copper bird bath - Hummingbird Feeders

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Hummingbird Feeders - Your Guide To Get Hummingbirds Buzzing Around Your Backyard
By Ty Thomas
Hummingbirds are wonderfully unique birds to watch. They flutter, hover, dodge, dart and just simply seem to play. However, all that moving around burns a tremendous amount of energy and they need to feed frequently. They literally fly to eat and eat to fly!

What is the hummingbird feeder for? Most people don't realize that the main food of the hummingbird is insects, but they need the sugar rich nectar to provide them the energy to search for the insects, that is where we humans come in. Hummingbird feeders are usually filled with a mixture of 4 parts water to one part sugar. This mixture should be boiled to ensure all impurities are killed. Any excess can be refrigerated until needed. The mixture should be changed at least once a week and more frequently in very warm weather. In addition to changing the nectar, the feeder should be cleaned regularly. Since this is a sugar mixture, you are sure to attract many other nuisances you may not want to feed, such as bees, ants, and even bats.

All sugars are not created equal, at least that is what the hummingbirds say. When given the choice, hummingbirds prefer artificial nectar made from cane sugar rather than beet sugars. If you are not attracting them, check and make sure the sugar you are using is cane.

Ever have a problem with your feeder being full at night when you go to bed, but empty in the morning? You may think you have a sneaky neighbor taking all your nectar, but it is most likely due to bats. Bats also love the sweet nectar and can drain your feeders overnight. One strategy to keep bats out is to find bee covers for your feeder ports. The bat tongue is much larger and cannot get through the bee covers. Then again, maybe you want to feed the bats also, they eat huge amounts of insects

every night, however, that's another story.

Red is very attractive to hummingbirds, so your feeder should have some red in it. Please do not use red food coloring in your homemade food. To color a sugar mixture, find a bird friendly coloring at your local birding store.

Keeping desirable flowers in your garden near the feeder is also helpful in getting those little guys to frequent your feeders. Flowering plants like Columbine, Begonias and Holly Hocks, as well as Fuchsias, Coral Bells and Lantana will definitely increase your chances. Impatiens, Penstemen, and Petunias along with Geraniums and Flowering Tobacco are also favorites of hummingbirds. There are many other types of flowers hummingbirds will frequent.

Be careful putting multiple feeders too close together! Hummingbirds are very territorial and will defend their "turf", sometimes to the death. Another safety tip is to keep your feeders several feet away from windows and dense cover, like large bushes. If you are having problems with hummingbirds (or any other kind) running into your windows, take a look from their perspective and see if you can see a reflection of the sky, or another window on the other side of the house that looks like a passageway. Large bushes can hide predators, like your neighbors cat, that may try and attack the birds.

The best time to start putting out feeders is when the weather starts to warm up. Yes, this is a little vague, but hey, these guys aren't on a schedule. Since they are migratory birds, you will have a good chance of getting them to hang around if you get your food out early, while they are migrating through the area.

I hope you are able to enjoy this little wonders for a long time to come, they truly are wonderous birds.

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Hummingbird Feeders: Sheltering Nature's Lovely Creatures
By Robert Thatcher
Even before manufacturers took advantage of the growing popularity of feeding hummingbirds, the first hummingbird feeders were typically constructed out of laboratory apparatuses. These were constructed primarily to attract the birds that would normally fly around a garden. To these, the response of the manufacturers is to market and create sugar-water feeders. Many of which are uniquely created thus giving logic to the high cost of each feeder. But most are mass-produced to provide such equipments to the larger public.

Like with most things in the market, hummingbird feeders come in literally all forms of shapes, sizes and designs. The ideal feeders are those that can be cleaned easily and hangs readily. These must also be sturdy and must have limited number of parts that can be separated or broken. Majority of hummingbird feeders comes with both glass and plastic reservoirs.

Glasses have longer lifespan and may be cleansed easily but may shatter when dropped. Plastics on the other hand are relatively cheaper than that of the glass reservoirs but discoloration is notable.

Small feeders typically have only a port for feeding while larger feeders have three or more. Many of which may provide perches for hummingbirds to rest upon while feeding.

The most common mistake among novice feeders is the buying of overly sized hummingbird feeders. This is wrong since the water-sugar solution easily stales even before the arrival of the birds.

One hummingbird feeder may not be enough for the birds in a moderately sized garden. It is best to place two or if possible, several hummingbird feeders throughout the garden. Chances are, the dominant birds would not defend all locations. This may welcome

larger number of birds in your place. Logically, it is a good idea to put these hummingbird feeders in locations where you may observe the birds feeding. After all, the sugar solution we give is just a bonus the birds get for dropping by in our places. They, at all rate, can survive even without our help.

Most hummingbirds are gone during winter. This is because they migrate to the tropical regions. If in any case a bird visits you during this season, it is likely that it is genetically inferior and cannot travel. To provide shelter for such birds, some enthusiasts prefer to leave the hummingbird feeders outside their homes, offering both food and sanctuary for the lovely creatures. The sugar-water solution in the hummingbird feeder must still be changed daily.

