To attract and maintain a bird population in your own back yard you must provide food, water, and shelter. Without these three items, a bird has no reason to hang around your garden. Food is what will initially attract your feathered friends, so let us look at what you need in your own personal oasis to feed the birds.

There are many different types of bird feeders and bird seed choices from which to choose. Not all birds will eat out of the same type of feeder or eat the same sort of seeds. Before you begin your bird feeding experience you need to learn what types of birds live in your area and what birds you want to attract. You can probably obtain this information by asking knowledgeable neighbors, parks and recreation staff, or just using a good reference book.

Ground-feeding birds will appreciate platform or table feeders. This sort of feeder is the easiest to maintain. They are simply a raised platform with a lip around the edge. They sit about a foot off the ground, and the raised lip keeps birds from pushing food off the table. Table feeders will draw a large variety of birds to your yard. One drawback for this feeder is that there can be a lot of wasted seed, and large, bossy birds might push out the small ones.

Tube feeders are the best type of feeders for smaller birds. The tube feeder is a hollow tube, filled with bird seed. They have openings at the bottom edge for dispensing seed. This feeder also has small perches on which the feeding birds roost. Tube feeders waste a lot less seed than table feeders, plus they are easier to make squirrel-proof.

A hopper feeder holds a large quantity of seed and is the universal type of bird feeder. A hopper feeder has a bottom platform, supporting walls, and a roof. The roof is usually removable to allow refilling with seed. A hopper feeder is generally not weatherproof and should be checked every few days to ensure the seed is not rancid or moldy.

Suet feeders are an entirely different type of bird feeder than what we have already discussed. A suet feeder is a wire or mesh cage with a door on one end. Blocks of fat, or suet, often containing bird seed, are enclosed in the feeder, which is hung from a tree or pole. During winter and times of food scarcity, a suet feeder will help supply needy birds with energy.

Hummingbird feeders are in a class by themselves. Hummingbirds are fascinating little garden visitors that require a lot of food. Their diet consists of nectar, sap, and small insects. A simple hummingbird feeder is a plastic bottle with a feeding opening. Hummingbirds are attracted to the color red, so the feeder should incorporate a nice, bright red. The feeder bottle is filled with commercial hummingbird nectar or a homemade sugar syrup. One caveat concerning these feeders is that the syrup or nectar will quickly spoil, and should be changed frequently.

Once you have chosen the type or types of feeders you want, and have filled and placed them, the fun should soon begin. The neighborhood birds will discover there is a new source of food at hand and will make themselves at home right in your own back yard.

When Tina is not working, one of the ways she likes to unwind is by spending some time in her backyard watching the birds. Tina uses a wide variety of outdoor bird feeders to keep the different types of birds coming to her backyard.

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Watching Wild Birds Is Very Fascinating And A Great Stress Reliever.

For centuries humans have been fascinated with watching wild birds. Regardless of species, birds in the wild have many characteristics that have kept us mesmerized with their antics, and likely will for years to come. Many people watch birds in their natural habitats for a hobby, while others are actual researchers in the field that are lucky enough to get paid to watch them.

Many of the bird lovers of the world are not fortunate in location, so are unable to get close enough to some of the rarest and most beautiful of the species, this is where documentaries come in handy. There are companies that actually go out into the wild of all locations to film and document these wild birds in their natural settings, and are able to catch some of the most fascinating subjects while these birds are at work, and at play. The mating seasons are a phenomenal time to be out filming birds, many of the birds of the wild are absolutely amazing during this season.

Bird lovers go crazy over watching these fascinating birds mate because they display their feathers in frumpy manners, and some are so articulate with their methods that not many other animals can compare to them. Though it may sound strange to want to watch birds mate, there really are some interesting aspects to birds that will otherwise never be witnessed if not done so during this season. Birds tend to go all out and sing the most beautiful and intriguing songs, dance some of the most peculiar dances, and put on fashion shows that would make the most gorgeous runway models jealous but only during mating season.

