Garden Bird Feeders

Archive for February, 2010

Bird Watching in Your Own Backyard

If you like to watch the playing, fluttering and fanciful nature of birds, watching birds in your own backyard or right outside your window can be a great joy. It’s extraordinary how many different kinds of species you can see. If you think there aren’t very many birds in your yard, there are a few things you can try that will attract them. With bird baths, different bird feeders and a couple of bird houses, you’ll soon have some special visitors.

You’ll find many different bird feeders on the market, and you will find that most of them fall into three different categories. There are hoppers, tray feeders, and tube feeders. Tube bird feeders are cylindrical, with landing places at the holes where the feed comes out. Tube bird feeders are good for various kinds of seed, as long as the opening is big enough for it to fit through. Hopper feeders will attract birds that might be leery of tube and tray feeders. Tray feeders are wonderful for birds that are smaller. If you really don’t care what types of birds visit your backyard, and you would just like to watch and enjoy any bird that shows up, you can purchase a general bird seed. A lot of bird seed can appeal to a number of different varieties of birds, because it’s got a number of seed varieties. If you want a particular kind of bird to come to your backyard, then you want to include a seed or food that appeals to that species.

Bird baths are a great thing to add to your backyard if you want to attract more birds. Birds love wading and splashing in the water, and if it’s kept clean, that’s even better. You can choose from more conventional bird baths, or you could go for something different, like a fountain that’s solar powered. Bird baths with moving water will appeal to wild birds that customarily would not frequent a regular fountain, like humming birds, robins, warblers and thrushes. Birds particularly like moving water, and it easily attracts them. Bird baths also look great as garden accessories. There are those that love bird baths for the fact that they bring the birds very close. This is the perfect chance to take some fantastic photographs, and enjoy the company of the birds.

If you decide to add a birdhouse to your yard, birds could potentially nest in it. Not only will they frequent now and again, but if it’s safe and secure, they might choose it as the place to lay and hatch their eggs. What a delight this would be because you could get a peek at the babies every once in a while, or when it is time for them to start flying. Not only is a birdhouse a place the birds will like, but it is a charming yard decoration too. Naturally, there are a variety of sizes, kinds and shapes of birdhouses, and the one you decide on depends on your particular taste.

Implementing these three things easily can make your backyard a little bit more accommodating for birds. There are a couple of other simple things you can add, like fragrant flowers, and crevices and openings so the birds can hide. If they feel safe in your yard, they will stick around. Happy backyard bird watching!

Author’s Bio

Ms. Ellis has written a number of articles related to bird feeders, bird houses, backyard bird watching and is a leading expert specializing in backyard birding. Please visit 14thebirds.com to read her other highly regarded work on things like various bird feeders, solar bird baths, bird houses and so on.

Domestic cats and wild birds can coexist peacefully, if you just take a few steps to ensure that your pet cat, or your neighbor’s cat, or the local feral or barn cat, can’t reach your birdfeeders. The most important step you can take is to keep your cat indoors, and if you do let her go outside, walk with her or confine her in an outdoor containment system to make sure she doesn’t get into any mischief or become a victim herself. You can make an indoor cat’s life infinitely more fascinating if you hang birdfeeders near windows so she can watch and stalk to her heart’s content without risk of harming the birds.

But if you allow your cat to wander alone outdoors or there are roaming cats in your neighborhood, be sure to place the feeders away from bushes or any area where cats may lurk. In our yard, we have a square bird feeding platform on top of a tall log which has proved squirrel-proof as well as cat-proof, as well as two feeders hanging from the ends of tree branches. Putting a bell on a cat’s collar is not much help. I’ve tried that. At best, the noise may give a bird an instant’s warning to fly away, but that may not be enough time.

Don’t leave food such as kibble, or anything that might seem edible to a hungry cat, on your property. If you do encounter unknown cats, try to determine who they belong to and advise their guardians of the dangers of allowing their cats outdoors, both to the cat and to birds. Roaming cats are preyed upon as well as being predators. They are subject to theft, disease, injury and death (from dogs, coyotes, raptors, snakes, other cats, bad weather, and cars, to name just a few hazards) and have shorter lives than house cats. I was foolish enough, years ago, to allow my recently adopted young cat Tigger to spend the night outside, where she was captured and eaten by an owl. Also, if roaming cats are not spayed or neutered, they will only contribute to the cat overpopulation crisis. I don’t advise trapping unknown cats and taking them to the local shelter, because more than likely they will be euthanized.

