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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.
About the author:
Paul is Head of
Training for a major UK Charitable Organization with a wealth of
experience in personal development, management development, e-learning and
operational management. He also 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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