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Have you ever thought of how wild birds can handle the cold weather?
Another day I was having my breakfast watching the birds from my window
and this thought came to my mind.
During the cold winter months we use blankets and stay indoors where we
have heat. What about the birds? I decided to do a search through the
internet to get some knowledge about these little creatures that look
so fragile. I learned a lot of things and now I would like to share
them with you.
I learned that they don’t need us humans to help them survive; just
like most animals, they can defend themselves against the harsh cold
weather. Some birds migrate during the winter season to places with
warmer temperatures. Usually the birds that migrate are insect eating
and they have to migrate because the insects dormant in the winter.
The other birds that eat berries, fruits and seeds such as woodpeckers,
chickadees, nuthatches, grosbeaks, finches, redpolls, crossbills, snow
buntings, cardinals, waxwings, magpies, jays, ravens, crows, house
sparrows, and starlings stay in the cold winter.
Birds eat continuously during the winter to store up fat. They use this
extra fat at night to create heat. When birds don’t find a bird feeder
with sunflower seeds, safflower seeds, suet or peanuts they eat berries
from the trees such as holly, hawthorn, crab apple, birch and elder.
These threes produce small red berries which are an emergency source of
food for birds in the winter time.
If you decide to help your feathered friends this winter, provide them
with a bird feeder. Look for feeders that have drain holes to keep the
seeds dry after the rain or after a harsh snowy weather. If you have an
open bird feeder, keep your feeder under your porch or in a location
that you know the seeds will be dry and the wind will not blow the
seeds away. Just keep in mind that open bird feeders attract squirrels
and they will enjoy the bird’s food too.
Some suggestions for squirrel proof bird feeders are the Absolute II
Squirrel Proof Birdfeeder, the Birdseed Vault II Squirrel Proof Feeder
and the Super Stop-A-Squirrel Proof Bird Feeder. They are made of
durable metal which can resist harsh weather and keep the squirrels out
of the bird food. They have drain holes to keep the seeds dry. They
also have an adjustable perch so you can watch your favorite birds
eating their scrumptious meal. The adjustable perches allow you to set
the weight so you can choose if a larger bird will be able to access
the bird seeds.
Birds grow additional feathers in the fall which fluff up and create
pockets of warm air next to the skin. The feathers are used as
insulation to keep them warm during the cool days and cold nights and
to protect them from getting wet when it rains or snows. They also help
to keep their eggs and their little ones warm. Their feathers can be
used as camouflage to protect themselves against predators.
A way to protect the birds from getting wet and cold would be by
providing a bird house to keep them warm. A bird house is a safe place
to lay their eggs, raise their babies and to protect them against
predators.
To attract birds to your bird house you should place a bird house in
the right spot such as large trees, (Preferably 15 feet above the
ground.) on a metal pole far from bird feeders and under the eaves of
your house. The reason to place a bird house far from a bird feeder is
because the food can attract predators such as cats, chipmunks,
cowbirds, crows, falcons, grackles, hawks, jays, owls, raccoons,
roadrunners, snakes, and squirrels who will eat the bird food, make the
birds food and even eat the little birds before and after they hatch.
Birds have a unique way to nest that’s different from other birds. When
positioning your bird house in your yard or garden do a search to find
out how to attract your favorite birds. Songbirds such as
white-throated sparrow, painted bunting, northern cardinal, like to
nest in shrub style vegetation. Other birds such as the pine warbler,
yellow-throated warbler, chickadees, prefer to nest 15 feet above the
ground. Birds such as bluebirds and the nuthatches prefer to nest in a
abandoned woodpecker holes.
When buying a bird house look for the ones that have a natural look to
them. Birds like bird houses that resemble nature over a bird house
with a fresh coat of paint. I recommend taking a look at our natural
looking bird houses. The El Madrid Bird House and the Seville Bird
House are modeled after Spanish styled homes built during the housing
boom in Florida between 1923 and 1929. They are hand crafted in wood
and resemble nature. Another bird house I would recommend is the Moose
Lodge Wood Birdhouse, which is created of wood and moss.
You have now provided your feathered friends with a bird feeder and a
bird house. What could you possibly do for them now? Offer them fresh
water by providing a bird bath. Keep your bird bath clean and fill it
with fresh water often. The best location to place a bird bath is
between trees and scrubs.
You may live in an area where the weather is freezing. You should buy a
heated birdbath to keep the water from freezing up. Some products such
as our Rocky Mountain Bird Bath with heater and dripper and the Heated
Bird Bath 20 inch will keep the water from freezing.
I am glad that I did this search and I got the knowledge about these
little creatures. Now I know that I can do something to help them pass
through the harsh weather that will come.
What about you? Can you make a difference in a bird’s life?
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