Birdhouses and Feeders

Product Description
This handy resource features clear illustrations and step-by-step guidelines for the construction and mounting of 30 cozy homes and feeders for our feathered — and furry — friends. Just a few basic requirements is … More >>

Birdhouses and Feeders

Pack of 2 Decorative Wing Design Embossed Verse Bird Feeders

Product Description

Sheltering Wing Bird Feeders
Item #74337
Small bird accents
Verse reads: “quiet hearts can hear the song of a garden”
Antique stone finish
Dimensions: 12″L x 7″W x 10″H
Material(s): Poly… More >>

Pack of 2 Decorative Wing Design Embossed Verse Bird Feeders

Wild Bird Feeders – Why not?

Ask any ornithologist of the importance of wild birds to a particular geographical eco-system and one will be met with a cacophonous response regarding delicate food chain balances, confusing statistical data pertaining to population decreases and the effect the decimation of natural habitats is having on their beloved winged friends.

But, for the most of us, the most appealing and luring attribute of the feathered sector of the evolutionary ladder is undoubtedly their outstanding aesthetic beauty. This, coupled with a vocal range unmatched anywhere in nature, is the reason why so many of us spend our hard earned on wild bird feeders.

Nuts about the Northern Flicker? Barmy about the Blue Hen Chicken?  Mad for the Mountain Blue Bird? If the answer to any of these, or indeed all of them is yes then you need to know the perfect feeders to allow you to ogle to your heart’s content.

Every ornithologist has a favourite bird. It may be the one bird that eludes him at every bird watching outing, the one he just can’t entice with his wild bird feeder, his prize catch. Armed with a little inside knowledge and an earnest desire, you can find the bird you’re looking for.

Wild bird feeders bring the normally more elusive of birds right into the arena of your own back garden, a perfect vantage point for bird watching in HD. With a variety of feeders to suit the most frugal of budgets, the most determined of pests, (those pesky squirrels!) and the most tiny of gardens, wild bird feeders allow anyone to have their own Technicolor bird watching movie-fest.

Added to this the fact that with the huge spectrum of decorative tables available, you can utilise it as a design feature to add panache to a mundane outdoor space, plus with a little bit of specialist insight you can even match the bird to your open-air decor. With a little research, you can choose the food and feeder to attract a particular species of bird and voila, instant coordination of flora and fauna. Who needs to pay the high prices of specialist gardeners?!

And for the more ecologically conscious amongst us, sleep well knowing that your little oasis might very well contribute to a coinciding rise in population numbers of your favourite bird, helping them feed and nurture their young in a safe and reliable environment. What more self-satisfaction could you get than knowing you’ve done your little bit to offset all the damage we inadvertently do to the natural habitats all around us?

With such minimal outlaying and maintenance costs, there really is very little reason NOT to have a wild bird feeder in your garden!

Squirrel Proof Bird Feeders – A Few Tips

You must be tired of the squirrels in your backyard that try to get something from the bird feeders you have put there for the birds visiting your backyard but with the squirrel proof, you can be sure they will not disturb you anymore. Bird feeders squirrel proof are meant to keep the squirrels and other animals you don’t want away and they come in various types.

You can get a bird feeder squirrel proof that collapses or spins with the weight of the squirrel. These are made to only support small weights such as those of the birds so that when the squirrels try to get the food, the feeder starts to spin and the squirrel falls to the ground. You can also use caged bird feeders which can only allow birds to get inside so that the squirrel will be too big for the space left. There are those that are only meant for the small sized birds to get inside depending on what you want hence the squirrel proof will prevent other larger birds you don’t want on your bird feeder as well as the squirrels.

You can also find ways of squirrel proofing your bird feeder which includes placing your bird feeder at a distance where the squirrel cannot reach as well as maintaining cleanliness around the area so the squirrels will not be attracted to the place. There are many companies producing squirrel ready bird feeders but important is to get one made of the best materials and is durable.

Read more about Bird Feeders Squirrel Proof. Visit our site for lots of Wooden Bird Feeders Information.

Squirrel Problems With Bird Feeders

There are truly two basic approaches to keeping squirrels out of your bird feeder. The first is to simply try and block them from getting to the feeder. There are 2 common types of feeders that do that. Squirrel proof bird feeders are very common.

