Archive for the ‘Decorative & Novelty Bird Houses’ Category
Touch Of Blue
“The bluebird carries the sky on his back”. Henry David Thoreau
It was a gray mornning, I tried to find blue skies, and they just weren’t there. The temperatures are rising though and the enormous piles of snow are disappearing leaving in their wake a glimpse of green grass.
As I peered out the sliding glass door watching the starlings decimate a new suet cake in the suet feeder, I was dreaming of the blue skies of spring, and how it is time to get out some the decorative bird houses that have been stored inside for the winter. Then, out of nowhere came two eastern bluebirds. They landed on the mealworm feeder, and I couldn’t help but be brought from my dreams to the reality of Thoreau’s words. There was the blue sky that I had been looking for so desperately. It was carried on the backs of the two little bluebirds. It became a ray of sunshine that set the tone for my entire day.
Hope you are having a great day!
Excitement At Sunrise
As the sun came up in the East, my two cats, Spanky and Mischief, were posed at the West side of the house. They were making such a racket that I ahd to come downstairs to see what all of the escitement was about. Both of them were crouched down low on the floor, their mouths going a mile a minute with what I call a “cat bark”, and their tails were thumping loudly against the floor.
When I arrived on the scene, I quickly recognized the source of their excitement. The backyard and patio were alive with birds dancing in the sunrise. They were on the pavers, sitting on top of the shepherds hooks, they in the platform feeder as well as under it. The bushes were full of movement from their antics and as I watched, I saw a couple of nuthatches emerge from one of the decorative bird houses where they had apparently been roosting.
Spanky and Mischief have always enjoyed and reacted to the bird activity outside. They are both 11 years old now and I rarely see the level of excitement that they demonstrated this morning. It was exciting for me to see the huge variety of birds that had come to start their day with us.
Life’s Tiny Delights
“ I have never been a millionaire. But I have enjoyed a crackling fire, a glorious sunset, a walk with a friend and a hug from a child. There are plenty of life’s tiny delights for all of us.” Jack Anthony, Author
Today is a 18o degree turn from yesterday. Cloudy, drizzly and a cool chill in the air that goes right through you. My mom used to call it “bone chilling”. It was the kind of day, that required a cup of tea after filling the bird feeders and bringing in one of my decorative bird houses for its pre-winter cleaning and overhall.
It’s all one of life’s tiny delights for me. I hope you experienced some the them for yourself today.
Why I Enjoy Birdwatching
The other day, I was busy with something in the yard and the next thing I knew, I had zoned out on a flurry of finches and mourning doves on and under the bird feeders. My husband caught me in my trance, and asked, “Why do you watch the birds so much?’ An hour later, I think he was sorry he asked, but I think I answered his question.
My first bird feeder was a birthday gift. I was a young mom, with not too much time, so the feeder was nicely placed on a closet shelf for a number of years. I am almost ashamed to admit that, but it’s true. Once my children were in school all day, I had a bit more time and had started gardening a lot. Then one spring, on a rainy day, I was cleaning out the closet and I found the bird feeder. It was a decorative bird feeder, colorful and shaped like a little barn, and the first thought that crossed my mind was it would make a great garden ornament. Before I knew it, I had purchased my first bag of food and added a hummingbird feeder, a couple of novelty birdhouses and a thistle feeder as well. That was 34 years ago.
For many of those years, I was only interested in watching them. I could identify very few and knew very little about them, and considering the longevity of my hobby, I am still a babe in the woods when it comes to identification and real knowledge of the different species, thier habits and likes and dislikes. So you have the background, now why do I enjoy it so much.
My yard is my special place. It’s one of my places of contemplation, peace and solitude. I love to sneak out onto the patio in the early morning hours especially in the spring and watch as the robins return, and the finches put on their summer coats and the blue birds take up residency. It brings me closer to God and nature. They are wonderful entertainment too, especially during mating season. The courtships can be quite comical as well as heart touching. It is a wonderful excuse to smile, even giggle at their antics and acrobatics. And the sounds are magnificent. What a great stress reliever too.
I won’t even pretend to recognize all the calls or even identify them all on first sight. I love their freedon, their differnet flight patterns and the quiet times and spaces they take me to. Now, this took about 20 minutes, and my explanation to my husband was at least an hour, so I warn you, there may be more to come.
