Wild Birds Unlimited

10/12/2026

Spotted Lanternflies are a hot topic lately, and we love seeing the public take interest in invasive species! We are ALL citizen conservationists (yes, you too!), and we ALL are responsible for the ecosystems we live in.

This colorful leaf-jumper drinks sap from its host plants, which can damage native trees and woody flora that haven't co-evolved to handle the pressure from SLFs. They threaten crops such as cultivated grape vines, with some farmers reporting a 90% decrease in crop production due to SLF infestations. 🤯

Trees can suffer from leaf wilting, reduced crowns, and eventual death as a result of prolonged infestations. The sappy residue SLFs leave behind can increase the possibility of black mold growth, as well (but more research is needed here to understand the full implications!). Their eggs are well-camouflaged, making it hard to find and remove them.

Some stages of SLFs show a strong preference for the invasive Tree-of-Heaven (Ailanthus altissima). There is some evidence that removing the ToH can help combat Spotted Lanternflies, too!

Plus, researchers are beginning to observe several NATIVE species who are learning to eat SLFs! Several species of bats, spiders, the Carolina Chickadee, and the Red-bellied Woodpecker are slowly learning to treat the SLF as a food source. This could help keep their numbers from exploding too far out of control, but certainly isn't a cure for the problem.

Removal of SLFs is still encouraged, but not all methods are equal! For example, do NOT USE GLUE TRAPS! Sticky traps are indiscriminate and inhumane, even when they have a "wildlife guard" over them.

10/12/2026

❓ 🙋 We hear this in the store and it just happened to me too. I had food in a feeder and the birds stopped eating it. Why did they abandon my feeder?

Birds are smart and careful. If they stopped eating at your free buffet, there is a good reason. Here is a checklist to see why they stopped feeding:
✔️ Predator in the area - maybe a Cooper's Hawk or Sharp Shinned Hawk has been spotted, or another predator like cats, snakes, or even raccoons.
✔️Feeder location - it is possible that another bird species is chasing them off. Perhaps berries have come into season and a mockingbird is playing bully to chase the birds away.
✔️Disease - the feeder could have mold around the feeding ports. Give the feeder a deep cleaning and throw the food away. Replace the food with fresh food.
✔️Seed Quality - both Nyjer and Black Oil Sunflower have a shelf life before the oil gets rancid. Birds will stop eating. Also sunflower that gets wet will not be eaten.
✔️Other competition - other species especially House Sparrows can chase birds off your feeders. House Sparrows are easily deterred by removing the feeders for a few days. They will move to a new location for a while.

For my case, the Nyjer seed in the finch feeder was rancid from all the rain. I deep cleaned the feeder, replaced the food with fresh food, and now the Gold Finches are all over the feeder again!

Be curious and pay attention. Birds give you clues all the time to their needs.

10/11/2026

There is always one...😂 🤣

10/11/2026

Don't let the rain stop you. Our Bird Food Sale is still going today and tomorrow. Save 15% off all bird food products!

So grab your hat, jacket, boots, or umbrella and get to the store to shop this great sale. If you are a DSC Member you save an extra 5%

10/11/2026

🐦💙 7 Simple Ways We Can Help Save Our Songbirds 💙🐦
Across North America, billions of birds have disappeared over the last few decades. The cheerful melodies that greet us at sunrise, the flashes of color in our gardens, and the incredible journeys these tiny travelers make each year are all under threat. The good news? Every one of us can make a difference.

Here are 7 ways you can help save our songbirds:
🪟 1. Make Windows Bird-Friendly Millions of birds die from window collisions every year. Simple decals, screens, or patterned films can help birds recognize glass as a barrier
🐱 2. Keep Cats Indoors As much as we love our feline friends, outdoor cats are one of the leading causes of bird deaths. Keeping cats indoors saves countless birds and keeps cats safer too
🌱 3. Plant Native Trees and Flowers Native plants provide the food and shelter birds need to survive. Even a small corner of your yard can become a sanctuary for wildlife
💧 4. Drink bird safe coffee. Coffee grown without clear cutting forests is more friendly to birds
📚 5. Watch birds and participate in bird counts. Crowd sourced data helps scientists understand bird behavior better
🐛 6. Skip the Pesticides Many songbirds rely on insects to feed their young. Reducing chemical use helps protect the entire food chain
🌎 7. Reduce Plastic and Litter Birds can become entangled in debris or mistake plastic for food. Every piece of trash properly disposed of helps protect wildlife

❤️ Songbirds do much more than brighten our days. They help control insects, pollinate plants, disperse seeds, and connect us to the natural world. Their songs remind us that nature is alive all around us.