Baffled Bird Feeder – By simply prohibiting access to the the food in the feeder, you frustrate them and they move off. The benefit of to using a baffle is that it nearly separates the squirrel proof barrier from the feeder itself, so the bird have free access to the bird seed, and any size bird can still use the feeder. This is frequently the more classy approach.

The disadvantage of this approach is that squirrels can leap enormous distances, and are incredibly flexible climbers, so they will often find a way to land on the actual feeder and evade the baffling. With the top mounted feeder you may also find a squirrel smart enough to climb down and cause the feeder to swing, and while they may not gain access to the feeder itself they may cause the bird food to spill to the ground, where they can get all the food they desire.

This is typically the case when you’re attempting to attract smaller birds.

The second approach to disposing of squirrels in your bird feeder is to move them out. The much more effective types of squirrel proof feeders are those that cause the squirrel to fall off or be thrown from the feeder. There are two types of those feeders as well, weight turned on feeders and the battery powered or electronic motorized feeders. While this won’t harm the squirrels they’re fun to observe in action…
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Glass Hummingbird Feeders and Gazebo Bird Feeders – What to put in, and not to put in, your feeders

A Sapphire twist glass hummingbird feeder works well by itself or as a pair of lawnornaments to deliver a blaze of color to your lawn and garden décor. I have written about where to place your hummingbirdfeeders to get the most traffic and where to place them to keep the bully hummers, the ruby-throated hummingbirds, from being the only hummingbird to grace your glass hummingbird feeders. These suggestions will deliver more traffic and maybe even a little less bullying. However, what is good to put in your sapphire twist glass hummingbird feeders?

If you have a favorite hummingbird food recipe that you like, and the hummers like, by all means stay with it. If you are wondering how to make hummingbird food there are many hummingbird food recipes out there to try. The hummingbird nectar that hummers go for first is natural, the sugary nectar from flowering plants like Columbine, Impatiens, Geraniums and more. This nectar gives the bird a sugar high that is most important before they make their trek across the Golf of Mexico. There are a variety of instant mixes out there to try in your Sapphire Twist Glass Hummingbird Feeders, my hummer friends seem to prefer this simple hummingbird nectar recipe. Mix one part sugar with four parts water, bring to a boil for one or two minutes. Cool and store in your refrigerator.

Because Honey ferments easily never use it in your hummingbird feeders. The fermentation will cause sores in a hummingbirdâ??s mouth. Artificial sweeteners are just that artificial, they have no food value. Most glass hummingbird feeders sold today have some degree of red in them, red attracts the hummingbird. Although there have not been any testing done on the effects of the dye on birds, please Do Not use red food coloring in the solution you use for your hummingbird feeders, it could harm your swift winged wonders. If you donâ??t feel there is enough red in your Sapphire Twist glass hummingbird feeder just tie a small red ribbon around your feeder.

As winter approaches adding decorative gazebo bird feeders to your backyard display of wooden lawn ornaments will not only enhance your garden décor birdhouses but will attract your feathered friends and makes sure they have enough to eat all year long. Placing your birdfeeders under trees where plants donâ??t readily grow will give an otherwise barren area new life and give protection to the visiting birds. Birds will frequent areas that have plenty of food and were they will feel safe.

Always have a source of water for your quest, even in the dead of winter; bird baths that wonâ??t freeze in the winter are available. What you put in your gazebo bird feeders can determine what type of birds you will attract. If your birdfeeders have black sunflower seeds, sometimes called oil seeds, they will attract cardinals, woodpeckers, blue jays, nuthatches and many more. Chickadees, titmice, and downy woodpeckers are attracted to gazebo bird feeders with safflower seeds, a slightly smaller seed than the black sunflower seed. A good food supply, water, and a safe environment will bring the migrating birds to your birdfeeders on their way south and will keep your local residents happy and coming back for more.

If you havenâ??t already seen the mess a store bought bag of mixed birdseed makes around your gazebo bird feeders then I am here to tell you, donâ??t buy mixed birdseed. They contain a lot of filler, like red millet, something most birds wonâ??t eat. It just gets kicked to the ground where it rots. Mixed birdseed for your birdfeeders is not a bargain. Plain and simple, buy the seeds you know your birds want.

Hummingbird Bird Feeders – Choosing the right one for your garden

Hummingbirds are beautiful as well as amazing to watch and many bird watchers and gardeners are keen to attract them in to their backyards. Specially designed hummingbird feeders are the best way to do this as they provide the very hard working hummingbird with an easy, quick source of food.