When choosing a hummingbird feeder, most experts recommend those that are red in color. Though there so little scientific research to support the claim that hummingbirds are especially attracted to red, most feeders seem to appear in shades of red. Plus the common practice of dying the water sugar solution with red. Choose a hummingbird feeder that has excellent protection over ants.

It is also good to restrain from buying a yellow-colored feeders. This is to avoid the bees and wasps from being attracted to the feeder. Look also for feeders that have built-in perches and those that are small. Only when you have determined how thick your visitation of these birds is, may you only start using bigger feeders. This principle will prevent the nectar solution from spoilage.

Hummingbirds are truly marvelous to look at especially with their aerial display. This probably is reason enough why most enthusiasts go crazy over feeding hummingbirds.

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Hummingbird Feeders - Important "must Know" Facts About Hummingbirds
By Steve Peek
Before you create a hummingbird habitat in your backyard, there are several important things you must know, and do, to attract these beautiful creatures and to protect them. The selection of a good hummingbird feeder, placement of the feeder, maintenance of the hummingbird feeder and choice of food can be critical, both to your enjoyment of the hummingbirds and to their survival. I will cover each of these points, but first, allow me to give you a little information about the hummingbirds themselves.

How many types of hummingbirds are there?

There are more than 10,000 species of birds in the world. About 925 of those species have been counted in the U. S. and Canada. Of all the birds living in our part of the world, few are as interesting, as fascinating, or as beautiful as the hummingbird. There are 16 species of hummingbirds breeding regularly in the United States and another half dozen Mexican or Caribbean species that have been reported here.

A typical North American hummingbird like the Rufous hummingbird measures between 3.5 to 4 inches and weighs in at about 3 grams (1/10 of an ounce). This makes him/her a heavyweight compared to the Bee hummingbird which is typically 2 inches long and normally weighs 1.8 grams (6/100 of an ounce). The Bee hummingbird is frequently mistaken for an insect by casual viewers.

How much do hummingbirds eat?

What is not small about hummingbirds is their appetite. Hummingbirds consume between 3 1/8 and 7 ½ calories a day. To put it into human terms, that equates to roughly 155,000 calories

per day. Just imagine pulling up to the drive-in window at McDonalds and ordering 278 Big Macs just to get you through the day.

Hummingbirds require this awesome intake of food because of their metabolism. The Ruby throated hummingbird, for example, is about 3 ½ inches long and weighs 1/8 of an ounce. His body temperature ranges between 105 degrees and 108 degrees, F. In flight, his wings beat an average of 52 times per second. His respiration is 250 breaths per minute and his heart rate is an incredible 1200 beats a minute when he is feeding. Hummingbird's lives are spent on the very edge of survival. One day of bad weather or difficulty finding food can mean the end for them.

How important is your hummingbird feeder?

With this information in mind you can see how important your backyard hummingbird feeder can be. The growth of cities and urban development is constantly reducing the hummingbird's natural habitat. A well designed, well placed feeder improves their chances of survival and provides you with countless hours of entertainment.

As small and fragile as hummingbirds are, they have surprisingly long life spans. Many hummingbirds do not survive their first year, but those that do, live an average of 3 to 4 years. One female broadtailed hummingbird was tagged, released, and recaptured 12 years later. A Rufous hummingbird was banded and reported alive after 8 years and 1 month. As these migratory birds tend to return year after year, they will soon become old friends that will provide hour after hour of viewing pleasure.

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Goldfinches Are Flocking To My Nyjer Seed Bird Feeders Like Crazy

Goldfinches, purple and house finches, pine siskins, and redpolls are all birds that will flock to your backyard with a nyjer seed bird feeder. It can be a thistle tube bird feeder or a thistle sock bird feeder or one of the newer style wire mesh thistle feeders.

Nyjer, nyger, niger and thistle are all names used to refer to a small black seed cultivated in India and Ethiopia for over a thousand years. The true niger seed comes from the Guizotia abyssinica plant which is an annual herb grown for its edible oil and seed. It is NOT a type of thistle and is not a weed. As a matter of fact, it is now grown in the United States.

Niger seed probably got confused with thistle because goldfinches are known to eat thistle seed and use the downy fluff from thistle plants for their nests. In an attempt to differentiate these two terms in the mind of the public, the Wild Bird Feeding Institute trademarked the name Nyjer in 1998. I don't think that this was successful however because most people still think Nyjer seed is some kind of thistle and a noxious weed if allowed to grow.

When you purchase Nyjer seed, many companies still use the word thistle on the package which has the unintended result of confusing the public even more. This bird seed is imported from India and Ethiopia and by USDA regulations must be sterilized, not to keep the niger seed from spouting, but to keep other noxious weeds that are incidentally mixed in with

the niger seed from sprouting. As stated above, there is now American grown niger seed available here in the United States that is not sterilized.