Though watching birds can be done in many of our own backyards, there is something fascinating about watching birds from other countries, such as those that are in tropical zones. These birds are brilliant specimens that most common backyard birds simply can not compete with when it comes to colors and personalities. These birds are highly known for their beautiful feathers of the most brilliant colorings, many of them are a mixture of several striking colors, while others are colored in a few basic colors. None of the tropical birds can be considered ordinary however, not by any means.

For years man has sought after the most unique and rarest of the species and has documented them for the rest of the world to be able to bear witness to some of the most awesome animal species known to man, the wild bird. Watching wild birds is easy, especially if the individual takes the time to research local birds and has a basic knowledge of . Watching birds is not only gratifying, but is also a great stress reliever that many have grown very fond of.

I hope this article has inspired you to want to read and learn more about wild birds. If it has please check out more of my articles by clicking http://wildbirdtips.com
Mike Nunnery

I recently retired from Emergency Management in the great state of Texas. Since I found myself out side most of the time I could not help but notice all of the many variety's of wild birds all over the state of Texas. After many years (over 30) of watching and studying birds of all walks of life I became a die hard "Birder".
Check out my site http://wildbirdtips.com

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The most satisfying and amazing thing to see in our back yard is the hummingbird. The way they speed around, hover and then dart away have always fascinated people. The iridescent brilliant colors flashing around the yard is a thing to see.

The best way to attract these fascinating creatures is to put up some hummingbird feeders.

You can buy the nectar to put in these hummingbird feeders or you can make your own homemade hummingbird food. There are a lot of recipes and you may be confused on which is best to use. Here are some facts you should consider.

Never use artificial sweetenersNever use food coloringNever use honey or brown sugar

All these are not good for the hummingbird. They are toxic to the hummingbird and lack the nutrients that they need. Unrefined sugar may have minerals and high content of iron that is hard for the hummingbirds to digest.

Here is a simple recipe that will not harm the hummingbirds and this recipe resembles the nectar that flowers produce. One (1) part refined white granulated sugar and four (4) parts water. Boil the refined sugar with the water until all the sugar is dissolved. This formula can last 2 to 3 days in the refrigerator. Regular refined sugar is better to use then raw sugar that is unrefined. Because white refined sugar is pure sucrose that is commonly found in the nectar of flowers. With refined sugar all the impurities and contaminates are removed. Hummingbirds supplement their diet of proteins by eating small bugs and insects.

Most people think that once they hang their hummingbird feeders up, that their job is done. Well think again. Make sure that you maintain and clean out your feeders. Having a mixture of water and sugar in hot weather will quickly become a breeding ground for bacteria. So it's a good idea that you should sterilize the hummingbird feeders every 2 to 3 days with a fresh supply of nectar. All you need to do is boil the feeders like you would do when you boil baby bottles before reusing them.

With these simple safety steps you can be sure to have the hummingbirds come and visit your backyard year after year. For when they know where to find food they will always come back for more. Hummingbirds are migratory birds and they will migrate in the summer time every year coming as far away as the Amazon in South America.

If you need more info hummingbirdsfacts.com check out my site at http://hummingbirdsfacts.com/

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Filling a winter feeder with wild bird seed can help our fine-feathered friends survive the season. Birds are warm-blooded, which means that they need a steady supply of high-energy foods to maintain their core temperature. In the winter months their usual food sources of insects, fruits and nuts can become difficult to find, as most insects die or become dormant, trees cease producing and nuts and berries are frozen or obscured by snow.

Backyard birds that spend the winter at home vary by region. Depending on where you live you may see finches, sparrows, juncos, quail, pheasant, mourning doves, chickadees or robins. Providing a variety of bird food in sheltered feeders can also make bird watching a breeze, helping to bring a little bit of spring into the house even when nature is sleeping.

