DID YOU KNOW

There are over 30 different species of birds that will nest in a birdhouse? These include many that frequent your back yard. Some of these types of birds are the house wren, chickadee, tufted titmice, nuthatches, bluebirds, purple martins, wood duck and screech owls. With a little research one can set up multiple birdhouses of different types to attract many of these birds. House wrens can fit into a birdhouse with a 1 1/8" hole, whereas chickadees, nuthatches, and titmice can fit into a birdhouse with a 1 1/4" hole (http://birdhouseaccents.etsy.com). The blue bird needs a 1 1/2" hole birdhouse, the purple martin a 2" entry hole, wood ducks and screech owls need a 3" to 4" oval entry hole.

With a little knowledge as to the dimensions of a birdhouse, how high to place one, what types of species enjoy what types of food and when the nesting season begins, one can make their yard a popular place for all types of birds.

What Type Of Birds To Expect Throughout The Year

There are three categories that birds fall into when visiting your yard. There are winter visitors, summer nester's and birds of passage that will come through when migrating in the spring and fall.


Depending on what type of birds visit your yard, there can be an overlap of different species between summer and winter. There are some chickadees, jays, starlings, nuthatches, winter wrens and woodpeckers that will visit your feeders in winter. They will stake out different territories in your yard. If you are lucky, they will stay and nest.


Winter will bring a flow of birds into your yard in search of food but in spring and summer territorial behavior will limit the number that remains. Sometimes this will bring disappointment. You have been watching the birds singing, courting and collecting nest materials, but then you realize that they are building a nest and raising their young out of sight in someone else's yard.


Do not fret, sometimes, they may return in late summer with their families. Other times, they are replaced by other summer visitors such as hummingbirds, swallows or house wrens. If you make it a point to look daily, you will not be disappointed.


Between summer and winter the bird life in your yard is often supplemented by newly independent young birds who are searching for homes of their own. During this time all sorts of birds may turn up while migrating, making it a special worthwhile time to bird watch.


Rare visitors are no exception. The spring and fall migration could bring such a visitor, perhaps one that has been blown off course or strayed. Keep your eye out. If a strange bird appears, try to identify it before it is gone. You never know, such a rarity may make you a celebrity.

Plenty To See When You Attract Birds

Many people get pleasure from the birds that frequent their yard. Feeders provide the easiest way to attract birds. Close encounters with birds are a magical experience. The thrill that comes with the nearness of nature can be experienced by something so simple as chickadees landing on your hand to enjoy some seed.

A more unusual and spectacular occurrence, such as a hummingbird buzzing on almost transparent wings at a sugar-water dispenser outside your window, can create a lasting impression.

DID YOU KNOW

Hummingbirds are the only animal that can fly backwards.