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Wild Birds
6 Places Not to Install a Wildlife Feeder, House, or Birdbath
Where should you NOT install a feeder, birdhouse, or birdbath?
Woodpecker Feeders That Fix Your Problems
Do you have problems with starlings or squirrels bothering your woodpecker feeders? Are your feeders too small, too big, or too ugly?
Get a feeder you can be proud of. Match the right woodpecker feeder to your situation.
Are Woodpeckers Drilling Holes in Your House? Solutions to Keep Woodpeckers from Damaging Your Home
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Are woodpeckers causing you frustration? Are they drilling holes where you don't want them to?
Why Isn't Your Birdhouse Attracting the Birds You Want? A Checklist
If you have a birdhouse but not the birds you want nesting in it, check out the following questions.
Common Woodpeckers in North America
The U.S. has 22 species of woodpecker's, according to Sibley's
Birdwatching at Home: A Kit for the Beginner
Know someone who loves wildlife but is just beginning to watch birds at home? Do you have a child interested in nature?
Consider assembling a basic home birdwatching kit.
House Sparrow Problems at the Feeder? 6 Methods to Discourage English Sparrows
Are House Sparrows eating most of your birdseed?
Do they drive off other birds and mob your feeders?
Read on for methods to deter the House Sparrow (Passer domesticus), a.k.a. the English Sparrow.
In the Shape of a Gourd: Finding a Gourd for a Birdhouse or Roosting Box
Want to try something different at your wildlife porch, patio, balcony, or deck?
Why not gourds?
And how do you find the right gourd for a birdhouse or roosting box?
Provide Roosts To Shelter Wild Birds On Your Wildlife Porch or Deck
Want to shelter wild birds from cold winter winds?
Man-made roosts are special boxes, wicker baskets, or other shelters used by wild birds seeking protection from elements and predators.
Attract Migrant Birds: 6 Ways to Prepare for Fall Migration
Want to attract a different sort of bird to your porch, patio, balcony, or deck this fall?
Some simple steps to prepare for a migrant:
3 Things To Beware When Feeding Corn to Wild Birds
Corn can be a fun way to attract birds and other wildlife to your yard.
Want to know the pitfalls of feeding corn to wild birds before you get started?
A Reader Wonders, "How Can I Make Suet in the Form That I Want?"
Suet to Go High Energy Suet Basket
Want to make your own suet but you need to make it in a particular shape?
One of my readers asked where he could find suet molds of different sizes.
Big Song, Modest Birds: The Wrens of the U.S.
A bird that sings loud but is humble in appearance? It might be a wren.
And what do wrens look like? How do you attract them?
Read on!
Want a Water Feature But Have No Way to Supply Water? 5 Cordless Water Feature Styles
Cast Iron Cranes Birdbath with Water Wiggler
Do you want a water feature to attract wild birds to your porch, patio, deck, or balcony?
Does where you live prevent you from a hooking up a water line or power line to your fountain, sprayer, or other water feature?
You still have plenty of choices when it comes to water features -- some solar, some battery-powered.
What are Your Juncos Like? A Profile of the Dark-Eyed Junco
Juncos are among the easiest birds to attract to a feeder and are seen across the United States. Yet, juncos have variations in color, size, and habit.
What are your juncos like?
Gold in the Spring: The American Goldfinch
A bright splash of yellow at your feeder in the spring?
The American Goldfinch has arrived!
5 Steps to Solving the Problem "Birdseed is Becoming Too Expensive"
Are birds and squirrels eating way too much of your birdseed? Have you almost given up on feeding birds because you can't afford it?
If birds are gobbling up your spare cash, try one or more of these tips to save some money:
3 Ways to Feed Wild Birds for the Christmas Holidays
Want to include wild birds in your holiday celebrations?
Try holiday wreaths, trees, or snowmen:
10 Ways to Spot Fake "Squirrel-Proof" Bird Feeders
Want to get a wild bird feeder that really deters squirrels?
Attempts to keep squirrels away from bird feeders by buying squirrel-proof or squirrel deterring feeders sometimes fail.
