Birdwatching 101

Birdwatching 101

Some people want to try bird watching but hesitate for several reasons. They think that bird watching is an expensive hobby, one that would require costly gear and equipment. Hence, they miss out on an enjoyable and sometimes wondrous experience. But you do not need fancy equipment just to enjoy nature and observe colourful feathered creatures. Here are a few things you should know if you are thinking of starting bird watching as a hobby or even just as a leisure activity.

Clothing should suit the weather in which you are going bird watching. If it is the cold season, then of course you would have to venture out in thick clothing. Wear layers of warm clothing, gloves, socks, a scarf, anything that can protect you from the cold. Remember that sometimes you would need to watch and wait for quite a time to spot a bird or wait for one to come near you. So, preparing for the kind of weather you might find yourself bird watching in would not be a terrible thing to do.

Another tip is to wear camouflage clothing. Wear clothes whose color blend in with the surroundings, such as green. But you need not overdo it and look like you had just come out of a military exercise. You can also blend in by not wearing bright or shocking colors that will alert birds of your presence. Keep any sparkling or shiny items as well.

Another essential item to bring with you while bird watching is a notebook and a pen. This is where you record your observations; you can even do some sketches of the birds you will see.

Of course, there is the guidebook, which contains information on the different kinds of birds you can possibly encounter. Choose a guidebook that is small and lightweight since you will be bringing it with you out in the field.

Bring a camera that is lightweight and which has an optical zoom of at least 4x magnification. Dont settle with your digital zoom. Digital zoom is practically useless since what it does is not actually magnify the image but rather creates pixels to make the magnified image smoother or less pixelized.

A good thing to bring during bird watching trips is a sound recorder. This is to record bird sounds or bird calls. Eventually, when youre good enough, you can identify the birds by their calls alone.

Looking for place to go bird watching is not that difficult. If there are wooded or open areas with trees or bushes, you can go there and see birds. If you have a yard, you can set up a bird feeder to attract birds. Bird watching is essentially a waiting game so be patient. All you need to do is sit and wait.

To give you some tips on the proper baits to set up to attract the most varied kinds of birds. Hummingbirds, for example, target red, pink and orange flowers. They particularly like the trumpet vines or other tubular-flowered plants. Or if you lack the flowers, a bird feeder containing water and sugar could attract these fast flying birds.

Even if bird watching is relatively tame stuff compared to other hobbies, it is still vital that you learn the basics. Bird watching 101 should not only about the joys of bird watching but rather would help prepare for the tasking yet fun-filled day.

 

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Birdfeeders birdhouses the perfect outdoor accessories.

Birdfeeders & Birdhouses- The perfect outdoor accessories.

Choosing the right birdfeeder and/or birdhouse can be a rather difficult decision. Anytime is the right time to mount or hang your birdfeeder or birdhouse...

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Choosing the right birdfeeder and/or birdhouse can be a rather difficult decision. Anytime is the right time to mount or hang your birdfeeder or birdhouse. As birds begin to search for a place to feed and create their nest, make sure your birdfeeders are mounted or hung and your birdhouse is ready for their inspection.

Birds that usually occupy bird houses include wood ducks, goldeneyes, buffleheads, mergansers, american kestrels, owls, woodpeckers, northern flickers, flycatchers, tree swallows, purple martins, titmice, chickadees, nuthatches, wrens, bluebirds, starlings, sparrows, and house finches.

Ever wonder which birdfeeder to use and/or what bird food will attract certain birds? Your solution is here. Use black oil sunflower seed in a tube feeder with a tray to attract cardinals, finches, jays, sparrows, chickadees, pine siskins, titmouses, nuthatches, woodpeckers, and redpolls. Use a thistle feeder with thistle seed to attract fi

 

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Birdfeeders and birdhouses find helpful information on your wild birds feeding and nesting preferences.

Birdfeeders and Birdhouses: Find helpful information on your wild birds feeding and nesting preferences.

Bluebirds and swallows seem to prefer a wide open area location for their birdhouse, but the robins like their nestboxes underneath eaves and in the trees. The nuthatches and wrens are attracted to...

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Bird Houses
Bluebirds and swallows seem to prefer a wide open area location for their birdhouse, but the robins like their nestboxes underneath eaves and in the trees. The nuthatches and wrens are attracted to a bird house that is mounted on the just inside a tree line. We carry wood bird houses for wrens, bluebirds, and bats. We also have decorative bird houses to decorate your yard and/or garden.

Bird houses for the bluebird are deeper than for the swallows, nuthatches and wrens. One thing that always amazed me is the lack of cooperation from the birds in using the correct bird house. Birds like to invade each others domains when they are unoccupied. A simple solution to this would be to place predator guards under or above your bird house if you have problems with such predators. A predator guard can consist of a thin sheet of tin about 18 to 24 inches high rap

 

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Bird watching with kids

Bird Watching with Kids

If you are looking for something fun to do with your family on weekends, but are tired of the usual activities, why not try nature for a change, such as bird watching? Yep, if bringing those kids to the wilderness once in a while means dragging them out off the couch and from television set or their video games should be fine, right? Bird watching with kids might also inspire them to care more for the environment.

Introduce your kids to bird watching slowly. You can start with the birds that visit your backyard. What you can do is provide some sort of bird feeders to attract some birds and voila, you can have as much fun as you will have in amusement parks or in the movies. Beginning with the local bird species will also help your young ones to get familiar with the different species of American birds. They get to learn the various animals (which incidentally are almost always located in Africa such as lions, elephants, tigers) from television and from school but are unable to identify an American robin.

To get your quality time dubbed backyard adventure dubbed scientific study rolling, you will have to prepare basically two very important equipments. First, a good bird guide is necessary. You will have to get something that you kids will understand, of course. A simple, highly illustrated, richly colored bird guide will do. You dont have to be comprehensive. You can settle with books talking about local species and eventually move up to the more all-embracing field guide as your kids interest and knowledge grow.

A good guide will also teach children what they should or should not do in different situations like when they find a birds nest, birds eggs and even newly hatched chicks. Part of the guides responsibility is to spur interest on birds and nature, if possible. A challenging job for a guide, but as parents you have a share to that responsibility as well.

The second important thing that you will need would be a good pair of binoculars. You can find binoculars for kids in the market. You might want to think of settling for those kinds so your kid can properly hold them. They might find it difficult to hold the big ones. Another option would be to position the binoculars to focus on the bird feeders and then mount it on a tripod so your kid doesnt need to hold it.

Be wary of your clothes as well. Be aware that you would have to wait for some time, if youre in your backyard, or walk a considerable distance if youre backyard is a ranch, farm, or forested area, before you a bird sighting.

But walking, waiting and watching the birds feed and fly away in your backyard is not the only activity that you and you kid can do. You need to engage your kids to other bird related activities to keep them interested. Other activities include making bird feeders, a bird house, or creating a bird journal.

Bird watching is also a good opportunity to introduce your kid to other skills like photography or illustrating. Bird watching with your kids is a great activity that can be vital to your childs development. It is an interesting and engaging project that, in my opinion, should be practiced by all parents.

 

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Bird watching videos

Bird Watching Videos

Ever seen a commercial on television saying that this episode will air at this time but you wont be able to see it? Well, it is a good thing that we now have Tivo to record it for us. But if you want to keep a copy of the show especially if it has something to do with bird watching, it is great to know that there are videos.

These bird watching videos are well made because these are produced by the likes of the Animal Planet, Discovery or the National Geographic. When they make a video, they do a lot of planning and editing before the final copy is aired and made into various formats.

One thing you will notice about bird watching videos is that you will never always find the complete edition in the video store. If you want a copy, you have to buy it online or become a member of a group and get the chance to buy it at a discount.

The bird watching videos you will find are all informative. You will learn what distinguishes one bird from another, what are the basics of bird watching, what food they eat, where they live, how they mate, what are the mating calls or sounds that birds make and a list of other things.