The Fall Assessment
I had to take a hard look at some of my bird feeding and housing equipment today. It never pays to go into the winter with faulty bird feeders and houses. One of my decorative bird houses is similar to the one pictured here. The one in the picture is new and bright and “picture perfect”. And, mine is old and showing signs of its 8 plus years in the bright sunlight, cold, snow and rain. It has however, given me that many years of memorable birds who have chosen to call it home and raise their families, not to mention the shelter it has provided for many of them during the winter months.
It had a few loose parts which I fixed quite easily, so structurally it is quite sound and very functional once again. It is severely faded though, and I am struggling with whether to brighten the colors with stain or paint. Why the struggle? I do not want to jeopardize my fine feathered friends in any way. If I do decide to paint it, I will be looking for the most non-toxic paint or stain available. It would be very easy to go get some paint and slap it on and voila, a new spiffy decorative bird house, but sometimes it is easier in the long run to do the homework and find the environmentally friendly solution that will keep the birds healthy and happy.
A Bit About The Indigo-Bunting
I know this bird species is supposedly common in my area and in all of Pennsylvania, but I have never seen one. I have yet to see one hanging out on or under any of my bird feeders, or in or on any by bird houses or decorative bird houses. If they look anything like this picture that I managed to locate on the internet, then I do indeed want to see one - many! I have looked for the indigo-bunting both in my yard and on my walks to the creek and woods. They have always managed to elude me, though many of my friends and neighbors report sightings frequently.
What a handsome bird, though I often think of large and robust when I use the word handsome. The indigo-bunting is only about five and a half inches long. It is slightly smaller than a house sparrow. The male is bright blue in sun, and can almost look black in deep shade which could be why I have not identified one in the woods where I walk. The female is drab like a sparrow. The indigo-bunting finds food on the ground and in low bushes. They eat all kinds of insects including beetles, caterpillars and grasshoppers and supplement with grass and weed seeds, grains and wild fruits.
The males spends much time singing from prominent places, and very little time helping with raising their brood. Some people say the the male helps feeding nestlings, while others say he does not and give food to the female who then carries it to the nest. Sometimes a male will have more than one mate nesting in his territory, and in other cases the male may take over feeding of newly fledged young while the females start a second brood. Males keep singing well into August . Most pairs raise at least two broods a season. Brown headed cowbirds often parasite the nests of the indigo-buntings, and various other predators - particulary the blue jay- eat eggs and nestlings. Some researchers believe that only 30 to 50% of indigo-bunting nests are successful.
The male in his winter plumage looks much like the female, but he still has blue streaks in his wings and tail. Buntings migrate south from late August until October. Indigo-buntings winter in loose flocks in southern Florida, Central America, and Northern South America. They migrate north in late April and early May with the older males preceding the younger ones and return to their territories of past years.
As usual, I was fascinated with the information I found about the indigo-bunting just as I am with all of the information I find about different species to share with you. Hopefully next spring I will be able to give you a first hand report on the ones I have actually seen in my own yard, hanging out under the bird feeders.
To Tint Or Not To Tint
Fall is in the air. The temperature is still way up, but the air just has a different feel to it. To me it is quite noticeable, but most don’t pay that much attention.
Whenever I sense a change of season coming up, I start paying attention to some of projects that are bound to appear. I always like to be ahead of the game. Today I cleaned out two novelty bird houses. They weren’t used for nesting this year, but the wrens and chickadees love playing in them.
Both of them have faded pretty badly over the years. Decorative birdhouses have a tendency to do that. Most are initally stained or painted with a non-toxic coloration.
My contemplation to spruce them up with new color, prompted me to write this just to advise against it. Yes, there are paints and stains that are non-toxic, however, there isn’t one of them that will not leave an odor behind that the birds will sense.
So, if you have novelty and decorative birdhouses in your yard, and your intention is both to have a cute and coloraful addition to your landscape as well as provide a functional birdhouse, let them fade. Do not tint, paint or stain them at all. On the other hand, if you just want a cute converstation piece, go ahead. Stain, paint and tint your decorative bird houses to your heart’s content. Just please, select a non-toxic product.
Purchasing Novelty Birdhouses
Decorative bird houses become more and more creative all the time. They come in all colors and shapes and sizes. There are novelty birdhouses that are shaped like barns, apples, loos. They range from the simple to the very complex, and the prices range accordingly.
