Bird Influenza has got some
of us worrying about our returned feathered friends this warm
season. While you should always be aware of illnesses that
birds can spread, can you imagine a summer without the sweet
chirping of birds? Encourage the bird life in your garden
at the same time as doing it safely.
Why a Bird House?
Many small birds like to nest and rest in the hollows of old
trees. The chopping back of virgin forests means that it is
up to us to create shelter so that our local birds will continue
to thrive.
Ideal Features
There are no hard and fast rules about how a bird house should
look. Still, when purchasing or building your own bird house,
there are a few things to keep in mind. Check with your local
aviary or nature conservation society about the right sized
bird house(s) for your local feathered friends. The bird house
should provide adequate protection for nests and young birds,
particularly against cats and squirrels. This usually means
a wooden enclosure with a hole large enough for the bird to
enter and leave but too small for predators. It also means
a dry environment. Wood is the most suitable material. Beware
of materials that heat up easily and that don’t provide
sufficient insulation.
Small birds want trees and bushes nearby, and protection
from the sun, rain and wind. The bird house should not be
too close to the ground: anywhere from 2 -5 meters or 7 to
16 feet above the ground is best for most types of birds.
Ensure that it is firmly mounted.
Unlike many other creatures of the wild, birds
cannot store fat for the colder season. They must eat everyday.
Feed them by mounting the bird house on a food table or by
having a separate food table or dispenser, once again, high
up enough to protect the birds against predators. You can
find out whether a table or a dispenser is most suitable by
checking into what types of local birds you have and whether
they feed standing or in flight. Make sure that the design
of the bird feeder is such that the birds do not have to stand
in their food in order to eat it.
The Right Stuff
Skip the moldy bread, bread with saffron and salted
peanuts altogether. A blend of sunflower seeds and oats is
a good all-year combination. Avoid putting out fatty foods
during this season as they can harm the young birds. Extras
from your kitchen during the winter might be cooked, unsalted
rice, mild cheese and bread. In Scandinavia bunches of oat
stalks can be purchased as a gift to the birds in deep winter.
Hygiene
Savor your enthusiasm about helping along nature, but do avoid
heaps of food on your bird feeder. The food can easily turn
moldy if there is too much of it. Birds are not the tidiest
of eaters. Clean the bird feeder every couple of weeks with
a little mild detergent and water. A drop of disinfectant
can be added if you like but not more than 10 percent. Use
rubber gloves when you clean out the bird house!
Worried about Bird Influenza?
If you keep hens or are in contact with domesticated birds,
it is important for you to wash with soap and water and change
your shoes and clothes if you have been in contact with wild
birds or your bird house.
Did you know…..
that the bird song we find so relaxing
is one of the ways that birds manage their busy lives? It
serves a number of functions including: an alert, maintenance
of contact with the flock, begging for food, attracting mates
and defending territories.
Unlike many other creatures of the wild, birds
cannot store fat for the colder season. They must eat everyday.
Feed them by mounting the bird house on a food table or by
having a separate food table or dispenser, once again, high
up enough to protect the birds against predators. You can
find out whether a table or a dispenser is most suitable by
checking into what types of local birds you have and whether
they feed standing or in flight. Make sure that the design
of the bird feeder is such that the birds do not have to stand
in their food in order to eat it.
