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.

Squirrel Proof Bird Feeders

Even though squirrels are very cute little fellows, they're also intelligent and very devious. Instead of spending their time foraging for food they're easily clever enough to spend their time raiding the bird feeders that you've put in your garden instead!

Any wooden, tube, or ground feeders in your garden are in danger from these little thieves, and the answer to your problem may be squirrel proof bird feeders.

For those of you with normal bird feeders you should really position your feeder in a clear and open area where there is at least 10 feet between the feeder and the nearest tree or other object from which the squirrels can jump on to the feeder. The feeder should also be mounted on a pole so that it's at least 5 feet or more off the ground.

This position may help to keep your bird feeders safe, at least for a little while. Unfortunately this is unlikely to last for very long, and you will probably have to resort to tricks like keeping black oil sunflower seeds in a pile some distance away from your feeder. However, no matter what you try and whatever tricks you use, the squirrels will eventually find where you've kept the bird feeder and they'll begin to eat again. A specially designed squirrel proof bird feeder maybe just what you need.

Have you looked on eBay for squirrel proof bird feeders? They usually have a great selection and you shouldn't have too much trouble finding something. Here's a small sample of what they have available right now;

You'll be glad to hear that there are many squirrel proof bird feeders on the market today. These feeders have become more sophisticated and actually more entertaining for the bird watcher, although I'm sure that's not their purpose. The long running battle between man and squirrels takes a turn for the interesting as the Yankee Flipper becomes the bird feeder manufacturing industry's answer to the squirrel problem.

Squirrels have the size, strength and the intelligence to take over any unprotected bird feeders, so a feeder that can use their own size to repel them is a great innovation. These squirrel proof bird feeders are battery powered, and the motor is activated by the heavier weight of the squirrels. When the squirrel comes and sits on the perch its own weight triggers the perch to spring shut. This closing action can send the squirrel flying through the air. After the squirrel has left and his weight has gone, the feeder opens up again.

You can also try using baffle and feeder combos to try and keep the squirrels away from the bird feeder. Large domes or tubes are used to stop the squirrel reaching the bird food. Because the squirrel can't jump over or around the dome or climb around the tubes, they have trouble getting to the bird feed.

Another type of squirrel proof bird feeder is the caged feeder. These keep the squirrels out of the seeds by surrounding a tubular feeder with a wire cage that has only small bird-sized openings to the food.

So, even though no bird feeder is guaranteed squirrel proof, your bird visitors will more than likely enjoy their bird seed in peace and the latest squirrel proof bird feeders will send the thieving squirrels flying – literally!

Trees And Brush That Attract The Most Birds

If you want to attract birds, build a landscape that encourages them to linger in your yard. Just a few modifications to your yard can bring the birds flocking in.

Birds are looking for a shrub that provides a safe haven from predators and inclement weather. Dense shrubs and bushes provide this protection and a safe place to nest in the Spring and Summer. Evergreens such as firs, pines, junipers and hollies are preferred nesting sites for birds. Deciduous trees and shrubs are also dense enough that birds will flock to them.

While not as traditional, some birds will enjoy tall grasses to hide quickly from predators in. This grass can also cover a nesting spot quite well for ground birds.

Birds are looking for food as well as shelter in their environment. A bird feeder is good, but plants that provide a natural food source for birds is better. Plants and shrubs that produce fruits, flowers, or nuts attract birds regularly. Remember that many plants produce fruits at different times of year and plant a variety of trees to keep the birds coming all year long. Plants that produce nectar will attract the hummingbird.

If you take the time to upgrade your landscape to accommodate birds, you will be surprised at how pleasant life can feel in your own backyard. Not only will you have a nicer plant-life, but birds fluttering about you.

Enhancing Your Backyard Bird Experience

Backyard bird watching is one of the most inexpensive and relaxing hobbies you can pursue along with your family and friends. It is both fun and educational because you can learn a great deal about your environment and survival from the many different species of birds that are prevalent in your local area.

