One of the harshest facts about the winter months, especially in the northern states, is that many factors combine to make it hard for birds to find food.  First, there is just less of it.  Plants that many birds might feed on, such as berries, have just stopped producing in many areas, and those birds that like to feed on the insect population will find that there it has pretty much disappeared, either dying out or hibernating during the cold months.  So finding a good source of food is a challenge.

The other thing to keep in mind is that because birds are warm blooded, and wintertime is so much colder, they need a very high source of energy to keep warm enough to survive.  Much of the bird seed available these days doesn’t really provide much in the way of calories or energy.  That’s why suet feeders are a favorite for winter time bird feeders.

Suet is raw beef fat, typically taken from around the kidneys and loins. Because of its high fat content it is very high in energy.  Suet is one of the best foods to attract nuthatches, woodpeckers, wrens, titmice, chickadees, thrashers, cardinals, bluebirds and many other types of birds.  And, as usual with bird feeders, it can attract some less desirable wildlife like starlings and squirrels.  So, if these are a problem, you may want to use a suet feeder with a cage, and for starlings try a feeder covered on all sides but the bottom, which will feed many other birds but discourage starlings.

Depending on the type of suet you use, it can start to melt and go rancid at temperatures above 70 degrees F, so take care to empty after the spring thaw.

Another thing to keep in mind is the wintertime need for water.  Obviously, with freezing temperatures, the availability of water outdoors will drop, and a typical bird bath will freeze over fairly quickly since they are designed to be shallow.

There are many heated bird baths, but probably the easiest way to solve this problem is to add a bird bath heater to your existing bath.  Make sure that the bird bath is made from a material that can take the heat, some resins may melt.  Also be sure that the heater has a thermostat so it won’t overheat the water as well.

With a few simple steps like this, you can make sure that the birds in your yard are going to make it through the winter.

Jon Ruppel – About the Author:

To learn more about suet bird feeders and to see the various types of bird bath heaters, go to http://backyard-birdz.com

Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/winter-bird-care-help-your-backyard-birds-through-the-winter-644057.html

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Bird feeding is an interesting and absorbing hobby, it gives immense pleasure to its lovers who like to watch the birds eat. Wild bird seed, nuts, bread crumbs and fruits are placed in the bird feeder. Not just any bowl filled with food can become a bird feeder. The feeder should allow for all kinds of wild, migratory birds to perch and have a meal. Regularly replenishing the food will ensure a lot of activity at your feeder.

A bird feeder should be designed to accommodate the wild birds that frequent your yard. Squirrel Proof feeders, platform feeders, tube feeders, thistle sock feeders, suet bird feeders, nut feeders and window feeders; these are some of the widely used varieties. Hummingbirds feed from honey feeders and it is common to add red color to attract these jewels of the bird world.

  In order to watching the birds, perhaps take the time to feed them, then you must also take care of their safety. A bird feeder should be placed in a safe place so that the birds can fly to safety immediately when they see a bird of prey in the sky. Also, feeders should be sturdy enough to withstand the perching of many birds, as squabbling among your avian visitors may go on all at a time.

  Bird feeders should be positioned high above the ground and away from the trees to save them from another species of predatory animal; cats. Regardless of whether you choose decorative bird feeders or bird feeder houses, they must all be strategically positioned with the safety of the birds in mind.

Feeding birds that are indigenous to the area can be a round the year activity, (depending on where you live) peaking during the winter and ebbing during the summer. The bird feeder should be stocked with wild bird food and it should be replenished often. You never know when a winged guest might arrive. There is a chance of diseases spreading from bird-to-bird or from bird-to-humans; therefore, all of your bird feeders should be cleaned and sanitized regularly, at least once a year is recommended.

By: Michael SelvonArticle Directory: http://www.articledashboard.comDid you enjoy this article ? Why not visit us and learn how to attract hundred of birds in record time with our bird feeders manifesto, for minimal expense and very little work.

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