The populations of wild birds are steadily decreasing because of human encroachment on their territories and other factors. How large a role domesticated cats play in this decline is not completely clear and remains a source of controversy among cat and bird lovers. The best thing you can do is to give birds the benefit of the doubt by not being an irresponsible cat guardian, because you’ll be protecting your cat at the same time.

Cheap And Easy!

Wild bird seed is sold pretty cheap, its those fancy bird feeders that get expensive. Granted, they make ‘em pretty cute, so if you can afford it buy one you like and it will make a great yard ornament. But if cheap and natural is more your thing, follow these easy directions to make a one.

You will need:

1 large pine cone. (Try a empty paper towel or TP roll if there are no pine trees in your area.)

1 foot string or yarn or wire

1 small jar of peanut butter

About 1-2 cups wild bird seed (available at pet stores, feed stores, garden centers, wal-mart, etc.)

Large shallow pan or plate

Instructions:

First, attach your string to the top of your pine cone. You will want to do this first because it will be messy to try later. You are going to use this string to hang the finished product from a tree, or fence post, or whatever you have around.

Now just smear the peanut butter thickly over the whole pine cone. You want to try to get as much sticky surface area as possible, so make sure it gets a good coat, even in all they spaces between petals.

Pour your seeds out into the pan.

Roll your sticky pine cone through the seeds.

Viola! A BIRD FEEDER!

Here’s another tip-

If you have a pet bird, they usually don’t eat all their seeds. I used to through my parakeets left overs out onto the back porch, and wild birds would come and eat the seeds. The wind would carry off the husks, so it didn’t really even leave much mess. If you don’t have a pet bird, you should get one because they are awesome and if you are reading this you obviously like birds.

I’m thinking back quite some years when not a lot was available really, to use as decorative touches to a garden. I can think of having seen car tires cut and formed into swans, painted white and usually displayed in pairs facing one another on a front lawn. Sometimes they’d be filled with earth and some little succulents or perhaps marigolds were growing there. I can remember too, the huge ornamental butterflies that would grace the front of an early 50′s fibro cottage in the suburbs. They’re all memories; adding decorative touches to your garden is a little like adding the familiar flight of ceramic ducks on a lounge-room wall of yester-year too; am I reminiscing? Sure! Oh, and there was another rather popular garden feature, the wishing well! Every one of us has a different eye, we like different things and the decorative touches we make to our very own gardens avails everyone to just a little snippet of our personality to shine through with them.

So what are some popular ways today that people choose to decorate their gardens? I can think of quite a few, in no special order:

* Water feature.

Not only an interesting visual but also offers soothing sounds and generates a sense of calm and tranquility to a garden space.

* Birdbath

Attracting birds to your garden, what could be better? The sights and sounds of birds make a garden special when they inhabit it.

* “Pots and containers

Color can be implemented to the garden with various shaped pots and containers. In small groups, differing sizes, offers an interesting and pleasing visual concept.

* “Ornate signs, plaques and statues

Short sayings on signage certainly echo that which appeals to the heart of the gardener. Plaques and statues the same. The gardener will sometimes ponder in front of a certain plaque at the nursery or garden-center, trying to think of the very spot in their garden that it could take residency and to warrant its purchase.

* “Wind chimes

Some are made with metal tubes, some with lengths of chunky bamboo, while others might consist of various shapes of colored glass. Their musical notes depend on the material they’re made of; each offers its very own sound type and most are successful in evoking a somewhat meditative state of mind, a little bit of Zen perhaps?

* Structures

These could be in the form of an arbor perhaps to grow climbing plants alongside; a deck even to sit outdoors and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee perhaps.

Decorative touches can encompass a myriad of treasures. For some it might be the wagon wheels gracing an entrance to their property, while to another it could be more ornate and expensive wrought iron gates. So while some garden decorations and features can display personality, they sometimes too can exhibit signs of wealth. Whatever side of the equation we use to decorate, it is none-the-less our unique demonstration of what we each enjoy seeing on display in our gardens; to each his own uniqueness.

