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[A769]Attracting Birds To Your Backyard

by Bird Watcher, Bir

Birds are fascinating to watch and observe. First you need to capture their attention visually and you can do that by planting brightly colored plants. They most certainly are always looking for food so, if you planted fruit tress or other plants that bear food, they most surely will be interested. There are a variety of birds that enjoy eating berries and seeds including, cardinals, finches and sparrows.

Some examples of fruit bearing plants are ones with berries, oranges and cones. Also these trees provide protection which will encourage them to settle.

If you have large trees in your back yard that is even better, as birds are always looking for protection from the weather and other harsh conditions. Large protective trees such as spruce, oak and maple trees are favorites of birds.

Robins are very pretty and unusual birds. They will be looking for worms and insects in the lawn. They love to sing at sunset, so they will most certainly serenade you if you are fortunate to be there within close proximity of them.

Water is always welcome also. If you have a stone or other large object that holds water. They will look for that.

If you are a serious bird lover, you will most certainly want to transform your yard to attract birds. If you are a bird lover and have a willow tree in your yard, you are very fortunate as most likely you will see a variety of birds including orioles and warblers.

If you have a vacant field with a variety of flowers, you will most certainly attract a variety of birds including quails and pheasants.

Old large trees are a perfect settling ground for all kinds of birds. They enjoy the protection as well as fruits and seeds and the availability to sit and next on the limbs.

If you enjoy woodpeckers, they are looking for hard wood tress such as ash, cherry and birch trees. It is actually the insects underneath the hard bark that they are looking for.

The variety and types of trees will attract different birds. The softer wood tress such as pine and spruce provide a comfortable place for birds to rest and nest.

Birds are beautiful creatures and they can be attracted to your yard through a variety of means. If you have a brightly colored garden with flowers, shrubs and large beautiful trees, you will most certainly find a multitude of birds in your yard.

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It is most beneficial to feed wild birds during the winter months when their natural food may be unavailable but shortages do occur at other times of the year. So putting food out for the wild birds at any time of year can help when there are shortages. During the breeding season a temporary shortage of food will affect the young fledglings so it is especially helpful to put out food for the birds at this time.

Feeding in the Spring and Summer

During the summer and especially when they are moulting, birds need high protein foods. Good examples to put in your feeder are raisins, currents, black sunflower seeds, grated cheese, meal worms, soaked sultanas and commercially prepared summer seed mixtures. You can also purchase mixes for insect loving wild birds.

For fruit eating birds put out grapes, bananas, apples or pears, suitably chopped into smaller pieces. Avoid the use of peanuts, bread or fats as they can be harmful if taken back to baby birds. Home made fat balls are not really a good idea as they quickly go off in the warm weather. Commercially prepared fat bars are better and last for around three weeks before they must be thrown away.

During unseasonably cold or wet weather there may insect shortages. If the weather is very dry earthworms become difficult to catch. For birds with young in the nest they will be tempted by food on bird tables during these times so it is essential to make sure any food you put out is suitable for the young birds. Never put out loose peanuts, large pieces of bread, fats or hard, dry food at this time as these can be fatal if taken back to feed the baby birds.

Feeding in the Fall and Winter

During the colder months put food out for the birds regularly, twice a day if possible, especially in very cold weather. The birds need high energy food during this time so foods high in fats are particularly suitable. Put out good quality food and remove any uneaten food regularly.

Attracting Birds to Your Feeder

You can attract different species of birds to your garden by providing the food they like in a suitable feeder. Large birds will need a feeder with large, sturdy perches, hummingbirds will be attracted to a nectar feeder, finches to a thistle feeder. You can also purchase goldfinch feeders, jay feeders and woodpecker feeders.

Types of Bird Feeders

Feeders suitable for different types of food:
Tube feeder - small seeds including thistle seeds
Platform feeder - fruit or other food types
Hummingbird feeder - nectar
Squirrel proof - mesh cage feeders - peanuts, larger seeds, suet
Standard type feeder - safflower seeds, sunflower seeds

Food suitable for different species.

* Bluebird - bluebird seed available to purchase, cornmeal with peanut butter
* Bunting - small grains and seeds.
* Blackbirds - breadcrumbs, small seeds and grains
* Chickadee - sunflower seeds, unsalted nuts, safflower seeds, suet
* Finches - black sunflower seeds, thistle seeds
* Jays - peanuts, suet, corn, sunflower
* Mourning Doves - cracked corn seeds, wheat, sunflower and safflower seeds
* Mockingbirds - bread, suet, raisins
* Robins - breadcrumbs, raisins, apples
* Northern Shrikes - Suet.
* Siskins - sunflower seeds, thistle seeds
* Thrashers - suet, raisins, bread
* Towhee birds - seed mixes for small birds
* Woodpeckers - cracked corn seeds, wheat, sunflower and safflower seeds
* Warblers - peanut butter, suet
* Townsend's Warblers - cheese, peanut butter, suet
* Yellow Throated Warblers - breadcrumbs.

Article Source : Pg. 65

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Both Bird Watcher & Janet Ashby are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Bird Watcher has sinced written about articles on various topics from Pets, Cooking Tips and About Branding. tavs.co.za/bird-watch/Submitted by:. Bird Watcher's top article generates over 720 views. Bookmark Bird Watcher to your Favourites.

Janet Ashby has sinced written about articles on various topics from Recreation and Sports, Pets and Gardening. For more information on attracting birds to your garden and some good deals on garden bird feeders check out Garden Bird Feeders or. Janet Ashby's top article generates over 18100 views. Bookmark Janet Ashby to your Favourites.