Bird Feeders - Kindness For Our Feathered Friend

A bird feeder is a small container shaped like a cylinder used to attract birds to your garden. They vary in shape but are often designed to be tall and slender to hang from a tree branch. The container is filled with birdseed and has a grill or small opening through which the bird can get the seeds. Most have small perches on which the birds can stand, but some simple use a wire mesh that the birds can easily grip. There small tray that fits underneath the feeder to catch errant seeds that you can purchase.

The color of the feeder, and the type of seeds placed in the container, are changed in order to attract different species of birds. The most common is millet or sunflower seedS but any can be used that apply to the diet of the local wildlife. This is useful to bird watchers who want to attract a variety of bird to their home for photography or study. Living food such as mealworms can be placed in some feeders, allowing birds with offspring to use the device.

One problem with bird feeders is that other garden animals will be attracted. Often, squirrels or even mice will steal the seed. Some companies produce separate feeders for mammals, and some employ inventive methods of deterring pests. Some feeders have perches that very lightly shock or fold downwards when an object heavier than a bird is placed on it, causing any interlopers to be cast aside.

Different types of birds sometimes have their own types of bird feeder. For insect eating birds you can get a feeder that contains a block of suet that can be slowly worked away on. For birds like hummingbirds, which feed off nectar, there are feeders that contain a liquid and sugar mixture than the birds can drink. Some species of birds like to feed at ground level, and so there are feeders built for this purpose also.

Choose The Best Bird Feeder

The most rewarding thing for many bird keepers is to have the best bird feeder. A bird feeder which you won't have to worry about or keep an eye on to keep away squirrels and other animals targeting the bird's seeds. One which will be able to attract as many birds to your garden as possible and one which will give a good viewing of how the birds are feeding and to know the level of the bird's seeds. To be able to attract and keep many birds in your garden you'll require a well designed bird feeder, one which will make the birds enjoy visiting your garden. The bird feeder should be able to hold a sizable amount of the bird's seeds. It should have many perches for the birds.

One of the special classic bird feeders is the wooden cedar wild bird feeders. These bird feeders are designed to add charm to your garden while at the same time making your favorite birds enjoy their meal. The feeders are designed to be the excellent choice feeders. They are designed in different sizes smaller ones being able to hold mealworms and small sized grains. They are designed for one to be able to add suit cakes at the sides.

These bird feeders are designed to keep off squirrels that are always a bother to bird keeping farmers. The feeders are designed in a way to enables one to add a squirrel baffle protection device. They have many different shapes to make your garden beautiful.

Squirrel Proof Bird Feeders - Get Rid of Squirrel in Your Feeder

There are two basic approaches to keeping squirrels out of your bird feeder. The first is to try to block them from getting to the feeder. There are two common types of feeders that do that.

Baffled Bird Feeder - By simply restricting access to the the food in the feeder, you frustrate them and they move off. The advantage to using a baffle is that it more or less separates the squirrel proof barrier from the feeder itself, so that the bird have free access to the bird seed, and any size bird can still use the feeder. This is often the more aesthetic approach. This is often done by pole mounting the feeder, and putting the baffle on the pole. Other types use a hanging arrangement and the baffle forms a roof over the feeder.

The disadvantage of this approach is that squirrels can leap about seven feet, and are incredibly agile climbers, so that they will often find a way to land on the actual feeder and bypass the baffling. With the top mounted feeder you may also find a squirrel smart enough to climb down and cause the feeder to swing, and while they may not gain access to the feeder itself they can cause the bird seeds to spill to the ground, where they can get all the seeds they want.

Caged Bird Feeders - Another very common solution is to use a caged feeder. These are easy to spot, the construction includes some type of cage around the actual feeder area. It's a fairly open mesh, and in fact a tube style caged feeder looks similar to an electronic bug zapper with the open mesh surrounding the tube.

Caged feeders are better at keeping the squirrels out of the feeder, but they can still get to it and scare off the birds that are trying to use the feeder. This is often the case when you are trying to attract smaller birds.

The second approach to getting rid of squirrels in your bird feeder is to move them out. The much more effective types of squirrel proof feeders are those that cause the squirrel to fall off or be thrown from the feeder. There are two types of those feeders as well, weight activated feeders and the battery powered or electronic motorized feeders. While this won't harm the squirrels they are fun to watch in action.

Squirrel Proof Birdfeeders- Do They Really Work

You have spent a lots of money on a feeder that claimed it was squirrel proof. However, the squirrels spend an entire day eating your bird seed. So, is there really a squirrel proof bird feeder you can trust? Probably the most asked questions are. Have you tried all those feeder that claim to be squirrel proof? Are the squirrels on the feeder all day long? Let me help you understand how these feeders are designed and what their purpose really is.

