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Amazing Bird Attractant



Last winter, in a tongue-in-cheek posting to CarolinBirds, I 
suggested that the best cure for too many Gray Squirrels at the 
feeder was two words: "Boa Constrictor." Today I discovered quite by 
accident that "Boa Constrictor" may also be the most powerful bird 
attractant I've ever seen.

This afternoon I placed Paco, my nine-foot boa, on the back deck 
while I was cleaning her cage. I stepped back into the house, and 
within a minute or so there began a substantial avian commotion the 
likes of which I have never experienced. Literally dozens of birds 
apparently were attracted to this serpentine predator, and they lined 
up in surrounding trees and even on the deck railing.

Most of the birds were American Robins--a mixed bunch of perhaps 15 
or so adults and spotted juveniles--but there were numerous Northern 
Cardinals, several Eastern Towhees,  two Gray Catbirds, and a Great 
Crested Flycatcher. The boldest birds were two Tufted Titmice and a 
Carolina Wren that got within three feet of the snake--plus a 
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher that fluttered down and almost landed on the 
coils. Even a couple of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds appeared to join 
in the commotion.

One snake, nine bird species. Not bad for an afternoon Audubon moment.


Best wishes,

BILL
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BILL HILTON JR., "The Piedmont Naturalist"
Hilton Pond Center for Piedmont Natural History
1432 DeVinney Road
York, South Carolina 29745
USA

e-mail: <hilton@hiltonpond.org>

Voice: (803) 684-5852

eFax: (503) 218-0845

Hilton Pond Center for Piedmont Natural History is a 501(c)(3) 
non-profit research and education organization, so all in-kind or 
monetary gifts to Operation RubyThroat and the Center are 
tax-deductible. Please visit our websites:

Hilton Pond:  <http://www.hiltonpond.org>

Operation RubyThroat:  <http://www.rubythroat.org>


"Never trust a person too lazy to get up for sunrise or too busy to 
watch the sunset."

						BHjr.

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