It seems hard to believe but spring will arrive…….sometime. Along with springs’ return will be the usual return of flowering bulbs, spring training and green lawns. Hibernating animals will crawl from their dens checking out the accuracy of some ground hogs prediction six weeks earlier. And the swallows will return to San Capistrano. Migratory birds will also start returning to our backyards as well.

The new influx of seasonal residents at the feeding lots will put a lot of pressure on natural food supplies. While spring signals birth and renewal in nature it is also a time of scarce resources. The late winter feed supply is also affected by the prior years’ weather and current snow cover. A winter with a lot of snow that follows a dry growing season is a double whammy on the supply and availability of natural food sources for both birds and mammals.

Fortunately 2008 was a good growing year with abundant rain and plentiful supplies of seed produced for birds in their natural feeding areas. Until now little snow cover made finding seed on the ground easier. The only detriment thus far has been the severe cold spell. When it gets cold we turn up the thermostat in our homes. Birds thermostats run on overtime requiring more energy to keep themselves warm. Birds get their energy from food mainly seeds and suet. Colder temperatures force birds to consume more feed in order to produce enough energy to stay warm. Add to this cold some snow cover and returning migratory birds and all of a sudden birds are facing their own energy crisis. Seed stocks are normally low in late winter since the “harvest” was last year.

It is vitally important to keep bird feeders full this time of year and to even consider putting up additional feeders to handle the increased demand at home feeding stations. I recommend offering additional seed for birds through the end of May. Not only do the migratory birds return but everyone is having babies as well who need to be fed.

There is a misconception on whether or not to feed birds in the summer. There is absolutely no harm in feeding birds in the summer months. Birds will still get the majority of their feed from natural sources. Birds do not become dependant on your feeding stations. This can be demonstrated by simply taking down feeders for a while and then putting them back up. The birds will find seed elsewhere and readily return when your feeders are back out.

Backyard bird feeding is second only to gardening as a number one outdoor activity. Birds add color, sound and movement to our home environment. Bird feeding is an inexpensive hobby that can be enjoyed by people of all ages no matter where you live. At this time of year birds will benefit from a little extra seed when natural stockpiles are low and we benefit by the bright colors they bring to an otherwise dull gray late winter landscape.

Feeding birds will also not interrupt their migration habits. Birds have internal clocks that determine when they fly the coop for the south. So enjoy the wonderful hobby of birdfeeding and help not only your enjoyment but give the birds some fun too.

Before you think about whether your backyard and will attract birds, ask yourself a few questions. Can it be a safe haven for birds, away from hawks, snakes, cats and any other predators that might attack them or their young? Is there a source of food nearby, like a birdfeeder, a source of worms, small insects, or a garden of flowers? If you live in a very warm place, or any place where it can get very hot, do you have a tree in which a bird can be cool and have a good source of shade? If you live in a windy place, will a tree or shrub protect birds from the wind and breezes? Most importantly, will it be a safe haven for young, have protection from the elements, and is it near a source of food? If yes, then here are some more ways to attract birds. If not, here’s a guide to making your backyard a magnet for birds and a heaven for birdwatchers.

Shrubs and Bushes That Attract Birds

Wintergreen shrubs grow low to the ground, and it is a favorite of ground-dwelling birds, as well as being a popular resting spot of airborne birds. Wintergreen attracts birds mainly as a great source of food and shelter. Its low branches protect birds from the elements, and are popular with small birds. The berries are a delicious source of food and attract many airborne birds as well.

Birds attracted: Mainly small ground-dwelling birds, but may attract other berry-eaters.

If you live in the Western United States, or any dry area, then the Rocky Mountain Jumper may be the ideal plant for you. The shrub is very popular with a variety of wild birds and is a great source of fruit.

The Rocky Mountain Jumper is an excellent source of shade, growing up to thirty feet tall. It also provides nests for many other animals as well as birds.

Birds attracted: A variety of birds from wild turkeys, jays, to solitaires.

Trees That Attract Birds

By far, the black cherry tree is the most popular tree for birds. If you are looking for one tree to attract birds from a wide range, then the black cherry tree is the tree. It has been said by some bird experts that black cherry trees can attract over fifty different species of birds to nest and

The black cherry tree also grows to great heights, topping out around eighty feet. The black cherry trees are also known for their beauty, with beautiful bark year-round and famously beautiful white flowers in the spring.