A properly designed squirrel proof bird feeder should thwart the average squirrel about 95% of the time. That means about 5% of the time the animals will successfully obtain a bird seed reward for their diligence. For most people, this is fine. However, some are not pleased with this result and, unfortunately, allow these small number of invaders spoil the marvelous hobby of backyard bird feeding. There are some people who literally flips out each time they even sees a squirrel.

When you provide free food for your birds, you are basically offering to any aspect of nature, including deer, fox, raccoons, and yes, squirrels. Learning to enjoy all of nature in it's glory simplifies this hobby tremendously. Birds have learned to live with squirrels and a successful backyard birder can too.

Many people use a humane trap and drive great distances to release these intruders into the wilds. There is one man I know who has trapped over 75 squirrels in the past two years and is still going strong. Oh well, it keeps him busy and he is having fun doing it. However, for most of us, living with a couple of squirrels is part of nature and we enjoy that as well.

There are a number of excellent feeders designed specifically to keep red, grey, and fox squirrels from monopolizing the bird seed. Each one can satisfy your desire to allow the birds to feed, but not the squirrels. Be sure to inform your local bird store about what squirrel proof bird feeder you choose. Let them know what critters you wish to deter and what birds you wish to attract.

Bird Houses - Choosing And Maintaining Nest Boxes

Choosing bird houses for blue birds, wrens, or nesting shelves for robins doesn't have to be difficult.

Here are a little information you need to select the best type for the bird or birds you wish to attract to your backyard.

Nest boxes should be designed and built for a particular type of bird.

While it may be tempting to buy that cute one with multiple openings, don't do it.

Most wild birds do not nest near others of the same species.

Except for purple martins a bird house should be for a single nest. Unless your decision is just to decorate your yard or garden, stay away from nesting boxes built for multiple birds.

Most likely you won't get any birds to nest in these homes, or worse, the bird watcher may get less desirable birds that chase away the very ones you wish to attract. Birds can be very territorial during the breeding season. The size of territory varies with each species.
Unless you live on several acres, its unlikely you'll be able to attract more than one pair of a particular species to your bird house.

No need to be discouraged. The idea is to attract a variety of birds to nest in your yard. Several nest boxes of the same shape and size may attract just one pair, but using a variety of bird houses can attract many species of birds to nest in your yard at the same time.

There are about fifty species of North American birds known to be cavity Nester's. Some of the more common ones are: Eastern Bluebird, House Wren, Chickadee, Northern Flicker, Nuthatch, and Purple Martin.

Some bird species can be attracted to your yard by using nesting shelves Unlike bird-houses, nesting shelves are not fully enclosed boxes but usually have a roof, back, bottom, an open front with narrow side walls.

Birds that can be attracted to nesting shelves are: American Robin, Barn Swallow, Eastern Phoebe, and Mourning Doves.

Earlier, I mentioned, that putting up several bird houses of the same size, shape, and dimensions wouldn't attract more than one pair of a particular species to your yard. While this is true, there are exceptions to the size, shape, dimension rule.

When And Where To Place Birdhouses:

If at all possible try to get your nest boxes up by late summer or early fall. Birds tend to be attracted to birdhouses that have a more weathered look. Which is one more good reason not to paint your nest boxes.

If you are unable to get your boxes up by fall, try to get them up as early as possible in the winter. Don't wait until you see the birds in your yard before you mount or hang your nest boxes. No matter what, just get them mounted.Even if you don't get any birds this year, your bird house will have time to weather and be waiting for them next season.

Shade:

If you know where you have some afternoon shade keep this in mind. How much shade you have is important to many birds. But dense shade is not recommended. Most birds prefer a sunny open space.

It is best not to mount bird houses on the sides of trees where squirrels and cats have easy access. While there is no way to guarantee predators won't get to your bird houses there are steps you can take.

Consider mounting your nest boxes on post or polls, using squirrel baffles, ( a devices that detour squirrels) or hanging bird houses from limbs.

Nesting Shelves which will attract Robins, Mourning doves, and Phoebes to nest, should be placed under overhangs and eaves.

Always monitor your bird houses for undesirable birds and to protect them from predators.

Care And Maintenance Of Bird House

s important as picking the right house for the right bird, so to is the maintenance of the nest box. If a bird species raises more than one brood a year, as the wren mentioned above, it's a good idea to clean the house out between broods.

Parasites, blowflies, and other insects can cause harm to future broods. Some birds that raise second broods will not reuse a nest. Others, like the Eastern Bluebird will use the same birdhouse for up to three brood each season.

The best time for a once a year cleaning is late fall or early winter. Be sure to do a through cleaning.

When choosing to purchase or build a birdhouse, make sure that there is an easy way to clean it. Most quality birdhouses are built to clean by having hinges or slide out bottoms. Either way, you want one you don't have to disassemble in order for it to be cleaned.