Equipment Necessary for Backyard Bird Watching

Birds are very sensitive to sound and the presence of humans so you have to maintain a safe distance so the birds aren't frightened away. A pair of binoculars is a must if you want to watch the birds behave in their normal manner. If you want to keep a record of the birds you see, you may want to invest in a camera with a telephoto lens as well. Having pictures will also aid you in researching the birds so that you can later look-up the species of the birds you have seen either at your local library or over the Internet.

Most birdwatchers who take their hobby seriously also keep a journal to record the various types of birds they see. It can also be used to take notes on their different behaviors as well. It can be fascinating to go through the pages of your journal every year as you will observe some of the same birds returning to almost the exact same location at the same time of the year. After doing this for a few years, you will find yourself waiting for them and predicting the time of the year that each species of bird returns.

Attracting Birds to Your Backyard

There are many different ways in which you can attract birds to your backyard to ensure that they visit your home. One of the most common practices is to install a water fountain or birdbath where the birds can find relief from the summer sun and quench their thirst. You can also provide them with a feeding place by putting a birdfeeder in your yard or hanging one from a nearby tree. You may want to experiment with different types of birdseed and food in order to learn what types of food attract different species of birds. You can also provide some nesting facilities by hanging birdhouses in the trees in your yard. If you don't have trees, pole-mounted birdhouses are available as well. You may be surprised that some of the birds may adopt your bird houses as their home and return to them every year.

Backyard bird watching can turn into a fun and enjoyable adventure for the whole family if you dedicate some time to this pursuit. You will find that you can recognize most of the different species of birds each season without having to look up their picture and description. You will also learn their behavior and habits.

Helpful Tips

When preparing for backyard bird watching, be sure that you have plenty of water and some high energy snacks available, especially if you plan to spend several hours under cover entertaining your hobby. A baseball cap or visor during the summer time and a stocking cap in winter will protect you from the sun and cold respectively. Also, during the summer, you'll want to have plenty of bug and insect repellent, as well as suntan lotion if you aren't watching the birds from a shaded area.

Birds can be fascinating creatures to observe and in time you will find yourself planning bird watching vacations, especially if your family enjoys the same backyard bird watching hobby as you do. If you've been looking for ideas on how to bring your family closer together, then you'll seriously want to consider getting them involved in bird watching.

Bird Feet

Most perching birds are beautifully adapted for grasping the twigs and similar objects on which they perch. Their feet are slender, for they don't have to do much more than just hold onto their perch.

No perching songbird would possess powerful feet with dangerous-looking talons. The feet of a Barred Owl are powerful enough to grabbing victims such as rodents and small squirrels, wounding them or even killing them in the process, and later tearing the prey to shreds.

Therefore, each time you see a bird species that is new for you, it's a good idea to notice its feet, for their adaptations may cue you to something special the bird does. Maybe the most famous non-perching feet are those of ducks, who possess webs between the front three toes, for paddling water. Woodpeckers cling to the sides of trees and thus need very powerful grips, and have their third toes swung around so that their feet are equipped with two toes up front and two in the back. Ground-living birds like pheasants and chickens possess very thick, powerful toes with well developed nails, perfect for scratching the ground.

The average bird foot has four toes, and typically the first big toe is turned backward, while the other three toes face forward. Usually the big toe grows at the same level as the other toes so that it can grasp an object from the opposite direction of the other toes. Some birds -- cranes, many rails, and members of the Pheasant Family, for example -- have their halluces growing higher up their legs so that they never touch the ground. These birds usually walk or run on the ground, so a big toe dragging along behind the main part of their foot would only get in the way.

Swifts, which may rest hanging on vertical walls, have all their toes turned forward, or can turn them forward when they want. Among kingfishers, two toes are fused for part of their length. In ducks, the three front toes are connected with a web of skin. Among cormorants, gannets and pelicans, all four toes are connected by webbing.

Claws on a bird's foot are actually specialized scales formed into horny sheaths. Claws grow continuously and are worn away through daily activity. Claws are usually called talons when we are referring to birds of prey such as owls, eagles and hawks.