More on Bird Feeders
How to Discourage Large Birds
from Raiding Birdfeeders
You've put up birdfeeders in
your backyard. Now these bird feeders are
being taken over by larger birds, crowding out and not letting the smaller
songbirds eat. What can you do? First of all, remember the larger birds are
coming to your birdfeeders
"to raid" them because they are hungry. They require more food simply
because they are larger. But here are a few suggestions to help the smaller
birds get a meal from your bird feeders
also:
* Larger birds will eat dry dog
food which is good for them but quite a bit less expensive than bird seed. You
might want to put some in a platform birdfeeder that
they will see and then slowly each day, move it further away from the other bird feeders you
have until it is on the other side of your property.
* Feed your smaller birds in cylindrical birdfeeders. The
starlings and blackbirds will not be able to stay of these small perches (they
will try but won't be able to do so easily). They will find that the dry dog
food feeder is MUCH easier for them to feed at.
* There are also bird feeders that
have a wire mesh around them. You can also make a similar type enclosure for
your existing birdfeeders. You
need to find chicken wire or any other mesh wire that has holes large enough
for the smaller birds to get in but will keep the larger ones out. Make a cage
of it that extends several inches away from the bird feeder on
all sides and hang the birdfeeder
inside.
* There are bird feeders that
will close if an animal gets on it that is above a certain weight. This type of
birdfeeder will
discourage larger birds as well as squirrels and raccoons. However, they do
cost a bit more.
You might want to look at some
of the various bird feeders on
the market today to get some ideas.
Source: Christine Tarski, About.com
6 Steps to Turn Your Yard into
a Sanctuary for Birds
Birds need your help!
Populations of many kinds of birds are declining. Habitat loss and degradation,
disease, collisions with man-made structures and a host of other factors
contribute to these declines. You can help by turning your yard into a
sanctuary for birds.
Here are six steps you can take
to make the future brighter for birds:
1. Put out the welcome mat!
Habitat loss is the biggest
challenge facing birds. You can help by making your neighborhood more
attractive to birds by landscaping with native plants that provide natural food
sources, shelter from the elements and predators, and nesting sites. Providing bird feeders,
nest boxes and water also benefits birds. To learn how, stop by your local wild
bird shop or garden retailer - or shop online for these birdfeeders and
birdhouses.
2. Prepare a proper menu.
Providing the appropriate foods
year round will attract more birds to your yard and help ensure that they have
a safe and nutritious diet. Refill birdfeeders
regularly with food desired by birds in your area. To pick the best menu, stop
by your local wild bird shop.
3. Keep feed and feeding areas
clean.
To help reduce the possibility
of disease transmission in birds, clean bird feeders and
feeding areas at least once a month. Plastic and metal birdfeeders can
go in the dishwasher, or rinse these and other styles with a 10% solution of
bleach and warm water. Scrub birdbaths with a
brush and replace water every three to five days to discourage mosquito
reproduction. Rake up and dispose of seed hulls under feeders. Moving bird feeders
periodically helps prevent the buildup of waste on the ground. Keep seed and
foods dry; discard food that smells musty, is wet or looks moldy. Hummingbird feeders
should be cleaned every three to five days, or every other day in warm weather.
It’s good hygiene to wash your hands after filling or cleaning feeders.
4. Birds and chemicals don’t
mix.
Many pesticides, herbicides and
fungicides are toxic to birds; avoid using these near areas where birds feed,
bathe or rest. Always follow directions provided by chemical manufacturers. For
additional information visit your garden retailer.
5. Keep cats away from birds.
Scientists estimate that cats
probably kill hundreds of millions of birds each year in the U.S. This is a
big problem, but it’s easy to fix. Many people who enjoy feeding birds also love
cats. The best solution is to keep cats indoors. They will lead longer,
healthier lives, and your yard will be safer for birds. Install bird feeders in
areas not readily accessible to cats or install fences or other barriers to
help keep stray cats from feeder areas. Collar bells, de-clawing and keeping
cats well fed will not solve the problem.
6. Reduce window collisions.
Collisions with glass windows
kill millions of wild birds every year. Depending on their size and location,
some windows reflect the sky or vegetation, and birds are fooled into thinking
they can fly through them. To eliminate this problem identify windows that
cause collisions (typically larger, reflective windows, those near the ground,
or those that “look through” the house). Attaching decorative decals or other home decor to the outside
surface of the glass can reduce reflections. Feeder birds fleeing predators are
vulnerable to window collisions. If this is happening at your house, consider
moving birdfeeders
within three feet of the windows so that birds cannot accelerate to injury
level speeds while flying away. Problem windows can be covered with a screen so
that birds bounce off, rather than hit the glass.
The information contained here
is designed to assist birding enthusiasts in their efforts to attract a variety
of birds to their property, as well as to serve as a guide to providing a
healthy environment. WBFI and its member companies hope you find this
information helpful in creating your own wild bird sanctuary, and wish you many
years of happy viewing!
You can help change the world
and make it a better place for birds. The most important step you can take is
to get started! Following the six steps presented here is a great start.
The Wild Bird Feeding Industry (WBFI) sponsored development of this brochure.
WBFI is an association dedicated to the progressive expansion of the wild bird
feeding industry.
Source: © 2005 Wild Bird Feeding Industry
