Archive for the ‘Bird Feeders’ Category
Quick and Easy Hummingbird Food
Hummingbirds are one of the most unique bird species because their diet consists in large part of nectar. In addition to the oriole, hummingbirds are the only species that will feed off sugar water as part of its primary diet. Because sugar is a household product, owning a hummingbird feeder is an easy and cost efficient bird feeder to own. To make hummingbird food, all you need is sugar and water. You’ll want to maintain a ratio of about 1 parts sugar to 4 parts water; in other words, for each ¼ cup of sugar, add 1 cup of water. Place the mixture on your stovetop and bring it to a boil, then let it cool until the water once again becomes cold.
Once your mixture has cooled, simply funnel it into the hummingbird feeder and place it outside. Hummingbirds are naturally attracted to red, so they’ll come to your feeder and poke their beaks in to sip the liquid. You can also make a large batch of sugar water and freeze it in plastic cups for later use.
Tips on Bird Watching
Birds are amazing creatures and a delight to watch. It is no wonder there are so many people that enjoy bird watching. With their graceful aerodynamics, ability to defy gravity and their many species. Whether you bird watch from you backyard or travel to distance places to see rare species, bird watching can be enjoyed anywhere. Here are a few tips to make your bird watching experience more enjoyable.
~You will need a good camera or video camera
~For best bird watching you will need binoculars, and a spotting scope with tripod, a notepad
~Pick up a field guides for your area to help you identify the birds.
~Read about the birds habitats to help find them.
~Plant flowers or hang a bird feed to attract your favorite birds
Feed Flapping Friends Clean Food
Hummingbird lovers know that hummingbird feeders are notoriously hard to keep clean. Keeping feeders clean for our little winged friends is necessary to their health. Hummingbird feeders that are not regularly maintained will trap dirt and bacteria, and can do the little birds more harm than good.
The sugar solution kept inside the feeder should be replaced every 2 to 3 days. The inside of the feeder should also be cleaned at this time. Cleaning the inside of the feeder can be safely accomplished using a bleach solution consisting of ¼ cup of bleach to each gallon of water. A brush should be used to scrub the container and get to hard-to-reach places. A bottle brush will do the trick. After scrubbing, make sure to rise the inside and outside of the feeder with water. If your feeder remains stained soak it in bleach solution for a few hours.
Preparing for Summer-Adding Charm to Your Backyard
Summer is just around the corner and if you are anything like me you are looking forward to those warm summer days by the pool, grilling and having picnics. There is no reason to have a dull backyard when you can add charm and with some simple touches. Add a wind chime to your patio or a garden statue in your flower beds. Another item that will make your backyard look more inviting is a hammock swaying in the breeze. Bird feeders are also an inexpensive touch that will add charm to any backyard. So give your backyard a little character by spiffing it up.
How to Clean Bird Feeders
If you have bird feeders in your backyard, then you know that with as many birds they attract, they can get rather dirty. The upkeep on a feeder will ensure that the birds that fly on in will be healthy after they’ve eaten. Here are some tips:
Obtain a tub big enough to hold your bird feeder, a scrub brush, outdoor hose, gloves, scent-free liquid soap or detergent, and white distilled vinegar.
Place your feeder in the tub outdoors; fill it with warm water and a squirt of liquid soap or detergent. Wearing gloves, scrub the parts of the feeder you can reach, and rinse thoroughly with a hose. Empty the tub and fill it with clean water and 4 cups of vinegar.
Let the feeder soak for one hour. Rinse thoroughly.
Facts About Hummingbirds
Hummingbirds are such amazing creatures. About a year ago, my husband bought me a hummingbird feeder. I never was much of a birdwatcher so I was not that excited about the feeder at first. Don’t get me wrong, I love nature and birds are delightful creatures. I just never thought bird watching sounded very interesting. That all changes last summer when my feeder started attracting these precious little birds. They were so fasinating to watch. I got excited everytime one would hover by the feeder. They are simply not like any other bird out there. They are so unquie.
For those of you out there that are as fasinated by these little creatures as I am, here are some facts I found on Wikipedia.
~The Giant Hummingbird’s wings beat at 8-10 beats per second, the wings of medium-sized hummingbirds beat about 20-25 beats per second and the smallest can reach 100 beats per second during courtship displays.
