Saucy Pet

Posts Tagged ‘bird feeders’

Keeping squirrels out of a bird feeder is a tough challenge. Today there are many types of squirrel proof feeders on the market, but you will find many of them work by physically blocking the squirrel from the bird food.  Pepper bird suet feeders take a different approach that works surprisingly well.

For many birds the toughest time of year is winter. Many of the normal food sources are not easy to come by. The bushes have no berries, the insects have gone in hiding for the winter, and the snow and ice often covers what little food is naturally available. To help our birds through the winter months, we look for those types of food that will benefit them the most, and a common selection is suet.

Bird suet is a great source of calories that birds need so much to make it through the summer months. The suet is cooked by rendering fat from sheep or cows, and for variety is sometimes mixed with some other bird favorites like cracked peanuts that creates a combination that has lots of energy and is easy to eat in the cold of winter. Since it’s common for naturally rendered suet to spoil at temperatures above 70 degrees its usually sold as a wintertime food. These days there are suet products that have been formulated to hold up better in the summertime, so you can use it year round if you like, but it’s not all natural suet.  You simply put it in a suet birdfeeder and the birds love it.

Like many types of bird food that we put out, the local thieves like squirrels love it just as much as the birds, so we have to find ways to discourage them. There are a number of different squirrel proof feeders that have a some type of mechanical parts like moving doors or spinning tubes that are meant to physically block the squirrels.

Nature has provided its own ingenious solution. Over the course of thousands of years, peppers have evolved to have capsaicin, which is the chemical that gives pepper their “heat”. But it has almost no impact on birds, so they eat it at will. But mammals (like squirrels) are pretty sensitive to the heat of peppers.

Armed with this knowledge, we can try adding pepper to our suet to offend the local pests like squirrels and rodents. With hot pepper suet the birds are unaffected, but the feeder pests can’t tolerate it. You can get rid of the squirrels without expensive motorized feeders, just a little bit of nature.

Many gardeners love the idea of trying to attract birds to their home at the first sign of spring.  We all love to have the sights and sounds of an active bird feeder, or the frenetic activity that often surrounds a bird bath.

But in the winter time many of the local birds don’t migrate away, and so we like to make some effort to be sure they have enough food and drink to get by in the winter time.Birds have it tough in the winter time because there is not as much of their natural food around, and what is around is often obscured by ice or snow cover.

One of the easiest things we can do is to put out a suet bird feeder. Suet is used because it has a lot of calories, since it’s made from rendered fat products, and to enhance its attractiveness to birds it is sold with other bird food products like corn seed or peanuts.Usually you’ll find these sold in prepared cakes that is similar in volume and size to a large sandwich.It’s easy to set the suet out in an open area available to your local birds, but the traditional way to put out suet is to use a simple cage feeder that can be hung and will help keep squirrels away.  These can be a simple cage, or often they are combined with a hopper feeder to create a total feeding solutions.

Suet cakes and balls can last for some time, but if it’s natural suet then when the temperature exceeds about 70 degrees it may go rancid quickly, so don’t treat them as year round feeders.  And there are other types of suet balls that may be better suited to your needs that keep better or repel pests.

Also make sure that the local birds have access to water that is not going to freeze quickly.Typically birdbaths will have a flat open design that gives the birds confidence that they won’t fall into the water.But the problem with that type of shape is that it is also perfect for cooling and freezing quickly. 

The solution to this is straightforward enough, as there are a lot of bird baths with heating elements built into the bottom of the bath, but if you’ve already invested in a bird bath then it’s simple enough to buy a small heating element to put in the bottom of most baths.  There are many types of birdbath de icer, with sizes and shapes to fit most any bird bath.If using a heater with a plastic bird bath take care to size the heater small enough that it won’t melt the bird bath when heating the water.

There are lots of different ways to attract birds to your garden. An easy way is to give them a safe place to eat and the food they enjoy. Garden bird feeders are perfect for providing food for them. When natural foods are scarce during the winter bird feeders can save their lives.

Many different species can be attracted by providing their favorite foods. Finches are attracted to thistle bird feeders that hold the tiny seeds they love. Prevent the seeds from getting moldy by keeping them dry in a tube feeder. Enjoy the sight of the birds feeding from your home by using a window feeder.