Choosing a Feeder

The first step is to survey your space. You'll want to install the feeder where it will be accessible but still sheltered from the weather and predators. An eastern or southerly prospect out of the wind is preferable. Hang or mount the feeder in an open place near cover so that the birds can watch for predators and retreat from them if necessary. Evergreen hedges or trees work well. Feeders built with wide eaves to shelter the perches protect both birds and seed from the elements. While large feeders may seem more practical because they need to be filled less often, they can easily become corrupted by the elements. Check feeders often. Clean them and remove any wet or frozen seed. Always install feeders at least six feet from walls or enclosed porches to prevent window crashers. You may want to use window clings or sun catchers to discourage birds from flying into the glass.

What to Feed

When choosing wild bird seed for winter feeding, several choices stand above the rest. Most common feeds are made up of millet mixed with other seeds and nuts and are perfectly adequate for summer feeding. In the winter, you may want to supplement standard birdseed with other, more nutritious bird food. Black oil sunflower seeds have a higher fat content than normal striped sunflower seeds. Another good option is suet. Suet is calorie-dense and packs a serious punch for keeping birds warm in the wintertime. Buy it in blocks studded with seeds and hang it in a cage feeder to discourage raiding by pests. Peanuts and peanut butter are high in fat and protein. You can also get creative by hanging fruit, bread or popcorn from lines and stringing them in the trees. Never feed salty snacks intended for human consumption to birds.

Water, Water Everywhere

During the winter months much of the available water is tied up in frozen, undrinkable forms of precipitation. As a consequence, many birds may have difficulty in finding sufficient water. Birdbaths equipped with heaters or safe, submersible heating elements can fill this void. A heated pet dish is another option. Place water sources near feeders so birds will become aware of them when they come to feed.

Squirrels and other critters are often hungry in the wintertime as well. Install feeders out of jumping reach or protect them with fencing and consider scattering dried seed corn or peanuts in the shell to discourage squirrels from raiding your bird feeders.

Pet food stores and supermarket section do usually have ready mixed wild bird food available

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Do you ever find it hard to choose the right bird seed feeders and then to image the number of bird feed to choose from. Are you overwhelmed with the choices of different foods available? The following will help eliminate those headaches.

One of the top seed preferences for common birds is Black Oil Sunflower. You ask what makes this feed so preferred. Well here are a few reasons why. The sunflower has a high meat to shell ratio and is small in size with thin shells which make it easy to handle and crack for the smaller birds. The sunflower seed provides the birds with energy and warmth especially during the cooler months. You will attract and enjoy watching finches, chickadees, cardinals, nuthatches, sparrows, titmice, jays and woodpeckers. This seed comes in the shell but as a precaution, you may want to get the seed that is hulled or chipped which will decrease the mess of the hulls that fall on the ground that can cause damage to your grass or plants.

Another top seed preference for common birds is suet. It is mostly made from animal fat. Suet comes in the form of suet seeds which can be offered to your birds year round with out any worry of becoming rancid. A straight form of suet is animal fat which is ideal for shady or warm to winter temperatures (below 70 degrees Fahrenheit). You can get this fat trimmed off of uncooked beef or bought from your butcher or grocer. Suet dough or cakes are excellent for sunny to hot weather and can be easy to use with little mess. Suet is a preferred seed for birds that are great insect eaters and can be less expensive than some other seeds. Some birds that especially enjoy suet similar to the sunflower are chickadees, nuthatches, jays, woodpeckers, and titmice.

Based upon what you just read, you have increased your knowledge of the most popular bird seed to attract the most colorful and common birds. You will be able to utilize one of these selections of bird feed to place in your bird seed feeders to enjoy hours of bird watching. These seeds can be used in feeders, tubes, and hoppers. So don't stress over trying to find that perfect seed. A good place to start is with the sunflower or suet, you won't be disappointed. Then you can try more specific feeds in your bird seed feeders if you choose.

Lesley Sowers offers a variety of bird houses and feeders for the bird watching enthusiast at BirdFeederMall. You are provided a selection of rustic to decorative painted bird houses and feeders! Come check out http://www.birdfeedermall.com/ and make your selection.

