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Friday, May 13, 2005
  Articles on this page: • Birds in paradise Birds in paradise Turn your back yard into the ideal avian sanctuary Creating a bird-friendly back yard in one weekend is easier than it sounds. And, according to Sally Roth, author of "Attracting Birds to Your Backyard" (Rodale Press, $16.95) and "The Backyard Bird Feeder's Bible" (Rodale Press, $29.95), homeowners can keep their feathered friends flocking for less than $50. "Start by thinking like a bird," Roth said. "Two main things drive a bird's habits — to avoid being eaten and to find food. "Just like us, birds need food, shelter and water," she said. To meet these needs, an ideal bird sanctuary should have feeders tailored to specific species, a birdbath and plenty of plants. FEEDING THE FLOCKS To attract all types of birds, a range of edible items must be available, which requires multiple feeders — though this isn't as complicated as it sounds. "The best feeder is a simple open tray — the bigger the better," Roth said. "The food is easy to see, there's lots of room for customers and you don’t have to fool around with fancy contraptions — just dump seed into it or swipe shells out of it. "My most-used feeder is a triangular sheet of particle board bailed across the corner of the deck," she said. "Not so snazzy looking, but really easy to use for me and the birds." A mixture of black oil sunflower seeds and millet works well in tray feeders, and it will satisfy all seed-eating birds. "The sunflower is for the bigger guys like cardinals, jays, strong-beaked titmice, chickadees, woodpeckers and goldfinches," Roth said. "The tiny millet is for small seed-eaters, including native sparrows, juncos, indigo buntings, tanagers and towhees. "For treats — or if you want to steal you neighbors' birds’ affections — add nuts of any kind and specialty seeds such as finch mix or shelled sunflower chips. "Another basic feeder to offer is a tube filled with Niger seed, which will bring goldfinches and maybe pine siskins and purple finches," she said. A suet feeder is another essential. "You'll definitely want to offer suet, which attracts woodpeckers and lots of other seed-eating birds, as well as those that prefer soft foods, such as bluebirds, Carolina wrens and brown thrashers," she said. BATHING BEAUTIES Birds need water as much as they need food. Whether homeowners opt for a low-cost bathing area or a more lavish avian oasis, the No. 1 priority should be creating a safe, comfortable bath. "The best birdbath is expensive — about $70 — and includes a mister device or dripper that emits a trickle of water," Roth said. "It's fake rock, with pools of different depths. It looks natural, feels natural and sounds natural. On the other hand, robins, cardinals, catbirds and many others are accustomed to old-fashioned concrete pedestal birdbaths and use them freely." Whether top of the line or simple concrete, the best birdbaths are shallow with a rough surface, Roth said. "Don't buy slippery glass or ceramic," she said. "Birds will visit those only when they’re desperate. Remember, they want to feel safe, not like they’re going to slip in the water." The birdbath should be set in a flower bed or at the edge of an open lawn area, she said. And don't forget to keep it clean. The bath should be emptied, disinfected and refilled every two days. LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION Selecting the perfect feeding-station location can be tricky. Ideally, feeders should be close enough to the house to meet the bird-watchers' needs, yet retain a sense of safety and security for the feathered flocks. "It's no fun feeding birds if you have to squint to see them," Roth said. "Put the feeder as close to the window you’ll be watching from as you can. Pick a location that’s easy to get to so you don’t waste time on a bitter cold or snowy morning. You won’t want to hike around the house to fill the feeder. A few steps from the door is best." With a feeder so close to the house, a safe approach is essential, according to Roth. Trees, shrubs and other plants placed a short distance from the feeder will help birds feel right at home — and bring some unexpected benefits. "Birds are very well aware of their low link on the food chain, and a barren yard won't have many birds visiting for longer than it takes to grab a bite at the feeder," she said. "But a yard that’s full of shrubs, trees and flower beds will have birds nesting and passing through everyday, every season. "Buy as many shrubs as you can afford and plant them in groups around your yard, including at least one near the feeder area." Not only do shrubs provide a sense of security, they are a source of food for many species, according to Roth. "Keep in mind that the absolute No. 1 bird food is insects," she said. "Every single bird eats bugs. Give a bird, any bird, its choice between a nice fat caterpillar and the most expensive birdseed in the world, and the caterpillar gets grabbed first." How do you keep birds safe and supply them with bugs? With plants, particularly shrubs, Roth said. To further entice birds, plant purple coneflowers (Echinacea purpurea), cosmos, zinnia and sunflowers of the seeding variety, she suggested. "Songbirds will eat the seeds of all these as they mature, from late summer through winter. Butterflies and hummingbirds will drink nectar from the flowers. Songbirds will also visit the flowers to eat insects and spiders that live on them, or to dig for worms in the mulch."  RETURN TO TOP |
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