Because Nyjer seed is so expensive (over a dollar a pound in 2008) it is important to feed this seed in specially designed feeders. A good Nyjer seed bird feeder will allow several birds to feed at once without excess seed being wasted. The thistle tube bird feeders should be your first choice in my experience. They are made of polycarbonate tubes with small slits in the plastic, just large enough for the finches to pull out one seed at a time. This limits the amount of wasted seed.

The Nyjer seed bird feeders made of wire mesh would be my second choice. These feeders allow flocking goldfinches to feed wherever they land, plus some hold large amounts of Nyjer seed. They are probably best used with a seed tray below to catch spilled seed.

A thistle sack bird feeder is an inexpensive choice as far as the initial cost of the feeder goes. Made of durable, fine mesh nylon, these feeders allow as many hungry finches to feed as can comfortably hang on the thistle sack. They now are available in black which makes the beautiful goldfinches really stand out. These mesh bags will cost you more in the long run than the other types of Nyjer seed bird feeders because of wasted seed.

Which ever feeder you choose, you are guaranteed to have flocks of Goldfinches visiting your backyard!

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Bird Feeders And Bird Seed

Choosing the right bird feeder is as important as choosing the right seed. Different seeds will attract different types of birds, so knowing who likes what may be important! Contrary to popular belief, bird seeds are not "inert." They will sprout under the right conditions. If spillage is a problem at your feeders, clean up the shells and husks regularly to prevent unwanted plant growth.

Corn is found in many commercial birdseed mixes. A corn feeder will attract blackbirds, blue jays, doves, pigeons and sparrows.

Millet is among the most common component of commercial seed mixes. It is small, round and hard. Most birds don't really like millet, but millet feeders will attract blackbirds, doves, pigeons and sparrows. Many bird enthusiasts don't use millet feeds because they appeal largely to "common" birds.

Many bird enthusiasts don't appreciate jays. They're noisy and aggressive toward other birds, and can clear out a feeder instantly. If you want the jays to steer clear of your primary feeders, set up a "nuisance" feeder especially for jays, and fill it with milo. Milo will also attract pigeons and doves, but it is generally unappealing to other species.

Suet is a good wintertime treat for birds that winter in place. You can purchase ready-made suet cakes or you can make your own using suet

purchased from the meat counter at your local supermarket. Suet is made from rendered fat (usually beef) and can go bad if it is not properly prepared. If you don't use ready-made suet cakes, avoid providing suet in warm weather. Suet cakes are rolled in birdseed, dried fruits and grains, and hang in a special suet cage. Suet will attract chickadees, jays, nuthatches, titmice and woodpeckers. Clean the suet cage carefully between cakes.

Sunflower seeds are a staple of most commercial bird feed mixes. While there are different types of sunflower seed, black oil sunflower seeds are most commonly used. If you stock your feeder with sunflower seeds, you can expect to see blackbirds, blue jays, cardinals, chickadees, finches, grosbeaks, nuthatches, sparrows, titmice, and woodpeckers.

Songbirds absolutely adore thistle. This very small black seed will attract finches, but most other birds leave it alone because they can get a fuller meal with different seed varieties.

Most commercial feeds contain a large amount of millet. Millet-based feeds are less expensive, but tend to appeal only to a limited number of birds. Single-seed feeds tend to be much more expensive. If you want to limit the number of common birds at your feeders, look for seed mixes that will attract the kinds of birds you want to see.

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Bird Feeders And Bird Houses - How To Properly Care And Maintain Them For Backyard Birding Fun

Outdoor bird feeders and bird houses are extremely popular with bird watchers and bird enthusiasts. For many there is nothing more exciting than getting up in the morning and watching birds nesting and feeding in the backyard. Children and adults alike are able to learn a great deal about birds by watching them each day. What many bird enthusiasts do not realize is the fact that owning a bird feeder and bird house requires more effort than just stocking it with seed. In order to keep the birds safe and healthy, homeowners must do what they can to properly set up and maintain these items.

The first step in protecting birds is placing bird feeders and bird houses in a safe location. Place bird feeders in a very open location that gives birds a chance to see, and react to, any predators like house cats. They can also be hung from poles making them virtually inaccessible. When hanging a bird house always place them in a high location away from any potential perch that can be used by predators like cats. Even if you do not own house cats it is important that you follow this advice since neighboring cats can easily get into your back yard and attempt to attack what they consider to be easy prey.

In some situations hawks will be attracted to your bird house or, more than likely, your bird feeder. If you notice a hawk coming near your bird feeder several times a week take it down for a few days and keep a look out for the hawk. Once

the hawk has come, not seen a buffet, and left, put it back out. The hawk will leave your yard alone once it believes its free meal ticket has been called in.

The second step you can take to ensure the safety and health of the birds your feeders and houses attract is to keep everything clean. This is one thing that many people forget and overlook. While most people are used to cleaning indoor bird cages they do not think to clean outdoor bird houses. A bird house, after time, can attract and develop parasites which could cause sickness and disease to spread among the birds nesting in it. You should clean your bird house at least once a year or twice a year to be perfectly safe.

