The Bird Quest

If you love the beauty and mysticism that birds bring to a region, then gazebo bird feeders might be for you. I got one for my home, and I am just loving it. The birds come hang out with me during the day as I am lying around on my front lawn.

The most amazing varieties can be found in my neighbor. It is absolutely fascinating. I thought that only crows and pigeons lived near me, but I saw a blue jay yesterday and other varieties that I can’t even name yet. I’m getting a bird watchers guide today so that I can begin learning about all the different types.

When selecting a bird seed to attract birds to your yard, it’s important to keep in mind that different kinds of seed will attract different birds. Larger birds like Woodpeckers, Jays, and Flickers will come to peanut birdfeeders, while smaller birds like chickadees, finches, and goldfinches will be attracted to a  thistle-filled hanging bird feeder. During the winter suet feeders are great for adding necessary fat to a bird’s diet; these feeders typically attract nuthatches, wrens, and grosbeaks, as well as a several other species.

If you’re looking for a birdfeeder that will attract most kinds of birds, sunflower seeds are favored by several species, and tend to be the most common bird feed. If you’re looking for a unique birdfeeder, Hummingbirds only feed on sugar liquid (sugar mixed with water) and require special feeders.

The habitat of birds is threatened by various human activities. This is particularly seen in large cities where more and more trees have given way to concrete buildings. Nature lovers, especially bird lovers, can do their share by hanging bird houses outside their homes. They can be placed in gardens or on the patio.

Birds can reside in these birdhouses and build their nests there. This way the birds are well protected, especially from the harsh weather during the rainy or winter seasons. The chicks are kept safe, too. They are protected from predators such as cats, or even humans who still look at birds as targets for their inhumane hunting games.

Unusual, decorative bird houses can come in many different forms. Rustic wooden birdhouses, lighthouse bird houses, dollhouse birdhouses and barber shop bird houses are just a few of the unique types of bird houses available. Why put a regular plain wooden birdhouse in your back yard when your can have something unusual to show a bit of your personality.

Also, try putting the birdhouse in a surprising location. The top of your kid’s tree house is one example of a unique location. Another idea is to showcase your birdhouse by building it its own platform. A birdhouse perched on its own platform will let the whole neighborhood know that the birds in your yard are living in style.

Owning a bird feeder allows you to attract birds that nest in several different locations around your yard. Because birds will often travel far to find food, it’s important to keep a steady supply of food in your feeder, as birds will become dependent on your feeding them during the colder months when food is sparse If you are removing a bird feeder from your yard, or intending not to fill it, make sure to do it at the end of the summer. This will give the birds that might depend on food from your bird feeder a chance to look elsewhere for different bird feeders or alternate sources of food.

During the winter ensure that you fill, or at least check, your bird feeders twice a week. Birds will need more food in the winter months than during the other times of the year. A gazebo bird feeder will be more effective in the wintertime, as it will give the birds shelter when they are eating.

For obvious reasons, humans generally place their bird houses in an area that suits our point of view. But really, when you stop to think about it, the most convenient place for us might not be so agreeable to our feathered friends. Birds appreciate easy access to food and water; that’s certainly true. Try positioning a hanging bird house within close range of a feeder and a birdbath.

There are other variables to consider as well when picking a location for the birdhouse. Seek out an area where the birdhouse will be visible but undisturbed by constant foot traffic and noise. Birds are less likely to settle in an area that’s full of commotion and human activity. Given the peace and quiet they deserve along with the survival essentials they need, birds can make for excellent neighbors.

My interest in ornithology, or the study of birds, began at an early age, and I owe it to my grandmother. She had been a member of the Audubon Society for many years, and she took me to just about every monthly meeting. As much as I liked listening to the professional speakers and taking part in the occasional potluck dinner, there was nothing like participating in the twice-annual bird counts.

The Christmas count took place over a Saturday in December when members would fan out all over the county to tally up as many birds as they could find. My grandmother would begin the day very early in the morning by checking the wooden bird feeders in her backyard. Then she would pick me up and we would drive to a few hubs of bird activity around town. My greatest discovery was probably the bufflehead duck I noticed diving into the river in search of food.