You can purchase bird feeders specially designed for woodpeckers,goldfinches and hummingbirds. Put them close to your bird house in a safe place. Damp encourages mold so check daily that the food is dry. Pests such as ants and wasps will be attracted to spilled food so clean it up every day.

Birds benefit most from feeding during the winter but food can be scarce in other seasons too. Help the wild birds by providing food for them all through the year. Fledglings can be affected by shortages of food during the breeding season so put out suitable food for them at this time.

Pans of water or garden bird baths should be provided to give them a safe place to drink, bathe and preen their feathers. Set out water containers at different levels as some species prefer to drink and bathe at ground level, others prefer above ground containers. Containers should only be filled to a few inches and should be placed some way away from the noise around bird feeders. The sounds of running water will attract wild birds. Water drippers are great for attracting birds and they also deter mosquitoes from breeding in the water.

A natual looking area of the garden with wild plants and trees will enhance the sense of security of the birds. An area of the garden can be allowed to grow wild to make them an attractive place.

the Birds

Some birds have a way of bringing out the worst in humanity. Perhaps it is an unconscious fear implanted by movies and literature. Take for example the Alfred Hitchcock movie “The Birds” and you get a sense of how ominous and even perhaps deadly some wild birds are to mankind. Look at what a flock of crows is called. It is called a murder. Certain birds have been associated with death and even as messengers of death. Perhaps it is just a bum rap but regardless, mankind has this fascination with anything avian.

The raven and the crow have definitely been portrayed in a bad light as the birds that you do not want to have around. Edgar Allen Poe turned the raven into a sinister messenger of doom with its cries of “nevermore.” Readers have been fascinated with his portrayal of the raven. Even fairytales have plugged away at the image of the crow/raven. Take for example Disney’s classic tale of “Sleeping Beauty.” The villainess has a crow/raven that is used as her evil spy.

The wild bird definitely deserves some respect. It is just like other wild animal. You have to keep in mind that it is territorial, will defend itself and has to find a food source. And while crows/ravens have received some bad press thanks to authors and filmmakers, vultures and other carrion eating birds have repulsed mankind for eons. This bird species is a scavenger. Anytime you see vultures or buzzards circling in the air, you know that there is either something dying or something that has already died. Most people do not set up bird feeders to attract these types of birds. They want colorful birds, songbirds and delicate hummingbirds to grace their gardens and yards.

Perhaps it is time that people got over their fear of the birds that have gotten such a tough break in literature and movies. You do not have to worry about going outside and a murder of crows attacking you for no reason. The raven is not a symbol of death or a portent of bad things ahead. They are just two legged, winged wild animals that serve a specific function in the animal kingdom.

bird feeders

Take a moment and forget about the birds that you see flying around. Instead, think about how birds have impacted the world in music, movies and literature. These two legged, winged wild animals are prominent in certain religions found in the past. You can see images of birds scattered throughout the Egyptian religion. The bird has played a huge role in our world. Just think a moment on how many times you have seen a bird image.

For the Ancient Egyptians the bird was very significant. It was so significant because Horus, the son of Isis and Osiris, was depicted as a man/falcon. Throughout Egypt he was worshiped because he held dominion over the sun and the moon. One of the greatest feats that Horus accomplished was defeating Set, the god of storms, chaos and the desert. People could gain Horus’s favor by worshipping him and paying homage to his temples.

Exotic birds such as the falcon have always claimed humanity’s attention. Wild birds are the epitome of freedom. They sail through the skies without masters and do as they wish. They cannot be truly tamed. Even those that use falcons and hawks as gaming birds know that these species of birds can turn vicious and unpredictable if they are not treated properly and trained well. It can take years for a falcon or a hawk to be gentled. Perhaps that is why you do not see many people trying to own these birds. In medieval times it was common for lords to become falconers.

The above mentioned examples are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the bird. Wild birds have fascinated mankind for countless millenniums and will continue to do so. Perhaps it is the grace they exhibit or the fascinating history of which they have been a part. Whatever it is that draws mankind to songbirds, migratory birds or any other bird species, it is sure to remain the same.

for the birds

Have you ever heard the phrase that something was “for the birds?” It usually implies that something is crazy. Isn’t it funny how bird related things make their way into normal conversation? If you have a bird watching friend, then you undoubtedly have heard that person talk quite animatedly about the world of two legged, winged wild animals. Watching birds is a rewarding hobby for those who enjoy being outdoors and want to see what Mother Nature has to offer. In today’s economy it is a hobby that does not require a lot of money and is something that the whole family can enjoy.

