Most wild birds and animals depend on four things: Food, water, space and cover.
General Bird information
Until the 1800s, much did not change in North America. The big forests had stayed pretty much untouched. But when our ancestors arrived a lot changed, they turned woodland into farmland, and then the whole civilization started slowly to grow. Now most people live in areas that are called suburbia.
Suburbia is what we call home and where we make our suburban back yards and or gardens. This is where we can come in close contact with nature and its wildlife and enjoy it the best we can.
Most wild birds and animals depend on four things: Food, water, space and cover. You would think that a back yard or at least a small garden would be necessary to attract wild birds. Not so, many birds have changed their habits and are now willing to even visit the smallest rooftop garden. The American Robin was once mainly a forest bird, but now you can find them visiting and nesting in back yards and parks with mature trees, all the time.
If everybody who has a little rooftop garden, a small garden or large back yard, would learn about what birds needs are in their habitat, we can really boost the number that visits us and help them survive. Simple things like putting out some water on hot summer days, or leaving some leftovers for birds to feed on, will always make a difference.
If you choose to only feed birds once in a while, the best time, is during the cold winter months. That will get you many visiting birds fast. If you can, put out nutritious and energy rich foods, since birds only feed during daylight time, they need that extra fat to survive the long cold winter night.
Spring and summer months are of course great times to feed birds too. Birds that are nesting and feeding young ones, appreciate all the help they can get. A bird that normally gets by with eating 3% insects like the House Sparrows, in winter time, will consume 68% animal matter during the spring and summer months. The birds need that much insects and other animal matters to successfully meet the high protein diet of the growing, for ever hungry off springs.
Safe places for birds are very important as well. There are many threatening elements out side like, strong winds, wet weather and all kinds of predators, especially during nesting seasons. To provide birds with natural shelters like trees, bushes, hedgerows and shrubs, especially the ones that come with prickly sharp thorns are dearly appreciated by your visiting birds.
To have singing-post, perches and habitat layers are vital for all birds, witch use them to nest in and feed from. To create a bird friendly garden, might take some knowledge and planning, but it is definitely worth every moment you spend on it.
Something to think about is the space requirements birds have when they are nesting. Birds have territories that are big enough to spread over several of your neighbor’s backyards. The bird will usually defend this space during the winter months too. So, have this in mind when and where you decide to put your bird houses.
If you live on a larger property and have barns and or garden sheds, a great idea is to leave a window open. Some birds like Barn or Cliff Swallows and phoebes may like to nest in the rafters and raise their young ones there.
Always remember that water is just as important as food for your visiting birds. Do not only have small water dishes out for the birds to drink from, it is also very important for a bird to take baths. Water loosens up dirt and dust from their feathers and will help to keep