What is so interesting about these bird watching videos is the fact that some of the clips came from Europe and Asia. While we have hundreds of species of birds in the United States, you wont find certain creatures which live in hot and cold climates.

But arent magazines better than videos? The answer is yes and no. Yes because magazines are published every month or every other month. No because all you can do is look at the picture instead of watching how the bird takes off, flies in the air and lands which only a video recording can offer.

Bird watching videos which were once available only in VHS format can now be seen since on DVD. This will allow you to watch it on your laptop or desktop instead of relying on a player and television.

Aside from ordering for bird watching DVDs online, you can also download an entire feature from various sites assuming someone was nice enough to upload it. You can even try looking for a few clips of this in youtube.com given that a lot of people have uploaded personal and home videos.

If you decide to buy one video, try buying more because some retailers will give you a discount, give you an extra copy for free or wont even charge for delivery. While the free copy you get may be a few years old, the information provided here is still useful.

There are many ways that a bird watching enthusiast can learn more about birds. They can read up on it or watch the video. Although they may not be as interesting as one of the block office hits made by Hollywood, just remember that it is educational. You just have to find the resources available so you can learn about birds in the comforts of your own home.

In the end, books, magazines and videos are merely instruments to help learn more about birds instead of bird watching somewhere in the wilderness.

 

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Bird watching tips

Bird Watching Tips

Bird watching is a fantastic hobby suitable for individuals of all ages. In addition to enjoying the great outdoors and gaining an appreciation for nature, bird watching is a hobby that can be shared with friends and family. Many bird watchers find themselves healthier due to their time outside scanning the skies for that ultra-rare bird. If you are interested in beginning bird watching as a hobby, consider the following tips to get your started and on the right track.

1.)...

birds, bird baths

Bird watching is a fantastic hobby suitable for individuals of all ages. In addition to enjoying the great outdoors and gaining an appreciation for nature, bird watching is a hobby that can be shared with friends and family. Many bird watchers find themselves healthier due to their time outside scanning the skies for that ultra-rare bird. If you are interested in beginning bird watching as a hobby, consider the following tips to get your started and on the right track.

1.) Get a book.

Most bird watchers are not experts on our fine feathered friends from the start. Instead of thinking, a bird is a bird is a bird, think again! Birds are a fabulous species that are as diverse as any other set of creatures on this earth. Furthermore, most birds are readily identified by their coloration, so choose a book that has many color pictures suitable for matching the bird in the sky with the correct one in the book. Bird books are available for all different types of bird watchers, from children to adults interested

 

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Bird watching scopes

Bird Watching Scopes

Bird watching is a popular hobby in the US with already more than 50 million members and this figure is expected to grow. Of course, you have to get close to them in order to see it which is why the hobbyist needs to have a bird watching scope.

While some people use binoculars, hunting optics seem to be much better and if you want to know which of these are the best to buy, they are namely ATN, Bushnell, Leupold, Nikon and Swarovski.

So you know what species youve seen in your scope, you will have to refer to a bird watching book that is readily available at the store.

But what if you want to see and take pictures of them at the same time? For that, you will need the digital camera binoculars.

This type of bird watching scope allows you take high quality images. These happen to be the latest innovation in technology that allows you to take shots even at night and then download it into your desktop or laptop.

Very lightweight and compact, you can easily carry it no matter where you go. If you dont like the picture you took, you can review it by displaying this on the LCD screen then deleting this image and taking a better shot.

Another great feature of the digital camera binoculars is that you can record live video for up to 20 seconds or more. It is very affordable and a great addition to those who want to take bird watching to the next level.

Some of the brands that sell this bird watching digital camera include Barka, Bushnell, Celestron and Meade. These companies are the best in the business and if you want to take more shots, you just have to change the flash card from a 64MB to one that can accommodate 1 GB.

There are two features you have to look for when comparing these brands. These are namely the objective lens size and the magnification power. Objective lens size will determine the field of view while the magnification power may be from 7x to 10x.

Of course, dont forget to check if the bird watching scope has a clear LCD display, good resolution and as mentioned earlier, the video capture option. Since it is hard to stay in one position for a long time, you should also check if your new toy can be mounted on a tripod.

As much as we want to buy the best digital camera binoculars around, one thing that we have to consider is our budget. If some brands are beyond your price range, you can either wait until you have more money or settle for those that are within your reach. Once you have narrowed that, it is time for you to try them out.

It should be durable, light weight and water resistant because it has to withstand the elements. Speed is also another factor so you are able to capture the bird should it fly away suddenly and you are able to add this to your collection at home.

Aside from checking out the merchandise, do some research and see what reviews have been written about the product. These bird watching scopes area also great for other activities like boating, hiking and hunting so get something that can be used all around in the outdoors.

 

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Bird watching remarkable birds

Bird Watching: Remarkable Birds

Birds are one of magnificent living things. They are probably among the best loved animals in the world. We are captivated by their colourful form, intelligent actions and cheeky mannerisms. In the United States alone, there are about 500,000 members of National Audubon Society of America. While, U.K. have over 1,000,000 members. Members are dedicated in the protection of birds and they do bird watching to monitor them.

There are about 9 703 species of birds divided up into 23 orders, 142 families and 2 057 genera (Sibley and Monroe 1992). They can be found on all major land masses, over the seas and oceans. The total number of birds on the planet range from between 100,000 and 2000,000 million adult or near adult birds.

The most common bird in the world is the Red-billed Quelea that can be found in the south of the Sahara in Africa. There are so many birds like these that they are considered pests for eating the plants. Millions are getting killed and roasted every year in attempt to control their numbers. There are approximately 1.5 million Red-billed Quelea right now.

The rarest bird is difficult to say, theres a large number of birds whose group are already rare. Some species have been rare for the longest time are the Sudanese Red Sea Cliff Swallow (Hirundo perdita) seen once in 1984 and the Orange-necked Partridge (Arborophila davidi) seen once in 1927.

Other birds are known or believed to be extinct in the wild but still have representatives living in captivity. A good example of this is the Spix's Macaw (Cyanopsitta spiscii) hunted to the brink of extinction to satisfy the foolish demands of the pet trade.

Unfortunately, there are at least 115 species of birds that are to have gone extinct. The reason for extinction is mainly human interference. But there are efforts to make up for the mistakes done in the past.

The Mauritius Kestrel once used to be just 4 wild birds, but thanks to human effort, its numbers went back to 300. Another example is the Californian Condor, during 1987 there is only one male left and 27 birds were all in captivity. By 1994, there were 75 birds in captivity and 9 in all the world.

The largest bird can be measured in three possible ways, heaviest, tallest and longest wingspan. Apparently, all of the record holders for the three are already extinct. The heaviest bird was the extinct Dromornis stirtoni from Australia. This flightless giant lived between 1 and 15 million years ago and probably stood nearly 3m/10ft tall and weighed in at a massive 500kg/1100lb.

The tallest bird ever was, as far as we know, Dinornus maximus, a Giant Moa from New Zealand. While the bird with the longes wingspan is the The Giant Teratorn (Argentavis magnificens) had a wingspan of at least 6M/19.5ft and could possibly have been as large as 7.5m/25ft that was used to be in the United States.

The largest living bird is the Ostrich The heaviest flying bird is the Kori Bustard of Africa (Ardeotis kori), a number of specimens have been scientifically recorded weighing 19kg (42lb). M eanwhile, the smallest bird Bee Hummingbird from Cuba.

We can learn a lot from birds. Bird watching is never merely just watching them but also it is observing and learning from them and from nature.

 

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Bird watching magazines

Bird Watching Magazines

There are many magazines now in stands. Some focus on sports, health, interior design and architecture. If going out into the wilderness is not enough, you can subscribe to a bird watching magazine.

Bird watching magazines are informative because they have pictures and interesting articles about birds. You can learn about a certain birds behavior, diet, habitat, sounds and more by reading through the pages.

Aside from birds and the various species, you will also learn about the different brands of bird watching equipment that are available in the market. Some of these are reviewed by various experts to give you an idea what is worth buying.

