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Why Clean Wild Bird Feeders?
In the natural world it’s “survival of the fittest” or “natural selection” which keeps species healthy and flourishing. When we feed wild birds, there is an unnatural gathering that takes place. Mind you, backyard birding is one of the most popular and relaxing hobbies today, and providing food and shelter for birds is a wonderful way to help them thrive.
With our wild bird feeders, most of us don’t take the necessary precautions to prevent the spread of diseases. Aside from the regular molds and fungus that can make birds sick, they can develop viral infections as well. These infections are easily spread at high-activity feeders, and carried to other feeders as well. This little sparrow has conjunctivitis, a disease affecting the eye, causing irritation and swelling at first. Blindness usually follows, and soon death as the bird can not venture far to find food. They say if you see a sick bird like this at your feeders, it’s best to stop feeding, as you’ll decrease, or possibly avoid any further spread of the disease. It’s a rare occurrence for a bird to fully recover from a disease like this.
The most effective and practical cleaning solution is bleach! Simply mix 1 part bleach to 10 parts water. Scrub with a brush and rinse thoroughly. At the very least, shoot for once a month. Your birds will be healthier and thank you for it!
- Bird Accessories, Bird Feeders, Fly Thru Bird Feeders, Hopper Bird Feeder, Recycled Bird Feeders, Uncategorized, Wild Bird Feeders
Have You Tried Recycled Wild Bird Feeders?
They’re guaranteed to never crack, split, or fade!
If you could purchase something that came with a manufacturer’s guarantee, wouldn’t you trust it? Recycled wild bird feeders are probably one of the greatest advancements in backyard birding products. Made from milk jugs and other recycled plastics, they greatly reduce landfill waste, and are some of the most durable feeders on the market! The Log Bird Feeder above uses 10 milk jugs for it’s production, while the Fly-Thru Feeder uses about 32 milk jugs each!
Most recycled feeders are guaranteed to never crack, split or fade. Attractive as well, they’re available in every style from hoppers, to platforms and fly-thrus, and even log feeders for feeding suet to woodpeckers and others. Recycle and Reuse!
- Bird Accessories, Bird Baths, Bird Feeders, Bird Nesting Materials, Misters and Birdbath Drippers, Nesting Material, Uncategorized
Bird Accessories Will Attract More Feathered Friends
Use bird accessories to successfully attract more feathered friends to your yard!
There are many ways to attract your favorite songbirds other than typical birdhouses or bird feeders. These are great ways to provide food and shelter, but there’s much more you can easily do to create “bird-friendly” habitat.
Adding a fresh water source to your yard is very beneficial, if you can create a moving water source…even better! Moving water is like a visual magnet to wild birds. Using a birdbath mister or dripper will absolutely attract more species to your yard.
Another great item, is nesting material, as it’s used by both cavity dwelling birds and birds who don’t use birdhouses. You can even make your own nesting material by using items from around the house, such us dryer lint, cotton yarns and strings, pet hair, and moss. Simply collect these items and place in a mesh produce bag like the kind from the grocery store. The one shown above hangs in our yard, and contains horse tail hair, The birds have really gone to town on it!
Bird accessories need not be expensive to have an impact in your yard. Drippers can be made by using milk jugs with tiny pin holes, hung up above your bird bath. See what’s out there and modify it for a home-made version, you’ll be seeing more feathered friends in your new found habitat!
Birding Tips, Information & News
