Getting Started

If you'd like to turn your yard into a inviting sanctuary for birds, take a look at your lawn and garden from a bird's eye view. Find a place where you can view the entire area at once and consider these questions:

* Are there places for birds to hide? Remember that songbirds need

protection from predators like cats, dogs, snakes and hawks.

* Are there places for birds to nest? Tree, vines, shrubs and hedges are

inviting environments for nesting birds.

* Is there adequate shelter? Birds need a place to protect themselves

from cold, wind and rain.

* Is there food and water? A combination of natural food sources and

bird feeders will attract a variety of birds year-round.

Food

A combination of garden plants and seed assure that you'll have plenty of birds to watch. By choosing plants that will provide food in every season, your garden will attract birds year-round. And since each species of bird has its own food preferences and many can live in the same territory without competing for food, you'll get plenty of variety with the right mix of plants and seed.

Here are some common native plants, along with some of the birds they can attract:

Blackberries, raspberries—Sparrows, cardinals, towhees, indigo buntings, yellow warblers

Dogwoods—Summer tanagers, Bell's vireos

Elderberries —Warblers, grosbeaks, goldfinches

Firs—Tanagers, grosbeaks, robins, jays

Hackberries—Hummingbirds, white-winged doves, indigo buntings

Hemlocks—Warblers, robins, blue jays, goldfinches

Hollies—Towhees, mockingbirds, thrashers

Junipers—Chipping sparrows, robins, song sparrows, mockingbirds

Oaks—Blue jays, acorn woodpeckers, summer tanagers, orchard orioles

Pines—Robins, mourning doves, purple finches, magnolia warblers

Roses—Indigo buntings, cardinals, towhees, sparrows

Spruces—White-crowned sparrows, warblers

Bird feeders are an important source of food for birds, too. There are lots of choices, from something as basic as a tray with seed on it to a specialized feeder. The type of feeder you choose will determine the birds that come to eat there.

Many bird watchers start with a solidly built tube feeder. The clear plastic tube lets you know when food is running low and also helps the birds to find your food. Most tube feeders have individual perches, and they'll attract small songbirds, but not larger birds.

Many people feed birds only during the winter months when the birds need it most, but feeding them year round offers advantages. Feeding in the warm months can induce some birds to nest nearby, and many birds take on their most colorful plumage during the breeding season. Regardless of whether you feed only during the winter or year round, be consistent with your feeding regimen—it is only fair to those birds who have come to rely on your feeders as a source of food.

Summer feeding requirements are slightly different from those of winter. Suet (beef or mutton fat), for example, is a common winter feed. It is an attractive food for many birds, especially when offered with seeds, but it can quickly melt or go bad in the summer. Shelled nutmeats like sunflower seeds can also spoil, and should be used sparingly. Any bird feed should be protected from moisture at all times since the presence of moisture can contribute to spoilage.

Here are common foods and the birds they may attract:

Cracked corn—Mourning dove, blue jay, house sparrow, tree sparrow, song sparrow, white-throated sparrow, brown-headed cowbird, red-winged blackbird

Millet—Mourning dove, house sparrow, tree sparrow, song sparrow, white-throated sparrow, brown-headed cowbird, red-winged blackbird

Suet—Downy woodpecker, hairy woodpecker, starling, Carolina chickadee, white-breasted nuthatch, red-breasted nuthatch

Sunflower seed—Carolina chickadee, tufted titmouse, evening grosbeak, white-breasted nuthatch, blue jay, cardinal, purple finch,American goldfinch

Thistle—Dark-eyed junco, American goldfinch, purple finch, house finch, pine suskin, house sparrow

Commercial mixtures of bird food are readily available. They are formulated to attract certain categories of birds. If you wish, you may also mix your own food based on the types of birds you are trying to attract.

Remember that some birds enjoy some of same foods humans eat. Apples and raisins are enjoyed by bluebirds, mockingbirds, catbirds and robins. Some birds even like doughnuts, cornbread and peanut butter!

Water

Many bird lovers faithfully provide feed and seed, but overlook something key to a bird's survival - water. Throughout the year, it's important to make sure birds have water for drinking and bathing. Although some families of birds can get by without drinking water, most garden birds would perish within a few days without it. Birds don't sweat, but they do lose water through normal body functions, and they must make up the loss. They do so by sipping from foliage after it rains and by the natural moisture they find in wild food, but they need other sources too.

Birds also need water for bathing. When you see a bird splashing in the water, it's performing a little routine maintenance. A bath helps a bird keep its feathers in perfect condition for flying. It also helps the feathers maintain their waterproofing and insulating properties.