The best thing about a bird watching magazine is its opportunity to show you various bird species which you will never see because of your geographic location. You wont be able to see the Giant Petrel or the Skua which happen to live in Antarctica.

Bird watching magazines are published bi-monthly or monthly. When we say bi-monthly, this means you will only get a copy every 2 months which is about 6 copies in a year. These are sold for $15 to $50 per copy and you can avail of a discount by paying for a whole years subscription in advance.

A few examples of these include Bird America, Bird Talk and Bird Watching. Sometimes, you will even see a few pictures of birds in National Geographic. You can get copies of these from your favorite news stand or online since some of these can be ordered through their company website.

If you happen to see an old issue which you think is interesting, you can even order the back issue once again.

Reading a bird watching magazine is one way to keep yourself up to date with the different species of birds that inhabit our planet. While there are books you can also browse, magazines are published on a regular basis while books are launched after more than a year.

So if you want to learn more about birds, pick up a copy of any bird watching magazine. You may not be able to order all of them but after looking at a few, you will know which one is good value for your money so you can become one of the millions of regular subscribers.

One of the things you can do being a subscriber is to also send photos or even comments about the articles written. You may even be paid for your article should the editor like your article and decide to include it in the next issue.

Aside from bird watching magazines which in paper form, there are also articles about them which you can find online. These are called e-zines or electronic articles. You dont have to be a member to read about topics they have but it will be a good idea so you know if anything new is posted.

Just like the regular bird watching magazine, you can also contribute stuff online. It will be nice to submit an article with a few pictures so you can tell members your experience when you had your encounter with the bird.

Bird watching magazines are common just like other hobbies. It was just a matter of time before someone thought of the idea of making one.

 

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Bird watching list software

Bird Watching List Software

People who love to go bird watching will enjoy seeing different species they have never encountered before. So they can easily identify what is there, they can get a brochure from the park service but since this information is not always accurate, you can download or purchase bird watching list software instead.

This program will tell you what bird species can be found in a specific region in the world. With the information, it will easy to classify and identify what you see when you get back home.

But isnt there a software that can record what you have seen? As a matter of fact, there is. This program is designed to let you save the date and time that you saw a bird so you can share this information with fellow bird watchers and vice versa. You can also upload the pictures from your digital camera so you can put the name of the species with the right image.

You can download a free trial of these programs and then pay for it later on if you would like to continue your subscription. The developers of some give out updates for the program making it better than it was before.

The development of bird watching software has made this hobby go high tech. Not only do we need the usual gear like the binoculars, a guide and a notebook but now, something else to help up keep track of everything we have seen.

Before you download or buy the bird watching list software, make sure that it is compatible with the operating system in the computer. Since it will occupy a lot of memory in the hard drive, you should also consider upgrading it so you will soon have a huge collection of birds right there on your computer.

If you travel regularly, some software programs can put these in different lists so there is one for birds which you saw in the neighborhood, another for a trip either local or abroad and even a wish list while there are others that are sold separately.

But despite everything, some people say that the computer program is only useful when you have one in front of you. It is not practical to bring this along during the trip because it could get wet or damaged and since you will be hiking the whole time, it is best to travel light and only bring the essentials.

To answer this concern, you just have to bring a lot of memory cards for the digital camera then upload these when you get back home.

Will more people use bird watching software? Definitely yes but it will not phase out the use of a good journal simply supplement what people have been doing for years so they have record of the bird they have seen.

Bird watching is a fun hobby and anyone can become a member. In the beginning, you may not even need the bird watching list software because you will be looking for them only in the neighborhood. But when you have the money to travel farther, this tool will come in handy because you will no longer need to drop by the park service just to get a brochure to tell you what is there.

You can skip this and look for them on your own or sign up immediately for the group tour.

 

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Bird watching links

Bird Watching Links

You can see birds on television documentaries and in magazines. Now that we live in the digital age, you can also find these online as there are people who have posted bird watching links.

Bird watching links allows hobbyists to see birds from different parts of the world and at the same time submit photographs of what they have seen. Some of these sites are run by colleges and universities which use the information they gather for research purposes. You can even download the images and add these to your collection.

If you are new to this hobby and have no idea of the bird you just saw, you can post a question by describing it and get an answer shortly.

Another side of bird watching links allows people to participate in conversations. This sharing of information makes everyone more knowledgeable about the kinds of birds that can be found where they reside. If the people live close to each other, they can even plan a bird watching trip together.

You may also encounter some bird watching blogs that you can post a reply or comments to if you agree with the topic or disagree on what was said by the other person.

The links may also be used by local chapters and conservation groups to hold conferences, seminars and other events to create an awareness of birds that are endangered or provide better ways and techniques when it comes to bird watching.

Some travel agencies have also used as an outlet to invite bird watchers to come visit them so they can see the species of birds that are only found in their country.

To give you an idea of some of the bird watching links, you can check out , and . There are hundreds of them on the web and they will show pictures and information about birds like what kind of food they eat and where is their natural habitat.

If you dont like the stuff being sold in sporting goods store, you can even buy some of these items online and have this delivered to your home. You can buy it brand new or second hand and even auction for these items as there are people who are willing to get rid of their old stuff.

Because of the many bird watching links, you dont need to buy books anymore when the information here is constantly updated that happens to be much faster than publishing a new book. Chances are, when you go to one website, you will be invited to visit another by simply clicking on it.

As long as people are into bird watching, the number of links will continue to increase. You can expect to see the same picture or information in some but if you look hard enough, there is always something new to learn about our feathered friends.

If you dont know where to start, type in a keyword in the search engine like bird watching or bird watching conservation groups. In a few seconds, a list will appear right in front of your screen then it is up to you to check each one and bookmark those that you would like to visit again in the future.

If you discovered something new, dont be shy to share it because others have done the same in the past which has benefited you.

 

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Bird watching journals preserve your bird watching experiences

Bird Watching Journals - Preserve Your Bird Watching Experiences

Bird Watching is a great way to escape the rat race and be one with nature. Alas, your bird watching experiences can fade with time. The best way to prevent this is to keep a bird watching journal for your sightings and trips.

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Bird Watching is a great way to escape the rat race and be one with nature. Alas, your bird watching experiences can fade with time. The best way to prevent this is to keep a bird watching journal for your sightings and trips.

Bird Watching Journals

Take a minute to give some consideration to your most recent bird watching experience. What sticks out in your mind? Now think about the first time you ever went bird watching. Undoubtedly, you remember few things about the geography, people you went with, every bird sighted and so on. The experiences youve forgotten are lost to time. If you had kept a bird watching journal, this wouldnt be the case.

There are famous instances of people keeping journals throughout time. Of course, Anne Franks Diary is the best example. In her diary, Anne kept a running commentary of the two years her family spent hiding from the Nazis. While your bird watching experiences better be more lighthearted, keeping a journal will let you remember them as the years pass.

A good

 

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Bird watching in tobago

Bird Watching in Tobago

Once you catch birding fever, it will overtake your entire life. In fact, you will start planning trips around it as can occur with bird watching in Tobago.

west indies, tobago, bird watching, birding, travel, trip, species, life lists

Once you catch birding fever, it will overtake your entire life. In fact, you will start planning trips around it as can occur with bird watching in Tobago.

Bird Watching in Tobago

Exotic is the term that best defines Tobago bird watching, an exciting and rewarding experience for bird watchers. Tobago is the smaller island of the Trinidad and Tobago nation, the southern most island of the Caribbean, located off the East Coast of Venezuela.

Tobago bird watching focus on the marine environment and coral reefs as an unusual setting for bird watching. This island is home to numerous colonies of nesting Red-billed Tropicbirds, Magnificent Frigate birds, and Red-footed Boobies. Tobago is the place where introduction to birding in South American began.