Bird feeders need to be cleaned much more often because of the number of birds coming and going on a daily basis. Remove any seeds from the ground around your bird feeders and bird houses to discourage birds from attempting to eat it. Also empty and clean the bird feeders once or twice each month while constantly replacing the seed with fresh, dry, bird seed to keep the birds from eating moldy seed which can make them sick.

Outdoor bird feeders and bird houses can be fun for the entire family. They give you a chance to observe many different types of birds without having to leave your yard. In order to enjoy this special treat for a long time it is important that you and your family work hard to maintain a clean, safe, environment for your birds.

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Bird Watching Guide - Metal Bird Feeders
As people love to watch birds feeding in their gardens, various companies have items that will help bring these wild birds to us. One such item is that of feeders. With so many types of feeders available to you it may be a little difficult and confusing to know which feeder type is best. Metal Bird Feeders combine practical usage with elegance and beauty to make your garden an inviting place for birds.


Perky Pet which is a leading supplier of wild bird products has some interesting metal bird feeders for you to choose from. As there are a large number of feeders, only a few will be described here. Should these bird feeders appeal to your tastes then you’ll be able to view other types that are available.

The Sunflower Garden Metal Lantern Bird Feeder has an elegant and stylish design. It’s made from durable powder coated metal in a beautiful garden green color. This feeder has the construction strength to provide you with years of bird feeding pleasure and comes with an 8 inch metal wire hanger.

The perches are in a “U” shape which is much preferred by feeder birds. The sides of the feeder are etched with a sunflower plexiglass design. These clear sides give you a view of the seed level within the metal bird feeders. You can keep 5 pounds of bird seed inside of the feeder and this bird feeder is designed for hanging.

The Copper Accented

Bird Feeder is another metal bird feeder by Perky Pet Bird Feeders. This feeder has sparkling copper accents on the feeder. There is a unique seed dispensing tray at the bottom of the feeder. The feeder is made from powder coated metal in a decorative green coloring. It’s in the style of a tube feeder, but the roof of the feeder is a copper plated top.

There are 4 feeding ports that have copper hoods above them, and also 4 copper perches as well. The base of these metal bird feeders is made from copper as well. In addition there are 4 more feeding ports. This 8 feeder port, tube bird feeder becomes a distinctive addition to your garden. The Copper Accented Bird Feeder will hold 6 pounds of seed mix or sunflower seeds. A heavy duty metal wire hanger is included with this feeder.

The last type of metal bird feeders comes from Heritage Farms. This Deluxe Seed and Suet Double Sided Bird Feeder has an attractive copper top. It’s made of durable metal that will withstand whatever the weather throws at it and is squirrel and raccoon resistant as well. There are 2 sides that birds can eat seed from. In addition there are 2 suet feeder cages located on the sides of the metal bird feeders.

Any of these unique metal bird feeders will add an elegant and decorative touch to your garden and will also have the benefit of attracting many birds to your garden.

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Garnish Your Yard With Unique Bird Houses And Wild Bird Feeders

If you want to jazz up your yard decor while contributing to the environment, try adding several unique bird houses and wild bird feeders. These can beautify your home while simultaneously attracting lovely birds to your yard.

Bird houses and feeders hang as picture perfect ornaments from trees, fence posts, windows or even your patio deck, but they offer so much more than decoration if you're a nature lover. Bird watching is a fairly simplistic and inexpensive hobby. You'll find bird watching to be very relaxing as you sit outdoors on a swing or lie on a hammock and watch various types of birds visit the wild bird feeders in your yard. You can even keep some binoculars and a camera on hand for whenever you see a unique bird.

You can create a marvelous bird haven in your yard with various bird houses and wild bird feeders, giving your feathered friends food, water and shelter. Your yard can provide a safe place for birds to mate, eat, drink, and raise their young. You'll also be providing protection from many of birds' natural predators as well as inclement weather. And just for your efforts, numerous birds will sing enchanting lullabies to you each morning!

Types of Bird Houses and Bird Feeders

Bird houses and feeders come in a variety of colors, materials, shapes and sizes. Some of the most beautiful bird products are hand made, created from wood, stoneware, ceramic, or hand blown glass. Some bird houses are shaped like animals - even birds - such as the cardinal wood bird house, bluebird houses, and cat-shaped houses. There are also many bird houses shaped like little cottages, cupcakes, log cabins, trailers, canisters, vegetables, and other creative designs.

Wild bird feeders can cater to certain types of birds. For example, if you wish to attract hummingbirds to your yard, opt for special hummingbird feeders. These small feeders

come in various styles and colors, decorated with flowers and other designs. Hummingbirds will love them, and you'll be able to sit and watch them play in your yard for hours of enjoyment. To attract finches, add a three-tube finch feeder to your yard. This type of wild bird feeder can feed up to 24 finches all at once, keeping each one in perfect view!