If we want future generations to wake up to the same beautiful chorus we enjoy today, we must act now. Small actions, when multiplied by millions of people, can create extraordinary change.

Let's be the generation that brings the birds back. 🐦🌿

10/10/2026

Attention children of all ages! With the rain coming through the area this weekend, come into Wild Birds Unlimited and paint a rock for FREE! This is a fun activity for the kids (or even your husband) as you shop!

10/10/2026

October 10 is October Big Day, a 24-hour opportunity to celebrate birds near and far. Observations from bird enthusiasts around the world help scientists better understand global bird populations. Click here to learn more: https://ebird.org/octoberbigday

10/10/2026

Today is World Mental Health Day! Did you know that nature and birds have a positive effect on your mental and physical wellbeing? Feeding the birds in your yard may help to:

1️⃣Lower blood pressure
2️⃣Reduce anxiety
3️⃣Relieve stress
4️⃣Boost the immune system
5️⃣Strengthen the vascular system
6️⃣Boost mood

The White-breasted Nuthatch shown is an example of North American bird sure to bring a smile. Which birds in your yard always boost your mood? Share in the comments.

10/06/2026

Many backyard birds are clever food hiders, or “cachers,” storing seeds, nuts and even insects in tree crevices, under bark or in the ground to eat later! 🌳🥜 These smart birds use landmarks, the sun and even each other to keep track of their stashes, helping them survive tough winters and busy seasons. ❄️☀️ Watching them work is like seeing a tiny treasure hunt happen in your backyard! 🔍✨

09/29/2026

The windows in our homes and offices can be hazardous for birds. Birds cannot readily distinguish the presence of a pane of transparent glass from an unobstructed space or passageway and often fly into window panes causing injury or death. Click here to learn more: www.wbu.com/window-strikes

09/23/2026

09/22/2026

In the Northern Hemisphere, the First Day of Autumn is Tuesday, September 22. That's when the length of day and night are almost the same. Be sure your feeders are ready for some hungry birds that are either preparing or recharging for the longer nights.

The Blue Jay shown is an example of a North American bird working hard to find the additional calories needed to make it through autumn's longer hours of darkness. Which birds are visiting your backyard this season? Share in the comments.

09/21/2026

What kind of corvids do you have in your yard? Are you seeing crows, jays, or maybe even ravens?

If you haven't listened to the most recent episode of the Podcast, tune in today! You won't want to miss this very interesting topic! Listen here: https://www.wbu.com/podcast/episode-113-jays-crows-other-corvids/

09/16/2026

Kathy and John Haigh have recently purchased the WBU store in Spokane, WA! John and Kathy also own the WBU stores in Billings and Bozeman, MT. We’re so excited to see their WBU journey continue to grow and can’t wait to see all the wonderful things they’ll bring to the Spokane community!
To learn more about how you can own your own WBU store, please visit us at https://franchise.wbu.com. To find a local WBU store near you, please visit https://www.wbu.com.

09/13/2026

It's National Peanut Day! 🥜 To celebrate, let's fill up our peanut feeders for our friends that love peanuts like Jays, Nuthatches, Titmice, Woodpeckers, Chickadees, and...love them or hate them...squirrels!

Featured Bird: Downy Woodpecker
Feeder and WBU Food: EcoClean Peanut Feeder with Peanuts, Out of the Shell

09/10/2026

What if jays or crows could save your life, help replant forests after fires, or learn to communicate with you? Brian is joined by WBU store owners Kurtis Huston of Kamloops, BC and Laura Fleming of Medford, OR to explore the fascinating world of jays, crows and other corvids. Discover just how intelligent these birds can be, the surprising ways they interact with people, and the important roles they play in the natural world. Plus, learn how to attract or deter them. Listen here: https://www.wbu.com/podcast/episode-113-jays-crows-other-corvids/

09/07/2026

This Labor Day, take a moment to rest, recharge, and listen to the birds. You work hard—you’ve earned a little R&R. Here’s to long weekends, lazy mornings, and soaking up the simple things. 😌

The Red-headed Woodpecker shown is a beautiful sight at feeders across many regions of the US. Let us know which birds are stopping by your feeders this holiday weekend. Share in the comments.