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Welcome To Wild Bird Garden Blog - a great place to learn about backyard birding!
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
While hummingbirds derive some nutrition from eating small insects and spiders, the average hummingbird requires the nectar of 1000 flowers each day. Use this expert approved home-made hummingbird nectar recipe to help your hummingbirds obtain the calories they need, and keep them coming back for more.

Hummingbird Nectar Recipe:

• Add 1/4 cup cane sugar to each cup of water. 
• Bring to boil for 1-2 minutes. 
• Allow the nectar to cool before placing it in your feeders. 

Things to keep in mind:

Studies show that hummingbirds prefer cane sugar, which is most similar to flower nectar. Other sweeteners, including honey, may be harmful or fatal to hummers. 

Food coloring is unnecessary and can be toxic to hummingbirds given that they consume half their body weight in nectar each day (studies show that large doses of artificial food coloring causes neurological problems and cancer in lab animals.)

Experts recommend that nectar be changed every 3 days in the summer and every 5 days in the winter to prevent mold and bacteria from growing and making the hummers sick. Studies show that hummingbirds will learn not to return to feeders with old nectar.

Before refilling your hummingbird feeders, you should wash and rinse them with hot water. For bottle type feeders, a special brush accessory can be used to scrub the inside of the bottle. Use a small brush accessory or Q-tip to scrub the ports. Periodically sanitize your hummingbird feeders in a solution of 9 parts water to 1 part bleach to destroy mold and bacteria. Rinse thoroughly after cleaning.

Some hummingbirds are quite territorial and don't like to share. Try placing a variety of Hummingbird Feeders around your yard and on opposite sides of your house.  The more feeders you offer, the more hummingbirds you will attract!


by: Wild Bird Garden
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Decorative bird feeders are functional as well as attractive. The many different styles allow you to choose the perfect complement to your garden decor, as well as providing you the ability to offer a variety of seeds types to attract various species of wild birds. From mixed seed, to black oil sunflower, peanuts, and even nyjer thistle, decorative bird feeders can handle it all.

You can easily enhance your garden decor while feeding wild birds with decorative bird feeders. With so many styles to choose from, you might want to purchase several and place them strategically around your yard or garden to provide a welcoming retreat for your feathered friends. Place your decorative bird feeders where you can enjoy the view for year round entertainment. Birds appreciate being fed year round, and any time is a great time to enjoy bird watching!

Check out our great selection of Decorative Bird Feeders and remember to come again as our selection continues to grow.


by: Wild Bird Garden
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Whimsical birdhouses are appreciated by many backyard birders for their charming and decorative style. Our whimsical birdhouses are unique, fun, and fully functional. They make great conversation pieces, and are sure to delight for years to come. You can easily dress up your yard or garden and provide a home for wild birds by providing a nest box with style. You will attract common backyard birds such as chickadees, house wrens, titmice, and nuthatches. Late in the season, wild birds may use the nest box for night time roosting, or to obtain shelter from the elements.

We offer a variety of Whimsical Birdhouses ranging from cute to funny, and even bizarre. 

From the Whimsical Flower Birdhouse, to the classic Fifth Wheel Birdhouse, and the distinctly humorous “Birdie Loo,” you are sure to find something that suits your personal style. 


by: Wild Bird Garden
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Our fancy birdhouses are designed for outdoor use, but make great indoor decorative pieces as well. Some people collect them, and display them in their homes. When placed in the out of doors, these gorgeous abodes can be occupied by wild birds and enjoyed by passersby. You will appreciate the great detail that goes into these architectural designs, such as hand shingled roofs and gingerbread trim. 

Check out our great selection of Fancy Birdhouses - you might be surprised by what you find.

You might choose a fancy birdhouse that matches the home you live in, whether it be victorian, or cottage style, or even a castle! 


by: Wild Bird Garden
Sunday, June 15, 2008

Attracting wild birds by providing bird seed or suet is perhaps the easiest way to entice them into your yard where you can see them. 

