How to Attract Birds to your Garden All Year Round No comments yet

Would you like your garden to be a favorite habitat for wild birds? It is quite easy to do, and will give you joy watching the birds all year long. This post gives you some things to do to attract wild birds to your backyard
Attracting Wild Birds
As more land is used to accommodate the ever-growing human population, yards and city parks become important bird habitat. Diversified landscaping and feeding stations offer an oasis of resources in the middle of human domain. Feeding and watching birds gives families the opportunity to practice conservation right in their own yards. Children can learn and enjoy the wonders of nature right from the kitchen window. Children will be able to observe the hatching of young chicks and learn how many birds help control the insect population.
One fun aspect of feeding birds is learning what birds are visiting your backyard habitat. There are several good identification field guides such as National Geographic, Peterson’s East & West and Birds of North America through which the wild birds can be identified. Birds are grouped by physical characteristics. It is fairly easy to distinguish a duck from a songbird by just looking at body shape and size, as well as the beak and feet shapes. These physical characteristics will help identify birds: size, body shape, colors, markings, beak shape, feet and wing shape in flight. Birds have a variety of calls. Good listeners can learn to tell the difference between “chickadee” and “cheerily – cheerio – cheeriup” calls of the Black-capped Chickadee and the American Robin.
The most important element is the type of food offered to the wild birds. The widest variety of food sources ensures the widest variety of birds. Ensure that your bird feeder is kept clean. Old, moldy seed left in the feeder will not attract wild birds. Not only is the food type important, but the time period you feed and the consistency of feeding is very important as well. Many people will only feed the birds in the winter months, which is when they need it most, however, by feeding throughout the spring and summer months you will attract the migratory birds returning from southern climates. In addition, by feeding in the spring and summer, parenting birds will have easy access to a food source for their young. Food like seeds, protein rich insects and worms, flies; birds love mosquitoes, spiders, aphids and ants. Do not kill all the bugs in your yard if you want birds. Flowers, shrubs and trees will encourage a rich insect life in your yard that will, in turn, provide necessary food for wild birds. If you want to attract hummingbirds to your garden, this can be accomplished in several ways. If you plant honeysuckle, common lilac (with purple flowers), red geraniums, nasturtium, red petunias, red salvia, coral bells, columbine, fuchsia and even scarlet runner beans, there is a good chance that you will see hummingbirds feeding among your flowers.
Fresh, clean water made available year round is an important element of attracting wild birds. The simplest and most readily available is a shallow birdbath. Birdbaths can be kept thawed even in winter by a birdbath heater. Most garden birds like a water source far enough from surrounding vegetation to offer surveillance against a surprise attack from squirrels, rats, big birds. If there is water falling or dripping making sound this will attract birds even more towards the backyard.
Birds are dependent on flight for safety; they are most vulnerable when they are “grounded” to rest, feed or nest. To a bird, protection means staying both comfortable and safe. Again, a wide variety of plant vegetation and trees will find the best range of habitat for birds. The selection of plants and their arrangement in the landscape are important in making a bird feel at home. Protection from cold winds and driving rain allow birds to maintain body heat, and keep healthy. Birds that are exposed to cold, wet and windy weather are very vulnerable to exposure and resulting death. Without protective cover near by, wild birds will not frequent bird feeders even if they are the best feeders with the most desirable seed.
Build nest and bird houses for birds to raise their families and provide them with shelter. When the birds will feel that there is a shelter provided to take care of the baby birds they will build their natural nests and start living and heave their family.
If you specially want to attract humming birds then take care that your feeders are full because they will begin moving south as early as July but it will take several months for the birds to begin to reach the southern U.S. and they can use your feeders during the trip. They eat lots of protein in their diets too and that doesn’t come from sugar feeders and they need insects too. It is important to leave your feeders up and full. Migrating birds need all the quick and easy nourishment they can find to sustain the incredible energy demands of migration. It is vital that hummingbirds fatten up for their extended trips, particularly those crossing the Gulf of Mexico. For several weeks after your regular summer hummingbirds have left your flowers and feeders, migrating birds could be quickly passing through your gardens unnoticed. Leaving your feeders up for at least three weeks after seeing your last hummingbird is essential.
By Lily Smith
Lily Smith is the owner of
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Attract Birds to your Garden with Water 1 comment

If you want to attract birds into your backyard, provide them with a supply of water. Water is an essential element for all forms of life, and by having a bird attracting source of water in your garden you can encourage many different kinds of bird activity.
Our Feathered Friends Need Water Too
There are so many ways to attract wild birds to your yard. One of the best ways to bring all types of birds a little closer is by providing them water. There are many birds that do not “snack” on birdfeed, so adding a water source will attract many kinds of birds.
The easiest and most cost effective method to supply water for birds is to get a birdbath. Your local garden supply store should have a large variety of birdbaths available. If you are pinching pennies, you can also make one yourself out of a garbage can lid. It serves the same purpose and birds really don’t discern between the attractive birdbath, from the trash can lid you have on the ground. However, there are many very elaborate baths you can purchase from ones that regulate the temperature of the water and some offer a regular flow of fresh water.
Keep in mind that birds like shallow water. If the water is to deep, they start to feel in danger. The ideal height of water is 2-3 inches. Remember to change it every few days as water is a breeding ground for mosquitoes and they will lay eggs in your birdbath.
The bottom surface of your birdbath should be rough, not smooth. This gives the bird good traction. You might want to consider putting a few large rocks in there to allow smaller birds to perch.
Another method is to provide a farm pond. It is a small pond, which can be stocked with fish. A great advantage to this is that you will attract fish eating birds, like Herons. It is also easy to maintain. By planting bushes around the pond, you will attract even more birds as birds love to nest and hide in such brush.
Whatever method you choose, you will find more wild birds stopping in for a “drink” everyday. Just sit back, relax and enjoy the view!
By Sharon Stajda
For more information about birds and their habitat, please visit How To Study Birds or Our Birds And Our Gardens.

