Attracting
Wild Birds
by: Paul Duxbury
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.
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About The Author
Paul Duxbury is Head of
Training for a major UK Charitable Organisation with a wealth of
experience in personal development, management development,
e-learning and operational management. In addition he owns PK
eBooks (http://www.pk-ebooks.co.uk)
and has just published a series of Bird Watching eBooks which
can be found at
http://www.pk-ebooks.co.uk/birding_for_everyone.htm.
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