Feeding The Birds

It is that time of year again when the birds need a little help from us. One way we can do this is by hanging up a variety of feeders that will attract different species of birds. Birds need food and water to survive. This includes drinking and bathing water.

We just put up our tube feeders for the winter. One holds thistle and the other sunflower seeds. Chickadees, nuthatches and finches are generally attracted to these types of feeders. Suet feeders are a good source of food for woodpeckers. We have one hopper feeder we fill with birdseed for cardinals. Our feeders are eye level and hang in the trees.

A shallow birdbath sits at the edge of the yard. We fill it with approx. 2" of water and change the water frequently. Birds like clean water to drink from so get into the habit of cleaning your birdbath.

The main idea is to make the birds feel at home, safe and feel protected from any predators. Once you have done this, you can sit back and enjoy bird watching.

KEEPING OUR FEATHERED FRIENDS HAPPY

Our attraction to birds lies within their beauty, the amusement they can bring us, and their wonderful melodies of their songs. Bird watching is one activity the whole family can partake in. Here are some important steps to follow in order to make your feathered friends happy:

Birds need water no matter what time of year it is. Supplying a birdbath for the birds to bath in will enable them to clean themselves. Birds will also be able to drink from a safe place with a birdbath in the yard. No more than two inches of clean water is needed and always place your birdbath close to a hanging limb so birds can get out of harm's way if they are frightened.

Bird feeders are ideal in the winter for feeding and will attract birds in the warmer months. Birds will rely on these feeders especially when they are raising their young. Scout around and buy food for the birds most common in your area. If you have frequent squirrel visitors, invest in a squirrel proof feeder.

A birdhouse or nesting box will keep birds in your yard while they are raising their young. A sturdy wooden birdhouse hanging from a tree, attached to a tree or building with an L hook, or a birdhouse on a pole are ideal for a family of birds. Remember, birds do not like a lot of activity when they are raising their young so make sure your birdhouse is not near the birdbath or bird feeder.

Once you have figured out the basics, you can sit back and enjoy the entertainment and the beauty of the birds in your area.

Today was a fairly nice day, nice enough to take pictures outside of some of the new birdhouses I made. The birds are back and checking out the yard. Today I was able to get a glimpse of a beautiful cardinal and figured this would be worth writing about.

Cardinals can be found in the eastern United States. The male cardinal has beautiful red feathers, a black throat and face mask and a head crest. The female is light brownish yellow with red tinted wings and tail. The female also has a head crest.

Most cardinals prefer bird feeders that are 4-6 feet high from the ground. They do not like hanging feeders. The more secure the bird feeder the better. Throwing birdseed on the ground is a good idea if you have cardinals around because they really enjoy ground feeding. What are some of their favorite types of birdseed? Black oil sunflower seeds, safflower seeds and striped sunflower seeds. They love to feed early in the morning and will be one of the last types of birds to leave the feeder in the evening. You may also attract Blue Jays, Rose Breasted Grosbeaks and Evening Grosbeaks with this type of seed.

Cardinals enjoy water. Setting up a bird bath in your yard is important to attracting them. Bird baths also help keeping other birds around. Since cardinals do not migrate, having plenty of water, the correct type of feeder and this birds favorite seeds, you may just find yourself with a cardinal family for many years to come.

The female nests two or three times a year in small trees, bushes and shrubs and lays three to four eggs. These eggs are light green/dull gray with reddish brown specks. She incubates them for approx. 13 days before they hatch. The male and female cardinal share the parental duties. Baby cardinals leave the nest approx. 11 days after they are hatched. By the time they leave the nest, they really do not look like a cardinal yet. They are still covered with gray downy feathers.

If you are lucky enough to watch a family of cardinals before the fledglings leave, then you are in for a treat. Cardinal parents will teach their young how to feed from bird feeders. What a great hobby to be a bird watcher. Not only are you able to watch, feed and learn about birds, but you can really appreciate nature and connect to it.

Birds Rely on Birdbaths in Winter Too

All birds need a constant supply of water for drinking and for bathing. During the winter months birds need water just as much as they do in the summer months, if not more. Available water keeps their feathers in good condition. This is so important because they rely on their feathers for insulation to keep them warm during the cold bitter winter months.

Many birds will drink more water during the winter months. This is because birds who feast on dry nuts do not get enough to hydrate them. Seed eaters also need plenty of water. Water compensates for the lack of moisture in their diet.

A pond or large water source is ideal for attracting birds and wildlife. Unfortunately, most of us do not have this in our yard. Your water source does not have to be elaborate. A simple birdbath, a shallow indentation lined with plastic in your flower bed or a secured inverted lid all will do the trick. Believe it or not, a simple puddle is just as sufficient for birds to use as a water source.

Just make sure that whatever you use, the birds are able to get in an out easily. And please be diligent about keeping all water sources clean and filled with fresh water. Don't forget to crack the ice that my form during the winter months.

By following these simple steps, you can ensure that the bird population that frequent your yard during the winter and summer months are happy and healthy visitors.

Water and Birdhouses

Birds love birdbaths and a crowed birdbath brings quality entertainment for everyone to enjoy. A modest size birdbath will attract a wide variety of songbirds, especially if a feeder is nearby. A supply of water in a birdbath or pond provides another incentive for birds to visit your yard throughout the year. Birds need fresh water for drinking and bathing. Water is just as important in winter as it is in summer. Birds need to keep cool during hot summer days and what better way than a birdbath. Birds do not sweat but pant to keep cool. In the winter, birds need fresh drinking water. The alternative is eating snow. They have to warm it and this costs them precious energy. Birds also continue to preen throughout the winter. This helps to maintain the insulation of the plumage, which is vital to the survival of birds in cold weather.


Even in a mature yard that is well planted with trees, dense vines and shrubs, there is likely a shortage of suitable nest sites. This is especially true if large number of local birds have been maintained through the winter by food supplied at feeders. It's so easy to follow the bird family life unfold if you put up a well placed birdhouse. A birdhouse should be placed away from the worst effects of the sun and rain. It must be secure enough not to fall down, but it does not matter if it wobbles a bit.

You must resist the temptation to visit a birdhouse or any other nest during the laying season. The laying period is a very sensitive time, and some birds desert their nest if it is disturbed. Visits also make the nest more vulnerable to predators who will follow the trail of your scent, out of curiosity.

Research has shown that a single visit to a robin or bluebird nest increases the chance of both dessertion and predators. If well groomed nestlings are disturbed, they are likely to erupt out of the nest in a panic. If they do, gently place them back into the birdhouse and stuff the entrance with a handkerchief until they settle down. There are about 80 species of birds that nest in cavities and are candidates for birdhouses.