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Bird feeders, bird tables, tray feeders, whatever you wish to call these devices, are the very secret in attracting birds. If you are fond of birds and you are being pampered every time you hear them singing then why don't you allow them to live in your own space or in your backyard. It is not difficult to convert your own patio into a dazzling bird sanctuary because it only needs a little planning and preparation. You can start by simply completing all the bird supplies needed. Aside from the feeders, you also need to add bird houses and baths. These are also needed when you are after attracting birds.

As mentioned, start attracting birds by simply completing the items needed. If you are already through with these, then you can already decide where to place those things. Start placing the houses since they are the ones which will be consuming most of your time. But, before you place anything, take all the mess first, clean the area and eliminate unnecessary things. Bird houses can be placed on tree branches or you can make poles for them. Next, work on placing bird baths and make sure that they are placed conveniently so birds can easily locate them. Now, after the two are placed, you can already start placing the bird feeders. Are you sure that those feeders fit to those birds that you are trying to attract? Birds can be easily attracted if bird trays suit their interests and needs.

After placing the bird feeders, do not forget to provide the right choice of food. The main reason that you are having those food trays is to offer your feathered friends some food to eat. This is why proper placement is a crucial factor that you need to consider. Different birds are attracted differently so study how you can improve your luring strategies. And, believe that as long as you have the right tray feeders and the right food inside, wild birds will simply be fall on your trap. The common bird seeds are Millet, Sunflower, Nigger Seed, Safflower, and Canola seed. These are often used as bird seeds to lure birds to stay.

Stores for bird feeders are all over and you can even go for made to order feeders as long as you know how to make your own designs. With this, you can expect to own a distinctive bird sanctuary in the end far way different from the usual norm. And, attracting feathered friends can be easily done.

Learn more about bird feeders

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Also known as the American Canary, the American Goldfinch is just about the brightest flash of color you can get at your feeder and they often sing a beautiful song - even in flight! Another plus for this bird is just how easy you can get a whole flock at your feeder!

Goldfinches are social birds that inhabit nearly all of North America year round. Naturally seed eaters, these guys can be found in open fields, the edges of forests and backyards.

Experienced bird feeders will recognize the goldfinch as part of a group known as "clingers." These birds prefer not to use traditional perches but will cling at all angles to get at their food source. This is an important consideration when choosing feeders for these guys. Other notable clingers are woodpeckers, chickadees and nuthatches.

These birds naturally eat small seeds so thistle (nyjer) is one of their ultimate favorites. You can also feed them finely crushed sunflower hearts by themselves or with thistle mixed in. Mine love the nyjer and hearts mixed together.

Good feeders for these guys can have specialized perches or spirals running the length of the feeder or have a custom design that only goldfinches would use.

Aspects actually makes a tube feeder with the seed ports below the perch. Goldfinches don't take issue at all with having to feed upside down and you keep birds such as sparrows and house finches from taking over and forcing the goldies out.

Another great way to feed them is with a thistle sock. Just fill the sock with thistle, hang it and enjoy! Anywhere from 4-12 birds can cling to the sides and feed depending on the length of the sock.

Mesh feeders are a more and more popular way of providing food for goldfinches as well. The fine mesh walls of these feeders both provide a great place to latch onto while feeding but the seed is also held securely in the feeder but easy for the birds to pluck out with their beaks. I included a picture of a Birds Choice mesh feeder below.

Their mating behavior is also a little different from other birds. They prefer to nest in mid to late summer instead of in the spring. This is because they time their young to hatch when the thistle seed is ready to eat. Goldfinches can be found nesting through August. Providing nesting materials in your yard could encourage them to take up residence nearby!

As I said earlier, goldfinches stay in most of their range all year round but a lot of people don't realize they are still around. The finches actually lose their bright yellow color in the winter and turn a nice shade of olive brown. A lot of people just assume they are sparrows. Goldfinches will actually come to your feeders in much larger numbers in the fall and winter in search of food so its a great time to get large flocks of them!