Tobago has around 150 to 200 bird species of the 467 recorded in both Trinidad and Tobago. However, Tobago is a drier island, further offshore than Trinidad. It offers great birding with species not found anywhere else in Central America, including specialty b

 

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Bird watching ethics

Bird Watching Ethics

Bird watching is a recreational activity where the bird watchers gain is the intrinsic rewards of being in sync with nature. Since birdwatchers enjoy birds, birding must always respect wildlife, environment and the rights of the other. As stated in the American Birding Associations Principles of Birding Ethics, the welfare of the birds and their environment comes first.

There are some simple birding ethics that bird watchers follow to make sure that disturbing birds, disturbing other people or harming the environment is being avoided. There are some rules that are common sense things, while there are ethical knowledge which are not so obvious.

Be sure not to interrupt or disrupt other people from enjoying birding. Respect their property and the privacy of others. Aside from people, also avoid disturbing the birds themselves. Disturbing or stressing birds, especially those who are breeding. Disturbing or stressing them may cause them to leave or abandon their eggs or chicks. Avoid harassing them with too much bird calls. Dont disturb a nest or handle eggs that you have seen.

Leave nothing but your footprints. Avoid damaging the environment and littering. Make sure to take back any garbage upon leaving. Feeding wild bird inappropriate food is a no. Also avoid leaving food scraps or any left-over food that may attract bird predators.

Even if you are just leaving your birding position for a bathroom break, make sure to take the garbage with you. Left behind wrappers, cans and bottles can get the attention of the birds as well. They may try to eat one of wrappers and can get sick or eventually die.

Also avoid interfering with birds that seem to be in distress. Examples are baby birds on the ground, they may not be abandoned but just out of the nest and learning how to fly. Some birds just wait for humans to leave before they rescue or return for their young.

Another example are hummingbirds in a state of torpor. They may look like theyre dead, but actually they are resting to replace the energy. Birds who are stunned because they hit a window or something will come around. Live them alone, what you can do is to make sure that there are no bird predators around.

Also birds carry diseases. There are birds who carry West Nile Virus, other have ticks that carry disease like the Lyme disease. Bird mites can get into humans, although they would not stay they can cause enough misery. Report sick or dead birds to the local authorities who can appropriately address these cases, but avoid handling these birds.

One of the most important ethics is to share the birding code of ethics with beginners. The beginning birder may not be aware of the ethics involved with birding, so it is up to the present birdwatchers to share the knowledge. Sharing your knowledge and what you have learned along the way. You might just make a birding friend or two.

In a nut shell, most of the bird watching code of ethics are common sense. If the environment and everyone you have met with respect, bird watching can be great fun. Without the birds, then there is nothing that you would be able to enjoy.

Birdwatching as a recreational activity can go a long way, and by abiding with the code of ethics then everyone can benefit from this great sport.

 

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Bird watching binoculars critical bird watching equipment

Bird Watching Binoculars Critical Bird Watching Equipment

Avid bird watching enthusiasts often look like pack mules hiking to a gold rush in the west. Bird watching binoculars are one of the critical pieces of equipment they carry.

bird watching, birder, bird watching binoculars, torrey pines, san diego, sightings

Avid bird watching enthusiasts often look like pack mules hiking to a gold rush in the west. Bird watching binoculars are one of the critical pieces of equipment they carry.

Binoculars

There are a lot of issues when it comes to choosing binoculars for bird watching. Optics and personal preference seem to be the foremost, but here is a list of issues you should consider.

Bashability

Bashability isnt really a word in the English language, but it certainly applies to bird watching. The bashability of binoculars refers to how tough they are. For instance, if you drop them on the driveway while loading the car, will they hold up? What if you drop them off a small cliff? I, erra friend once did this on the cliffs above Torrey Pines beach in San Diego. More than a few people have been surprised to learn that binoculars go out of whack when bashed. Now, I realize you would never drop them or subject them to anything but the finest treatme

 

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Bird watching and other outdoor activities for children

Bird Watching and Other Outdoor Activities for Children

Bird watching is one of the outdoor activities that can be enjoyed by both parents and children. It is one among numerous activities that children can engage in where they can expand their horizon educationally and improve their social skills.

Kids can enjoy nature trips like hiking. Hiking is not only good for the children but it also provide the necessary exercise adults should be doing. Hiking can be done throughout the year, well almost. During spring, it is a great season for looking for the first flowers of the season and observing birds which are in flight during this season.

During summer, animals are most active in this season. Children can observe and sport squirrels in the trees and other animals. Autumn would be the season for pine cones, acorns, seeds and other items for collection. Winter is not the friendly season. But even in this harsh weather, hiking can still be regarding. Children can learn how to examine animal tracks and their food intake during this season.

Aside from nature hiking, wildlife watching is also a hit among kids. Just like bird watching, all you need is just good eyesight and a green area. Similar to bird watching there are field guides where you can identify the animals that you have seen. Just make sure that the wild things are kept in the wild.

Snowshoeing is a great recreation sport with the kids during wintertime. Just be sure that the children are properly covered with warm clothes before they heat out the door.

Gardening is also a great way of involving them with science, explaining how things grow as they grow along the way like carrots, leaf lettuce, radishes and pumpkins. When involving children in gardening, make sure that they would be asked what to do with their harvest. There are many outdoor activities that can be done like camping, picnics, and kite flying.

You can also pick some berries, apples, peaches and pears. The whole family can join this outdoor activity. After picking some and eating a little of the fruits that you have picked, they can make some delicious fruit cobblers. Not only do you learn about fruits and have lots of fun, you also get to have a chance of a wonderful dessert.

If the kid wanted to do or is interested in a particular activity, think outside the boz. Get creative! Mix and ordinary finger painting with and activity outside the house like picnic. Getting children mobile and active, not only in schoolwork, is not only because we do not like children to be overweight.

There is a study conducted by the UCLA Center for Healthier Children that kids who have high classroom performance are those children who have an increased flow of blood and oxygen to the bran. By exposing children to sunlight and outdoor activity, children gets the necessary oxygen they need

You can also do some star gazing. You can get a map and involve the children in looking and identifying planets and constellations, even talking about its history. This experience can be followed by going or trips to the library to be knowledgeable about the solar system.

Bird watching or birding has helped children in terms of increasing their knowledge in the field of animals and birds. This is an activity that children and adults like, the appeal does not wear off since there are thousands of bird species worldwide that can be viewed anytime.

 

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Bird watching a past revealed

Bird Watching: A Past Revealed

Bird watching is also called birding. The first term birding was used for the practice of fowling or hunting with firearms. More and more people are travelling long distances to spot rare species of birds, these people are called twitchers. The goal of twitching is often to accumulate species on ones lists.

Some bird watchers look at bird watching as a healthy competition. They aim to get or accumulate the longest species list. The act of pursuing a rare specie is called twitch or a chase.

Showing interest in observing birds can be traced back as early as 1700s in the works of Gilbert White, Thomas Bewick, George Montagu and John Clare. During the Victorian Era, it was fashionable in Britain to collect eggs and later skins for artefacts of interest. To obtain rare specimens, wealthy collectors have contacts in colonies that will move and collect for them.

But the collection and collectors went to far. In 1800, bird hats were all the rage. Harriet Hemenway tok the lead in fighting the millinery trade or feather industry. She went on to shut down the interstate bird skin trade, she founded the Massachusetts Audubon Society.

Rosalie Edge, another hero, bought Hawk Mountain in Pennsylvania then turned it into the first sanctuary for birds of prey, which were otherwise being slaughtered. Florence Merriam wrote a guide for newbies. This served as the early field guide fir bird watching which was incomprehensible for the average hobbyist like them.

It was only in the late 1800s that the call for bird protection began leading to the rising popularity of observations on living birds. The Audubon Society was started to protect the birds from the growing trade. The term bird watching first read in the title of the book Bird Watching by Edmund Selous in 1901. The earliest field guide in the United States was Birds Through and Opera Glass By Florence Bailey.

Early and until mid-20th century in the eastern seaboard region, they were influenced by the works of Ludlow Griscom and later Roger Tory Peterson.

