Category: Bird and Hummingbird Feeders

TOP WILD BIRD PRODUCTS

Give the wild bird lover in your life something special this holiday season with an unique bird gift that is sure to make a great impression.  Whether your wild bird lover just enjoys feeding the birds or has interest in attracting more birds to their yard, there are a number of great items available to suit your needs.  The following items are some of my favorite wild bird products for this holiday season:

• Make a grand statement with a birdbath.  A great gift for any bird lover is the  Birdscapes Garden Sip and Seed BirdFeeder.   This feeder/bird bath combination is sure to a winner with any bird lover.  It has a classic, charming appeal and may be hung up on any post or tree branch.  The bird bath matches the bird feeder perfectly for a coordinated look.  It is easy to clean and refill with both food and water.  Any bird lover would be thrilled to receive this sleek bird feeder and bird bath.
• Have fun with a colorful, wild birdhouse.  Nothing makes a statement in a yard more, than a colorful, printed birdhouse.  To liven up your bird lover’s outdoor living space, the Animal Print birdhouse is a creative way to express your love of wild birds.  This birdhouse is designed not only to look pretty, but it also has a galvanized steel roof to help protect wild birds from the elements outdoors.  To give you the perfect size hole for any bird, a reducer magnet is included to make the birdhouse more appealing to smaller birds.
• Give some economical holiday cheer.  A decorative seed wreath is an economical way to show the wild bird lover in your life that you care.  One of my favorite seed wreaths is the Candy Cane Seed Wreath by Pine Tree Farms.  This clever seed wreath is shaped in the classic candy cane shape.  With bright green and red seed, the birds are sure to take notice.  An attached hanger makes this wreath easy to hang anywhere and looks great decorating a pine tree for the holidays.

These items are just a few of my favorites bird lover gifts for the holidays.  For a great selection in wild bird items, check out Rachel’s Robin.

The titmouse blends in with nuthatches and chickadees – so many wild bird hobbyists don’t pay alot of attention to the titmouse. 

Besides their unassuming beauty, titmice have unique qualities that are worth watching. After the nesting season, titmice don’t join bird flocks, but they stay together as a bird pair throughout the winter. Wild bird enthusiasts report
seeing titmice pairs at feeders all winter long.  In many cases, they are with offspring from the previous summer. 

Titmice are sociable little birds that get along just fine with other birds at your feeder. Known for their big black eyes and little crest on top of their heads make them easy to identify. They’ll enjoy suet, sunflower seeds and peanuts. 

8 Tips to attract Titmice to your backyard:

• Plant seed and nut trees such as evergreens, beechnut and oak.
• Plant berry bushes such as elderberry and bayberries. 
• The Titmouse will be a frequent visitor to your feeders in the winter. Provide a feeding station with a
  hopper feeder and plenty of perching space. 
• Since Titmice are agile birds, consider a peanut or sunflower feeder as shown to the right. Fill it with peanut kernels or black oil sunflower seed. 
• Place out a platform feeder and fill it with peanut kernels, grapes, apples or berries. 
• Offer a suet feeder placed near the trunk of a tree. 
• Smear peanut butter onto tree trunks and branches periodically. 
• Offer a birdbath as a source of water for drinking and bathing.

The fall and winter months offer a time to clean and care for your martin houses and make sure they are ready for the spring season next year. Purple Martin home maintenance is usually not too difficult.  It consists of making small repairs to your Purple Martin homes, checking your mounting hardware and possibly adding accessories to make your site ideal for Purple Martin colonies.

Many Purple Martin hobbyists remove their homes from the poles for winter storage. This protects the unit from harsher weather and keeps other birds from overtaking the nests. 

After taking down the home for the winter, remove all the nesting material and clean each compartment of the purple martin home thoroughly with a mild detergent. This prevents any parasites or disease from contaminating the home over the winter months. Place the house in your garage or basement for winter storage. 

If you choose not to store the home, make sure that you add door stops to the unit to keep house sparrows and European starlings from overtaking the nests. Next, do a thorough check of your mounting hardware. Martin house poles that are faulty and not maintained can be a safety risk for the birds, you and your kids. 