~Nectar is a poor source of nutrients, so hummingbirds meet their needs for protein, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, etc. by preying on insects and spiders, especially when feeding young.
~The two halves of a hummingbird’s bill have a pronounced overlap, with the lower half (mandible) fitting tightly inside the upper half (maxilla). When hummingbirds feed on nectar, the bill is usually only opened slightly, allowing the tongue to dart out and into the interior of flowers.
~Like the similar nectar-feeding sunbirds and unlike other birds, hummingbirds drink by using protrusible grooved or trough-like tongues.[3]
~Hummingbirds do not spend all day flying, as the energy cost would be prohibitive; the majority of their activity consists simply of sitting or perching.
For more visit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hummingbird
How To Make Hummingbird Food
Some of the most common flowers that will attract hummingbirds to your garden are bee balm, hollyhock, hibiscus, trumpet honeysuckle, clematis, impatiens, phlox and fuchsias. But hanging a hummingbird feeder where you can easily see it is probably the best way to observe the hummingbirds in action.
Why buy costly hummingbird nector when you can make it yourself. Making hummingbird food is as simple as boiling a pan of water.
Hummingbird Nectar Recipe
Combine 1 part sugar to 4 parts water
Bring 1 cup of water to a boil
Add 1/4 cup of sugar
Stir until dissolved
Let cool, store in the refrigerator until ready to use
Do not add food coloring
Cleaning your hummingbird feeder is recommended on a weekly basis.
What to feed birds during the cold season
When leaves change and fall from the trees we know winter is not to far away. During the winter months people expect all the birds to fly south for the winter but there are some species that can still be seen amongst the bare branches. Bird watching can still be enjoyed at this time of year. With the right bird food and a bird feeder, such as the Wood White Gazebo Birdfeeder, these little feathered friends can be enjoyed year round.
Black sunflower seeds are highly recommended for use in bird feeders because they attract a wide variety of birds, have a high ratio of meat to shell, and are high in fat content. Other common birdseeds include nyjer seed, or thistle seed, a favorite of goldfinches, millet for sparrows and juncos, and safflower for cardinals, among others. Not all birds eat seeds. Suet (beef or mutton fat) is recommended for insect-eating birds like nuthatches and woodpeckers. One word of caution. Place bird feeder a safe distance for the house to prevent the birds from flying into the windows.
Reference
Wikipedia®
1. ^ a b c d What to Feed Birds and Seeds and Grains for Birds. Project FeederWatch. Retrieved on August 23, 2006
2. ^ a b c Porter, Diane. Winter Bird Feeder: Keep Them Coming Back. Retrieved on August 23, 2006.
Holiday Gifts for Spring
Though the spring season is a while off, receiving a holiday gift with a winter theme doesn’t seem all that appropriate with winter half over. Here are a few fun gift ideas in preparation for spring.
~Bird Baths; great for attracting migrating birds to your yard, combined with a bird feeder and they just might build a nest.
~Garden Decor; stepping stones, statues, and garden fountains are all great ways to celebrate ways and add aesthetic flair to your yard.
~Kites; the spring is a great time for flying kites and getting outdoors.
~Wind chimes; have long been used in feng shui to round out a house and promote certain energies.
Feed the Birds
Bird watching and feeding go hand in hand and any outdoor living space becomes lively with the company of birds. Bird feeders attract birds and help bring them closer to enjoy and watch throughout the day. Bird feeder types can be very important in not only matching your outdoor garden decor, but also ensuring that you have an accessible birdfeeder for your birds, and one that can detract from your area’s predators or nuisances. As much as all nature enthusiasts enjoy the company of squirrels, they certainly can cause messes when gaining access to birdfeeders.
Window Birdfeeders:
Window birdfeeders are a great way to attract birds such as finches, chickadees, and sparrows close up but also should be cleaned regularly as the birdseed can become soiled.
Tube Feeder:
Tube birdfeeders attract birds but are dependent on the size of the perches and be designed with hanging birds such as goldfinches with perches above the feeding holes.
Hopper Birdfeeders:
These types of feeders, also referred to as house birdfeeders, are fairly well protected against weather and stay relatively cleaner then other types of feeders but few are weatherproof. They can be great overall birdfeeders for attracting a variety of birds and can hold a good amount of seed to limit refilling. Hopper birdfeeders can be mounted or hung and can add a unique look to the style of birdfeeders you have in your garden.