Hummingbirds diet consists of mostly of sugary nectar, pollen and small insects. They have a very high metabolism and need to consume lots of sugar to keep active throughout the day.

Hummingbird feeders come in a variety of colors, shapes and sizes but there are essentially two main types of bird feeders , the saucer feeder and the inverted feeder. The saucer feeder is basically a dish that is filled with a sugary liquid, hummingbirds feed on this nectar through specially designed feeding holes. The saucer feeders are often smaller (and usually cheaper) than inverted feeders and are generally easier to clean, however they need to be refilled more often and depending on their size might not be that obvious to the hummingbirds.

Inverted feeders are larger (and often more expensive) , more visible to visiting birds and donâ??t require regular refilling. However inverted feeders can be difficult to clean and are poor quality feeders are prone to leaking.  Although there are advantages and disadvantages for both types of feeders most people choose the inverted feeders as they tend to be more effective in attracting hummingbirds. As well as deciding on the type of feeder, consider the following factors when deciding which hummingbird feeder to purchase.

Look for a feeder that is built using some red materials. Hummingbirds are attracted to red objects and are more likely to use your feeder if itâ??s got a red base or tube.  Also choose a feeder that is easy to clean and refill. Hummingbird feeders should be refilled twice a week or possibly more depending on the number of Hummingbirds in your garden.  Larger feeders are generally easier to clean and there are special brushes that can help make the cleaning process easier.

Its worth investing in a feeder that has one or more perches on it. Although it is fascinating to watch a hummingbird hover while feeder it uses a lot of energy and are more likely to feed if you provide a perch for them to rest on.

The sugary liquid in your feeder will obviously attract many insects including wasps if it leaks out of the feeder.  Many feeders have built in ant and bee protectors or you can purchase them to fit your bird feeders.

Once you have got your hummingbird feeders select a visible spot that is in the sun and ideally near a flower bed. It may take a while before you see hummingbirds and a little longer before they feel confident enough to feed using your bird feeders. After a while you maybe able to bring the feeder closer to the house so you can view from a window, however do not place too close to the window otherwise the Hummingbirds may fly in to the window and injure themselves.

Once your bird feeders are in place and filled with a sweet sugary solution, sit back and wait for these beautiful birds to start feeding â?? it is worth all the effort when you see the Hummingbirds feeing in your backyard.

Squirrel Proofing Bird Feeders – Techniques to Birdproof Feeders

There are really 2 basic approaches to keeping squirrels out of your bird feeder.  The first is to simply try to block them from getting to the feeder.  There are two common types of feeders that do that.

Baffled Bird Feeder – By simply restricting access to the the food in the feeder, you frustrate them and they move off.  The advantage to using a baffle is that it more or less separates the squirrel proof barrier from the feeder itself, so that the bird have free access to the bird seed, and any size bird can still use the feeder.  This is often the more aesthetic approach.  This is often done by pole mounting the feeder, and putting the baffle on the pole.  Other types use a hanging arrangement and the baffle forms a roof over the feeder.

The disadvantage of this approach is that squirrels can leap large distances, and are incredibly agile climbers, so that they will often find a way to land on the actual feeder and bypass the baffling.  With the top mounted feeder you may also find a squirrel smart enough to climb down and cause the feeder to swing, and while they may not gain access to the feeder itself they can cause the bird food to spill to the ground, where they can get all the food they want.

Caged Bird Feeders – Another very common solution is to use a caged feeder.  These are easy to spot, the construction includes some type of cage around the actual feeder area.  It’s a fairly open mesh, and in fact a tube style caged feeder looks similar to an electronic bug zapper with the open mesh surrounding the tube.

Caged feeders are better at keeping the squirrels out of the feeder, but they can still get to it and scare off the birds that are trying to use the feeder.  This is often the case when you are trying to attract smaller birds.

The second approach to getting rid of squirrels in your bird feeder is to move them out.  The much more effective types of squirrel proof feeders are those that cause the squirrel to fall off or be thrown from the feeder.  There are two types of those feeders as well,  weight activated feeders and the battery powered or electronic motorized feeders.  While this won’t harm the squirrels they are fun to watch in action.

How to choose bird feeders for your backyard

Your local garden center or online retailer is likely to have a massive selection of bird feeders to choose from in various sizes, shapes, colors and prices and it can be difficult to know which bird feeder will be the best for the birds in your garden or backyard. Regardless of the type of bird feeder you decide to purchase it should be built of sturdy material, easy to clean and squirrel proof!

