On the wing: In search of the other blue bird

Q My son and I would give anything to see an indigo bunting. Where should we be looking?

A These small blue birds, about the size of a goldfinch, are on many people's "must see" list. They're fairly common in parks, woods and roadsides in our area in spring and summer, but unless they're in bright sunlight, they tend to look black, so they're often overlooked. The very best way to discover a bunting is to learn this species' distinctive song. Unlike many other birds, indigo buntings don't clam up during nesting season but sing all summer long. Check this site to hear their song: www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Indigo_Bunting/sounds. The song will lead you to the bird.

Rosebeaks in residence Q This spring I saw more rose-breasted grosbeaks than ever before. Any chance they'll stay around all summer?

A Depending on the habitat near your home, you might be able to enjoy a nesting pair of grosbeaks this summer. They prefer to nest at the edge of deciduous woodlands, not deep in the woods, near streams or ponds. They've also been known to nest in parks, orchards and even back yards, as long as there's plenty of cover.

Less messy feed Q I love to watch birds but I live in a condo where the rules forbid any seed mess. Is there anything without shells that I can feed the birds?

A Many birds, including cardinals and chickadees, have a strong preference for sunflower seeds, and these are available without the shells. Look for sunflower hearts or medium-sized sunflower chips. In winter, you could offer the shelled seeds as well as suet cakes, which woodpeckers and other birds enjoy, and whole peanuts without shells.

Why jelly? Q I don't understand why Baltimore orioles would eat an unnatural food like grape jelly.

Chickadee damages house Q Help! A chickadee is eating big holes in my wooden window frames. I keep patching the frames but the chickadees keep coming back. How can I stop them?

A I hadn't heard of a chickadee pecking at a house before. With their small beaks, they need to find rotting wood to be able to chip away small pieces. They're either looking for insects or trying to build a cavity to hold their nest. The only surefire way to stop them is to prevent their access to the window frames. Heavy cardboard tacked to the frame temporarily might do the trick, as would hardware cloth. Then, try offering food that chickadees like -- black-oil sunflower, suet cakes and peanuts -- in feeders nearby. If they can't reach the frames and can catch a meal nearby, they'll soon give up on the window wood.

Calling all cardinals Q I've been trying to attract cardinals for years with no success. We live near a wetland and there are trees around, plus I have tried seed mixes advertised as cardinal food. Any ideas?

A A funny thing about cardinals is that they're very loyal to feeding sites, but it can be a challenge to get them to become regular guests. In my experience, a platform feeder is the best choice for cardinals, followed by a domed feeder with the dome raised high enough to allow them access. They do love black-oil sunflower seeds, but can be coaxed to eat safflower, as well. Enhance your feeding station with a birdbath, because cardinals love to take a drink after eating.

Cardinals are on the lookout for places to rest, take shelter and build their nests. It might be a good idea to plant several shrubs in the back yard, such as viburnum and dogwood. As you can tell, it may take a bit more effort than offering tasty seeds, but once you attract cardinals, they should be reliable visitors for years.