A Birder's Site » Birds http://www.birdwatchingnow.com Bird Watching and Birding for All Fri, 17 Jun 2011 17:20:02 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.2 Whooping Cranes http://www.birdwatchingnow.com/birds/whooping-cranes http://www.birdwatchingnow.com/birds/whooping-cranes#comments Mon, 01 Feb 2010 18:30:04 +0000 admin http://www.birdwatchingnow.com/birds/whooping-cranes Whooping cranes are large attractive birds. The adult is white with dark legs, a long dark bill, and a red crown on top of its head. Black wing tips are visible when the birds are in flight. Fully grown, they are the tallest of all North American birds. They live in marshes, swamps, and other wetlands, eating aquatic creatures such as frogs, as well as insects, seeds, and berries. Many things threaten their survival, including habitat loss, power line collisions, pollution, predators, and disease.
Whooping Cranes are the most endangered of all crane species, with only about 500 birds alive in the world in 2006. This number is up from an estimated 20 birds in the 1940′s as a result of captive crane breeding programs – eggs are taken from nests that contain more than one egg, hatched in captivity, and the young birds are released back into the wild when they are old enough to survive on their own.
Though the overall numbers of Whooping cranes are increasing as a result of the captive crane breeding programs, many of the captive reared birds have failed to reproduce in the wild. Birds that were raised by adults of another crane species failed to mate with their own species and a non-migratory flock established in Florida has largely failed to raise young successfully. Migratory birds released in the Northeast have failed to breed or lost eggs to predators before they hatched. There is hope that this may change, however: the wild birds from crane breeding programs are still young and may simply need more experience before they can successfully raise chicks in the wild.
In 2006, two chicks hatched in the wild in Wisconsin, in a wetland near the captive crane breeding program that their parents had been released from. If these chicks survive, it will be a milestone, and possibly the beginning of a migratory breeding wild flock of Whooping Cranes. This would be a major step forward in the recovery of the species.
Whooping Cranes are a long way from full recovery. A population of 500 birds is still very small, and this number is increasing very slowly, with very few birds born in the wild each year. But we are getting closer to success with the crane breeding programs and, if we are lucky, a day may come again when residents of much of North America will be able to look up and see a flock of large white birds with bold black wingtips pass gracefully overhead.
By Rosemary Drisdelle
Rosemary Drisdelle is a freelance writer focusing on science writing and creative non-fiction, She writes about birds for Suite101.


]]> http://www.birdwatchingnow.com/birds/whooping-cranes/feed 0 Virginia Bird Watching http://www.birdwatchingnow.com/birds/virginia-bird-watching http://www.birdwatchingnow.com/birds/virginia-bird-watching#comments Tue, 26 Jan 2010 18:00:05 +0000 admin http://www.birdwatchingnow.com/birds/virginia-bird-watching Virginia is among the premier bird watching spots in the mid-Atlantic region of the USA. Virginia has a wide variety of environments and is visited by many species of birds.

Song birds

Virginia is home to large numbers of song birds. Along the coast, marshes, wildflowers, fields and areas of brush provide ideal nesting and feeding habitat. Other songbirds inhabit the tall pine forests there. Warblers, nut hatches, sparrows, red wing blackbirds and others nest near the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic coast in the summer, while cardinals, jays, woodpeckers and finches reside there during the winter months.

Shore Birds

Herons, egrets, ibises, oyster crackers, march hens and other shorebirds are frequently spotted along the marshes in places like Chincoteague, Assateague and the other barrier islands. On the beaches, dozens of species of sandpipers, plovers, gulls and terns feed, nest and raise chicks.

Birds of Prey

A number of birds of prey visit Virginia. Ospreys arrive in the spring to raise young and feed on the abundant fish stocks. As seasons change, some ospreys migrate south while other birds of prey arrive. American eagles, red tailed hawks and other large hunters are present in the fall thru spring. Other hawks such as sparrow hawks may be found year round.