Finding the Best Kind of Bird House for your Backyard No comments yet

There are many different kinds of bird houses available frm quaint and cute, to large and practical. What kind of birdhouse is really suitable? Where is the best place to put a bird house? Read this post to get some answers
For the Birds: Selecting and Placing a Bird House
Bird watching brings enjoyment to many people. Selecting and correct placement of bird house can attract many birds to your yard. The correct bird house can bring enjoyment and viewing pleasure from the comfort of your own home.

Selecting the correct bird house or feeder is important to attracting birds to your yard. There is a wide variety available from very decorative to functional. With the right selection you can have an attractive addition to your yards landscape and give your feathered friends a functional place to nest.

When selecting a bird house there are many factors to consider. Robins will nest in an enclosed bird house but prefer an open area such as a nesting post. Wrens and other similar small birds prefer an enclosed boxed structure. Many bird houses have small openings suited to birds like wrens. Many birds will not nest in a house that has multiple chambers preferring a single box structure. You can select a decorative structure to add beauty to your yard while giving your area birds an attractive place to nest.

Placement is important in attracting birds to your structure. Do not place your house near a feeder but try to place it near convenient cover for the birds. Near by bushes or trees will give the nesting birds a place to dart to when they sense danger. Many birds will not nest in an area where there are other birds or back yard animals like squirrels and rabbits. Feeders will attract many animals other than birds.

Nesting birds will seek areas away from the commotion of feeders and bird baths but these structures will aid in attracting nesting birds. Convenient water and food sources in another area of your yard will provide an easy source of needed sustenance for the birds that have selected you bird house to nest.

Do not face the opening of your bird house to the South or East. The direct sunlight from these directions will cause your bird house to be to warm in the morning and mid-day hours.

Try to mount your bird house on a pole or post rather than hanging it from a tree. A post will protect your nesting birds from back yard predators.

Keeping your bird house clean is very important to the health of birds that have selected your structure and to your family. Clean your bird house every spring. Remember to wear gloves and a face mask when cleaning your bird house. Cleaning will not only protect the health of the birds but will ensure your bird house can be an eye catching element of your landscape for many years.

Make sure to keep your feeders and bird baths clean and full of food and water. You may have to fill you water source a couple times throughout the day.

With thought, planning and a little maintenance the addition of a bird house can bring birds to your yard every year to give you viewing pleasure in your own back yard.
By Scott Kirchoff
Scott Kirchoff manages news and information for www.sekwholesale.com, an online supplier of home décor, gardening supplies, and exceptional gifts (including a huge selection of bird houses).

Caring for Wild Birds in Winter No comments yet

Many birds die during the winter months because of lack of food, water or shelter. Find out what you can do to help birds survive in winter.
Winter Care For Wild Birds

Here in Michigan and other temperate climates, winter survival is everything for wild birds. The search for food starts at dawn and continues till dusk. If a bird is able to eat enough, it will store enough energy to survive a cold winter’s night. It then starts all over for another day.Wild birds or backyard birds depend on every seed, berry or insect it may find. With the continual decline of natural habitats, birds
need our helping hands.
Caring and feeding for wild birds helps them to survive the winter and
also gives you a sense of doing good. Helping out nature instead of taking from her.
Birds require food, fresh water, shelter from the elements and
protection from predators.
FOOD: 

High energy food is important. Suet, peanuts, black oil
sunflower seed all high energy food high in fat and protein. Nyjer thistle is a high source of energy for finches as well. Cage feeders are designed to hold suet cakes, Tube and hopper
feeders are designed to accommodate a variety of birds. Platform and peanut feeders are also available. Pack down an area and toss some cracked corn and white millet
for the ground scratching birds to enjoy.
FRESH WATER: 

I emphasize FRESH WATER here. With a lack of
natural water sources available in cold winter months, water can be scarce. Fresh water even more so. While birds will and do eat snow, this drives down their body temperature and uses valuable energy to
melt the snow and warm back up.
Offer up some water with a heated birdbath or put a heater in your
current bath. heaters cost no more to run the a light bulb and can save a birds life. Look for heaters that come with a minimum three
year guarantee.
SHELTER: 

From the harsh winter winds and a place to snuggle. Use
your old Christmas tree, or hang a roosting box. Plant lots of bushes and trees for your birds to roost in. Evergreens work wonders here as
a wind brake and protection from snow fall. Most birds will die at night from a lack of food, water and
protection Food and water are life’s essentials, protection helps your birds to conserve vital calories.
PROTECTION: 

Birds need to feel safe from danger and offering
protection will keep your birds coming back. Place your feeders and Fresh water source near trees and bushes. Out in the open.
Enough for your birds to see if hawks are around and away from
places where cats might hide.
By placing your feeding stations 10 to 20 feet from trees and shrubs,
your birds have an open view and can escape most attacks from the air or the ground.
Research shows that birds get 25% of their food from human sources.
How important is that 25% on any given winter’s night?

Backyard birding is a healthy hobby for all and just about anyone
can feed the birds. A hobby that can last a lifetime.
By Ronald Patterson

Ron Patterson has been more then 40 years of experience and knowledge csaring for backyard birds.Along with his bird knowledge, Ron is a Michigan Certified Nurseryman. Ron Has combined his expertise to help others enjoy wild birds more and teaches how to garden for birds. Get Ron’s newsletter at: http://www.backyardbirdingtips.com/