Many folks derive great pleasure from feeding wild birds. Of course there are many different types of Bird Feeders and bird food you can offer, and this can be confusing for folks who are new to bird watching. A good place to start is with a feeder that dispenses mixed seed or sunflower seed, because this will attract the greatest variety of wild birds, especially if you include sunflower seed hearts in the mix. Visit our Bird Feeder section to learn more about different types of feeders, and the birds they will attract. 


by: Wild Bird Garden
Sunday, May 18, 2008

Adding a water feature to your yard or garden will enable you to attract a greater variety of wild birds. 

Many birds are insectivours - they don't eat bird seed, so you won't see them at your feeders. These birds include robins, warblers, wrens, thrushes, catbirds, bluebirds, cedar waxwings, and many others. You can attract these insect eating birds to your garden by offering a Bird Bath or other water feature such as a Pond or Fountain

Birds need fresh drinking and bathing water year round, and they are naturally attracted to the sight and sound of water. Even in the winter months, they need fresh water. They can eat snow, but the energy required to melt the snow and keep the body temperature warm can lead to a caloric deficit at a time when food is scarce. Birds also need to keep their feathers clean, even in winter. They accomplish this by bathing and then preening their feathers.

The best bird baths are shallow along the rim and gradually reach a depth of no more than 2 inches in the center. This allows birds to enter the bath gradually. It is preferable that the surface of the bath be rough to provide traction. Ponds installed in the ground should include a shallow area along one shore for birds to bath. Fountains are usually too deep for birds, unless you choose a bird bath fountain or solar bird bath fountain. The sound of splashing water will attract wild birds.

There are a variety of Bird Bath Accessories that you can purchase to enhance your water features. In winter months, a bird bath heater or de-icer can be installed in your birdbath or pond to prevent the water from freezing. Never add anti-freeze to the water as this will kill the birds. 

You can also enhance your water feature by adding a dripper or mister. The dripper creates the sound of running water which is irresistible to wild birds. You will delight in watching birds as they drink from the dripper and frolic in the water. Misters provide a fine mist which is especially attractive to hummingbirds - they enjoy flying through the mist to clean their feathers, and you will enjoy watching them zip back and forth as they do so.

In summary, adding a water feature to your garden, such as a bird bath, pond, or fountain, will attract wild birds and greatly enhance your bird watching enjoyment. Water features can turn your garden into a soothing, tranquil retreat for you and your feathered friends.




by: Wild Bird Garden
Saturday, May 17, 2008

A great way to attract wild birds is to improve the quality of habitat in your yard or garden. There are four basic elements to consider: cover, water, food, and nesting sites. 

Cover in the form of shrubs and trees can attract wild birds to your garden by providing food, shelter, and a place for birds to raise their young. 

You can create a wild bird garden by planting native berry or fruit producing plants, shrubs, and trees, which will provide food as well as cover. Many of the exotic (imported) plant species actually reduce the quality of wildlife habitat as the fruits are inedible to our backyard birds. Consider replacing exotics with native plant species that bear edible fruits. There are several good books on the subject of gardening for birds. You can also contact your local native plant society for a list of desirable plants that are indigenous to your area.

You will have more success attracting wild birds to your feeders if you have trees, shrubs, or other cover nearby. This provides birds a place to retreat to, or perch while they wait their turn at the feeders. Some birds, such as chickadees, will take sunflower seeds from the feeder to another location to open and eat. It is helpful if they do not have to fly too far. 

Another way to provide cover is to create a brush pile near your feeders for birds to perch on and hide in. This tactic may also attract squirrels, chipmunks, and other critters which may or may not be welcome in your garden.

You will be surprised how quickly the number of birds at your feeders will increase once cover is provided.

Join us next time for a discussion on attracting birds with water.


by: Wild Bird Garden
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