If you have a telescoping purple martin pole, check that all parts are present and the locking mechanism is seated properly. Clean any rusted areas with a sander. If your purple martin pole system includes a pulley, or other rope mechanism, oil the pulley. Replace the rope if necessary (frayed etc..). 

Inspect the concrete or soil surrounding the pole for foundation issues.  Ensure that the pole is study.  Make sure that your predator guard is seated properly on the pole and hasn’t been damaged by squirrels or raccoons. 

Fall and winter is an excellent time to maintain your martin house and equipment. By removing or closing the home for winter, access is denied to house sparrows or starlings, and gives you an opportunity to check for safety and health issues with the equipment.

TOP WILD BIRD PRODUCTS

Tube feeders are a great way to offer your backyard birds some tasty and nutritious bird seed anytime of the year.  This type of bird seed feeder is available in a variety of styles and sizes that you are sure to find one that suits your needs.  A great feature about tube feeders is that they neatly hold the bird seed until the bird comes to take it and the seed stays fresher inside of the tube protected from the elements.  When choosing your bird seed tube feeder, here are some things that your should consider:

• The type of bird that you want to attract.  Tube feeders can hold a variety of bird seed.  Some can hold only sunflower seeds, thistle seeds, and others can hold a variety of seeds.  Some birds, such as finches, desire thistle seed, so putting up a thistle seed tube feeder will help to attract these types of birds.  One of my favorite bird seed is the Triple Tube Wild Bird Feeder because it can hold either mixed seed or thistle seed.  It also holds 10.5 pounds of bird seed, so you won’t have to keep refilling it everyday.
• The amount of seed you want it to hold.  There are several bird seed tube feeders that come in a variety of sizes to give you a coordinated look in your yard or you can use one length throughout your yard.  The larger amount of seed the tube feeder holds, the less you will have to fill it up.  A great tube feeder for any bird lover that is available in different sizes is the  Quick-Clean Seed Tube Feeder.   Not only is this feeder easy to fill, it is also easy to clean.
• The type of material.  While most bird seed tube feeders are available in a clear, UV-resistant plastic, some manufacturers are now making bird seed tube feeders in an earth friendly material.  Whether it is glass, UV-resistant plastic or recycled plastic, it will be easy for you to clean and maintain.  The EZ Clean Recycled Bird Feeder with Green Seed Ports is a great feeder for any environmentally-conscious bird lover.  This feeder is made of recycled plastic milk jugs and has a snap-out base that makes it easy to clean.

With so many styles to choose from, it can be hard to choose a tube feeder.  It is a good idea to select a few different types if you are a new bird enthusiast to determine which feeder works best for you.  For a great selection of all your bird supply needs, check out Rachel’s Robin.

TOP WILD BIRD PRODUCTS

Enjoying bird watching all year long can be difficult especially when the weather gets colder.  A window bird feeder is perfect for enjoying the birds right from the comfort of your own home.  In addition, a window bird feeder allows you to get a close prospective of the birds and all of their beautiful details.  There are several styles to choose from including environmentally friendly, in-house, windowsill and more.

For the environmentally conscious bird lover, choose a window feeder like the Eco-Friendly Window Feeder that is made from recycled plastic.  This earthy-friendly bird feeder is great for feeding a variety of birds and holds approximately three pounds of bird seed.  To make your bird watching more interesting, try rotating the type of seed in the feeder to see what types of birds that it will attract.

An exceptional window feeder is the In-House Window Bird Feeder.  This window actually allows you to enjoy birds inside of your home.  The feeder fits into a window and bows out into your home.  You get an extremely close-up view of the birds and can observe all of their eating habits.  This feeder is weather resistant and may also be filled with a variety of seed.  You won’t believe how incredible the view is!

Another option for a window bird feeder is the Windowsill Bird Feeder.  This feeder has a beautiful, sleek design that looks great with any home and is made of natural cedar wood.  A shatterproof and UV resistant window in the center allows you to view the birds feeding at the sill.   The feeder attaches to your window with strong suction cups and the roof is hinged to easily open up and fill with your favorite type of bird seed.