There are also squirrel proof bird feeders if your yard usually attracts lots of squirrels. These are designed to allow birds to feed while preventing squirrels from stealing their food. Squirrel proof bird feeders come in styles such as platform bird feeders and caged tubular feeders.

The designs of wild bird feeders available today are virtually endless, with basic styles such as window bird feeders, platform and fly thru feeders, tubular and hopper bird feeders. The materials used range from weatherproof stoneware and ceramics, stained glass and copper, recycled plastics and glass, and - of course - wood. Everything from covered wagons and lighthouse bird feeders, to stoneware cats, cupcakes, and laughing green men bird feeders are available. Whatever you may fancy or collect, there is a bird feeder that will strike a chord and brighten up your yard!

Once you find suitable unique bird houses and wild bird feeders for your yard, be sure to add other bird accessories to complement your decorations. Try ceramic bird baths or hanging bird baths, drippers, nesting balls, solar stepping stones, garden flags, stoneware toad houses, garden statues, fountains, and other garden decor products to dress up your yard.

You can find many unique bird houses and wild bird feeders online at affordable prices. So visit a bird accessory retailer on the Web today to check out all the adorable styles available. You'll see some amazing birds gather soon to add vibrant color and sweet songs to your yard!

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Bird Houses And Feeders In Garden Decor
By Martie Spaier

Did you ever pass a house and notice a birdhouse on the property? Did you ever think it might be fun to have a birdhouse or birdfeeder in your very own garden or patio? Are you interested in conservation and helping the environment? Need a new hobby? Are you a nature lover? If you answered "yes" or even "maybe" to any of these questions, then read on to learn about how you can enhance your garden decor while enjoying birds and bird watching while helping to conserve then environment.

There are over 50 speciies of birds that normally nest in a bird house. Why not bring these wonderful creatures to your yard and garden to enjoy! Some examples of nesting birds are nuthatches, wrens, woodpeckers, bluebirds, cardinals,robins and purple martins. These birds will bring hours of entertainment and enjoyment to you as you watch the eggs hatch and the hatchlings grow into full sized birds. See how the mama bird actually feeds her babies and how the hatchlings actually learn to fly on their own! Sometimes having binoculars near-by is a handy thing to do, Or you can actually use a bird spycam and see what's going on inside the bird house from the comfort of your own home on your own computer or TV! Now you have the opportunity

to get up-close and personal with your own birds!

Birdhouses and bird feeders are also scientific tools since much can be learned just from observation. You can do studies and document the progress of your birds. You might even make an important discovery! And of course bird houses and feeders will help with the conservation of birds in heavily populated urban areas where there is little nesting material or food available. From deorative wren bird houses, bluebird houses, functional purple martin lodges, and woodpecker homes to decorative hummingbird feeders, you can help the bird population and additionally bring joy to your home with the simple hobby of bird watching.

Enhance your garden decor today with a bird feeder and bird house. You'll be able to spend many pleasant hours in total enjoyment simply birdwatching and basking in the riches of nature!

Visit us at BirdhousesAnd-More to choose the type of decorative, functional birdhouse that would be just right for you. Some of our architectural bird houses and bird feeders might even match your own house! Or you could set up your birds in you dream house style. Read All About Birds to see which type of birds visit your area.

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Advantages of Hopper Bird Feeders

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1. The hopper bird feeder keeps the seeds dry. The hopper feeder is designed with a roof and side glass panels, therefore keeping the seeds dry and protecting your bird food from the rain, wind and snow.

2. It is very popular with backyard birds. The hopper attracts a wide variety of backyard birds, depending on the size of perches you use. Big birds like doves, jays, blackbirds, and cardinals are able feed from them with relative ease. This can also serve as a woodpecker bird feeder. If your hopper is placed near the ground, it may also attract ground-foraging birds like sparrows.

3. Hoppers hold a lot of seed. The hopper's size and design allow you to fill it with a lot of seeds. This eliminates the need to refill it constantly. You may be concerned about food spoilage, but there is no need to worry. The hopper's roof and side panels protect the seeds from the elements, and its "on-demand" seed dispensing capabilities prevent any contamination and help preserve the seeds left inside the feeder.

4. Features "On-demand" Automatic Seed Dispensing. The hopper is designed in such a way that the seeds are only available to the birds on demand. This is done through the funnel action provided by the V-shaped side panels. A Hopper feeder stores the seeds and immediately replenishes the feeding ports with the aid of gravity.

5. The hopper feeder may be filled with any kind of seed. This type of bird feeder may be used to hold any sort of bird food you want. It is not restricted to any size of bird feed. Sunflower seed is a favorite of hopper visitors, but seed mixes that contain millet, corn and nuts can be offered through this type of feeder too. You should remember though that mixes encourage crowding and may become wasteful because birds will usually just pick out their favorite seeds from the mix you offer.

