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Are You Looking For Bird Houses That Are Species-Specific?
Are you raising a child or two? . . . maybe more? If so, then you know how much effort it takes. From choosing and caring for your home to feeding and teaching your little ones --- it takes a lot of work. The demand on you is stretched out over a number of years. Birds must do the same things, but in just a matter of weeks . . .
It's exhausting work and takes a lot of energy. Constant family-rearing activities keep birds hungry, but they have little time to eat. By providing food and bird houses to rear their young, we really can help birds thrive at this critical time. Mother Nature gives us more in return, leaving us with a lasting impression of her wonder. Bird houses (nestboxes) should be an integral part of birdscaping your backyard if cavity nesting birds are present. Depending on your location cavity nesting birds that may visit your property include:
Nature provides nesting cavities most often seen as an excavated hole in a tree. However, birds are opportunists and will use other types of cavities they decide are suitable and safe. And, of course, birds like woodpeckers are equipped to excavate cavities in soft or dead wood. See below to find out why offering bird houses to woodpeckers is a good idea. Birds have a difficult time finding suitable cavities where they feel safe and secure enough to raise a family. As our world becomes more civilized the natural world faces more challenges. Modernization, urban growth, habitat destruction, plus other man-made and natural environmental challenges have taken a toll. One way we can help is to provide bird houses that are ornithologically correct. That is, they are built to specific dimensions for size of box and entrance hole required by different species. The entrance hole opening is especially important. Birds need holes large enough to enter the box, but small enough to protect them from predators. Scientific observation has provided the criteria for bird houses to meet birds needs. Visit Nestboxes for a varied selection of Bird Houses for every species of cavity-nesting bird in North America. Designed for each species by leading conservation experts, these products provide the correct dimensions, materials, ventilation and drainage. You'll discover bird houses perfect for your feathered visitors. Including them in your birdscape is a great way to help. Do you have a suet feeder? They come in very handy for providing nesting material like thin twigs, dog hair (shedding dogs do actually perform a good service), human hair, feathers, dried grasses, yarn, thread or string cut into four-inch lengths, pieces of cotton, spanish moss, pine needles. Just put some of these items in a suet feeder and place where the birds can easily find it. Birds are also known to use butterfly wings, flower petals, spider webs, snakeskins, horse hair among other things to build their nests. If you have the chance to view an abandoned nest you may be surprised by what you find. Have you ever wondered about the number of eggs a bird lays? You might find these statistics for some common backyard birds interesting:
Do you have woodpeckers coming to visit. If so, you're lucky since they are such interesting birds to watch. Occasionally, however, they can wear out their welcome if they decide to excavate a nesting cavity by pecking a hole in a building. Don't worry or get angry, just put up bird houses for them. Click here for bird houses constructed especially for woodpeckers . . . they should move right in. In recent years there has been a wide-spread conservation movement to help bluebirds (Eastern, Western and Mountain) make a comeback by providing Bird Houses. To learn about these beautiful harbingers of spring visit Blue Birds. You'll be glad you did! Want to see what goes on inside bird houses? If so, a window nestbox is the perfect answer. It can be attached to your window glass so you can watch the nesting activities at close range. It is also a great educational aid for children. For a close encounter with nature window bird houses can't be beat! Most birds don't require bird houses to raise their young. We've all seen the intricate nests usually discovered in a tree. Do you know there is a way we can help these birds, too. Nesting Perches help some birds that need a natural platform to construct their nest on. They are ideal for backyards that have limited trees. If you have Robins, Phoebes, Swallows or Doves visiting attach a Nesting Perch to a tree, house or fence. Finding a baby bird on the ground is a dilemma ... what to do! what to do! For a guideline and how to contact a wildlife rehabber visit Bird Rescue.
Bird houses have another function other than offering a place for birds to nest. In the winter nestboxes can provide protection from the cold. Many birds use boxes for roosting to share and conserve warmth. Small wood cavities are best for those that roost by themselves. Here is an important footnote regarding birds keeping warm in the winter. A flame will flicker and die unless it has fuel to burn. On short winter days, when food is scarce, a bird may not succeed in gathering enough energy to sustain it through a severly cold night. By feeding birds reliably all through the year . . . and especially during the winter cold we can help them make it through the night. Check out Wild Bird Feeders and Wild Bird Seed to discover how you can help. We have a special feathered friend to introduce. You'll discover all about him by joining David's Wild Bird Club. You can also visit Parrots to find out who he is and about all about his friends. David's mission is to keep you updated. He'll share bird watching information, tips, specials on products you may be considering, and interesting contributions from other members. To join, just add your first name and email address to the form below and you'll be part of our bird loving family. Yes! David, I'd love a FREE membership to your Private Club!
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