When the weather is cold outside, having a window bird feeder makes bird watching more enjoyable and comfortable.  You will be amazed at how well you can view the birds naturally and the types of visitors that your window bird feeder will attract.  For a great selection of window bird feeders, check out Rachel’s Robin.

TOP WILD BIRD PRODUCTS

A great distraction for keeping the squirrels and other types of wildlife away from your bird feeders is to place some wildlife seed to your yard.  By feeding the wildlife in your yard, you can deter the squirrels and wildlife from eating up your bird seed. Keeping the squirrels and other types of wildlife away from your bird feeders not only saves you money on bird seed, but also helps the birds to thrive in addition to the squirrels and other types of wildlife throughout the entire year.

One way to keep the squirrels away from your bird feeders is to place wildlife food near the squirrels.  The Wild Life Block for Squirrels and Other Wildlife by Pine Tree Farms is perfect for getting the squirrel’s attention and keeping their interest.  This block of feed contains a variety of nuts, seed, oats, millet, and more and is ideal for attracting squirrels, raccoons, and other types of big, wild birds.  It is fun to watch the animals pick away at the block.

You may also want to try a loose feed, such as the Chuckanut Backyard Wildlife Diet, in a wildlife feeder to attract the squirrels away from the bird feeders.  This seed works great in a ground feeder or in a feeder with open sides for easy access to the seed.  The seed mix includes a variety of healthy nuts and seeds that are irresistible to squirrels and other types of wildlife.

When feeding the squirrels or other types of wildlife in your yard, place the seed near your home for easy viewing of your visitors.  You might be surprised at the number of visitors that you have or the type of wildlife that are attracted to your yard.

For cute photos and more information on wild animals, be sure to check out campingfunzone.com.

TOP WILD BIRD PRODUCTS

A great bird house or feeder will instantly add character and charm to your yard, not to mention it is great for helping the birds to thrive.  Adding a stylish birdhouse or bird feeder is ideal for spicing up your patio or garden area.  There are some fun, decorative birdhouses and bird feeders available that are great for the birds and for adding a touch of fun to your yard.

One of my new favorite birdhouses is the Starfish Retro Chic Birdhouse by Rossos International.  This fun, vibrant birdhouse add color to your yard and gives the birds a safe, cozy, and dry home.  The hand-painted starfish on this birdhouse are very fun and whimsical and the little birdie sitting on top looks adorable.  Hang this charming birdhouse on a tree limb or a post in your garden and enjoy!

Another fun, decorative piece for your yard is the Peace Retrochic Bird Feeder.  This charming and unique bird feeder has a fun, vibrant peace design that is sure to bring attention to any spot in your yard.  It is ideal for feeding a variety of birds and can be used with any small, mixed birdseed.  The birdseed stays dry because the feeder has a galvanized steel roof.

Whether you choose a fun, decorative birdhouse or a bird feeder, you won’t be disappointed with the charm and whimsy that it brings to your yard.  Not only do these birdhouses and feeders add character and color, but they are very practical and help the birds to survive and be healthy.  For more fun birdhouses and bird feeders, check out Rachel’s Robin.

TOP WILD BIRD PRODUCTS

If you live in the north, fall can be a great time to continue feeding the birds, even though a majority of birds have gone south for the winter.  Some of the birds that stay around for the fall and winter are Sparrows, Northern Cardinals and Blue Jays. During the fall, these birds are busy stocking up on food to get them through the winter.

A great seed to get for your fall and winter birds is the Birdlovers Thrive RX Stress/Survival Blend by FM Browns.  This special blend of bird seed is formulated to give your birds the nutrients and energy they need to make it through the winter.  It is a great source of protein and carbohydrates for birds.

When feeding your birds during the fall and winter, use a feeder that offers some protection from the elements, such as the Go Green Coppertop Gazebo Feeder.  This feeder has a sturdy, copper roof that is great for protecting the birds from rain and snow.  It is also easy to fill up with bird seed and keep clean.