The rising popularity and use of cars increased the mobility of birdwatchers. The rising popularity of the car increased the mobility of birdwatchers and this made new locations accessible to those interested in birds. Networks of birdwatchers in the UK began to form in the late 1930s under the British Trust for Ornithology. The BTO saw the potential to produce scientific results through the networks, unlike the Royal Society for the Preservation of Birds (RSPB) which like the Audubon Society originated from the bird protection movement.

The falling cost of air-travel made flying to remote birding destinations a possibility for a large number of people towards the 1980s. The need for global guides to birds became more relevant and one of the biggest projects that began was the "Handbook of the Birds of the World" which started in the 1990s with Josep del Hoyo a country doctor in Catalonia, Jordi Sargatal and ornithologist Andy Elliott.

Right now, there are about 80 million Americans into bird watching. More and more people are still showing interest in taking part of this recreational activity. Its rich history and culture, paves how big this outdoor sport has contributed to the culture and natural history. Through all the years, one thing still remain.

The love for nature and the how history proved that people can make a stand for the environment.

 

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Bird twig wreath

Bird Twig Wreath

This is a very attractive wreath and a very popular one. You will want to gather a supply of twigs which are long, thin and pliable. You will also need craft wire, 22 to 24 gauge, wire cutters, a glue gun, glue sticks and a wreath base. You will also want some bird picks, the choice is yours, an artificial birds nest, wooden eggs, small ones, and a large ribbon.

You will want to cut the twigs into about ten inch lengths. Take a handful of twigs, choosing an amount that se...

wreaths,home decorating,crafts

This is a very attractive wreath and a very popular one. You will want to gather a supply of twigs which are long, thin and pliable. You will also need craft wire, 22 to 24 gauge, wire cutters, a glue gun, glue sticks and a wreath base. You will also want some bird picks, the choice is yours, an artificial birds nest, wooden eggs, small ones, and a large ribbon.

You will want to cut the twigs into about ten inch lengths. Take a handful of twigs, choosing an amount that seems right to you, bind them firmly together and cut the wire, securing it and then tucking it into the twig bunch which you have just created. Continue this until you have created what you feel are enough bunches to cover your wreath base. Take a wreath bunch and fasten it securely to the wreath bases with craft wire. Continue this until you have completely covered the wreath base. Cut the craft wire and secure it firmly into the wreath.

Now you will want to take the birds nest and secure it firmly to the wreath. Take a ten inch piece

 

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Bird photography

Bird Photography

Birds have been one of the greatest subject for photographers for centuries now because they have an inspiring beauty and mystify us with their gift of flight and diversity. When it comes to photographing birds and their behavior, catching it on film will add a tremendous visual impact and feeling to any picture. There are different locations where birds gather, but really the best place you may what to start is your backyard. The thing about birds is that they are busy littl...

bird photography,photography,photos,birds

Birds have been one of the greatest subject for photographers for centuries now because they have an inspiring beauty and mystify us with their gift of flight and diversity. When it comes to photographing birds and their behavior, catching it on film will add a tremendous visual impact and feeling to any picture. There are different locations where birds gather, but really the best place you may what to start is your backyard. The thing about birds is that they are busy little bodies and a bird feeder in the backyard is a great place to get a picture when they are feeding or even the bird in the air getting ready to pounce one of the birds that is currently feeding.

When you venture out of your backyard to look for birds to photograph your vehicle may just become your newest piece of equipment. Birds see our cars less of a threat then a person carrying a long lens underneath their arm. A vehicle makes for a great blind and along with this patience is a virtue. When you find a location such as a prime feed

 

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Bird nesting information find out how to build and properly care for your nest box

Bird Nesting Information- Find out how to build and properly care for your nest box

A birds nest provides an environment for its eggs to develop during a birds breeding season. Although nests are considered words of art in some certain species of birds, many birds may not build a nest for laying of their...

Bird,nesting,birds,nest boxes,nest,nest sizes,birdhouse,birdfeeder

A birds nest provides an environment for its eggs to develop during a birds breeding season. Although nests are considered words of art in some certain species of birds, many birds may not build a nest for laying of their eggs. Instead, the birds may lay their eggs directly into a hole in the ground. All birds prefer and require different nest sizes and shapes. Birds also use many different building materials to construct their ideal nest. Some may use sticks and twigs, while others may use spider webs. It is extremely important where a nest is placed. Protection from the extreme temperatures and the predators is necessary. Birds, by natural instinct, know how and where to build their nest, and make it a safe and comfortable environment for their young. The most safe of nest boxes would be that of a woodpeckers. Woodpeckers make their ideal nests directly into tree trunks or branches.

There is no accurate way to design a birds nest. All birds favor is a safe and secure place which protects

 

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Bird house wren

Only the Best Wren Bird House for Nature's Song Birds

If you are a lover of song birds like wrens, you probably would take the time to create a wren bird house near your home just to hear their sweet and melodious songs. This is the same reason why a lot of people are taking the time to build wren bird houses.

Famous people from history also loved song birds. Most of them have them in their homes. Nothing can compare to the feeling of hearing the natural sound it can create when you wake up in the morning. It sure is a nice change to the sound of traffic or radio blazing in the background.

A lot of people take the time to capture wrens and have them in captivity. But if you want these birds to freely enjoy being in your home, the best option is to build them their own bird house. Providing them with a home of their own is making them feel like they are not being held against their will. This will make them move around and sing freely.

In order to build the best wren bird house, you need to have with you a wren house plan. These are basically a basic diagram of how the bird house should be built so that it will appear suitable for these types of birds. If you do not have any wren birds yet, how you built the bird house will make the difference between attracting them and driving them away from you.

Wren bird houses are not merely designed for them. They can also attract the attention of other types of birds especially if you have built it effectively. There is nothing wrong with having as many birds in the wren house. On the other hand, you will find it delightful to have them fluttering around in the sweet sound of the song birds.

Wren bird house plans can easily be gotten online and free of charge. It will be worth your while to check some of the websites that offer these plans. Chances are, you will be presented with lots of options and deciding which one to choose would become your problem.

To get the most of wren bird house plans, you are best off choosing those that come with additional goodies and features. Some of the best features are those that have compartments, attics and hinged doors. Your wren birds would also be delighted by the additional settings that their home will have. They would surely enjoy having the space to move around and things that they can move without any effort at all.

Do not stick with the features that are made available for you. You can create as many additional features for your wren bird house. Use your creativity and you can come up with one that is sure to complement your lovely singing birds.

Wake up to a great morning with the sound of wren birds singing in your window. Choose the best wren bird house plan that will suit you and your song birds. If you are not capable of doing it on your own, ask the help of experts on building wren bird houses. This is the only way you can be sure that your wren birds will provide you with that beautiful melody for a long time.

 

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Bird house wooden

Planning Your Wooden Bird House

With pet lovers will always like to customize their bird house, a good wooded bird house can always be a sturdy place for them to rest and breed. Planning the future home of your pet can be intricate. Ample research on your specific species of your bird can get beneficial results. Either way, the pet shop owner can brief you on the details of your pet. This can give its way to planning your wooden bird house.

Planning Ahead

- Getting the best out of planning and the work of customizing your pets is really not that hard, having enough research beforehand can be rewarding, but of course you don't need to study too much on ornithology to get a decent house for your pet. However, if you put up a birdhouse, you can attract various species of birds in your backyard if you get an environment pleasing enough for them.

-If you want to make your own bird house, here are the things you might prefer, a pre-built kit or making them yourself. A kit can save you a lot of time although making them yourself is not that bad also. The placement of your wooden bird house can be installed anywhere, you can put them on fences, high posts and of course, your garden.

Specifics on bird houses

- There are crafted bird houses which are ornamental and can likely enhance your garden or home. You can get cheap wooden bird houses for less than 20 US dollars tops, even an ornamental one can be at that price range too. But having to choose quality products are your top priority as they can come cheap, having to invest a little more won't hurt your budget.

- Wooden bird houses that are sold are either made up of pine or cedar but there are more choices to select from. With a lot of variety in planned design, there are simply too many bird houses to choose from. Wooden bird houses can come pre-painted with primer. This can allow you to add up to your ideal design so you can paint it with your desired color after.

