the best results. If you have a WBU Hummingbird Feeder, simply place it in the top rack of your dishwasher for easy cleaning. Stop in and purchase our ready-made nectar solutions (in liquid or pouch form), or create your own nectar solution using a simple recipe of 4 parts water to 1 part ordinary table sugar (ex/ 4 cups of water, 1 cup of sugar). If you plan to store nectar in the refrigerator, boil the water first before creating and storing the nectar. Never use red-dyed nectars or add food coloring, honey, or artificial sweeteners. These things can be harmful to hummingbirds' tiny bodies.

The follow video clip was submitted to us by customer Melissa Puppos, who had the good fortune of capturing on film this female Ruby-throated Hummingbird, collecting nesting materials in the form of spider webs. How cool is that!?

Orioles

Orioles are known to enjoy orange slices, grape jelly and mealworms offered from tray-style feeders. They will even use the protein-rich mealworms to feed their nestlings. Nectar feeders are also attractive to orioles, supplementing the natural nectar they typically find in flowers. Treatment of the nectar and feeders is similar to that outlined above, though orioles tend to be drawn to orange while hummers like red feeders. Be patient and keep the foods fresh, replacing them every few days and be sure to keep your feeders clean, too. Once you've followed our list of tips and tricks, the rest is up to the birds to find you!

 

Have a moment to share your experience with us? Click here to access our customer testimonial form. We thank you in advance!

 

Upcoming Events

At Wild Birds Unlimited, Grosse Pointe Woods, we provide you with a place to shop for bird feed, accessories, and gifts (USA and Michigan-made whenever possible!). We love to be your backyard bird feeding experts and go-to problem solving team. In addition, we offer fun and educational customer experiences through events held in-store and within our community. Below is a list of upcoming events, hosted by us, and perfect for Bringing People and Nature Together. We hope to see you soon!

Hummingbird Presentation at

Pollinator Palooza

Join the fun at Pollinator Palooza at the Edsel & Eleanor Ford House, featuring a Gardening for Hummingbirds Presentation by Rosann Kovalcik.

Aside from Rosann's talk, this event will feature a live butterfly house, a peek into a bee hive, a live bat demonstration, and hands-on activities for all ages!

For tickets, click here to register through the Ford House website.