Another essential item for attracting birds to your yard this fall and winter is a bird bath heater.  Water is less available during the colder months and by offering birds warm water when the weather is cool, you are sure to attract birds to your yard during the winter.  A great bird bath heater is the Heated Rock Bird Bath De-icer.  This bird bath heater blends in nicely in your birdbath and operates only when the temperature is below 35 degrees.  It is energy efficient and easy to operate.

Neotropical Migratory Songbirds – How we can help them. 

Birds that breed in North America and spend the winter south of the U.S. border are known as “neotropical migrants.” Neotropical means the tropics of the “New World.”

Orioles are just one of more than 300 kinds of neotropical migrants.

Finish what we have started.  

Many orioles don’t leave the U.S. in the fall at all due to the change in migration patterns that were formed by us humans feeding birds. During this century, the migration patterns of many species have changed and Orioles are part of that change. Orioles are an example of a species that has expanded its winter range.

 

If a flock of Orioles does migrate all the way south, it takes approx. 2-3 weeks to migrate down and over the Gulf of Mexico. During that time – they need extra energy and food to ensure that they make the grueling trip across the Gulf safely.

On average, an oriole probably travels about 150 miles each night, flying at about 20 miles per hour. Each morning they stop and eat ALOT. They feed on insects, flower nectar, and fruits. At backyard
oriole feeders, they eat sugar water, mealworms, and bits of fruit. 

Listed below a few Oriole feeders offered by Rachels Robin

Deluxe Oriole Feeder with Perch Activated Bee Guard — EXCLUSIVE perch-activated bee guard feeding stations featured on this oriole feeder allow orioles and hummingbirds to feed without bees. Rugged 36-ounce plastic hexagonal bottle. NO DRIP feeding base.

Aspects Oriole Feeder 16 oz The Aspects Oriole Feeder features 4 ports and holds 16 ounces of nectar. It is both bee and ant resistant and has a built-in ant cup in the bowl. The cover is bright orange to attract orioles.

Opus 24 oz. Oriole Feeder Opus 24 oz. Oriole Feeder featuring a patented reversing funnel that makes filling clean and easy. It has a no drip design and patented bee guards.

Oriole Feeder by Perky Pets Rugged, 36-ounce plastic hexagonal feeding bottle NO DRIP feeding base with orange slice decor to attract Orioles

PerkyPet Handpainted Oriole Feeder (Shown above) Luscious, handpainted oranges adorn this Colibri feeder, attracting orioles to your back yard. Three orange sliced designed ports further attract birds. Comes with hanging chain and gem cut glass bottle.  24 oz – 5 inch x 11 inch

Although we can’t change migration patterns overnight, we can help the birds survive during the fall when they are migrating.

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TOP WILD BIRD PRODUCTS

Environmentally friendly items touch every aspect of our life and there is nothing better than being environmentally friendly inside and outside of your home. An emerging trend among many manufacturers is to make birdhouses and bird feeders out of recycled plastic to help save trees and prevent more plastic from ending up in the dump. Recycled plastic is easy to clean, durable, and makes an attractive home for the birds.

One of my favorite recycled birdhouses is the Going Green Wren House by Aubudon Woodlink. This stylish birdhouse is made to look just like wood and blends in well with nature. It is made of 90% plastic lumber, which means it puts the recycled plastic to good use, and does not absorb water like real wood. The recycled plastic is less likely to attract mold and is easy to clean away dirt and bacteria. This birdhouse is especially design for wrens and looks great hung on a tree or wood fence post. Your backyard wrens are sure to be comfortable and cozy in this green bird house.

Another great recycled birdhouse by Aubudon Woodlink is the Going Green Bluebird House. This is made from the same recycled wood and is the same style as the Going Green Wren House, but the hole size and house size is designed especially for attracting bluebirds. The bluebirds will be attracted to this charming, yet natural looking home for many years to come.

To continue the green theme, many manufacturers are starting to make bird feeders out of recycled plastic. A great recycled tube feeder is the Recycled Plastic Lumber Mixed Seed Tube Feeders. These tube feeders are available in a variety of sizes to suit your bird feeding needs and hold various quantities of bird seed. Each tube feeder is made of recycled plastic milk jugs and easily comes apart for cleaning. The white tube stands out to attract birds, while the green top blends in well with nature.