The most popular choices are tubular bird feeders and platform feeders. Tubular feeders are built using a plastic or metal tube with various holes to allow the seed to come out. Many of these feeders have perches for birds to rest on while feeding. Look for a tubular bird feeder that has a solid hook or chain to hang it from a tree or pole, a large tube so you are not refilling everyday and a mesh or dome to protect your food from squirrels.

Platform feeders can be simply be a sheet of plywood raised off the ground and covered with seeds, fruit or other food.  A platform feeder about one foot off the ground is perfect for attracting birds that feed on the ground such as sparrows, doves or juncos. You can also hang a platform feeder from a tree or mount on a pole to attract a vast array of different birds. Again remember to look for protection of squirrels and ensure any wooden surfaces have been protected from the weather.

Hopper feeders are a bit more expensive but are usually easier to look after and come in a variety of interesting styles, including a Victorian house!  The main advantage is this type of feeder automatically restocks the feeder until the feed has been exhausted from the hopper – this means you don’t have to refill the feeder every day. Look for hopper bird feeders which hold a decent amount of seed and are easy to clean. You’ll attract many kinds of birds with these feeders including woodpeckers, cardinals and jays.

Window feeders attach to a pane of glass and allow you to see the birds while they are feeding from the comfort and warmth of your house. It may take slightly longer for the birds to feel comfortable feeding in this way but soon you’ll have a variety of birds feeding right next to your living room window!

The final types of bird feeders are the suet feeder and nectar bird feeders. Suet feeders are usually consist of a wire cake that suet cakes are attached to – suet feeders can be difficult to clean but do attract a variety of birds in winter and summer. Nectar bird feeders are diesgned to attract hummingbirds and Orioles. The birds ‘suck’ a sugary water from an inverted bottle or from a saucer that drips the liquid through the feeder.

It’s often worth having a selection of bird feeders in your garden to attract different types of birds at different times of the year. If you buy bird feeders that have been built well, they should last for a number of years and bring you lots of pleasure.

Choosing Squirrel Proof Bird Feeders

Squirrel proof bird feeders allow your birds to co-exist happily with the squirrels by stopping the squirrels from stealing the bird seed from your bird feeders.

Before investing in squirrel proof bird feeders you can try a few techniques to encourage the squirrels to leave your feeders alone. Position your bird feeders in areas well away from trees to stop the animals jumping on to your feeders and ensure your feeder is at least 5 foot off the ground (although squirrels have been known to jump up to 8 feet off the ground!).  If these tips don’t discourage squirrels, there are two options either purchase an attachment to make your existing bird feeders squirrel proof or buy a specially design squirrel proof bird feeder. You will usually have more success if you buy a squirrel proof feeder rather than trying to retro fit a device to your existing bird feeders.

There are now a wide variety of good quality and effective squirrel proof bird feeders available on the market and they come in a range of styles and shapes. There is a squirrel proof version for almost every type of bird feeder.

Some of the simple designs feature a dome shaped device over the top of the feeder. This is used in bird feeders that are designed to hang from trees and ensures that squirrels are not able to grip on the bird feeder and simply slide off before they can reach the food. They tend to be quite large and can put off certain birds from using your feeder. Clear Perspex baffles are the most effective as birds as still able to see the food inside the feeder when flying overhead.

Metal cages are becoming more popular lately and can be retro fitted to some bird feeders as well. Essentially they consist of a tubular feeder which has an extra cage around it. This allows the birds to use their beaks to reach the seed however the holes between the wires are not large enough for squirrels to bite through.

The most advanced, expensive and entertaining options are the motorized or weighted devices.  The weighted devices either close the feeding hole or tip the perch over when something heavier than a bird perches on them.  Most bird feeders are used by small birds, however if you have large birds using your bird feeders just check their weight won’t cause the feeder to close or tip over. Some of the motorized devices even start to spin around when a squirrel tries to use them, this doesn’t harm the creatures but soon stops them coming back and trying again!

Another option is to buy a purpose built squirrel house and squirrel feeder and encourage your squirrels to use this rather than your bird feeders. Of course this may encourage more squirrels to use your garden but many bird lovers find this is an effective option and allows both species to co-exist peacefully together.

When choosing squirrel proof bird feeders look for materials that are guaranteed again squirrel damage and are built from quality, durable materials.

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