Johann Erickson

If you are the type of person who enjoys all aspects of nature, and loves to see it right at your door or outside the window, consider hanging some bird feeders that are suitable to the feathered population of your region.

A little research at the library or over the Internet, will tell you what type of birds are likely to frequent your area in the various seasons. Once you know that, you can look up their dietary preferences, and from there you’ll be able to choose bird feeders that will deliver the appropriate blend of foods, in an easily accessible way. Bear in mind that bird feeders which are filled with large size seeds, or fragments of corn and peanuts, must have an adequate opening to dispense the contents, or the birds will realize they can’t get at the food, and will go elsewhere.

Another consideration, is where to place your feeder in terms of height, and location relative to the house or the “traffic” of humans or pets. Some birds that become accustomed to the presence of humans, will feed regardless of your presence, but more easily startled species may refuse to come down out of trees if there is too much activity around the feeding station.

There are all kinds of beautiful and decorative bird feeders for species that peck their food from the ground. These include charming figures such as angels, fairies or cherubs, holding out bowls, or the large blossom of a flower, which serves as the dish for cracked corn, and other feeds.

Birds that prefer not to light while they dine, will appreciate one of the hanging bird feeders that you can suspend from a tree branch, or a special upright bracket attached to a patio railing. You’ll find a wide variety of shapes and styles, in colorful stained glass, and shaped like gazebos, barns, or natural wood logs. But again, keep in mind the type of seed you’ll be putting in it. There can be quite a difference in what is appropriate to the species of birds in your area, ranging in size from the very tiny thistle seed known as niger, which is fed to finches, and the larger, black and white striped sunflower seeds favored by Blue Jays, and other big birds. If you want to avoid the problems that seed size can cause, you might opt for the open hanging dish, which come in charming designs like a large flower blossom, a lily pad with a frog, or a decorative arrangement of leaves, with a miniature gazing ball.

Of course, one of the most delightful birds you can attract through the type of flowers you plant, as well as extra feeders, is the hummingbird. These tiny, and exquisitely colored birds, will dash and flit around your garden, adding to the brightness and activity in your yard. Hummingbird feeders are generally made of plastic, to avoid the breakage possible with glass. Since they feed on the natural nectar of flowers, what you put in humming bird feeders is not seed, but a solution that you can buy powdered, or make yourself. It’s as simple as boiling 1 cup of water, and ¼ cup of sugar. You can make larger batches and store it in the fridge, because the feeders will need changing every few days to avoid fermentation and spoilage of the solution. Wash in a solution of dish soap and 10% bleach, and rinse completely before refilling. One tip to help avoid spoilage, is to hang your humming bird feeders out of direct sunlight.

Whichever type of bird feeders you choose to brighten up the yard or garden, you’ll reap the rewards with hours of entertainment.

Johann Erickson is the owner of Online Discount Mart.