A gardener's relationship with
birds is one of mutual benefit. The gardener provides
for a few of the birds basic needs, and the birds help
to keep down the insect population while treating us to
an unending source of entertainment. Birds take their
role as insect predator seriously. A single bird will
gulp down 500 to 1,000 insects in an afternoon.
Birds have four primary needs:
food, water, shelter, and a place to raise a family. As
you'll see, these needs are easily met.
Food
Two types of seeds, white proso millet and black oil sunflower
seeds, will attract most common seed-eating birds. These
two seeds should be the mainstay in your feeders. To broaden
the diversity of birds visiting your feeders, add species-specific
seeds such as red proso millet, black- and gray-striped
sunflower seeds, Niger thistle (for goldfinches, pine
siskins and purple finches), milo and peanut kernels (for
chickadees and white tufted titmice).
Beef suet helps birds maintain
their body heat in cold weather. Hang plastic mesh bags
of suet or pinecones dipped in melted suet from tree limbs.
Woodpeckers are particularly appreciative of this treat.
For more suggestions on feeding
birds, see Leigh Abernathy's article It's For The Birds.
If you're interested in attracting hummingbirds to your
garden, see Naomi Mathew's article Creating a Hummingbird
Haven.
Water
An ideal water source for birds should be about three
inches deep and three feet off the ground. Motion and
sound will grab a bird's attention. You can create moving
water by suspending a leaky container from a branch over
a birdbath. Fountains and waterfalls are favorite hangouts
for songbirds, and misters place in the plants near your
birdbath will attract a variety of feathered visitors.
Shelter
Birds need shelter to protect them from the elements and
allow them to hide from predators. Dense, twiggy shrubs
and evergreens are the shelter of choice for most birds.
Nesting Sites
Different species of birds have different nesting requirements,
and you can find ready-made bird houses or build-it-yourself
plans for almost every species of bird. Choose birdhouses
that are weather resistant and have a pitched roof to
shed rain. There should be holes in the sides and bottom
for ventilation and drainage. A hinged or removable roof
is a bonus for you because it makes cleaning much easier.
The birdhouse should be cleaned after each nesting season.
When hanging your birdhouse, position
the entrance hole away from prevailing winds.
About the Author:
Jackie Carroll is the editor of GardenGuides.com, a leading
internet destination for gardening information and ideas.
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