- There are also other variations in the materials used in modern bird houses. You can get several other pre-built homes for your feathered friends, some of them are building with plaster, ceramic, plastic and metal. But amongst them, wood is nearly the best alternative to mimic their habitat.

- There are type of birds that has specific needs and placement. There are single types or group birds that can also affect the needs and design of your ideal bird house. . You need an apartment-type of birdhouse to birds that come in groups. There are territorial birds that need adequate spacing between other bird houses, often needing 20 to 30 meters of space to prevent them from fighting over their area.

You feathered friends can always reward you with their charm and sweet sounds they make. Humans have a large impact on all of the bird species, there are activities which are aimed to expand their natural habitats, but with our need for wood, their natural homes are quickly being diminished with our needs, we can always make alternative homes for them, and careful planning and consideration can always get the best out of your building experience.

 

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Bird house wholesale

Wholesale Bird House: How Best to Choose the Right One

Believe it. There are already bird houses that you can buy ready made. And there are also those that you can easily assemble and put in you desired location. The good thing about these types of bird houses is that you can buy them for wholesale prices that will not hurt your budget much.

Birds in your home and yard are a refreshing sight. Just imagine the feeling that you will have when you wake up in the morning and hear them singing inside or outside your home. These are the reasons why a lot of people go through all the trouble of building not just one bird house but some bird houses in their homes.

Those who do not consider themselves as great builders opt for wholesale bird houses that are already made for them. All they have to do is set up them up or assemble them in the home. That easy! And for a price that suits you, wholesale bird houses are really the best option out in the market.

Choosing the wholesale bird house to buy will depend on your preferences. These are kits that go with these bird houses that cater on the purpose that your bird house will play. It will also depend upon what birds you want placed on the bird house.

Different birds have different bird house needs. The thing to remember is to give them the comfort that they find in their natural home. Along with this is the feeling of safety. It can be noted that birds take these things into consideration once they choose their house. If they do not feel that it is comfortable and safe enough for them, they will be off and searching for a new one in no time.

Keep in mind that the price you have to pay in getting the proper wholesale bird house is worth it once you maintain their attention and presence. If they find that the bird house you have provided is one of the best, you will get to see them coming back and even bringing other birds with them.

Below are some more factors to consider in choosing the best wholesale bird house.

1. Durability.

In the process of buying the bird house, check out the quality first. Some stores may trick you into buying a wholesale bird house that has defects in them. Make sure that you check every angle and side. You probably do not want to end up buying more than is necessary.

What the bird house is made of will determine how long you can use it. If you want to maintain a steady stream of birds in your place, choose the wholesale bird house made of the best quality materials.

2. Usability.

You may be one of those choosy types and would like your bird house to attract specific types of birds. If you do not know which wholesale bird house will serve your purpose best, do not hesitate to ask the store owner for advice.

They can point you in the right direction and will make your decision easy for you. You will achieve more good than bad when you ask questions.

Choosing the wholesale bird house that is right for you is just a matter of knowing where to look and what to look for. Take the above mentioned things in mind and you can do it right the first time.

 

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Bird house unique

Get Your Birds a Unique Bird House Online

When you really want to get something special for your feathered friends, getting them a special nest box can be rewarding. You can have your very own unique bird house with adequate research.

Bird Houses are usually made of wood. There are also other materials that can be used namely; concrete, plastic, resin, ceramics and other synthetic materials. Having a unique bird house is really not that hard to acquire with the help of the internet. Online pet shops cater to many unique bird house designs.

But having to consider their needs first and making other alteration for the design will be your priority. The size of the nest box must be suited to the specific species of birds. Whatever the unique kind of design you want, you need to know their needs; from the size of the hole, size of the house, placement, and other specifications, if it meets their requirements, thinks of its needs first, then you can get a customized design for them.

Almost all common bird house design are of cubed, many have sloped roofs. Pet shop owners can have a variety of uniquely designed bird houses for your pets, just don't be impulsive. Choose and compare the things you might find, fortunately they are always stocked so you wont have to worry much if you chose the online method of purchasing your pets' nest box.

Get your pets a unique home

     There is also intricately painted bird houses, often being hand painted. They are perfect for a unique bird house. Most of them have a brown themed paint. However, there are colors which can customize your pets' house. You can also paint them yourself; just make sure u use latex paint for easier washing.

     Bird houses come with intricate designs. Most of them have a unique detailed roof and vivid colors. You can always get some of them online. Getting to choose from a variety can always be good when selecting and getting your ideal design of your customized bird house.

     There are also customized houses for your pets; there are designs of nest boxes' mimicking farms, boats, windmills, cottages and other themes that are rare. With many unique designs, there are even designs that look like diners. They can be brightly painted. This can always be inviting to birds and a splendid eye candy for pet owners.

     Custom Sculptures from outside your pets' house are also being sold, you can find rare designs along the internet and dedicated online pet shops for your birds. There are also bird houses that can have another purpose when installed; you can always get the best ones with good research online.

It is not really that hard to get a unique design. When you really want to get more out of your designs, you can get some help within pet lovers' forums and they can refer you to unique design dealers. With wild and domestic birds, a unique bird house can enhance its lifestyle within your own backyard. With the addition of a nice ornament to your home or garden, a unique bird house can get more attention than regular nest boxes. You pet can thank you with their company and chirping. You can always enhance them and tweak their houses to your hearts' content.

 

 

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Bird house picture

A Different Kind of Hobby- Taking Bird House Pictures

Want something fun to do during the summer? Get your camera and start taking pictures of bird houses around you. Even if you are not the best photographer around, you can come up with some good shots to compile into an album that you can be proud of.

If you check out some works of photo journalist, you will come upon some pictures of bird and bird houses. The fact that they can elusive and will take patience and time to take is what makes it challenging. Not everybody can get up close and personal with bird and bird houses. And those who did are really worth admiring.

With the popularity of digital camera comes the ability to shoot great pictures far and near. Pictures are oftentimes clearer and have that "large-than-life" feel in them. In addition, the many features that is available in digital cameras bird house picture taking more enjoyable. You can make use of different colors, styles and angles depending on what best suit your tastes.

Before taking that shot, you need to keep in mind that birds are very shy. They fly away at the slightest sound and will definitely not be thrilled at the attention you bestow on them. This is why you have to plan out your move first so that you will achieve that shot that people love.

On a clear sunny day, you can start by looking over the landscape for locations that bird houses might be into. It should be worth your while going from one tree to another to look for hidden bird houses that cannot be seen from a distance.

Not only will your adventure give you the time to relax and enjoy nature, it will also give you the chance of creating an album unlike any other. It would be your very own bird album with different pictures of bird and their houses that you have scoured around your area.

If you are living in a community where people takes pride in building their own bird houses, then taking pictures would not be a daunting task for you. All you have to do is ask permission from the owners to have their bird house pictured.

When all the pictures have been compiled, you can present them in your local community hall for an exhibition. For sure, owners would be delighted to have their bird houses viewed by everyone within the community and out of it.

Picturing bird houses can be an enjoyable hobby that can stand out from the rest. This can be your option if you are already tired of having persons or landscapes as subject. People who will view your pictures will be awed by the effort you have put up in capturing the bird house.

You do not have to go far just to get the pictures you wanted. Some of them may be just within your backyard. Take the time to do a little survey of the area around you to see if there are bird houses in there that you have not seen before.

If you find that you have more available time, you can actually create your own bird houses. When birds start flocking your creation, that is the best time to get your camera out and start taking pictures you can be proud of.

 

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Bird house painted

Painted Bird House; Not only for Ornamentation Purposes

Painted bird houses can be a sight to behold. This is especially if they are painted in elaborate colors that suit its design best. Paints do not merely make bird houses beautiful. It also provides additional protection from wearing off easily and from elements that might cause damage to the bird house.