Waterfowl

Ducks, geese, brant and swans all make stops in Virginia. In the refuge, geese and swans take up residence year round. Other full time residents include black ducks, wood ducks and mallards which raise their young on the marshes of Chincoteague Island, Wallops Island and much of the Chesapeake. As autumn arrives, ducks and geese migrate into the refuges and surrounding areas of Virginia. Shoveler ducks, pintails, mallards, widgeons, teal, rudy ducks, canvasbacks, redheads, ring necked ducks, bluebills, and others fly in. Mergansers, buffleheads, goldeneyes and other diving ducks show up in the bay waters as cold weather sets in. Off the coast, rafts of sea ducks and small groups of oldsquaw ducks forage along the shoals over the winter.

Pelagic Birds

The waters off the coast are visited by up to 30 species of pelagic birds including albatrosses, petrels, shearwaters, storm-petrels, phalaropes, skuas, jaegers, gulls, terns and alcids. These birds migrate along the offshore waters far from land. Many pass off the coast and never see Virginia’s beaches.
By John C. Banks

The author is a recreational angler and owner of several outdoor websites. See Chincoteague Island Virginia and Maryland – Virginia Saltwater Fishing for more information about birding in Virginia.


]]> http://www.birdwatchingnow.com/birds/virginia-bird-watching/feed 0 The Truly Fascinating World of Bird Watching http://www.birdwatchingnow.com/birds/the-truly-fascinating-world-of-bird-watching http://www.birdwatchingnow.com/birds/the-truly-fascinating-world-of-bird-watching#comments Sun, 17 Jan 2010 17:15:04 +0000 admin http://www.birdwatchingnow.com/birds/the-truly-fascinating-world-of-bird-watching Birds are the most visible form of wildlife, they are found in every part of the world that is not permanently covered by ice, and you can see them in any weather, any time of day or night, anywhere you go.
Whether you live in the country or the city, there are birds nearby, 835 species of birds spend at least part of the year in North America.
You can go out looking for birds or attract them to your home. Birding is one of the fastest-growing outdoor activities all around the world. The Verb ‘To Bird’ would serve as an excellent jumping off point for a feature, which highlights the growing popularity of birding.

More than 70 million Americans are feeding and watching backyard birds.
Success in bird watching is, to a large extent, based on location, either by venturing to locations or habitats where birds are plentiful, or by devising ways to attract birds to your own back yard. Birds seen at a distance may be enjoyable to watch, but the true excitement of the hobby is greatly enhanced when you can see the birds up very close.
Some of the most useful tools that enhance your bird-watching experience are those that makes birds easier to see in striking detail.
There are numerous ways to participate in the hobby of birding. Aside from simply viewing birds in nature, avid enthusiasts engage in numerous other activities.
Some of those may include: feeding birds, providing nesting sites or birdhouses, growing specialized plants and gardens to attract birds, traveling to nature sanctuaries and other bird-watching locales, keeping lists and notes on birds seen in the wild, making diagrams and sketches and spending hours trying to snap the perfect photograph of a favorite bird species.
In order to enhance your beautiful experience of bird watching in winter one can learn bird’s song. Birds’ strongest senses are sight and hearing, and they have evolved ways to communicate and to recognize their own species by using signals based on those two senses.
Because we are also creatures of sight and sound, we can tap right into all the fascinating distinctions of color and shape that birds embody, and just as naturally we can appreciate the sounds that are so important in their lives. As you begin to recognize bird songs, your own backyard will become a much more interesting place.
For me, it was like gaining supernatural vision, being able to see through the leaves and around buildings. I was amazed at how many birds were all around me and how much I had been missing out on.
To broaden your bird-watching experience beyond your own backyard, consider incorporating some bird-rich locales into your next vacation. Serious bird enthusiasts actually plan trips around visiting bird sanctuaries, nature parks and other natural locations where they can view birds in large numbers, in diversity of species and in their native habitats.
Traveling to a region of the country other than the one in which you live will allow you to see species you may have never seen before for e.g.
* The southeastern Arizona Mountains known as “sky islands” and in particular the Chirachua mountains are home to many impressive species such as the acorn woodpecker
* One of the most distinctive attractions in this area, however, is the diversity of hummingbirds. As many as 14 different species may be observed here. The large magnificent hummingbird can only be found in the Southwest.
Some of the basic tips for bird watching are:
* Try to observe the birds so they don’t know you are there. Move slowly, make as little noise as possible, and keep your distance.
* Going too close to a nest or repeatedly scaring a bird off its nest can cause the parents to abandon their nest leaving the eggs vulnerable to predators. Do not touch the eggs or young birds.
* Avoid trampling fragile natural areas to get a closer look. Stay on paths and trails.
* Don’t litter.
Now once you have started on the bird watching its important to build a bird house, start the proper bird-feeding all year around, provide them with water either through bird bath or providing water specially in extreme weathers. In this way the birds would be attracted and would keep coming back to the backyard.
By John Savage
John Savage has a keen interest in bird watching and can highly recommend a fascinating book called Backyard Birds and Butterflies.
Click Here for Free Information


