Bird Newsletter · April 2008

Building a Birdhouse

Birds are great additions to your backyard. Putting up bird houses is an excellent way to attract them. However, not all birds opt to nest in bird houses. Birds differ in their habitat preferences and only cavity-dwellers are probably interested in the bird shelters in your backyard. As it is, these cavity-dwellers also have their own specifications about the kind of house they like. These are minor measurements or feature issues but they are important for the birds. However, there are general guidelines in building these houses.

First, it is important to identify the species of birds that visit your backyard. It is also necessary to distinguish which are the cavity-dwellers from the tree and burrow dwellers. Common cavity-dwellers are wrens, chickadees, bluebirds, and flickers. Choose one you like best and focus your bird house design on it. Even if the idea of building multiple bird houses appeal to you, refrain from doing so because birds are territorial animals.

Second, determine the required dimensions of your chosen bird. Forget asking the birds for these because you'll get no answers. Dimensions of bird houses include entrance-hole, height, depth, and floor size. Smaller birds like wren and chickadees usually prefer 4x4 floor size and a reasonable 8" depth. Consult a bird book or the internet for information regarding the measurements of your bird house.

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Feeding Wild Birds... Bird Seed

Always consider native plants when providing food for the wild birds visiting your garden. Even when this isn't possible, providing bird feeders will still attract birds into your back yard.

Interestingly, even from an ecological perspective, wild birds can use feeders safely.

Studies have shown that their first choice is a natural food source. They visit feeders to supplement their natural diet.

Studies have also shown that birds do not prefer feeders over natural food supplies. Another myth is that bird migrations are delayed because of feeders.

The goal is to provide bird feeders that closely match the ways bird feed in the wild... You will discover that regardless of the species you want to attract to your bird garden, the feeders needed will be among these...

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This Month's Featured Products:

Feathered Friend Bluebird house

Feathered Friend Peanut Butter Suet

Feathered Friend Purple Martin House

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