The right feeder can make all the difference. Here are seven ways to spot a fake "squirrel-proof" feeder:
- Plastic Material. The container holding the feed is made of plastic accessible to squirrels (yes, they chew through plastic)
- Too-Small Cage. The caged feeder's cage is too close to the seed ports or bins from the feeder's seed ports or bins (the cage needs to be just a little farther from the seed ports than the length of a squirrel's arm, stretched through the wire opening of the cage)
- Bad Slider. The weight-driven sliding mechanism that closes off the feed ports is easily clogged, rusted, or non-adjustable
- Too-Small Baffle Lid. The feeder's baffle-like domed lid is too short or shallow and allows squirrels to grasp the edge or climb down to the feeder platform
- Plastic Rim or Lid. The feeder, while caged, has a plastic lid or rim outside the cage
- Accessible Without Triggering Slider. The weight-driven sliding mechanism that closes off the feed ports is too close to the top of the feeder (less than the length of an outstretched squirrel, back paw to front paw)
- Tube with Unprotected Platform. The uncaged, baffle-less tube feeder or mesh feeder has a small platform on the bottom
- Timed Dispenser. The timed-dispenser feeder -- releasing food at a certain time won't prevent squirrels from eating the food
- Wire or Mesh Feeders. Squirrels will bend the wire mesh to get at thistles if they're hungry enough)
- Unprotected Thistle Feeders. Squirrels will eat thistle if they're hungry enough, but rarely chew through plastic to get it. They usually try for the seed ports.
Remember, placement of a feeder can also matter in deterring squirrels.
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology has a program highlighting urban birds. Provide scientists with data from your 10-minute observations of birds in the city, or just browse the site to learn more about community, gardening, and artistic ways to celebrate urban birds.
Suet provides energy for wild birds, especially in the wintertime. You can render your own suet and make your own suet feed from various recipes.
5 Suet Recipes to Attract Wild Birds
Image: FotoosvanRobin
With all your holiday cooking, don't forget about the birds outside your window.
Have fun with family or just your feathered friends -- make simple recipes to attract and keep healthy wild birds to your porch, patio, or balcony.
Here are five recipes for high-energy suet:
3 Ways to Keep Birds Happy in the Cold Months
As winter looms, thoughts turn to keeping winged visitors happy.
If you are interested in attracting birds in the winter and helping to keep them hale and hearty, see these three ways to keep birds happy:
5 More Plans to Build Your Own Winter Roost Box for Birds
Want to provide shelter for small birds during the winter months? Try building your own roost box.
Last winter I mentioned three plans you could follow to build own your own winter shelter for wild birds. Here are five more:
Nyjer Seed Basics
Have you seen the tiny, black thistle seed, aka Nyjer seed, in a store or a feeder? Or wondered where you can buy it inexpensively?
Have you wondered what kind of birds it attracts?
...many bird watchers are thwarted in their attempt to entice different species to their doorstep because they live in apartments, dormitories, or condominiums where feeder placement options are limited.
Eager bird watchers need not despair...
Feeders Gone Nuts: What Kinds of Feeders Can I Use to Provide Nuts for Wild Birds?
Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Do you want to attract wild birds with nuts but aren't sure what kind of feeder to use?
Feeding Woodpeckers
Wondering what to feed a woodpecker on your small porch, patio, deck, or balcony?
Do Caged Bird Feeders Really Work?
Young Squirrel on Caged Feeder
Leshoward, some rights reserved
Are you fighting to keep squirrels or larger birds like grackles and starlings away from your feeders?
Are you wondering if caged feeders are worth the money?
Where to Find Woodpecker Birdhouses and Plans
Northern Flicker Natures Pic's
Without large trees around, attracting woodpeckers to a birdhouse may be problematic. Some kinds of woodpecker will only nest in large trees.
However, if you want to encourage woodpeckers to nest, the kind of nest box you should provide depends on what kind of woodpecker you're trying to attract. Here are a few products and plans:
