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Agway Wild Bird Newsletter
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
February 2008
During winter a bird's needs are a little different from other seasons.
Below are a few things you can do to help them out during these cold months.
- Collisions with glass windows kill millions of wild birds every year. Depending on their size and location, some windows reflect the sky or in winter the surrounding white of the landscape, and birds are fooled into thinking they can fly through them. To eliminate this problem, identify windows that cause collisions (typically larger, reflective windows, those near the ground, or those that "look through" the house). Attaching decorative decals or other decorations to the outside surface of the glass can reduce reflections. If birds fleeing from your feeders are colliding with windows, consider moving feeders within three feet of the window so birds cannot harm themselves while flying away. Problem windows can be covered with a screen so that birds bounce off, rather than hit, the glass.
- In the cold months make sure you provide an unfrozen water source for birds, the obvious reason is to give them a clean supply of water to drink so they stay healthy but the less obvious reason is to help them keep clean!
- Providing the appropriate foods year round will attract more birds to your yard and help ensure that they have a safe and nutritious diet especially in the cold winter months. Refill feeders regularly with food desired by birds in your area. To pick the best menu, see the article titled Wild Birds Rate The Seeds They Prefer on http://www.agway.com/, this information comes from A study by Dr. Aelred D. "Dr. Birdseed" Geis U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
During the winter birds need to fluff up their feathers to build a layer of insulation. As they fluff their feathers the air built up between the feathers helps keep the bird warm. Next time you look out the window at a bird primping and puffing notice how fat it looks when it's done, he's not putting on excess pounds that's air insulation between the layers of feathers that makes it look so robust.
How do you keep a water supply from becoming an ice rink for the birds? Agway offers many bird baths and accessories, just add a bird bath heater to your favorite bird bath and you can provide a nice warm bath all winter long.
Visit your local Agway store to see what's new for spring! To find a store near you visit http://www.agway.com/ and click on the store locator.
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