Birds attracted: Any bird looking for food by way of flowers or cherries; is most popular tree with birds.

The eastern red cedar is a great tree if you live in the north or any snowy areas, but is popular in other areas as well. The branches are major sites for nesting with birds and hold many birds in warm and cold weather, year-round.

The fruit of the eastern red cedar is also very popular, attracting around fifty species as well.

Birds attracted: Any major nesting bird, and many migratory birds as well.

The highbush blueberry is another popular tree, especially in the Northeastern United States. The berries attract many species of birds, some counts as high as thirty. It also is a source of shade for small birds.

It also tends to offer shade and is a very popular nest site for birds.

Birds attracted: Many different birds, is very popular with Grey Catbirds.

Sources:

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-s hould-i-consider-before-buying -a-tree-for-my-yard.htm

birding.about.com/od/gardening /a/treesshrubs.htm

www.associatedcontent.com/arti cle/28745/plants_bushes_and_tr ees_that_provide.html

Bird feeders are an attractive inclusion to gardens, backyards, and terraces. They are sure to attract all sorts of birds and let you observe them very closely. The bird feeder will attract more birds when it is placed in a proper location and the kind of food filled in varies according to the preferences of different species. These feeders are available in different designs from tubes to hoppers and trays. Hummingbird feeders make a fantastic dcor for your garden. They have red accents or red glass with sugar solution to attract hummingbirds. A suet feeder has a metal cage-like construction and plastic coating that contains a cake or block of suet to feed woodpeckers, flickers, and other insect eaters.

WindowAlert offers you the finest variety of bird feeders like sunflower and mixed seed feeders, nyjer feeders, hummingbird feeders, squirrel-proof feeders, and eco-friendly feeders. Regular disinfecting of feeders has to be carried out to prevent spreading of diseases. Feeder cleaning products from WindowAlert helps to maintain hygiene. Droll Yankees Window Bird Feeders are one of the safest feeders that contain UV-stabilized polycarbonate to resist coloring. The open construction of the feeder provides a clear view of birds on the feeder. The birdfeeder has curved rims and drainage holes to eliminate water and three high-quality suction cups for secure holding. Place these charming birdfeeders on matching pedestals and create an impressive focal point in your backyard. These feeders enhance the beauty of your birdhouses and also make fantastic gifts.More

Why use bird seed when the bird can eat what is found in nature?

Well bird seed is a great way to attract birds to you home. Bird seed also helps keep the birds nourished and healthy. In the winter or in dry seasons it may be hard for birds to find appropriate food so bird seed is a great way to keep birds nourished.

What bird seed do I choose?

When you choose a bird seed for your birds look for ones with high fat and protein content. This will ensure that your birds will be well nourished and well feed. There are different types of bird seed that you can offer the birds around your home. Depending on what type of birds you want to attract will depend on the bird seed and the bird feeder. For some bird seeds hanging bird feeders or tube bird feeders are best. While for others birds platform bird feeders or suet bird feeders are the better choice. To see what kind of bird seed is most preferred by birds, here is a useful bird seed chart.

When do I use bird seed?

Bird seed can be used year round. There is nothing wrong with feeding birds in the summer and spring this way they will receive the nutrient that they need while they are nesting. It is important that if you start feeding wild birds in the winter that you continue to feed them. Once wild birds find a reliable food source they will keep coming back to eat there.

What is suet?

Suet is a great bird food. Suet is animal fat and should be made with the highest quality beef kidney fat. Suet is processed so that it will not spoil or become soft and melt with different temperatures, because if this happens then all your bird seed will end up on the ground. Here is more information about suet.

What is wild bird seed?

Wild bird seed is all of the seeds mentioned above and in the chart. Wild bird seed can be mixed together for different types of bird feeders, or to attract different types of birds. Wild bird seed is made for wild birds, made for the nutrition that they need and how they prefer to eat. When you are looking a buying a bird feeder online, be sure to check out all the different types of wild bird seed for that type of bird feeder.

Direct page: http://www.aplusbirdfeeders.com/Main_Pages/bird_seed.htm

Even the most ardent bird lover can have a love-hate relationship with the House Sparrow. Despite being very sociable birds they are also known for destroying crops and some people see them as pests.

