Page 25 - Gateways 2018 Spring

fARotaGounroeotiywmaroSnduha-rotlustwCypohosiuiyns:hrnorgueswyieatlircndodaktrtindyehrsirsth..eeosltnpfoirnlyodcal • Pine needles • Shredded • Straw or other plant stems
• Raffia paper • Shredded jute or cotton

• Dead leaves string about 3-6” long

Close to Home Many of Charlie’s bird friends take
long trips to places with warmer
Charlie Cardinal doesn’t mind cold weather. It’s easier for them to find
the bugs they eat in the southern
weather, so he sticks around the Chicago area United States and Mexico. Those
during the winter months. You might have seen him places don’t get much snow, if any.
hanging out in some trees or bushes in your backyard.
His beautiful red feathers make him easy to spot! Some of Charlie’s other friends, like
Tommy Turtle and Sarah Snake,
Just like you stay warm by putting on your winter take long naps during the winter
coat, hat, mittens, and scarf, Charlie also months to avoid the cold. This is
bundles up during winter. He produces called hibernation. Charlie doesn’t
more of his red feathers during the get too lonely, though, because
cold months. That prevents him from he has a few friends—like Sammy
getting cold.
Squirrel—who stick around with
him all winter long.

While Charlie’s body has adapted
to handle the cold weather, we can
also help him out! In addition to bugs,
Charlie eats berries and seeds,
so a bird feeder filled with seeds
certainly makes his job of looking for
food easier. You can work together
with your grown-up or another adult
to set up a bird feeder in your
backyard for Charlie and his cardinal
friends. Make sure you check the
bird feeder often to make sure it
stays filled all winter long.