]]> http://www.birdwatchingnow.com/birds/the-truly-fascinating-world-of-bird-watching/feed 0 The Seven Types of Plants Needed To Attract Birds http://www.birdwatchingnow.com/birds/the-seven-types-of-plants-needed-to-attract-birds http://www.birdwatchingnow.com/birds/the-seven-types-of-plants-needed-to-attract-birds#comments Wed, 13 Jan 2010 17:00:09 +0000 admin http://www.birdwatchingnow.com/birds/the-seven-types-of-plants-needed-to-attract-birds The Seven Types of Plants Needed to Attract Birds

Plants for birds include those that provide food, shelter
and nesting sites.

There are seven types of plants that are important for bird
habitats. They include (1) conifers and evergreens (2)
grasses and legumes (3) nectar producers (4)summer fruit
bearers (5) fall fruit bearers (6) winter fruit bearers and
(7) seed, nut and acorn bearers. Some smaller yards and
gardens can’t fit in all seven. But, take a look at what
plants surround your yard. You can supplement or fill in the
gaps with plants that add variety and diversity of the
landscape.

Conifers are evergreen trees that do not lose their
needle-shaped leaves in winter. These densely covered tree
limbs provide very good cover and shelter for birds. These
evergreens can provide a place to hide when a predator like
a cat or hawk approaches. They also provide shelter from
winter winds, snow and cold. Some conifers also provide sap,
seeds and buds. These trees include spruces, pines, firs,
junipers and cedars.

Grasses and legumes provide cover for ground-nesting birds.
Ground nesting birds generally don’t inhabit urban and
suburban areas. But, if you live near open lots, airports
and grassy fields, you might see them. But if you live in
such an area, don’t mow the grass during the nesting
season. Some grasses provide food such as seeds and legumes.
Native grasses that people plant are just the kind that
these birds need.

Nectar-producing plants provide food for hummingbirds and
orioles. It is much easier to provide a nectar producing
plant than to change a feeder daily. The plants that provide
nectar have tubular flowers. The color red is extra
attractive to humming birds. These flowers include bee balm,
coralbells, columbine, trumpet creeper and scarlet morning
glory. Other vines, trees and shrubs can also provide for
nectar eaters.

Summer-fruiting plants bear fruits or berries from May
through August. These trees and shrubs include serviceberry
(shadbush), raspberry, blackberry, blueberry, grape,
mulberry, plum and elderberry. The fruit-eaters that enjoy
this bounty include catbirds, waxwings, robins, thrushes,
cardinals, orioles, towhees, woodpeckers and grosbeaks.

Fall fruit bearers include shrubs and vines whose fruits
ripen in the fall. These foods are important for migrating
birds. The birds eat the fruit to build up fat reserves to
fuel long migration flights. Birds that don’t migrate also
eat the fruit. Fall-fruiting plants include dogwoods,
mountain ash, winter berries, cottoneasters and buffalo
berries.

