Creating A Bird Habitat
Creating a habitat for birds can be a fun and rewarding hobby. To attract and keep birds coming to the new environment you've created, there are a few simple things you can do.
Hang a variety of bird houses for different types of birds. Many birds will come back to their habitat year after year to roost in the same bird house. Do some research to find out what types of birds you want to attract and where they like their houses.
You will also want a variety of bird feeders and food. If you want to keep the birds around you must provide food and shelter for them year round. If you forget to feed them for some time or stop feeding them all together they will find a suitable habitat elsewhere. Choose wild bird feed that suites your local birds.
Birds also love a good bath and a drink. Bird baths are great places for birds. They can cool off in the summer heat, take a bath, etc. I find a shady place for a birdbath to be the best. In the summer it won't dry out as fast or grow algae. Birds also need a water source in the winter. A Bird Bath Heater is a great way to provide a water source during the frigid winter months.
Birds are super fun to watch. Each species seems to have their own personality, song and dance routine. Get a pair of binoculars and keep them handy. Also, Birding books, CDs and DVDs of your region will help you identify new birds. Your bird habitat will always attract new wild birds that you may or may not be familiar with.
I'm no expert on birds by any stretch of imagination, however, I know I love to watch a pair of House Finches come back to their same bird house every season. This bird house has been hanging in the same spot on my front porch since the previous owners lived here.
My family all love to watch the birds come to the window feeder. They are so up close, its the only time my 3 small children stay still and quiet.
Providing a safe and comfortable habitat for birds can also be just having good naturalshelter. Trees and shrubs can provide natural shelter, shade and protection. Shrubs that have berries in the fall and winter, like Viburnum, Oregon Grape Holly, and Pyracantha provide great food for the birds into the winter. Sunflowers are a great summer treat for the birds. Birds of course, by nature know their own habitats and when you can provide all things that nature would provide, you will have a bird habitat in your own yard that will be alive and teaming with many different types of birds.
Be patient when creating a new habitat for the birds. It takes a little time for the birds to discover a new environment. Once they do, you will be surprised and pleased at the variety of beauty now in your yard.
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