Bird Baths And Feeders
Bird Watching in your Own Backyard
Author: Anna Mcanthony
Bird Watching in Your Own Backyard
If you like to watch the playing, fluttering and fanciful nature of birds, watching birds in your own backyard or right outside your window can be a great joy. It's extraordinary how many different kinds of species you can see. If you think there aren't very many birds in your yard, there are a few things you can try that will attract them. With bird baths, different bird feeders and a couple of bird houses, you'll soon have some special visitors.
You'll find many different bird feeders on the market, and you will find that most of them fall into three different categories. There are hoppers, tray feeders, and tube feeders. Tube bird feeders are cylindrical, with landing places at the holes where the feed comes out. Tube bird feeders are good for various kinds of seed, as long as the opening is big enough for it to fit through. Hopper feeders will attract birds that might be leery of tube and tray feeders. Tray feeders are wonderful for birds that are smaller. If you really don't care what types of birds visit your backyard, and you would just like to watch and enjoy any bird that shows up, you can purchase a general bird seed. A lot of bird seed can appeal to a number of different varieties of birds, because it's got a number of seed varieties. If you want a particular kind of bird to come to your backyard, then you want to include a seed or food that appeals to that species.
Bird baths are a great thing to add to your backyard if you want to attract more birds. Birds love wading and splashing in the water, and if it's kept clean, that's even better. You can choose from more conventional bird baths, or you could go for something different, like a fountain that's solar powered. Bird baths with moving water will appeal to wild birds that customarily would not frequent a regular fountain, like humming birds, robins, warblers and thrushes. Birds particularly like moving water, and it easily attracts them. Bird baths also look great as garden accessories. There are those that love bird baths for the fact that they bring the birds very close. This is the perfect chance to take some fantastic photographs, and enjoy the company of the birds.
If you decide to add a birdhouse to your yard, birds could potentially nest in it. Not only will they frequent now and again, but if it's safe and secure, they might choose it as the place to lay and hatch their eggs. What a delight this would be because you could get a peek at the babies every once in a while, or when it is time for them to start flying. Not only is a birdhouse a place the birds will like, but it is a charming yard decoration too. Naturally, there are a variety of sizes, kinds and shapes of birdhouses, and the one you decide on depends on your particular taste.
Implementing these three things easily can make your backyard a little bit more accommodating for birds. There are a couple of other simple things you can add, like fragrant flowers, and crevices and openings so the birds can hide. If they feel safe in your yard, they will stick around. Happy backyard bird watching!
Author's Bio
Ms. Ellis has written a number of articles related to bird feeders, bird houses, backyard bird watching and is a leading expert specializing in backyard birding. Please visit 14thebirds.com to read her other highly regarded work on things like various bird feeders, solar bird baths, bird houses and so on.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/home-business-articles/bird-watching-in-your-own-backyard-230854.html
About the Author
Elizabeth Ellis is an leading expert who specializes in birdwatching and has written a number of articles associated with birdhouses and bird supplies. Check out http://www.14thebirds.com to read her other highly recommended work on things such as various bird feeders, solar bird baths, bird houses and so on.
Hi Jen,
I have hummer feeders and those thistle seed feeders in our yard.
The thistle feeders are best because #1, they dont sprout when seed is on the ground and #2 less seed is wasted.
I got our feeders either from WalMart or OSH. The best time to buy them is in the late fall when they are on clearance.
The thistle feeder I got is ceramic…not that nasty sock-thing.
Just be sure to keep them cleaned and filled or else take them down.
OH! and remember the squirrels! If you get a pie plate and punch 3 holes in the rim, you can get string, wire or a chain and hang it from one of your trees…put any kind of seed in it and wait and watch.
PS the terra cotta pot thing is a cool idea! Just keep it away from the kids :-s
I have a big bird feeder, around 200 burds visit our feeder every day. I have 3 cats.
Specially the middle cat is a great hunter. We’ve had to take care of like 4 birds that he have catched.
Also the bigger they are the easier it is for him to catch them.
I try to keep the cats inside the house during the day, and when the birds are gone in the evening I let them out. Still, he catches some.
Birds also build their nests in our backyard an my cat goes at night and take the babies out. It’s horrible.
Also, stray cats come to eat the birds. We’ve had a couple of stray cats hunting in our backyard.
It’s kind of complicated you have to be alert
Hi,
Since crows are large birds that do not usually perch while eating try using small perches on your feeders (or remove them altogether). You can also use feeders without catch basins.
If this does not work, you may need to remove feeders for week or two. They should move on to another food source.
Good Luck,
John
There are a few things to consider before you hang a bird house in your yard.
What type of bird you want to provide housing for and therefore the style of house that is suitable will dictate the location. I have written several pages on my web site which could help you with this decision. Please drop by and let me know on the contact form if the information was helpful.
Judy http://www.the-scoop-on-wild-birds-and-feeders.com/birdwatching.html
More than likely the squirrels will leave the bath alone. Squirrels don’t bathe the way birds do… the main reason they go after the feeders is because they’re after the delicious fatty seeds.
You MAY see a squirrel attempt to have a drink from the bath, but they’ll be far more interested in the bird food you put out!!
were should I hang bird houses at my house?
I have a few bird houses to hang in my yard. My questions are: How far from bird feeders and bird baths should I hang the houses? Should I put any kind of bedding as a starter in the houses? I live in Michigan, so most of the birds that would nest in these houses are common finches and maybe other small birds. Thanks. Add any usefull tips if you can think of anything else.
Black crows andmy bird feeders?
I have sevaral bird feeders and a bird bath that attract colorful birds. Cardinals, robins, blue jays, woodpeckers, doves, humingbirds, and many more beautiful birds. I feed them thru a small opening feeders, and use safflower seeds. It has kept the black birds away for 6 yrs. But all of a sudden, the black birds are now taking over and eating the safflower seeds ( of which I was told, they hate that kind of seed) off, from the ground, and it is now keeping the colorful ones away. What now?
Bird baths & Bird Feeders??
Hi There!
Spring is here and I have been cleaning up my front yard. I have been thinking of getting a bird bath (s) and some bird feeders to put around my front yard. I have looked around at some stores and found them pricey ($ 25-100.00!!! ) I was wondering if anybody has found them in stores or online cheaper or if they had or know of a way to making them cheaply. ( Please make it easy! Not to handy!) All I want is for the bird feeders and baths to look nice not tacky!!
Any suggestions or ideas would be helpful!
Thanks!
Jennifer
Cottonwood, CA
Can cats and birds visiting backyard feeders and bird baths co-exist with-out the birds losing ?
Do squirrels go in bird baths?
I’m looking to buy my mother a hanging bird bath for Christmas. However the squirrels in our backyard already love trying to get into her existing bird feeder and bird house, etc. My question is, might they try and jump from the tree into the hanging bird bath? Do squirrels even like water? We do try to keep the squirrels away from the bird area in the backyard but i wonder if the hanging birdbath would have any bearing on this?