Winter fruit bearer don’t actually produce berries in
winter. These are plants have fruit which stays attached to
the plant long after they become ripe in the fall. These are
fruits that often need to be frozen and thawed several times
to be palatable. These plants include Virginia creeper,
bittersweet, sumacs, American highbush cranberry, black
chokeberry and some crabapples.

The seed, nut and acorn plants provide foods for a variety
of birds. The seed producers are maples, pines , spruces,
birches and others. The nut producers including hickories,
buckeyes, chestnuts, butternuts, walnuts, and hazelnuts. The
acorn plants are the oaks.

As you can see the seven types of plants provide a wide
variety of food and shelter for birds. By diversifying the
landscape you can help birds survive.

There are many different species of plants that are suitable
for attracting birds, not just the ones listed here. Plants
for birds include many native trees, shrubs, flowers and
vines. These plants can add the the beauty of your yard or
garden.

By Donna Long

Donna Long is a freelance writer and naturalist. She publishes Connecting-with-Nature.net, a website devoted to the study of nature close to home. She can be reached at donnalong.net.


]]> http://www.birdwatchingnow.com/birds/the-seven-types-of-plants-needed-to-attract-birds/feed 0 The Marvels of Flight, Hummingbirds http://www.birdwatchingnow.com/birds/the-marvels-of-flight-hummingbirds http://www.birdwatchingnow.com/birds/the-marvels-of-flight-hummingbirds#comments Fri, 08 Jan 2010 16:45:05 +0000 admin http://www.birdwatchingnow.com/birds/the-marvels-of-flight-hummingbirds Hummingbirds are very small petite birds belonging to the family of Trochilidae. These birds have the capability to linger in mid air and flap their wings incredibly fast, that is, fifteen to eighty times per second. The distinguishing characteristics of a hummingbird are:
a) it can fly backwards
b) it can fly vertically
c) its wings make a constant humming noise
d) it can draw the nectar from flowers while maintaining its position
The bird has got its name from the humming sound of its wings.
Hummingbirds primarily live on the nectar of flowers. They are drawn to a lot of foliage, but Shrimp plants, heliconia, fuchsias, penstemons and other types of flowering plants seem to have a large concentration of hummingbirds feeding on their nectar. Small insects are also eaten, mother birds feed these to their young. These small birds take an active part in pollination of the flowers they feed on. The nesting of these birds sees no active participation of the male hummingbird. Eggs take around fourteen to nineteen days to hatch. The nest is a woven cup like shape in the midst of a tree branch.
Hummingbirds are beautiful. The male birds have bright and colourful plumage and the female birds are a bit duller. Glittering bellied emerald, shining sunbeam, festive coquette are some of the names given to various species of these birds by the enthusiastic admirers. Though they are gorgeous, they are also very small and the bee hummingbird is the smallest in the world weighing hardly 1.8 grams. The flight of humming bird is an area where intense scientific research is being done. The wingbeat cycle of the bird support their body weight, that is seventy five percent of the weight is supported on the downstroke and twenty five percent is supported on the upstroke.
Hummingbirds have high rate of metabolism which is necessary for their fast flapping of wings. Their heart beat rate is also extremely high compared to other birds. They eat more than their weight per day but can slow down their metabolism at night or when food is not available. They are then in a hibernation sort of stage called torpor. For long flights the birds store body fat which is used as fuel. The birds are generally quite hardy.
Hummingbirds are popular with people and many feed the bird with artificial nectar. They accept man made feeders but are partial to the red ones. Hummingbirds can get trapped in garages but if trapped the birds may not survive. They are a source of joy to countless bird lovers.
By Jerry Cahill
Author Jeff Gise is a naturalist who maintains several related websites. One of his websites is at this location – http://hummingbirds.informationvalet.com/


]]> http://www.birdwatchingnow.com/birds/the-marvels-of-flight-hummingbirds/feed 0 The Joys of Backyard Bird Watching http://www.birdwatchingnow.com/birds/the-joys-of-backyard-bird-watching http://www.birdwatchingnow.com/birds/the-joys-of-backyard-bird-watching#comments Sun, 03 Jan 2010 16:30:15 +0000 admin http://www.birdwatchingnow.com/birds/the-joys-of-backyard-bird-watching Bird watching is a hobby that has been in existence for as long as anyone can remember. Throughout the centuries, people have had a certain fascination for these fine feathered friends. Today, with the hustle and bustle of modern life, there are still those find solace and peace in this activity. Though for most people, going bird watching entails trips to the country side, there are those who are lucky enough to be able to engage in this past time right within the comforts of their home.