Your painted bird house should also serve its main purpose of providing a sound shelter to birds. It should be durable enough to make it through stormy weather and cool during sunny days. A well-built bird house that serves these purposes well will mean that you can have your favorite birds alive and in good health for a long time.

Other than these, your painted bird house should also be:

1. Kept clean at all times.
A dirty bird house can be harmful to the birds. Most bacteria are kept alive in dirt. If you do not want your birds to suddenly die of an unknown sickness, you should clean the bird house vigorously and regularly.

An unclean bird house can also cause some problems to you too. If you have your painted bird house located near your home, you can expect the dirt to fall down or penetrate your home and environment. Not only do you have with you a bird house that is not so good to look at, it will also cause an unpleasant sting in your area once there is too much dirt around the painted bird house.

2. Placed in the proper location.

Most painted bird houses are put in places where predators cannot reach them. Bird predators can be your cat, dog or some rodents in your place. These predators can be found both inside and outside your home. Make sure that you place your painted bird house where these predators cannot get through them.

Environmental factors like rain or heat from the sun can also be considered a predator to birds. This is why you need to provide the bird house with a roof, walls and proper ventilation in order to protect the birds from these harmful elements.

3. Made of the best materials.

If you have an outdoor bird house, the best material to use for them is wood. Woods are known to survive through many years of service. You can paint these woods to add more protection. Be sure to use non-toxic and water-resistant paints in these woods.

Bird houses that are made of metal can be effective if you want to place it inside the house. Unlike woods, it does not invite termites and other insects that fed on woods. Be sure to ask some bird experts for suggestions of materials to use for your bird house.

4. Attractive designs.

It is said that how you design your bird house will make it attractive or unattractive to birds. Therefore, if you want to have more birds coming into your bird house, choose a design that will catch their attention more.

Do not be frustrated at the number of birds that might come into your painted bird house. It only means that they find your bird house a comfortable place to stay. Besides, the more birds there are, the merrier it would be.

Your painted bird house can serve a lot more purpose than adding beauty to your surrounding. That is why they are built in the first place.

 

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Bird house martin purple

A Closer Look at the Purple Martin Bird Houses

The purple martin bird house is said to be one of the most charming dwellings greatly designed for this type of winged communal inhabitants. Commonly located at the peak of a pole, the purple martin birdhouse bears resemblance to villas and condominiums. It is best seen in an open space, which is more airy and can accommodate a family of certain bird species. The purple martin bird house also has the form that follows the Mediterranean style.

In the earlier times, the conventional design of this bird house was like a villa set with lots of holes. However, in view of the fact that the purple martin has now becoming extinct and their homes have been dwelled by sparrows and starlings, the designers have modified the design of the bird house. Today, you can those purple martin bird houses with crescent or lidded shaped doorway. And so, larger birds cannot easily enter the bird house. Aside from, the good thing about this design is that, the purple martins can now slip swiftly inside while the swallows and starlings remain outside.

Another good thing about this new design is that it keeps the purple martins from direct exposure to sunlight. Extreme heat is deadly for young and older purple martins. When looking for a purple martin bird house, choose the one with proper ventilation. Also, make sure that the floor has lots of holes for drainage. This would ensure that the floor dries out swiftly after rainfall thus preventing the growth of bacteria and molds.

Contrary to the beauty of the purple martin, it is also identified as a grimy bird. The reason is that a number of parents will nest on the same home. Martins just like some other birds excrete in their boxes and sanitation is definitely compromised because of the open air design that exposes the inner part to other elements like wind and rain.

In order to keep their dwelling clean you can purchase a purple martin bird house that hangs on top of an aluminum pole. Choose the one with the collapsible pole to allow you to adjust the house into the ground, at the same time clean out the floor and lay the nesting materials outside the bird house. This also ensures that newly hatched martins will have nice and comfy bird house each year.

Both purple martin bird house and pole are sometimes sold as one. You can purchase the house and the pole as a do it you own bird house it. The bird house and pole can also be sold individually. If you purchase the bird house, then you can set it on your own pole, but this will cost you much effort and time, as you to work out its proper construction. Just don't mount it on a wood pole because this may attract invaders such as cats and squirrels to scratch up the sides of the house and might bother the occupants. But if you really want to use the wooden pole, then you should use the flippers and spinners to prevent such invaders.

You can also look for some purple martin bird house and poles in the internet. The birdhouses are even easier to find than the poles. There are essentially 2 parts of poles: The telescopic type, and The Hinge Type. The telescopic type is also known as the adjustable poles that let you extend the pole while the Hinge type lets you split up the poles in such a way that the birds can be reached from the base or ground. But both types offer the same benefit such as easy cleaning so you won't get tired of climbing the ladder.

 

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Bird house make

How to Make the Best Bird House

They say that making a bird house is very easy as long as it interests you and you love doing it. It is just similar to making your own house, you feel bright and chirpy when the sun comes out in the morning. Nothing beats the experience and of course the feeling of having birds on your backyard. You can actually see how these birds enjoy their new home.

Believe it or not, you can always make your own dream house for your birds any moment you want. Here are some advice and tips in making a simple yet well designed bird house. In addition, the methods and ways of proper setting of the bird houses are also included.

But before you start, keep in mind your objective that is to make the birds enjoy and feel comfortable in their habitat. So you don't really have to attract them, the challenge is to make them go back as much as possible in their new home. Hopefully, these strategies will work.

- Look for a roof that is pivot shaped or hinged

Using a hinged roof is an efficient and convenient way to make your cleaning easier most especially during spring season. Make sure that the hinge is rust proof.

- Set proper ventilation

Make 4 holes on every bottom of the bird house. Each hole should measure at least inch. Also, drill 8 holes for the ventilation on top side of the bird house.

- Place an extended roof

Provide a roof that is extended of at least two inches in front to protect entrance of the house from raindrops that is usually driven by the wind and also to prevent domesticated animals from getting inside.

Also, try to elevate a bit the floor of the bird house from the bottom to prevent rotting which is normally caused by moisture.

- No Perches on Bird House

Placing perches on the bird house is a big NO-NO. The only birds that appreciate perches are the sparrows and starlings.

- Proper spacing of bird houses

Appropriate spacing of bird houses is also essential to avoid any conflict. Another thing is that there are some birds that are territorial, so the bird's nest should really be protected.

Generally, each bird house must be at least 25 feet away from each other. For some birds, like bluebirds should be 300 feet apart. Meanwhile, purple martins prefer to reside together with other bird colonies and so they should be in apartment houses.

- Best materials to use

Wood definitely is the best material to use. But be careful though, because not all types of wood can be used. As much as possible, do not use lumber. A lumber when wet, can emit vapor that can poison the birds. Making use of preservatives such as paint or stain outside the bird house can also help enhance the durability of the house. However, chemical preservative should also be avoided.

Moreover, never use cans, tins, cartons, and even metal as these materials might overheat and eventually destroy the bird eggs. However, commercial martin aluminums are an exception.

Be careful also with some uninvited guests like wasps, mice, bees or squirrels. In case you found one, remove them. Just be careful though as these animals could hurt you.

On the whole, making a bird house is not just really hammering, drilling and pasting of materials. It also requires subtle care as much as you're building your own house. Just follow the above guidelines and surely you'll come up with the best bird house.

 

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Bird house kits make great bird houses

Bird House Kits Make Great Bird Houses

One great way to attract birds to your garden is by providing them with a comfortable nest in which they would definitely continue returning. Believe it or not, there are bird houses that are already made and there are bird house kits which could be easily assembled on your own. However, if you are adept to working on crafts, you could easily create one simply from any materials that are available around your house.

If you are in any way planning to use a bird house kit,...

bird, birds, bird house, crafts, garden

One great way to attract birds to your garden is by providing them with a comfortable nest in which they would definitely continue returning. Believe it or not, there are bird houses that are already made and there are bird house kits which could be easily assembled on your own. However, if you are adept to working on crafts, you could easily create one simply from any materials that are available around your house.

