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Wild Bird Feeders

So you’ve decided that now would be a great time to add a wild bird feeder and perhaps even a birdhouse to your back yard. You’ll be able to spend hours of enjoyment watching your bird friends. That is if you install the correct wild bird feeders.

Remember just as different folks have different eating habits and enjoy different dining experiences so do birds. For example a hummingbird is looking for very different feeder than a chickadee so be sure you know the birds native to your area and that you are providing feeding accommodations that they will use.

You’ll need to decide what the best location for your feeder is. Many of the commercially produced feeders come with their own stand so you can set the up just about anywhere but a more natural feeder might hang in the tree blending with the surrounding surface.

Just as all birds wont’ nest in any birdhouse all birds won’t just use any feeder. So you’ll need to discover what it is your local birds want and will use.

Another common problem is predators. Squirrels and other creatures especially rodents like mice and rats are attracted to the seed found in the feeders and these are creatures you don’t want hanging around.

You can deter them just by choosing a style of feeder where they are not comfortably able to get at the feed. This style of feeder generally has a smaller opening so that they can only get a kernel or two at a time which just doesn’t please them and they will go of in search of easy findings.

The bird feeder styles that are wide open leaving all kinds of food for easy access with result in you having a rodent problem in no time at all. That’s as bad as just throwing seed all over your back yard.

You will need to decide whether you want to build your own feeder or buy one that’s already to go at the store. It can be a tough call. If you enjoy building projects then that might be the best choice for you. It won’t take very long and you’ll have you feeder out there for the birds.

If however you aren’t much of a builder and don’t like messy projects then why not buy one of the many ready to go styles on the market. Stores like Home Depot have plenty of them, as do garden centers and online sites where your choices are endless and the prices very reasonable.

There are a few things you need to keep in mind if you are building your own feeder. The wood you use should not be pressure treated because the chemicals used in this process are toxic to the birds. You also need to be careful when you paint the wood that there is no lead in the paint. And lastly make sure there has been no creosote used to treat the wood.

Pine, redwood, cedar, poplar, and spruce are all excellent choices for your birdhouse and it will stand up to most weather conditions you can throw its way.

Deciding whether to paint and decorate your bird house is up to you. Here are some things to keep in mind if you are going to paint your bird house. Raw wood deteriorates over time. The elements of Mother Nature such as rain, ice, heat, wind, and snow will age the wood. If you paint or varnish the wood it will help protect it and keep it from cracking, splitting, and rotting.

But you need to make sure the product you use is latex based. That means water based and that it contains no lead. Lead is not only toxic to humans it is also toxic to animals. The birds will peck at the wood and could ingest paint flakes so make sure you use the correct type of paint.

How you paint it is entirely up to you. Paint it a single color or let your artistic skills flow and dress it up a little. What’s important is that you have some fun.

Many of the craft stores and hardware stores also sell bird houses that are complete except for the paint or decorating you want to do. It’s a quick way to get your birdhouse while still adding a bit of a personal touch.

Birds are a wonderful gift from Mother Nature and they have a way of uplifting ones spirit even when you are down. How often have you glanced outside to see birds digging for worms after a rain storm or bathing in a puddle? It puts a smile on your face right?

Well why not invite them into your backyard. You know how with the human race we always hear “built it and they will come,” well birds are the same. Give them places to relax, bath, build nests, and enjoy their life without the risk of predators and they too will come. So what wild bird feeders are in your backyards future?

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