Backyard bird watching is an activity that is actually encouraged among beginners. There is no better way to get your feet wet than starting your own bird watching endeavors in your back yard. Once you have decided to do this, there are a few things that you must consider.

First, what birds inhabit your area? To find out about this, you would need to do a bit of research. Go to your local library and look for bird watching books. Go online and look the information up. You can even get in touch with your local bird watching club for some assistance.

Once you know the possibilities that are open to you, you must then decide on which kinds of birds you want to attract to your backyard. This is very important because the feeders that you set up would depend largely on the types of birds that you want to see. There are some feeders that will suit different bird species while there are some feeders that are specific to certain birds. If you want to attract a wide variety of birds to your backyard then you may want to plan your feeding area with more care so as to be able to accommodate all the different birds.

After the feeder type comes the bird feed itself. There are a lot of different feed available for all sorts of birds. Again, you have to know which birds you want to attract and then plan your bird feed around them. Some feed will be suitable for different birds while certain birds will only eat a specific type of feed. So you have to know all about these details before you go to the pet store and make your purchases.

In setting up your feeders, you have to pay special attention to the area and the lay out. You have to make sure that you have a clear view of the feeding area so that you can observe the birds without risking scaring them away. Make sure that there are no obstructions to your view. You may also want to get a pair of binoculars just so you can observe the birds in more detail.

Though you are still at the beginning of your bird watching activities, you will find that the joys of bird watching will keep you coming back for more.

By Alex Cameron

Alex Cameron has been a bird watcher for so many years now. He is very passionate about backyard bird watching and setting up feeders and houses to attract all sorts of birds. For more specific information regarding the birds of North America, visit his web site at http://www.birdhouses101.com/


]]> http://www.birdwatchingnow.com/birds/the-joys-of-backyard-bird-watching/feed 0 The Copper River Delta Shorebirds Festival – Bird Watching Alaska Style http://www.birdwatchingnow.com/birds/the-copper-river-delta-shorebirds-festival-bird-watching-alaska-style http://www.birdwatchingnow.com/birds/the-copper-river-delta-shorebirds-festival-bird-watching-alaska-style#comments Tue, 29 Dec 2009 16:15:04 +0000 admin http://www.birdwatchingnow.com/birds/the-copper-river-delta-shorebirds-festival-bird-watching-alaska-style Held in Cordova, Alaska, the Copper River Delta Shorebirds Festival is a bird watcher’s dream come true. Hundreds of thousands birds migrate to the delta for your sighting pleasure.

Copper River Delta Shorebirds Festival

Held every May, the Copper River Delta Shorebirds Festival is the place to be if you want to view shorebirds. Literally millions of birds migrate to the delta on the way to breeding grounds throughout the Arctic. The little town of Cordova knows a good thing when it sees it.

The Copper River Delta is essentially a refueling spot for the migrating birds. As you probably know, migrating birds will haul tail when the migration urge overcomes them. Many of these birds will fly for days on end until they must have food. In the grand plan, Mother Nature has arranged for the river delta to be the fast food stop for these birds.

Due to the frenetic pace undertaken by the migrating birds, food becomes a major issue. As they arrive at the Copper River Delta, they land and eat…and eat…and eat. It is the rare opportunity where you get to see so many birds grounded for such a long period of time. Put another way, it is a deluxe bird watching opportunity.

