Decorative and elaborate or simple and functional, birdfeeders and birdhouses are lovingly coveted by many people (and birds)! The collector seeking a new piece for
den or study need only consider personal taste and aesthetics- many who enjoy careful art and craftsmanship of a beautiful birdhouse or feeder would never think of placing their precious gift outside in rain and other elements.
The serious or novice birder, on other hand, has just a bit more to consider. With a minimal amount of work and some forethought, anyone interested can enjoy observing and identifying birds from their own urban or rural yards or decks throughout entire year. It is possible to attract up to one hundred different species of birds to a yard with careful placing of just a few feeders and houses!
While any type of birdfeeder or house will prove itself a delightful addition to your landscape, you should ask yourself just a few questions to guarantee that your bird-attracting efforts are successful for both you and birds. When choosing type of feeder or house you need or want, you should consider following:
Are you trying to attract a wide variety of birds or a specific type of bird? How often do you want to clean and refill feeder? Do you want to see bird close-up from a window or would you rather lessen possibilities of window strikes? Are you ok with starlings and jays that like to perch and can dominate a feeder, or are you trying to attract strictly smaller clinging birds like chickadees and nuthatches? Further considerations include pests (squirrels…) and predators (housecats…).
This may all seem like a lot, but really, there are many resources at your local library, bookstore or on internet that are not only interesting, inspiring and fun to read but will help you answer these questions in hardly any time at all.