6. It has versatile mounting options. The hopper bird feeder is not restricted when it comes to placement choices. This type of feeder can be mounted on a pole. It can also be suspended using sturdy wires, ropes or chains.

To address your squirrel concerns, as long as your hopper feeder is mounted securely and has a baffle attached below it, you should be able to keep those unwanted critters away.

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Cardinal Bird Feeders
By Pam Caouette
Cardinal bird feeders are a great way to attract cardinal birds to your backyard. Cardinal bird feeders will attract these beautifully colored birds right to your door, if you wish. There are different types of cardinal bird feeders. Many bird feeders are designed for birds that weigh more. Cardinals need these types of bird feeders.


Cardinals will eat sunflower seeds and other bird seed from hanging bird feeders (which come in a wide variety of styles and types including wooden bird feeders ,gazebo bird feeders, as well as suet feeders ), or hopper bird feeders (which have a trigger to release the seeds) as well as platform bird feeders (ground bird feeders or tray bird feeders). Cardinal bird feeders can hold a variety of bird seed from sunflower seeds to cracked corn and even peanuts!

Cardinal bird feeders will attract other birds as well, so don’t be surprised if you see a flurry

of color at your backyard bird feeder with the red cardinal bird as well as other wonderful birds. Some of the birds that are attracted to cardinal bird feeders are Evening Grosbeak, Northern Cardinal, Rose-breasted Grosbeak and Blue Jays.

Cardinal bird food for your cardinal bird feeders may include black oil sunflower, buckwheat, black and gray stripe sunflower, and safflower seeds are cardinal bird and grosbeak favorites. Grosbeaks have prominent, seed-cracking bills. Which is why they tend to favor these types of seeds.

Buy your cardinal bird feeder online and have it delivered right to your house. This is a great way to shop for cardinal bird feeders not only do you get to see a variety of cardinal bird feeders, but you can choose the cardinal bird feeder that you want. You can also buy premium cardinal bird seed online and attract beautiful cardinals and other grosbeaks to your yard.
Pam Caouette is the lead author for www.aplusbirdfeeders.com. Visit www.aplusbirdfeeders.com for great information on wild birds and bird feeders.

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Hopper Feeders And Bird Watching
As a novice bird enthusiast you will want items in your garden that will entice the birds to come and visit. Besides providing water for them to drink and bath, a safe place to eat some food is a must. There are lots of bird feeders that you can put in your garden, but Hopper Feeders are probably an excellent choice for the beginner.


These feeders are also sometimes called Wood feeders. This feeder is very good because birds will feel comfortable here. The Hopper Feeders blend in quite well with the rest of your garden environment. A Hopper Feeder that is kiln dried and made from good quality Western Cedar wood will last for a long time and it will weather to a beautiful silvery gray color.

You can use Hopper Feeders right throughout the year. The Hopper Feeders have all-weather screws to help the feeder withstand whatever type of weather your region will experience. The top of the feeder can be easily opened to store bird feed and to make cleaning the Hopper Feeders easy. Since the Hopper Feeder is made from wood the rain will run off the top leaving the seeds inside nice and dry.

There are some birds that like to eat from a feeder that has a solid perch or platform for their eating ease. Northern Cardinals, Bluejays, Chickadees, Finches and others will come visit this sort of feeder. Owning large

sized feeders like the Hopper Feeders will allow you to keep several pounds of sunflower and other seed mixtures in it without any hassle.

This means that you will spend less time refilling the feeder and more time spent on bird watching. A larger seed capacity is very important during the winter. The cold winter season means that with less food in the wild, the birds will depend on you. Your Hopper Feeders will then provide them with a valuable source of food.

The Hopper Feeders can come in many sizes but a good sized Hopper Feeder will measure about 11 ½ inches in length. 9 ½ inches in height and its width will be 9 ½ inches. As these feeders are made from wood you should take care where you will place them in your garden. Squirrels will demolish any Hopper Feeders that have no protection around them.

For this reason make sure that your wooden Hopper Feeders are in an area that has no trees or jumping points nearby for squirrels to take advantage of. Purchasing a good squirrel baffle is also another way to deal with the pesky problem. If you like these furry creatures however you could just place some extra seed away from your Hopper Feeders for the squirrels to enjoy. Whatever you decide, buying any of the Hopper Feeders available will only enhance your garden and bring a great many birds to your feeders.
Author's Sites:Pet Remedies Cat Food Homemade Dog Food Recipes

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Bird Watching Guide - Cheap Bird Feeders
We love to feed the birds that flock to our gardens or that decide to live there. To make this habitat even more attractive to these birds we’ll even place bird friendly items around the garden. Some of these things are very expensive and yet they’re needed. The best way to be able to provide suitable things like bird feeders is to make cheap bird feeders from items that we have at home.


There are lots of things that we can use. An old onion bag is good to hold suet cakes or balls. Suet can be made from any meat fat. This is easily obtainable at your butcher’s or meat department. Melt the fat by boiling it and combine it with fruits, peanuts, peanut butter, grains or seeds to make a high energy meal. Place this cake into the onion bag and hang it outside where birds like Woodpeckers, Bluebirds and Nuthatches will enjoy this treat from cheap bird feeders like this.