Crinda Anderson - Owner, For the Wild Birds Bellevue, NE

http://www.forthewildbirds.com
http://www.wildbirdblog.com

If you are looking for quality bird supplies then For the Wild Birds is the perfect place to get your bird feeders, bird houses, bird baths and more! We love answering questions and looking at photos of your birds so connect with us today!

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Bird Feeding in Winter with Recipes

Attract the wintering birds to your yard by offering them suet nourishment during cold weather. Not only will you be doing a great service to birds, but you will learn from watching the birds that frequent your feeding area. Establishing a bird feeder that offers a diversity of food is the best choice. A suet cage or feeder is perfect for wintering birds. I know, suet? yuck! BUT, it is the best choice for birds. You can still offer the traditional sunflower seed mix which is a great source of food year round, but consider purchasing a suet feeder and suet...or make your own suet for the birds (see recipes at the bottom the this article).

Suets may contain berries, peanut butter, insects, fat, nuts, cormeal, oatmeal, flour and of course seeds of any combination - all packed into a cake, log, ball or bell. Suet mixes will even attract birds that normally only eat bugs. Nuthatches, woodpeckers, starlings and chickadees love suet mixes!

IF you choose a traditional feeder and seed alone, just be sure the feeder is weatherproof and can hang where it is safe from rain and snow.

This is a good tip for any kind of feeder, including a suet cage or basket.

It is also best to place food in a feeder which protects seed from bird droppings. As well, the birds should not be made vulnerable to predation or other hazards by careless placement of the bird feeder or suet feeder.

Did you know some kinds of leftovers or kitchen scraps can be given to birds? Breads, baked goods, fat - melt fat and add the dried bread or other baked goods to create your own suet ball or log. If you use PEANUTBUTTER, be sure to mix it with other fats and seeds to prevent CHOKING.

Have you thought about a heated birdbath in winter? birds will appreciate water to drink as well. Birds also use grit for digestion aid, so consider having dirt, sand, bits of salt or ground up eggshells near your bath. Please see the Suet Recipes at the bottom of this article.

Did you know that some species have actually changed their winter habits and range because of bird feeding? In the Pacific Northwest you may notice Robins sticking around all year. That's because of the abundance of food. As well, Evening Grosbeaks,Cardinals and other species have changed their wintering habits in areas around the United States and Canada.

Now, there are other issues to consider when feeding wintering birds. Squirrels, Cats, dogs and other animals that steal food or kill birds. Cats kill more birds than any predator but dogs can also be dangerous to birds so try not to place your feeder near where these animals frequent or where these animals can hide.

Be sure the feeders are close to natural hiding places for the birds but not other animals. Squirrel proof feeders that are set high on a feeding pole are a good choice.

Don't place your feeder too close to the windows as birds are known to fly into windows and kill or injure themselves. Keep checking the feeder and watching for issues. If you see a particular food or seed being ignored then you know not to keep including it.

When you establish a feeder (try keeping it in the same place so birds get used to travelling to it) you will get to know the birds that frequent your feeder. If you enjoy watching the birds, consider setting up a webcam or taking photographs of the birds to share with others.

Pinfeathers Bluebird Suet

Mix in a food processor or vigorously by hand:

1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup lard
2 cups cornmeal
1 cup flour
Chopped raisins, currants, nuts, dried fruit, eggshell (fine)
(you can use any or all of these last ingredients)

Place in a pan and cool. this can be cut up and placed in a suet cage or feeder.

Pinfeathers Suet Feed

1 cup vegetable shortening or lard
• 1 cup chunky peanut butter
• 2 cups regular unbleached or bleached flour
• 3 cups yellow cornmeal

You can add chopped nuts and fruits of your choice. Currants & raisins are popular.

Happy feeding!

