How To Attract Wild Birds Into Your Backyard
A wonderful way to teach your children about nature is by welcoming it into your backyard. There are some very simple things you can do to entice wild birds into your back yard. Of course a bird feeder is the best way, a bird bath helps, and also bird houses. There are many different types of birds that are attracted to birdhouses. Martins, Cardinals, Eastern Blue Birds, Wrens and Finches are just an example. What you do need to remember is that all these birds have different physical and instinctive characteristics. A bird house that would attract Martins will not attract Finches. When you are thinking your bird house plans remember that the house needs to be functional to the type of bird you're trying to attract. How decorative your bird house is doesn't matter. Whether the color of the bird house is white, or whether it's made out of wood is secondary to it's functionality. Some birds according to experts do have materials they prefer. Some birds prefer wooden bird houses. The best would be cedar or redwood. Never use pressure treated wood as the chemicals can harm the birds. If you do use wood always leave the wood natural on the inside. Most experts suggest painting bird houses white so that they reflect heart away. Also, when you are building the birdhouse remember to make sure you have made the roof, or back of the house removeable for cleaning when nesting season is over. It's easy learning how to build a bird house. You can make a hand crafted bird house as unique or fancy as you want. Some people make decorative birdhouses that work as a piece of art in their garden. Some choose to use bark to build a birdhouse making it look more natural. Just remember to do your research and follow sizing closely. Eastern Bluebird houses should be 4x4 or 5x5 inches. Western and Mountain Blue Birds are larger so they will require a bit bigger of a house. The size of the entry hole is of major importance. If you're attracting smaller birds you'll obviously want the size of the entry hole to be sized to accommodate that particular bird only. For instance, the diameter of the entry hole in a Chickadee house should be 1 1/8 inches. For a Flicker it should be 2 1/2 inches. Purple Martins are gregarious nesters which is why their birdhouses are multi storied to hold an entire colony of Martins. Swallows like to nest individually under eaves of buildings. Swallows are easily enticed with an easily constructed covered nest shelf. Catbirds, Thrashers and Robins will also use the same technique for nesting so the same type of nest should attract them. Remember to always have water nearby the bird house. |