It is best not to paint your birdhouse. Most people prefer nest boxes made from cedar. Cedar weathers to a nice natural silver gray and blends in with nature. Dark paint colors absorb heat and can lead to the death of the young birds.

Hopper Feeders Are A Great Choice For Beginners

There are lots of bird feeders that you can put in your garden, but you might want to consider Hopper Feeders – they're an excellent choice for the novice.

Hopper Feeders are sometimes called Wood feeders, but they shouldn't be confused with wooden bird feeders. This feeder is great because birds will feel very comfortable with them. The Hopper Feeders also blend in very well with the rest of your garden and the surrounding environment.

If you spend the extra money and get hold of a kiln dried Hopper feeder made from good quality Western Cedar wood, you'll find it lasts for a long time and it will weather to a beautiful silver gray color.

Another great thing about Hopper Feeders is that you can use them right through the year. Most Hopper Feeders have all-weather screws to help the feeder stand up to whatever type of weather your region will experience.

The top of the feeder has easy access which makes storing bird feed and opening the feeder for cleaning a breeze, and since the Hopper Feeder is made from wood the rain will simply run off the top leaving all the seeds inside nice and dry.

Some birds will prefer to eat from a feeder that has a solid perch or platform for them to stand on. Northern Cardinals, Blue Jays, Chickadees, Finches and others will always come visit this sort of feeder. Owning one of these large-sized feeders like the Hopper Feeders will allow you to keep several pounds of sunflower and other seed mixtures in it without any worries.

Needless to say, this will mean that you'll spend less time refilling the feeder and more time bird watching. Of course the larger seed capacity is very important during the winter. The cold winter season means that with less food in the wild, the birds will depend much more on you. Your Hopper Feeders will then provide them with a valuable source of food.

Hopper Feeders come in a wide range of sizes but a good sized Hopper Feeder will measure about 11½ inches in length, 9½ inches in height and its width will be 9½ inches. Because these feeders are made from wood you'll need to take care where you place them in your garden. Squirrels will take apart any Hopper Feeders that have no protection around them.

Because of this, make sure that your wooden Hopper Feeders are in an place that has no trees or jumping points nearby for squirrels to take advantage of. Getting yourself a good squirrel baffle is another way to deal with the pesky problem.

On the other hand, if you actually like these little furry friends you could just place some extra seed away from your Hopper Feeders for the squirrels to enjoy. But whatever you decide to do, buying any of the Hopper Feeders available will only enhance your garden and ultimately bring a great many more birds to it.

When Are Tube Feeders A Good Idea

Tube feeders usually come in two different models, one designed to serve thistle seeds or nyjer seeds, and the other designed to dispense mixed seed varieties. For each type of seed, you'll get different bird species coming to your feeders.

The thistle seed Tube Feeders are long and thin and have lots of little perches next to the many small slotted feeding ports. Birds such as Woodpeckers, Pine Siskins and House Finches will enjoy eating at this type of feeder as well. Because these bird types are relatively small they can easily and comfortably fit on the small perches.

This particular perch size will also discourage larger birds such as Grosbeaks, Cardinals, Doves, Blue Jays, Grackles and Blackbirds from coming and eating at your Tube Feeders. If you want to attract these kinds of birds you should take a look at hopper hopper feeders or ground feeders instead.

The patented Upside Down Thistle Tube Feeders are also great at discouraging unwanted bird types from feeding in your garden. This is because the feeding holes are actually placed underneath the perches. Thus, any bird that wants to eat from these particular Tube Feeders must be willing and able to cling upside down and eat. This usually discourages a lot of birds but will readily attract Goldfinches and Pine Siskins. They are known to be quite acrobatic and don't mind dining while hanging upside down.

If you prefer to serve mixed seeds or black oil sunflower seeds then you'll need to take a look at the Tube Feeders which have feeding ports which allow for the dispensing of larger seeds. Like the Thistle Tube Feeders, these feeders also have lots of perches and feeding ports. To reduce the amount of competition near feeding stations, tube feeders that have perches spaced a little bit apart are a good idea.

Of course with the constant menace of squirrels around you might want to find a way of protecting your Tube Feeders from these animals by getting hold of a squirrel proof bird feeder. One way is to invest in a Tube Feeder that has a wire mesh type frame or cage around the feeder. This way only small bird types will be able to feed from these enclosed Tube Feeders.

You will sometimes find Tube Feeders that come with attachments of other tubes which you can the use to create a longer Tube Feeder that will allow more birds to feed at the same time.

Whichever Tube Feeder you decide on though, remember and make sure that you'll have a clear line of sight to your feeders, half the fun of bird feeding after all lies in watching the antics of the various birds. And this is especially true of the upside down feeder – the picture of fully a dozen or so birds all hanging upside down while they feed is a sight to behold and shouldn't be missed.