Attracting Wild Birds

As more land is used to accommodate thefood type important, but the time period you
ever-growing human population, yards and cityfeed and the consistency of feeding is very
parks become important bird habitat. Diversifiedimportant as well.Many people will only feed the
landscaping and feeding stations offer an oasis ofbirds in the winter months, which is when they
resources in the middle of human domain. Feedingneed it most, however, by feeding throughout the
and watching birds gives families the opportunityspring and summer months you will attract the
to practice conservation right in their own yards.migratory birds returning from southern climates.
Children can learn and enjoy the wonders ofIn addition, by feeding in the spring and summer,
nature right from the kitchen window. Children willparenting birds will have easy access to a food
be able to observe the hatching of young chickssource for their young. Food like seeds, protein
and learn how many birds help control the insectrich insects and worms, flies; birds love
population.One fun aspect of feeding birds ismosquitoes, spiders, aphids and ants. Do not kill all
learning what birds are visiting your backyardthe bugs in your yard if you want birds. Flowers,
habitat. There are several good identification fieldshrubs and trees will encourage a rich insect life in
guides such as National Geographic, Peterson'syour yard that will, in turn, provide necessary
East & West and Birds of North America throughfood for wild birds. If you want to attract
which the wild birds can be identified. Birds arehummingbirds to your garden, this can be
grouped by physical characteristics. It is fairlyaccomplished in several ways. If you plant
easy to distinguish a duck from a songbird by justhoneysuckle, common lilac (with purple flowers),
looking at body shape and size, as well as thered geraniums, nasturtium, red petunias, red salvia,
beak and feet shapes. These physicalcoral bells, columbine, fuchsia and even scarlet
characteristics will help identify birds: size, bodyrunner beans, there is a good chance that you will
shape, colors, markings, beak shape, feet andsee hummingbirds feeding among your flowers.
wing shape in flight. Birds have a variety of calls.Fresh, clean water made available year round is
Good listeners can learn to tell the differencean important element of attracting wild birds.The
between "chickadee" and "cheerily - cheerio -simplest and most readily available is a shallow
cheeriup" calls of the Black-capped Chickadee andbirdbath. Birdbaths can be kept thawed even in
the American Robin. The most important elementwinter by a birdbath heater. Most garden birds like
is the type of food offered to the wild birds. Thea water source far enough from surrounding
widest variety of food sources ensures thevegetation to offer surveillance against a surprise
widest variety of birds. Ensure that your birdattack from squirrels, rats, big birds. If there is
feeder is kept clean. Old, moldy seed left in thewater falling or dripping making sound this will
feeder will not attract wild birds. Not only is theattract birds even more towards the backyard.