Birds

So, what can you expect to see on the delta? With so many birds, I’m not going to go into specifics other than to say you can see a wide variety of Loons, Grebes, Herons, Swallows, Yellowlegs, Tattlers, Sandpipers, Swans, Chickadees, Wrens, Ducks, Thrushes, Magpies, Warblers, Alcids, Finches, Jaegers and Turns to mention only a few. Put another way, you won’t run out of things to see.

Getting There

Getting to Cordova isn’t the easiest of things to do. You’ll have to fly in from Anchorage, Juneau or Seattle. Alternatively, you can hop on one of the Alaskan ferries, but need to look into the specific mechanics involved.

It is the rare day indeed when a birder can view millions of birds in their natural habitat. The Copper River Delta Shorebirds Festival offers you that day every year.

By Rick Chapo

Rick Chapo is with http://www.nomadjournals.com/bird_watchers.cfm – makers of writing journals. Bird watching journals are great bird watching gifts for bird watching tours and vacations. Visit http://www.nomadjournaltrips.com for more bird watching articles.


]]> http://www.birdwatchingnow.com/birds/the-copper-river-delta-shorebirds-festival-bird-watching-alaska-style/feed 0 Some Birdhouse Building Tips http://www.birdwatchingnow.com/birds/some-birdhouse-building-tips http://www.birdwatchingnow.com/birds/some-birdhouse-building-tips#comments Sat, 26 Dec 2009 15:45:03 +0000 admin http://www.birdwatchingnow.com/birds/some-birdhouse-building-tips Building your own birdhouse is an ideal activity which the whole family can take part in. The right birdhouse can attract a wide variety of birds and can make your garden come alive.

You may be surprised but there is more than meets the eye when it comes to birdhouses. There are several issues to deal with and various additions you can implement to increase the functionality of the birdhouse.

Read the following tips to help you build your perfect birdhouse.

Placement
If you don’t provide the right habitat for birds, it will be very hard to attract any remarkable birds to your birdhouse. Before building your birdhouse, a little research on your part can’t hurt. Observe the types of birds which regularly visit your yard and then you can make a more informed decision in whether or not you need to do some additional work to attract birds. If you would like to attract more species of birds to your yard, it’s easy to do so. Birds are naturally attracted to water so it’s a fantastic idea to add a birdbath to your yard. Adding more trees and fruit shrubs will also make a huge difference to the birds you attract. When you’re happy with the yard, it’s time to find a location for your birdhouse. Place it near a tree or bush, as it will be a good landing place for birds before they enter the house.

Which Wood
Pine, redwood, cedar and spruce are all suitable types of wood for building a birdhouse. Make sure the wood you are using has not been pressure treated nor has not been painted with a paint containing lead – otherwise the toxic chemicals found can harm the birds that visit your birdhouse. Also it’s best to use wood that’s at least inch thick. Not only will your birdhouse be strong but the thicker wood will act as insulation.

Ventilation
It’s important to allow sufficient ventilation for birds in the birdhouse. Either drill small holes inch large just below the roof, or an easier way is too simply leave a gap between the roof and walls.

Drainage
To ensure that water doesn’t build up inside the birdhouse, drill small holes in the bottom of the birdhouse and also make the roof sloped.

Protection
There’re a few natural dangers, which could harm the birds using your birdhouse. Firstly place the house no lower than 5 feet above the ground, so cats, dogs and raccoons will not be able to harm the birds. If using posts for the birdhouse, it’s recommended that you use metal posting. If you decide to use wood, you should wrap metal sheeting around the posts this will also protect the house from animals.

Also if possible, place the house away from swift winds and direct sunlight.

Cleaning and Monitoring
Some birdhouses make it really difficult for anyone but birds to get inside. When building your birdhouse, make sure there is a large enough space for easy access. The best method is to make the top or side of the birdhouse hinged so you can easily gain access to the birdhouse for cleaning and monitoring.