House sparrows are native to Europe and Asia but have colonised throughout the world and in the US they are known as English Sparrows to distinguish them from native species. They are now the most widely distributed bird on the planet and in the RSPB’s 2008 Big Garden Bird Watch they were the most counted British garden bird.

In the 18th century many parishes in Britain had “sparrow clubs” set up to destroy as many sparrows as possible because of their destruction to crops. Bounties continued to be paid until the 19th century when it was realised that the culling was not working.

Unfortunately House Sparrows are now struggling to survive along with many other common British birds and have declined in numbers so much that they have been put on the IUCN Red List of threatened species. It is thought that lack of food and suitable nest sites is contributing to the decline.

In the 1950s the UK sparrow population was estimated at 9.5 million which increased to 12 million in the 1970s. The numbers started to fall in the 1990s and the population is estimated to stand at about 6 million now.

The male sparrow has a grey crown and nape, edged with dark brown on the sides of the head and a distinctive black bib. The larger the male’s bib, the better he is at attracting a mate. Upper plumage is a flecked with brown, buffs and greys.

Female sparrows are much duller with tawny upper parts and a cream coloured stripe above the eye.

Sparrows are mainly seen in urban areas and near arable farms. A flock of sparrows will often draw attention to themselves by their noisy, squabbling behaviour particularly when fighting for food. They are most commonly seen in the south and east of the British Isles.

House sparrows breed between April and August preferring to nest in colonies of 10 to 20 pairs. They like to nest in holes and under roof tiles or if there is a shortage of holes then they will build a nest in a thick hedge. They lay up to 6 eggs which incubate for about 12 days. Sparrows can raise 3 or 4 broods during one breeding season.

Sparrows will naturally feed on insects during the summer and grain during the winter although they will eat most kinds of foods provided by humans like bread, grated cheese, fat and specially formulated seed mixes.

To help reverse the decline of House Sparrows you could provide them with sparrow flats – special nest boxes that allow them to breed in colonies.

You may also want to create a garden for birds to attract sparrows and other garden birds.

As people love to watch birds feeding in their gardens, various companies have items that will help bring these wild birds to us. One such item is that of feeders. With so many types of feeders available to you it may be a little difficult and confusing to know which feeder type is best. Metal Bird Feeders combine practical usage with elegance and beauty to make your garden an inviting place for birds.

Perky Pet which is a leading supplier of wild bird products has some interesting metal bird feeders for you to choose from. As there are a large number of feeders, only a few will be described here. Should these bird feeders appeal to your tastes then youll be able to view other types that are available.

The Sunflower Garden Metal Lantern Bird Feeder has an elegant and stylish design. Its made from durable powder coated metal in a beautiful garden green color. This feeder has the construction strength to provide you with years of bird feeding pleasure and comes with an 8 inch metal wire hanger.

The perches are in a U shape which is much preferred by feeder birds. The sides of the feeder are etched with a sunflower plexiglass design. These clear sides give you a view of the seed level within the metal bird feeders. You can keep 5 pounds of bird seed inside of the feeder and this bird feeder is designed for hanging.

The Copper Accented Bird Feeder is another metal bird feeder by Perky Pet Bird Feeders. This feeder has sparkling copper accents on the feeder. There is a unique seed dispensing tray at the bottom of the feeder. The feeder is made from powder coated metal in a decorative green coloring. Its in the style of a tube feeder, but the roof of the feeder is a copper plated top.

There are 4 feeding ports that have copper hoods above them, and also 4 copper perches as well. The base of these metal bird feeders is made from copper as well. In addition there are 4 more feeding ports. This 8 feeder port, tube bird feeder becomes a distinctive addition to your garden. The Copper Accented Bird Feeder will hold 6 pounds of seed mix or sunflower seeds. A heavy duty metal wire hanger is included with this feeder.

The last type of metal bird feeders comes from Heritage Farms. This Deluxe Seed and Suet Double Sided Bird Feeder has an attractive copper top. Its made of durable metal that will withstand whatever the weather throws at it and is squirrel and raccoon resistant as well. There are 2 sides that birds can eat seed from. In addition there are 2 suet feeder cages located on the sides of the metal bird feeders.

Any of these unique metal bird feeders will add an elegant and decorative touch to your garden and will also have the benefit of attracting many birds to your garden.