Heath Bern,
http://www.pinfeathers.us

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When it comes to feeding birds in your garden, there are various ways to do so and numerous food to feed them with. Depending on the type of birds that visit you, there is a choice of different feeders available. However, if you not sure what types of birds come to your garden this is a perfect and exciting opportunity to do a bit of bird-watching and research the different kinds you see.

The wild bird food you select should be stored in a dry location and only given in quantities to fill the bird feeder. If let out in the open to get wet, mould can grow. If you scatter the wild bird seed over the ground, you will have other pests on your hands such as squirrels, chipmunks and predatory hawks. Instead you will need to be organised in where you place your food for the birds to ensure they will want to visit your garden.

Start the process by searching for an area to place your bird feeder. The ideal place is one that is located securely on a tree. You can even purchase a self-standing feeder, but make sure you place it in an area that will allow the birds a clear view. This is especially needed if you have lots of cats around. The feeder should be fastened using the manufacturer's instructions and nothing but wild bird seed should be placed in them.

In some instances, you can purchase specialized feeders such as a peanut feeder. This will allow you to mix the wild bird seed with unprocessed peanuts to feed larger birds. Keep in mind that small or juvenile birds can choke on these in same way as a small child.

Fill the feeder with wild bird food, but do not overfill it. Make sure that any spills are cleaned up. If you live in an area that receives a lot of rain your bird feeder should be checked regularly for any dampness or moulding of food. As the quantity of seed decreases, remove the old bird seed and refill the feeder.

Some examples of great bird seed to purchase include Chapel Premium Bird Food and Johnston and Jeff Wild Bird Food although there are many more to choose from.

Wild bird food doesn't have to be expensive if you use it in moderation. Overall though it's well worth the money to have birds singing in your garden.

For more information on wild bird food go to http://rmgwildlife.co.uk

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It is relatively easy to encourage birds to any garden as long as it provides the three essentials of food, shelter and water. The most important rule is to make sure food is available throughout the year and not just in the winter. Nuts, seed mixtures and fat balls are all welcome but do make sure any feeders and bird tables are cleaned regularly to prevent the spread of viral diseases. Avoid chemical cleaners and instead use using boiling water. Equally important is to provide the right ecologically friendly environment to encourage insect food. Cutting back or eliminating chemicals and pesticides used in the garden will help and birds and other predators will make sure there will be very few problems with pests.

Although an open, well-maintained lawn will give a clear view and offer a perfect hunting area for birds but flower beds, neat borders and an over tidy garden do not offer much of interest. A bird friendly garden should ideally include plants that offer a good source of food and if you allow the seed heads to stay on plants, it offers an alternative source of food for birds in winter. Cut back these seed heads in early March as new shoots are emerging. Most trees and shrubs attract and support insects and shrubs that produce berries will give food in the colder months, although it is worth noting that many yellow berries remain uneaten and it is probably best to concentrate on plants producing red or black berries.

The best bird garden boundary is a hedge left untrimmed in the summer. An untrimmed hedgerow offers a variety of benefits. Hawthorn or hazel are ideal but almost all hedges will offer a good habitat for birds to shelter, nest and feed. Aside from any berries the hedge produces, dead leaves and debris shelter spiders, woodlice and centipedes and in the hedge itself, leaves stay attached to offer warmth and cover in the colder months. A word of warning. It is best to avoid thick leaved evergreens such as laurels and rhododendrons because they take too much light from the ground and there are too few insects underneath.

Finally, a few notes on providing water. All birds need water and get some through the food they eat. They don't sweat but lose water mainly through excretion and they need to replace this. Many garden birds also need water to take care of their plumage which, apart from its obvious use in flight, provides insulation and regulates body temperature. The battle to maintain plumage is a constant one and bathing is an important element in their attempt to keep their feathers fully efficient. Most birds prefer shallow water for bathing, placed in the shade with a reasonable amount of cover.

Follow these tips and you will encourage birds to your garden all year-round.

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