If you are in any way planning to use a bird house kit, the primary thing to consider is just how you are to use a bird house kit. Do you think the bird house is to be used as a fixture in your own yard? Or do you prefer the bird house to be portable? Do you have a good idea on the specific bird types that you plan to attract? If so, you should therefore have an advanced plan as to what types of bird seeds or feeds to use.

There are also many types of bird house kits that cater to any types of birds. There are those bird house kits that are created for single type birds. There are also others that are for a lot of birds. There are bird house kits that could be hung while there are also others which could be mounted on a post or a fence.

The fact of the matter is that giving yourself appropriate time and effort in planning way ahead will eventually make your bird house making experience a lot satisfying. However, if you are planning to buy a kit that is ready to be assembled, the wood to be used will then be already cut and measured.

Also included in the kits are the hardware. The holes for the bird house are also pre-cut. Another good thing is that the holes for mounting it are also pre-prepared. These kits are also made generally from wood cedar as this type is resistant to weather.

Take note that the bird house kits surfaces are either primed or rough, ready to have a coat paint finish. The good thing about this is that painting it is extremely fun. There are colors you could choose wherein you could go for simple or those that easily attract birds like a paint job that is a lot fancier.

Believe it or not, these kits could also be made as easily by kids. Therefore, building one could be a very interesting project which kids could easily finish in one session. This also works for cub scout groups or for your grand children. You could even make them and give them out as presents during Christmas!

What you need are basically the following things: (take note that this is usually available in lumber yards or in your local home improvement shops) boards that measure 1X 6, boards that measure 1 X 8, one box of five penny nails, exterior paint (either brown, white, green) that is preferable made of latex for the purpose of making it easy to wash using water, a disposable cheap paintbrush for every bird house kit, a wire single heavy strand, hammers for kids (the less than three dollars kind) for those children who may have forgotten theirs.

All in all, making a bird house is easy as long as you put your mind to it. The important thing of course is for you to enjoy what you are doing and the rest is simply a walk in the park. Nothing really beats seeing your finished project hanging on a tree somewhere with lovely birds nesting innocently on your creation. It brings unquestionable pride for you especially for anyone especially kids who may have a part on the making whether you used a pre-made bird house kit or made one from scratch.

 

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Bird house kit

Bird House Kit: Aiding People in Taking Care of Pet Birds

Birds are among the animals that people prefer to pet or to take care of. These feathered creatures are not only being a mere house design for most people. Most people use birds for therapeutic purposes.

As you may know, birds are said to provide many benefits to their caretakers. For some reasons, birds are known to ease people's emotional problems. These feathered animals provide a relaxing feeling to their viewers, which make a person forget about his or her daily stress. Their marvelous feather color combination will make a person feel not only relaxed but also astonished or awed.

However, birds are fragile creatures. When taken away from their natural habitat, they, themselves become distressed, which often lead to their demise. Therefore, if you want to have a pet bird, it is important for you take real good care of them.

Now, when aiming to give your pet bird a better life it is important to make your bird house as comfortable for your pet bird as possible. Now, in order to make this happen, you will need to put in a bird house kit. These kits were developed or made in order to make your pets' lives easier.

There are many types of a bird house kit. Most of these types were made to cater to birds of various types. There is also a type of bird house kit that caters to the needs of only one type of bird. And there is some of this bird house kit that answers to the needs of a different variety of birds.

Some bird house kits are also made in order to protect birds from all sorts of dangers like heavy winds, storms and of course, birds' natural predators. They can also help avoid parasites from living into the nests of birds which are the number one cost why eggs don't hatch and why birds die.

A bird house kit would be usually made of wood cedar. Why? Well, because this type is water resistant. This is also among the durable type of materials used for making a bird house kit.

Many people prefer to make their own bird house kit. Actually, making them is really easy. You just have to be able to read and follow instructions and who's not capable of doing that, right?

However, if you want a highly effective bird house kit, it would be much better to just buy one from a pet store or even in the internet. House kits for birds are usually inexpensive so there's really no need for you to worry about overspending or from running out of budget.

Plus, there's no need for you to sweat yourself off just so your bird house can become more beautiful. Most of the bird house kits that you'll find in pet stores are very stylish. They can help make your bird houses look more astonishing.

You can make your bird houses have classic or modern look. Kits for birdhouses that look like space shuttles, lighthouses and etc are also available in stores. Most bird house kits are designed to trick your bird into thinking that it is in its natural habitat. They help make birds feel more relaxed, thus, in a way these house kits also help birds become much healthier and more pleasing to look at.

 

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Bird house humming

Hummingbird House: The only Way to Watch the Elusive Bird

Humming birds are considered as one of the most fascinating birds. They are also the most rare and elusive bird to watch. This is the reason why you need to build a bird house that will surely attract the attention of these birds into your yard and home.

Many people find pleasure in watching hummingbirds. This is because they are the world's smallest bird. Besides that, they are known for their unique flying ability. These are the reasons why people find hummingbirds a joy to watch.

These are the very same reasons why people build humming bird houses in their home. This is the only way they can get to enjoy viewing these birds and their unique talents. Having them coming back to the bird house on a regular basis is an achievement in itself. And seeing them on their backyards everyday is another source of joy.

Most humming bird houses are small like the birds themselves. In fact, they are made so small that you will not be able to see them the first time if you are not looking close enough. Some people choose to build hummingbird houses on tree trunks where they can be as close to the trunk of a tree as possible.

But this is not saying that you cannot have them in any other places. There are hummingbird houses that are built on shrubs, poles, house gutters and overhangs. The location where it should be built should be high enough so that pets and pests will not easily reach them. If ever they did, you will lose the bird that your treasure plus all the pleasures that come with it.

Hummingbird houses can be made from gourds, milk cartons or boxes. You do not have to build them large. Remember that hummingbirds are not that big. A bird house that is a bit larger than an adult hand would be enough.

The main thing to remember about hummingbird houses is that they are just like enclosures with a tiny hole that will serve as the access for these birds. If you want to limit the bird house to hummingbirds, you can make the entrance just small enough for these birds. Any other bird type will not be able to go through the opening if you adjust them to the size of hummingbirds.

To be sure that you can attract hummingbirds into the bird house, provide the house with a feeder. One suggestion is to place the bird house near a flowery plant. This is because hummingbirds like flowers and places with an abundance of them are where they frequent the most.

Keep in mind that hummingbirds do not drink the same type of water that other birds do. Sugar water is considered harmful to them. It can cause nuisance to their beaks that can turn lethal and even deadly. The best option is to buy hummingbird nectar and offer them to these birds. This is the only liquid that is safe for the hummingbirds to drink.

If you are intent on attracting hummingbirds into your bird house, know everything that is important to them. Gaining enough knowledge on how to catch and take care of them is your assurance that you will not cause any harm to these one-of-a-kind but elusive small birds.

 

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Bird house building

Bird House Building

Birds are great additions to your backyard. Putting up bird houses is an excellent way to attract them. However, not all birds opt to nest in bird houses. Birds differ in their habitat preferences and only cavity-dwellers are probably interested in the bird shelters in your backyard. As it is, these cavity-dwellers also have their own specifications about the kind of house they like. These are minor measurements or feature issues but they are important for the birds. However,...

bird houses, birds

Birds are great additions to your backyard. Putting up bird houses is an excellent way to attract them. However, not all birds opt to nest in bird houses. Birds differ in their habitat preferences and only cavity-dwellers are probably interested in the bird shelters in your backyard. As it is, these cavity-dwellers also have their own specifications about the kind of house they like. These are minor measurements or feature issues but they are important for the birds. However, there are general guidelines in building these houses.

First, it is important to identify the species of birds that visit your backyard. It is also necessary to distinguish which are the cavity-dwellers from the tree and burrow dwellers. Common cavity-dwellers are wrens, chickadees, bluebirds, and flickers. Choose one you like best and focus your bird house design on it. Even if the idea of building multiple bird houses appeal to you, refrain from doing so because birds are territorial animals.

Second, determine the required dimensi

 

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