A Lot To Learn About Birds

There are so many different things to learn about the birds and their habits that I wonder if it's possible to learn it all. Some people devote their whole life to watching, learning and caring for birds. I am just a hobbyist that finds bird fact very interesting and I like to know about the birds I have around my bird feeders and in my garden. I am in no way a professional on the subject, but I love to learn about them. Actually, it's just like getting to know your human neighbors. When you move into a new neighborhood everyone is a stranger, but soon you recognize people based on their characteristics, such as habits, shape, styles of walking, and the places where you see them. Paying attention to individual differences can help you identify birds, too. You can recognize many birds simply by noting their shapes, even if seen only in silhouette. Other useful characteristics are a bird's posture, size, flight pattern, and the kind of habitat in which the bird was seen. Start by learning to identify general groups of birds-- warblers, flycatchers, hawks, owls, wrens--whose members all share certain similarities. As your observation skills improve, familiarize yourself with the field marks--colored or patterned areas on the bird's body, head, and wings--that help distinguish species.


To attract birds to your yard or garden takes almost no effort on your part. Of course you need a water source, Such as a birdbath or fountain. The feeders you choose will make a difference in the types of birds that you attract. I myself have several feeding areas in my yard, Two types of seed feeders, One that the larger birds like and one that is better for the smaller birds. One thistle seed feeder that is mainly for my goldfinches, several hummingbird feeders, a fruit feeder, I put bread or whatever in the lawn area away from the feeders and in the back yard, and have a suet feeder in a nearby tree. This cuts down on the bullying by the larger birds. Not that it's always the larger birds that do the bullying. I have seen several finches chase a chipmunk away from the feeder. hummingbirds also like to lay claim to any feeder they want to claim as their own. It's a good idea to have several hummingbird feeders because they don't like to share.

You can attract birds to nest in your yard by placing birdhouses around the area too. I have many types of birdhouses too. they are in my trees, in my gardens, on my arbors, and on Sheppard's hooks scattered all over our property. The birds also choose their own nesting areas in my yard. Some choice places are not always convenient for the human inhabitants of that area though. They like the cap on my propane tank, light fixtures, overhangs, gutters, I have even had them nest in my gas grill.

One year there was a hole in my siding that a light meter was removed from and birds nested inside the wall. Every day I heard baby birds chirping loudly to be fed until they were old enough to abandon the nest at which time the hole was immediately repaired. If there is a hole where they can get in they will nest in it. They are very resourceful.

BIRD WATCHING

Bird Watching

I have been doing a little research on the subject of bird watching. I have always been fascinated with birds.There are many species and even variations of species to different geological areas. In the United states there are so many different types of birds that it would take forever to memorize them all. I find it fascinating that each bird has a distinctive song or call all their own.

There are websites that have recordings of bird songs for many different areas. Some come with an image to view and some can even be downloaded to your i-pod or mp3 player, so you can listen while you are hiking and bird watching. Some websites offer a bird finder, that comes with disc that shows you the picture and plays it’s song when you choose a particular bird. That would be very helpful, in properly identifying many species of birds you might happen to see.

Every bird watcher needs a good pair of binoculars to view those creatures who keep at a distance. They also prove to be a very important tool for seeing the nests that are in the trees. They even have night seeing binoculars. For the advanced birder they have bird cams that can be attached to trees, Birdfeeders or even inside birdhouses. They do a great job of capturing photos of birds in action. It is fascinating to watch birds building nests or feeding their young.

I live in the country and have several gardens designed to attract the birds and they do not disappoint me. Most of them return each year to breed, nest and raise their young. I provide them with food , water, and shelter. For my loyalty to them they provide me with entertainment, singing and chattering away while they court, mate, build nests and finally feed their babies with all of the bugs they want from my gardens. I just sit back in my garden swingand watch. I recommend it highly to anyone who needs a way to escape from the stress of everyday life.

Some times I even set out string, Easter grass, strips of paper and other things they like to build nests with, They can pick some strange things to use in their nests. I have found many odd things while cleaning out the birdhouses. Pieces of fabric, toothpicks, bones, stuffing, concert tickets, garland, rubber bands, straws, and even a five dollar bill. I have my own version of a lost and found box. It really makes me wonder where and how they get all of the things from, and if the rightful owners Miss them.

The birdlady