You can also create a tasty pine cone bird feeder. You need to tie a strong string piece or twine around one end of a pine cone. Roll the pine cone in peanut butter very thickly; coat the entire peanut butter pine cone in bird seeds of your choice. Use the twine or string to hang it up near a tree.

Other cheap bird feeders can be made from an old plastic 2 liter drink bottle. Wash the bottle out thoroughly with warm water only. When the

bottle dries completely replace the cap back on the bottle. Turn the bottle over so that the fat end is facing you. Cut 3 triangular flaps in the bottle. These flaps shouldn’t be very big or very wide. The pointed end of the flaps should face towards the bottle cap when they are pulled outwards. These flaps will act as the bird perches of your “new” cheap bird feeders.

Everyone loves to eat Shish Kabobs. This food type does not have to be restricted to humans alone. You can give birds a fruit and vegetable “Shish Kabob” too. What you need to do is to choose some fruits, bread pieces and vegetables that you can give the birds. Pierce these foods together with a metal hook to create some tasty cheap bird feeders.

More, easy to make yet cheap bird feeders are trays that you fill with bird seeds. You can put these up on tree stumps or knee high tables to make platform feeders. You should however keep an eye out for cats who might decide to make a meal out of your birds.

Whatever you decide to make your cheap bird feeders from, remember to keep sharp edged items away from them. The birds can be hurt from these edges. Besides this anything that will hold bird seed and suet cakes are good cheap bird feeders that you can make and keep in your garden. There’s no better way to enjoy the birds that live in your area.
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tube bird feeders

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Bird Feeders: Landscaping For Birds
By Kelvin Brown
As people learn to enjoy the beauty of birds around their home, they may wish to improve the "habitat" in their yard so that more birds will visit their property. Let’s look at planting a variety of trees, shrubs, and flowers to attract birds. These can provide good nesting sites, winter shelter, places to hide from predators and natural food supplies that are available year-round.


Beautiful landscaping isn’t only for attracting birds. It can increase your property value, provide natural beauty, and become a playground for young ones as various wildlife is attracted to your yard.

Landscaping for birds involves nine basic principles:

1. Food
Every bird species has its own unique food requirements that may change as the seasons change. Learn the food habits of the birds you wish to attract. Then plant the appropriate trees, shrubs, and flowers to provide the fruits, berries, seeds, acorns, and nectar.

2. Water
You may be able to double the number of bird species in your yard by providing a source of water. A frog pond, water garden, or bird bath will get lots of bird use, especially if the water is dripping, splashing or moving.

3. Shelter
Birds need places where they can hide from predators and escape from severe weather. Trees (including dead ones), shrubs, tall grass and bird houses provide excellent shelter.

4. Diversity
The best landscaping plan is one that includes a variety of native plants. This helps attract the most bird species.

5. Four Seasons
Give the birds food and shelter

throughout the year by planting a variety of trees, shrubs and flowers that provide year-round benefits.

6. Arrangement
Properly arrange the different habitat components in your yard. Consider the effects of prevailing winds (and snow drifting) so your yard will be protected from harsh winter weather.

7. Protection
Birds should be protected from unnecessary mortality. When choosing the placement of bird feeders and nest boxes, consider their accessibility to predators. Picture windows can also be dangerous for birds. They tend to fly directly at windows when they see the reflection of trees and shrubs.
A network of parallel, vertical strings spaced 4 inches apart can be placed on the outside of windows to prevent this problem. Be cautious about the kinds of herbicides and pesticides used in your yard. Apply them only when necessary and strictly according to label instructions. In fact, try gardening and lawn care without using pesticides. Details can be found in gardening books at the library.

8. Hardiness Zones
When considering plants not native to your area, consult a plant hardiness zone map, found in most garden catalogues. Make sure the plants you want are rated for the winter hardiness zone classification of your area.

9. Soils and Topography
Consult your local garden center, university or county extension office to have your soil tested. Plant species are often adapted to certain types of soils. If you know what type of soil you have, you can identify the types of plants that will grow best in your yard.
Kelvin Brown, author of the Introduction to Bird Watching, is a nature and bird lover. You can get additional information by visiting www.avidbirdwatching.com

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Finch bird feeders

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Garden Bird Feeders
By Tony Harries
Let's Begin With Some "Feeder Facts"


When bird feeders are first offered in your yard, it may take the birds a few weeks to discover and recognize them as a source of food. Bird feeders are containers resembling lanterns into which solicitous humans place seeds or other types of bird feed, to attract and feed the birds in the surrounding area.

Bird feeders are the the surest and fastest way to attract birds to your yard .Bird feeders are a must for home birdwatching, and many people have webcams trained on their feeders, where birds often congregate.

Bird feeders are an attractive inclusion to the gardens, courtyards and terraces and are easy to put up and easy to take care of.