When birds bathe, they scoop up water in their bills and splash it over theirbacks, flapping their wings and ruffling their feathers. This frenzy of activity might attract cats, dogs and other predators. Since wet feathers hinder a bird's ability to fly, it's important that a birdbath be placed near protective shrubbery so the bird can make a quick getaway if necessary.

A pedestal birdbath with a wide, shallow bowl is a good choice. Make sure the surface is rough so the birds won't slip as they drink and bathe. Use rock or stones to create various depths in your birdbath so you can attract a wide variety of birds. Most birds are terrified of really deep water, but you'll find that song sparrows, goldfinches and chickadees will use the shallow section of our birdbath and the deeper end will be enjoyed by the likes of robins and jays.

A rim or perch near the water should be provided to allow the birds to alight beforeentering the water. If you have a water garden or small pond which is too deepfor birds to use, place some stones in the water in such a way that they just break the surface, providing the birds with access to the water and a shallow area in which to bathe.

A wide variety of birdbaths are available for purchase, in styles appropriate to many environments. Innovative homeowners can also create birdbaths from supplies or materials found around the house like barrels, large stones with depressions or plastic lined depressions in the ground. With creative thinking, these baths can be incorporated inconspicuously into the environment.

Remember, however, that the water source you provide must be free of lead and/or chemicals of any kind. Insecticides, fertilizers and chemicals to reduce or control algae should never be introduced to the birdbath area. The bath itself should be cleaned periodically with fresh water, and refilled.

With preparation, birdbaths can be maintained all year, providing birds with a reliable source of water even during freezing weather. An all-season birdbath requires a means to prevent the water from freezing. Outdoor heaters designed specifically for this purpose are available and should be used with a heavy duty, grounded extension cord appropriate for the purpose.

Perhaps most important; put your birdbath in a sunny place. This will help keep ice away in winter months…and the warm sun will feel good to the wet birds any day of the year.

Shelter & Habitat

Like food and water, shelter is vital to a bird's survival. That's an image that can be confusing, since birds are synonymous with freedom and flight. But, like all creatures, birds need protection from predators as well as shelter from inclement weather.

Plants and foliage can provide warmth and protection for birds. Old tree stumps or dead trees and limbs can provide an ideal home for nesting birds. As long as dead trees can't fall on roads, buildings or power lines, consider leaving them in place for the birds. In fact, plant ivy or other dense foliage around a stump or dead tree to make a great home for birds.

You can also create a great sheltering and nesting environment for birds by planting native roses, raspberries, blackberries and honeysuckle together. An effective nesting thicket is about 8 feet wide and 3 to 15 feet tall.

Birds build a nest to keep predators away and hide eggs. Birds need shelter from predators at all times, but it's especially important during the nesting season. When birds are nesting, you'll want to provide an environment free from man or other animals. You'll enjoy following them and watching their daily routine, but don't get too emotionally invested. Nesting time is a vulnerable time for birds, and losses do occur. This is a lesson about the balance of nature, particularly for young bird watchers.

Nesting and rearing time lasts only about 6 weeks. Make the time more successful by providing suitable housing or nesting boxes for your avian friends.

Put your birdhouses up in the fall so they can weather over winter and be ready for birds in the spring. If you wait until spring to put up a birdhouse, you should have it ready by no later than mid-March. Place your birdhouse as close to natural nesting conditions as you can.

Most birds that nest in a house will do so anywhere in your yard or garden,but experts recommend these cautions:

Put all houses on metal posts, not in trees or on wood posts. This will keep cats, raccoons and other predators away.

Keep the birdhouse away from noisy places.

Most birds prefer an unpainted house; however, a house designed to attract purple martins should be painted white. White paint will reflect heat and keep the house cooler.

When trees lose their leaves and the nests in trees are easy to see, a collector can take them because the birds won't use them again.

How To Attract Hummingbirds

Hummingbirds are delightful little jet-like speedsters which, like a cross between an insect and a bird, flap their wings so fast they hum invisibly. They are delicately beautiful, with shimmering iridescent colors—if you get a chance to see them. They fly so fast that the only way to see them clearly is when they stop darting about to hover while feeding.

These remarkable birds have special feeding requirements; their tireless energy requires high caloric intake. Their natural diet is of plant nectar and tiny insects. Hummingbirds will readily eat sugar-water dispensed from a special feeder. This allows you, by placement of the feeder, to bring the birds up close where you can enjoy their beauty and aerial prowess.

If you are going to allow the birds to rely on you as a food source, please be responsible and considerate of the health of the birds. The food solution is simple-1 part white granulated sugar to 4 parts water. Boil the water, stir in the sugar and allow the solution to cool to room temperature. Store the unused solution in the refrigerator. Honey seems like it would make a great natural sugar source with which to make your hummingbird food, but it is not. Honey should not be used since it can act as a medium for fungal growth harmful to the birds.

