| As more land is used to accommodate the | | | | type important, but the time period you feed and |
| ever-growing human population, yards and city parks | | | | the consistency of feeding is very important as |
| become important bird habitat. Diversified landscaping | | | | well.Many people will only feed the birds in the winter |
| and feeding stations offer an oasis of resources in | | | | months, which is when they need it most, however, |
| the middle of human domain. Feeding and watching | | | | by feeding throughout the spring and summer |
| birds gives families the opportunity to practice | | | | months you will attract the migratory birds returning |
| conservation right in their own yards. Children can | | | | from southern climates. In addition, by feeding in the |
| learn and enjoy the wonders of nature right from the | | | | spring and summer, parenting birds will have easy |
| kitchen window. Children will be able to observe the | | | | access to a food source for their young. Food like |
| hatching of young chicks and learn how many birds | | | | seeds, protein rich insects and worms, flies; birds love |
| help control the insect population.One fun aspect of | | | | mosquitoes, spiders, aphids and ants. Do not kill all the |
| feeding birds is learning what birds are visiting your | | | | bugs in your yard if you want birds. Flowers, shrubs |
| backyard habitat. There are several good | | | | and trees will encourage a rich insect life in your yard |
| identification field guides such as National Geographic, | | | | that will, in turn, provide necessary food for wild |
| Peterson's East & West and Birds of North America | | | | birds. If you want to attract hummingbirds to your |
| through which the wild birds can be identified. Birds | | | | garden, this can be accomplished in several ways. If |
| are grouped by physical characteristics. It is fairly | | | | you plant honeysuckle, common lilac (with purple |
| easy to distinguish a duck from a songbird by just | | | | flowers), red geraniums, nasturtium, red petunias, red |
| looking at body shape and size, as well as the beak | | | | salvia, coral bells, columbine, fuchsia and even scarlet |
| and feet shapes. These physical characteristics will | | | | runner beans, there is a good chance that you will |
| help identify birds: size, body shape, colors, markings, | | | | see hummingbirds feeding among your flowers. Fresh, |
| beak shape, feet and wing shape in flight. Birds have | | | | clean water made available year round is an |
| a variety of calls. Good listeners can learn to tell the | | | | important element of attracting wild birds.The |
| difference between "chickadee" and "cheerily - | | | | simplest and most readily available is a shallow |
| cheerio - cheeriup" calls of the Black-capped | | | | birdbath. Birdbaths can be kept thawed even in |
| Chickadee and the American Robin. The most | | | | winter by a birdbath heater. Most garden birds like a |
| important element is the type of food offered to | | | | water source far enough from surrounding |
| the wild birds. The widest variety of food sources | | | | vegetation to offer surveillance against a surprise |
| ensures the widest variety of birds. Ensure that your | | | | attack from squirrels, rats, big birds. If there is water |
| bird feeder is kept clean. Old, moldy seed left in the | | | | falling or dripping making sound this will attract birds |
| feeder will not attract wild birds. Not only is the food | | | | even more towards the backyard. |