Hanging bird feeders are usually hung in trees or below the eaves of a porch or patio.

Stationary bird feeders are available in two types: those that can be attached to a tree, and those that are perched on top of a pole.

Squirrels may visit the bird feeder and hoard all the seeds, not to mention, scare away all the birds, but very few bird feeders are truly squirrel proof. Platform bird feeders are for the birds that like to eat off the ground.

Window bird feeders are a great way to bring birds close to your house. Squirrel proof bird feeders are also a great way to protect your bird seed from being eaten by other animals, but if you like squirrels

too, then this feeder is not a consideration for you.

Many times, bird feeders are only used during the winter since thats when their food source is the lowest. Although there are all styles and types of bird feeders, the most successful bird feeders are dependent upon the placement of the feeder and the type of food source on the wild bird feeder.

Pole Bird Feeders are great for encouraging lots of bird types to your garden, but having a Pole Bird Feeder is also a great way to discourage bird-eating cats from pouncing on your feathered guests.

Three basic types of bird feeders are available: hopper, tube and platform. While bird feeders are thought of as winter projects, urban and suburban areas can benefit from bird feeders year-round.

Stone bird feeders are generally available in marble, granite, sandstone and soapstone.

Technical structures of bird feeders are so important to consider because these things will determine the quality and the kind of seeds needed to supply the birds' daily meal.

With a natural gift for life, bird feeders are uplifting, relaxing and entertaining. After your bird feeders are up, make a covered notebook and keep track of all the birds you see.

You've heard the saying about a gift that keeps on giving, well, bird feeders are truly the gift that "keeps on giving" enjoyment all year long.

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Window bird feeders

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Wild Bird Feeders - Quality Check
By Michael Rasco

Wild bird feeders can be found in countless styles and designs. There are tube feeders, platform feeders, hopper feeders, squirrel-resistant bird feeders, feeders for particular species of birds, and many more. Though the forms and functions of wild bird feeders are multitudinous, one thing should remain consistent - a high standard of quality. Poor bird feeder construction is not only potentially dangerous for birds, it will ultimately lead to frustration and more money spent on the part of the aspiring bird watcher. The good news is that a well-constructed wild bird feeder usually only costs a few dollars more than a shabby one. If you are in the market for a wild bird feeder (and you should be - bird watching is a very fulfilling hobby), make sure you purchase a well-made product. Following are a few things you should look for.
General sturdiness is imperative. A good, sturdy wild bird feeder will last for many years. Immediately inspect your new bird feeder both visually and with your hands. Look for cracks, rust, loose parts, or anything that seems awry to you. If the bird feeder is broken, or if there is anything about the bird feeder that you have questions about, bring it to the seller's attention. Most people in the birding business are after more than just profits; they want to share their love of bird watching, and are therefore very eager to help. If you want to purchase a wild bird feeder online, the same applies. Look into the return policy of online retailers before you buy, so you know what your options are. In most cases, it is very hassle free; they want your business and your referrals, so they need you to be satisfied.
Most tube style wild bird feeders are made of plastic and metal. The plastic should be strong and, again, free of cracks. The metal parts will likely be made of rustproof material, but check it all the same. The feeder ports, or the holes through which birds can access the seed, will be fitted with a grommet, usually

made of metal. Ensure that the grommet is not loose or easily removed. It is there to reinforce the hole in the plastic and prevent cracking. It will often have a little perch attached at the bottom, also. The fact that your beloved backyard birds will alight on that perch is all the more reason to be sure that the grommet is stable.
Look at the method of construction. Screws and welds are strong and long lasting. Few, if any, nails should be used in its construction. Nails will come loose easily if the feeder is dropped, or even just through temperature changes, during which wood, plastic, and metal will expand or contract. The same is true of glue. Nails and glue should only be used on nonessential parts, such as decorative aspects.
These days, many wild bird feeders have moving, even motorized parts. This is particularly true of squirrel-resistant bird feeders. Check to make sure that the parts move easily, without grinding or catching. Motorized parts should not be moved by hand, as it could jam up the machinery. Motorized parts of wild bird feeders are usually weight-activated; to check them, simply apply a little pressure with your finger, if you can do so without hurting yourself or the feeder. If not, use a stick or a pencil, or wait until a squirrel tries to get at the seed. The only sound should be the whir of the tiny motor and possibly the angry chattering of the retreating squirrel. You should not hear squeaking (except from squirrels) or grating. Always follow the manufacturer's guidelines for maintenance.
Once you deploy the wild bird feeder, watch it for any issues that may not have been apparent in the initial inspection. Contact the seller as soon as possible if you see any problems. Most wild bird feeder stores will be very understanding as long as the problem did not arise through misuse or abuse.
Now that you are confident in the quality of your wild bird feeder, it is time to fill it with nutritious seed, and enjoy the birds!
Michael Rasco is the owner of UtopiaBirdHouses.com, a website committed to providing high quality birding products and wild bird information.

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