APRIL 15, 2011
WWW.CENTRECOUNTYGAZETTE.COM
PAGE 5
By Amy Debach-Confer
Free as a Bird Birds offer so much more than a happy song. To enjoy their antics, a bird haven can be created in your backyard. The American Robin, which is a great indicator of spring in Central Pennsylvania, is being spotted more and more this season and we hear and see a variety of other birds including those that sing and chirp, hunt and migrate, and swim and nest. Birds are important for habitats surrounding us, so in order for them to flourish in our backyards here are some basic tips on the food, water, and shelter necessary for keeping our feathered friends happy and healthy!
Food
If you feed them, they will come! Birds, especially during the winter months when a natural food source is scarce, enjoy supplemental food. Whether it is seed, nectar, fruits, or nuts, birds will be attracted to readily available supplements. By placing feeders outside a window, one can best view and enjoy the birds at close range. Because there are so many varieties of seed available it may become overwhelming in choosing an appropriate kind. Black Oil Sunflower seed is an all around good seed that is pleasing to many birds. Suet, available at most meat counters or as a cake filled with berries and seeds, attract birds that generally enjoy insects. Each bird will enjoy different or specific foods. Hummingbirds, for instance, enjoy nectar as opposed to solids. Nectar can be readily purchased or you can make your own with diluted sugar water and a red colored feeding tube. When mixed seed is used, you may find that the birds pick through their favorite pieces and only eat certain ones! If any kind of bird fluttering about is of interest to you, bread, peanuts, or fruits can be set out. If you’re interested in attracting a certain type of bird, the chart above right can be used as a feeding reference. There are also several types of bird feeders. When squirrels are prevalent in an area, it may be necessary to purchase a squirrel-proof feeder, or they will devour all the seed and often chew or break the feeders. Feeders that allow the seed to be visible from the outside are desirable for the birds
and owner alike as, it is easy to see when they need to be refilled! I prefer a window feeder because they also distributed the food as needed and generally provide a large feeding deck where many birds can feed at once. Some feeders may specify what type of bird may be attracted to it, others are simply decorative, and yet others are functional like those offering many perching spots and feed holes.
Water
Another important attraction of a bird oasis is a water feature. Whether it is a shallow hole in the ground that fills with water, an ornate stone bird bath, a pan of water, or natural water source such as a pond or stream, birds enjoy water to drink and bathe in. The water source shouldn’t be very deep (approximately two inches) and the source should be very plain with no bright colors. Birds also enjoy the sound of a running water source such as a bath with a bubbler It is important to keep the water source away from the feeders as birds prefer little activity when drying the feathers! There are many ways to make your own bird bath. I once saw a homemade bird bath project that included a huge leaf and Plaster of Paris as the basis! Be creative.
Shelter
If you love to watch birds from your window and want to create a welcome area for them near your home, you can start buy building or purchasing different types of birdhouses or shelter. These are different than feeders in that they only provide shelter and protection, not a food source. Simple but well constructed birdhouses with four walls, a roof, and a hole are fine for nesting. Mama birds look for non-descript and safe locations for laying eggs and raising their young. If you purchase a birdhouse with a perch, the perch can be removed to prevent predators from attacking as predator birds seek to capture freshly laid eggs. It is important that the house has either slats or drainage holes in the bottom, so it doesn’t become to hot or flooded. It should also be able to be accessed after the nesting season is over, so the old nest can be removed. A bird will not build a nest where an old one remains.
Wild Bird Seed Preferences of Common Feeder Birds Chickadees, Titmice, Nuthatches Finches Cardinals, Grosbeaks Sparrows, Blackbirds Jays Woodpeckers Orioles, Tanagers Pigeons, Doves Indigo Buntings
Sunflower
Safflower
X
X
X X X X X
X X
Corn
Millet
Milo
Nyjer
X X
X
X X
X
X
X X
X
X
X X X
X X
(Results based in part on the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Seed Preference Test, a National Science Experiment sponsored by the National Science Foundation, launched in winter 1993-1994.)
If you prefer an elaborate bird “hotel� those are certainly available. A birdhouse village can be constructed using a variety of interesting and colorful houses to add interest to your garden. Sturdy recycled material can be used for the roof or perch and colorful paint and designs can be used for the house. Remember, these houses need to brave the outdoor elements, so they should be durable. Birds enjoy closed or protected and natural looking areas. A natural habitat can be made with shrubs and flowering trees. The birds in my yard are specifically attracted to our dense Rose of Sharon and Lilac bushes. If you want to make the most of the bird watching at your home, follow some of
these tips. Once the perfect bird haven has been established, grab your bird identification book, a pair of binoculars, a camera, and peace of mind. Watching these funny little creatures is very rewarding and you will soon be able to decipher specific birds, behaviors, and interactions. Mama birds are especially interesting to watch, as they are super protective even at a distance. Enjoy your new or continuing hobby! Those little nimble musicians of the air, that warble forth their curious ditties, with which nature hath furnished them to the shame of art. ~Izaak Walton
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