Fill hummingbird feeders daily, and take them down for a thorough cleaning every three to five days. Use hot water with a little vinegar and a brush when cleaning the feeders, and rinse them thoroughly before refilling. Mold, bacteria and funguses could prove harmful or fatal to the birds. Insecticides can be deadly to birds, and have no place on or near bird feeding areas.

Hummingbirds are attracted to the color red. For this reason, some people put red coloring in their food solution. A better idea would be to put red ribbon or tape around the feeder and, if possible, hang the feeder near red or pink flowering plants. Of course, some hummingbird feeders are red to start with.

Your Responsibility

Birds are fun to watch. Providing food, shelter and water for them can bring hours of enjoyment and education to your family. But think of birds as wild pets. If you feed them, they will depend on you. If you provide plenty of food and water, you may attract more birds to your area than the surrounding habitat could support without you.

These days, too, birds have fewer natural sources of food than ever. Because birds help control insect populations, pollinate flowers, disperse seeds and serve as food for larger predators, they are important to a healthy environment.

So think of feeding birds as a very simple but important element of environmental responsibility. Enjoy the birds—you need them and they need you.

Written by Teri Hamlin

Common Problems

Hey, where are the birds? You've provided food, water and shelter, but still you have no visitors. Go over this checklist:

• Is there a new cat in the neighborhood?
• Birds stay away when there's a predator nearby. If there is a new cat or dog, ask the owner to tie a bell around its neck to warn the birds.
• Also, make sure your feeder provides adequate perching places and nearby trees and shrubs so birds can take cover.
• Is your feeder clean? Wash your feeders with a ten percent bleach solution and let them dry thoroughly before refilling. Restock with fresh feeds.
• Are you using pesticides or chemicals that harm birds? Insects and grubs provide good eating for many birds, including robins, wrens and phoebes. Let birds do the work for you!
• You've found an abandoned or injured bird. What do you do? If the bird is feathered and not injured, leave it alone. Its parents will like return to care for it. If the bird is in danger, carefully place it back in the nest or in a shrub to keep it away from predators. Contrary to popular belief, a baby bird's parents won't abandon it if it is touched by humans.
• If you discover a bird that is not feathered or is injured, or if you know the parents won't be returning, rescue it. Keep the bird in a warm and dark, quiet place. Don't try to feed it. It's best to call a local organization for help. Here are a few ideas for help: Animal Control, Humane Society, Audubon Society, U.S. Fish and Game Office. A local veterinarian might be able to suggest others.
• Birds at your feeder look like they're sick. Sometimes disease can spread among birds at a crowded feeder. If you notice sick birds, take these precautions: Stop feeding temporarily. Remove all feeders and throw out the seed. Wash all your feeders in a ten percent bleach solution. Allow them to dry thoroughly. Rake all debris from under your feeding station. If possible, relocate your feeding station. Refill your feeders with fresh seed. Space your feeders out so the feeding area is not crowded and bird don't have to compete for eating space. Don't bother sick birds. Call a professional for help.

Unwanted Visitors

Squirrels can take over your feeder. Here are tips for dealing with an unwanted invasion.

Squirrels are territorial, so if you provide food for them away from your bird feeders, they'll mark that area and stay away from your birds. Try hanging your feeders at least 5 to 6 feet off the ground and 8 feet from a tree.

Here are some ways to keep unwanted birds away from your feeder.

• Try using a small tubular feeder which attracts smaller songbirds.
• Larger birds won't be able to fit on the perches.
• Remove perches from tube feeders to keep house finches away. To keep blackbirds and sparrows away, don't offer cracked corn.

1.Building a Backyard Bird Habitat by Scott Shalaway.

2. Creating a Bird-Friendly Backyard Habitat by Scott Edwards.

3. Creating Habitat for Backyard Birds (Storey Country Wisdom Bulletin, A-215) by Dale Evva Gelfand.

4. Stokes Bird Gardening Book : The Complete Guide to Creating a Bird-Friendly Habitat in Your Backyard (Stokes, Donald W. Stokes Backyard Nature Books.)by Donald W. Stokes, Lillian Q. Stokes.

5. Backyard Bird Habitat : Create Your Own Thriving Bird Sanctuary by Will Curtis, Jane Curtis.

6.Backyard Bird Walk a Beginner's Guide to Common Backyard Birds/Book and Cassette in Bag (Bird Walks by Habitat, No 1) by Lang Elliott.

Websites:

http://www.birdsforever.com/kit.html

http://www.spruce.net/birds/

http://www.wildbirdcenter.com/avn/

Magazines:

Birder’s World : www.birdersworld.com