There are a couple of things to consider when you are looking to purchase decorative bird houses. Is it functional? Will it serve a purpose or just be conversation piece? These bird houses can be more than purely decorative. Spring time may bring and family of wrens to one of them. I had a family of sparrows in mine one time.
As the summer season winds down and there is no more nesting in the picture until next spring, why would you put up a new decorative birdhouse? Well, for one thing, they are fun. And, once the birds discover them, it can just be enjoyable to watch them go in and out of them. Many birds hang around all winter, and they may be looking for a place to roost to escape the brutality of the winter season. Bird houses of any kind can provide shelter for them that they may not otherwise be able to find.
So when you are choosing a decorative bird house, choose one that will give you enjoyment, add to the appearance of your lanscape and backyard and provide both a home and a place to roost for the birds who choose to stick around all winter.
Just A Bit About Bird Houses
There are about 2 dozen bird species in North America that will make their homes in bird houses. How do you know which of them are visiting your backyard, and where they prefer to nest?
1. Bluebirds
Bluebird houses should be placed near an open field, a park or cemetery or even a golf course. If you do it, you wil have an great chance of finding a pair of bluebirds nesting in it. It appears that Bluebirds prefer to have their next boxes mounted on a wooden fence post or even on an old tree stump. It is important when making or purchasing a Cluebird house that the hole is the right diameter. It should be one and a half inches and that that measurement, it will be small enough to keep the Starlings and House Sparrows out. They have a bad reputation for killing the baby bluebirds, and even adults sitting on the nest.
2. Robins
Robins, our largest thrushes, prefer to build their nest in the branch crotch of a tree. If you don’t have an appropriate tree, you can offer a nesting platform. Find a place six feet or higher up on a shaded tree trunk or under the overhang of a shed or porch. Creating a “mud puddle” nearby provides a further attraction, as they use mud to line their nests.
3. Chickadees, Nuthatches, and Titmice
Chickadees, titmice, and nuthatches like to indulge the same food, feeders, and habitats. If you place a properly designed nest box in a wooded yard, at least one pair is sure to check it out.
Chickadee houses should be placed at eye level. Hang them securly from limbs and tree branches. For these, the hole should be 1-1/8″ to attract chickadees yet exclude house sparrows. Secure houses for titmice and nuthatches on tree trunks five to six feet off the ground. Continue to keep your suet basket and peanut feeders full througout the summer and you are sure to attacted these fun birds.Brown Creepers and Prothonotary Warblers
Look for brown creepers to nest behind the curved bark of tree trunks. In heavily wooded yards, slab bark houses will appeal to creepers. Prothonotary warblers also prefer slab bark houses, but theirs must be placed over water.
4. Wrens
These guys will nest almost anywhere. They are a bit picky. You can place a nest box with a 1″ x 2″ horizontal slot in stead of the more traditional circle. The slots make it easier for the Wrens to use. The male Wren iwll build several nests. Then the famale gets to decide which one will be used. So don’t be surprised if you put a Wren birdhouse up, that the male will go about filling the cavity with twigs, and then may not even nest there.
5. Swallows
The Tree swallows like to have their nest boxes attached to dead trees. They should be spaced about seven feet apart for these white-bellied birds with iridescent blue-green backs and wings. Tree Swallows are insect eaters so ideally the nest boxes should be on the edge of a field near a lake, pond, or river.
6. Purple Martins
Bring on the Purple Martins and lower the mosquito and flying insect population. It has been said that these birds can eat 2,000 mosquitoes a day, and while it is true that they eat flying insects, they actually prefer dragonflies - insects that prey on mosquito larvae. So don’t expect the Purple Martins to wipe out your mosquitos. Purple Martins are one of the most entertaining birds and are a very favorable bird to attract. They will put on a great show for you every time. The best chance of getting them to house is to put the Purple Martin house near a pond or river that has a large lawn or open field. They need a radius of at least 40 feet of unobstrcted flying space near and around their house. They like to perch in sociable groups, so a wire nearby is helpful as well.
You will need a house with at least 4 large rooms as Purple martins like to nest in groups. Ventilation and drainage are important factors too. Make sure the rooms are 6 or more inches on all sides with a 2-1/2 inch entrance hole about 1 - 1/2 inch above the floor. Purple Martin Houses should be mounted between 10 and 20 feet above the ground.
Needless to say we have only covered a few here. You must decide what birds you want to attract and depending on your surroundings, make your decisions on which bird houses to provide.