By keeping the above points in mind, you are well on your way to building a great birdhouse that’s going to attract a variety of marvelous birds. If you have children, get them involved too; no doubt they too will enjoy making a house for the birds!
By Darrell Knox

Darrell Knox is a writer and entrepreneur with 15 years of home business and marketing experience.Website: http://www.birdflights.com/beak.pl/cedar/how/butterfly-audubon.html


]]> http://www.birdwatchingnow.com/birds/some-birdhouse-building-tips/feed 0 Platform Bird Feeders http://www.birdwatchingnow.com/birds/platform-bird-feeders http://www.birdwatchingnow.com/birds/platform-bird-feeders#comments Tue, 22 Dec 2009 15:30:13 +0000 admin http://www.birdwatchingnow.com/birds/platform-bird-feeders What are platform bird feeders you may be wondering and what is their purpose with feeding birds? Well to put it simply a platform bird feeder is designed for birds who like to eat bird seed off of the ground. Platform bird feeders can be places slightly above ground, or the can be mounted off a deck a tree or a stump. You can also order a platform pole mount to mount your platform bird feeder on a pole.
The main difference between hanging bird feeders and platform bird feeders is that with a hanging bird feeder the bird seed is dispensed through a crack or a small opening in the bird feeder. With a platform bird feeder the bird seed is placed on a platform, or a plate and the birds peck the food from a pile or scattering.
With a platform bird feeder, or a tray bird feeder the birds that are attracted depends on the seeds, but if you are using a platform bird feeder, or fly thru feeder then you may end up seeing a cardinal and other various birds.
Platform bird feeders can also be squirrel proof. By having your platform bird feeder hang, squirrels are less likely to reach your bird seed, saving you money and allowing the various birds to eat. Some platform bird feeders, or tray bird feeders come with a screen big enough for the birds beaks, but too small for the hands of the squirrels, this is a great feature.
Platform bird feeders and tray bird feeders also know as ground bird feeders are easy to maintain and clean, and will bring different types of birds to your backyard than that of a hanging bird feeder. If you decide to buy a platform bird feeder, be sure that you have an adequate location in your yard before you make the purchase.
By Pam Caouette
Pam Caouette is the main author for http://www.aplusbirdfeeders.com
Visit http://www.aplusbirdfeeders for more great information on wild birds and bird feeders.


]]> http://www.birdwatchingnow.com/birds/platform-bird-feeders/feed 0 Nesting Boxes – How to Build and Maintain a Bird Nesting Box http://www.birdwatchingnow.com/birds/nesting-boxes-how-to-build-and-maintain-a-bird-nesting-box http://www.birdwatchingnow.com/birds/nesting-boxes-how-to-build-and-maintain-a-bird-nesting-box#comments Sat, 19 Dec 2009 15:15:02 +0000 admin http://www.birdwatchingnow.com/birds/nesting-boxes-how-to-build-and-maintain-a-bird-nesting-box Bird Nesting Information- Find out how to build and properly care for your nest box…
A bird’s nest provides an environment for it’s eggs to develop during a birds breeding season. Although nests are considered words of art in some certain species of birds, many birds may not build a nest for laying of their eggs. Instead, the birds may lay their eggs directly into a hole in the ground. All birds prefer and require different nest sizes and shapes. Birds also use many different building materials to construct their ideal nest. Some may use sticks and twigs, while others may use spider webs. It is extremely important where a nest is placed. Protection from the extreme temperatures and the predators is necessary. Birds, by natural instinct, know how and where to build their nest, and make it a safe and comfortable environment for their young. The most safe of nest boxes would be that of a woodpeckers. Woodpeckers make their ideal nests directly into tree trunks or branches.
There is no accurate way to design a birds’ nest. All birds favor is a safe and secure place which protects them from the weather and predators. Some bird species prefer a certain location and type of nest, so the nest box can be constructed to meet those specific needs.
At the end of each breeding season, the nest box should be taken down and scolded in hot water to clean it an remove any unwanted parasites. Never use cleaning solutions to clear your nest box of filth, the chemical agents may become trapped in the nest and kill your birds. Nest cleaning should be done between October and November.
By Neisha Bjorklund
Neisha Bjorklund is the webmaster for http://www.abirdskingdom.com. Take a look at our competitively priced large selection of high quality nesting boxes.


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