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Upside Down finch feeders are Selective
Got House Finches? Got Purple Finches? Want a feeder for Goldfinches only? Then you’ve got to try upside down finch feeders. That’s exactly why they make them…for Goldfinches only. They are the only finches (in North America) who will eat while perched upside down.Goldfinches’ electric yellow plumage has earned them the nickname “wild canary”. And although their plumage does fade in winter to an olive-drab color, continue feeding them throughout the year to have that bright yellow color grace your yard in spring and summer.
Finch feeders are a perfect choice for yards and gardens as the thistle (or nyjer) seed is a non-germinating seed. This means no weeds below feeders. It’s a pleasure to watch these sweet birds as well, as feeding habits are more likely to have them stick around pecking seed after seed, as opposed to grabbing a seed and flying off with it.
All finches, plus other birds will use finch feeders filled with thistle seed. If you’re wanting to be more selective and attract American Goldfinches only, go for an upside down finch feeder this year. Happy Birding!
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New Foundation Takes Spay & Neuter to the Next Level
FiXiT Foundation Hopes to Prevent the Annual Killing of 4.2 Million Dogs & Cats in the U.S. NORFOLK, VA – December 21, 2010 – Over 12,000 animals are killed in U.S. animal shelters every day because of the overpopulation of companion animals. In 2011, the FiXiT Foundation is debuting to eliminate animal euthanasia due to overpopulation.
“Many animals are never given a chance at life,” said Stephanie Downs, president of the board of directors, FiXiT Foundation. “Over four million animals are killed a year because there aren’t homes for them. These statistics are heartbreaking, and we created the FiXiT Foundation to find a solution that works to prevent these staggering statistics from continuing in the future.”
The FiXiT Foundation seeks to find why populations are not spaying or neutering their companion animals. To do so, the organization is initiating a case study in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, named “The Island Project,” to test out various incentive programs to entice pet owners to spay or neuter their pets.
“The Island Project is a unique approach to determining how we can succeed at getting more people to spay or neuter their pets,” said Dr. Kellie Heckman, executive director, FiXiT Foundation. “Through the program, we are determining what works best in reaching different populations, such as low-cost services, gift incentives or free services. We will then implement the program in the U.S. to reduce the dependence on euthanasia in our animal shelters.”The Island Project will launch in early January and provide the FiXiT Foundation with scientific data on what works to reach a high level of awareness for spaying and neutering pets. In addition to The Island Project, the FiXiT Foundation is launching an initiative where people can sponsor pet owners in order to spay or neuter their pets.
“In initial research, we’ve found that affordability is a major factor in why people aren’t spaying or neutering their pets,” said Heckman. “Through GetYourFix.org, people will be able to connect with a pet owner to spay or neuter their pet..”
In addition to sponsorship opportunities, GetYourFix.org will connect pet owners to shelters in their areas that offer low-cost spay or neuter services. Currently, the FiXiT Foundation is partnering with animal shelters across the United States so all participants have accessibility to spay and neuter programs. The program is expected to launch in February 2011.
“Our goal with the FiXiT Foundation is to take spay and neuter to a new level so we can finally knock out the issue of overpopulation,” said Downs. “Right now, we are treating the symptom, but we need to treat the problem by removing the barriers to spay and neuter.”
For more information about the FiXiT Foundation, please visit http://www.fixit-foundation.org.ABOUT THE FiXiT FOUNDATION
The FiXiT Foundation was established to eliminate the dependence on euthanasia in the U.S. The organization hosts “The Island Project” in St.. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, to determine the best way to approach the lack of spaying or neutering pets in some populations. Additionally, GetYourFix.org is a resource to help Americans find sponsorship opportunities to spay or neuter their pets. For more information, visit http://www.fixit-foundation.org. -
Create a Bird Magnet in your hanging bird bath
Although I’ve never tried this personally, it’s a fantastic idea to entice more feathered friends to your hanging bird bath!From experience of having several birdbaths containing water features, I can guarantee that moving water really does attract more birds and keeps them around longer.
We have water wigglers, drippers and leaf misters going all summer in our birdbaths, (and heaters in winter) but only one hanging bird bath which has no water feature to create moving water. I saw this idea in a birding magazine and thought it was pretty darn clever.
Take a gallon milk jug (keeps it out of the landfill) and pierce a tiny hole in the bottom corner with a needle or safety pin. The hole must be minute for this contraption to work correctly. Next, fill the jug with water and hang it above the bird bath. The slow, steady drips will create a visual magnet for birds at your bath. It’s amazing to see the difference a bit of movement in the water really makes. Be sure to keep the bath and water clean, and plan on re-filling the jug about once a week.
Happy Birding!
Birding Tips, Information & News