If you are new to the whole bird watching lifestyle, then you are going to need some guidance and help. One of the best websites to visit is www.birdwatching.com. This website has everything that a newbie might need. It offers tips on how to bird watch, how to set up bird feeders to attract birds to your yard and even has a store where you can purchase the right equipment you might need.

A great way to get into watching birds is to go on birding tours. These tours can be local or they can be to some tropical destination where you will observe exotic birds, such as Toucans or Flamingos. Just the thrill of seeing wild birds in their own natural habitat can be a treat for anyone. It not only gets you outside in the sun but it also can serve as an excellent form of exercise. You can easily cover miles when you are absorbed in watching the skies or trees for the birds that you are seeking out. If you are not quite ready to spend a lot of money on a birding tour, then you can always borrow a book from your local library and discover the birds that live in your area. There are many books that can offer you tips and tricks to seeking out local birds.

Going bird watching is a great and rewarding hobby. It can lead to hours of fun for you and the whole family. Even when it is winter, you can still watch and help the birds out at the same time. Try providing them with bird feeders and houses so that they will want to return to your yard over and over again. Come spring you may just get the chance to see their little ones being raised.

feeders

Having a hobby is not hard to do. It is hard, however, to find a hobby that fits in with your busy lifestyle and desires. If you like the outdoors and enjoy interacting with nature, then you may want to consider bird watching. After all, there are over 10,000 species of birds in the world. Even if you live in the middle of a metropolitan area, you can still find different bird species. It is a hobby that can be a real passion.

There are many times that you can easily identify birds based on their size. The ostrich is very easy to spot. You may not find them outside of a zoo or a ranch unless you live in Africa but at least you do not need a pair of binoculars to see them. Hummingbirds, on the other hand, are incredibly difficult to spot. That is why most people utilize hummingbird feeders in order to see these super fast, and super small creatures.

If you are a real fan of birds, then you will undoubtedly take steps to attract them to your garden or yard. Even if you live in an apartment with a small patio or balcony you can still find bird feeders to lure certain species in. But you need to take into consideration the type of bird you want to attract. If you are hoping to attract a blue bird then you do not need a feeder that caters to swallows. The more that you put into researching the type of bird you want around your home, the more you will know about their particular eating habits. One further note: make sure that you buy bird feeders that squirrels cannot get into.

Birds are not for everyone. Some people just do not like the species. However, if you do love watching these wild animals in their own habitats, then you will definitely enjoy being a bird watcher. Do not worry about how many there are to see. Just concentrate on having a good time and enjoying yourself. It gets you out of the house and it will do your body and mind good to get outside and get some exercise.

wild animals

Life can be very stressful. If you have a family and you work full time, it can seem as if there is no time for yourself. You give and give but there are still things that you would like to have for yourself. Many people have given up on having a hobby because they convince themselves that they do not have the time. Well, there is one hobby that can work with your schedule and it is a great activity to get you out of the house. What is this hobby? It is birding.

Birding may seem boring at first to those that have no interest in wild animals. But once you take into account how many wild birds are around you each day, it becomes a challenge to see how many you can spot. From there you begin walking through forests and fields trying to check more birds off of your list. This is a hobby that can include the entire family. Kids will be glad to help you point out a species of bird when they see it. They may not be quiet about it but you will definitely enjoy just being outside together.

If you have never been bird watching before, then there are a few things you need to know. You first need to know about the birds in your area. More than likely there will be several birds that are native to your part of the world. A great way to start seeing these birds is to put up some bird feeders. The bird feeders will draw in the native birds and provide them with sustenance. You can create your own bird sanctuary right in your backyard. Before you place a lot of feeders around your yard and garden, you need to consult your local gardening center about what type of feeder is best for a certain type of bird. You will also need some advice on how to keep pesky squirrels from robbing the feeder. Another great way to lure birds to your home is by putting up bird houses. These houses are built specifically for each type of bird.

If you are interested in learning about birding, then there are resources available to give you all the help you need. The National Audubon Society is a treasure trove of information and you can even get help on picking out the right equipment to fit your needs. You can also hit your local library for books on bird watching and species of birds that are in your area.