Many years ago my ex husband gave me a beautiful decorative bird house. Over time it went from my living room to up stairs and finally found its way to a secluded corner of the covered balcony of my home. I had forgotten it until this spring. I noticed a lot of chatter from the sparrows coming from the balcony. A pair of Chipping Sparrows had found the bird house and had started nesting. I really didn’t think much about it at the time. Within a few weeks I noticed the young being courageously coaxed from the balcony rail to the neighboring trees and found humor in the clumsy antics that were occurring as they learned to fly and land. Early one morning I was headed to work when the chatter became extremely noisy. I saw the 2 adults chirping wildly at a young one standing in the hole of the bird house, refusing to leave. When I returned home the same commotion was going on only assisted now by the two siblings sitting in a nearby tree. I found a spot in the yard where I could see the balcony and bird house and tried to understand the reason to this behavior. It wasn’t long till the problem became clear. With the family screaming wildly the little bird made a jump from the bird house to the rail and was stopped in mid air. It fell back against the bird house flapping and crying. A little stunned I watched as the bird fought frantically to get away, apparently caught up in the nesting material which know held it captive. I made a mad dash to the house and up the stairs to find when I opened the door to the balcony the little nestling had managed to find its way back inside the bird house. No problem I thought, I will simply find the access panel, retrieve the nesting material and release the bird. The problem with true “decorative” bird houses is there are no access panels! This now was a major dilemma. How long had this poor thing been hung up? How do I get it out without destroying the bird and the bird house? After several minutes of trying to fit my hand in thru the hole and locating my tools, my mind came up blank so I did what any modern day person would do, I grabbed my cell phone. I called a friend who was just leaving work; he couldn’t be here for at least an hour. I called my mom and even my sister in California! Everyone was now trying to help with my little problem as the chirping continued getting louder by the minute. I sat in the living room, waiting for some one to call with an answer. The chirping was intensive now. I started back up the stairs with no clue what I was going to do. I opened the door to the balcony to find my little nestling had once again tried to flee and was flapping wildly against the side of the bird house. I had one shot and took it. I lunged forward and caught the bird with my hand. I held it gently and tried to free its tangled leg. What ever this was around its leg was wound very tight. With the bird in one hand and the scissors inside how am I going to free this thing! I told you I found my tools I just didn’t bring them with me. I started pulling on the thread hoping to find the end and out came the whole nest. A nest made with batting material. The fiber found in pillows and seat cushions. I took the bird and the nest inside and carefully tried to cut the material away. This bird must have gotten caught up in this early on; its back claw was missing. I walked softly on to the balcony where the concerned parents were even more frantic no that their little one had been attacked by this human. I opened my hand and gently tossed the bird into the air for its very first flight. It landed safely in the tree and within minutes they were all gone and it was quiet. The bird house has been returned to the indoors.

As an avid birdwatcher, I appreciate my birdhouses on two distinct levels. On the one hand I appreciate their ability to draw in a colorful collection of birds. Each spring, a new pair of feathered friends arrives with the goal of raising a family inside the comfortable confines of the house. When winter comes to a close, I’m filled with a new sense of anticipation as I eagerly wait to see which birds will take up residence.

On the other hand, I like to display bird houses with eye-catching visual appeal. If it doesn’t capture the attention of friends, family and houseguests, what’s the point of even setting a birdhouse within view? The main focal point of my garden is a medium-sized bird abode that’s perched atop one of my favorite bird house pedestals. It provides birds with a cozy seasonal home and gives me something to look at all year long.

For as long as I can remember, my husband and I have been dutifully refilling our birdfeeders with sunflower seeds. It’s a matter of convenience more than anything else as I’m able to stop at a farm supply store after work to get the commodity in 50-pound bags. While most of our neighborhood birds have cultivated a taste for the seeds, I couldn’t help but suspect that they’d appreciate a bit of variety.

That’s when I set up a suet feeder on a tree alongside our hanging bird feeders. Suet is a specialized term for rendered animal fat, and it’s considered a delicacy in the aviary world. I like to supplement the suet with a few dabs of peanut butter and some sunflower seeds. Then I place the little brick inside a protective cage that keeps the squirrels out. So far we’ve attracted new woodpeckers to the yard with our latest feeding strategy.