Pets & Animals

Birds: Cedar Bird Houses

June 23, 2008 – 2:24 pm
Cedar bird houses are among the most common wooden bird houses, but they are also among the most attractive. Cedar is a medium to dark beige wood that is resistant to damage and rot, although you will still want to treat it if you live in a hot and humid area. Whether you plan on housing bluebirds or wrens, there is a cedar bird house built with that type of bird in mind.Most of the species of birds we see will utilize bird houses. Finches, swallows, wrens, and other North American birds make their nests in tree hollows and other sheltered environments. This makes cedar bird houses an ideal location during nesting season.Bird houses carry another great benefit: the chance for the young and old alike to watch the life cycle and development of the young birds. Some bird houses have removable walls that allow ...

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Birds: Kits To Make Bird Houses

June 22, 2008 – 2:24 pm
Kits to make bird houses are not only a rewarding project for a budding craftsman, but a great gift idea for anyone interested in this enjoyable hobby. There are plenty of different models on the market that come prefabricated, but the rewards of building your own bird houses are undeniable. There are kits for those who have built them before, as well as kits for beginners just getting started.Building Kits to Make Bird HousesThere are those that think bird houses are just four walls and a roof. This could not be further from the truth. While the earliest bird houses were very simple in their design, they still needed to be functional for people to use and reuse them. Removable walls were always a must, and adequate ventilation has also always been an important feature. Today, laddered interiors and moving wooden flaps are also ...

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Birds: Suet Feeders

June 21, 2008 – 2:24 pm
Suet feeders are great for indoor and outdoor birds, and will provide a great deal of the fat and oil needed in a birds diet. Suet itself is simply beef fat, but it must be treated and prepared before it becomes suet. Suet feeders can be hung near a window or on a tree and will give the observer a good view of the different birds that inhabit your area.Preparing Your Suet FeedersSuet feeders come ready, with all of the parts you need. Most suet feeders come pre-assembled, although there are versions for enthusiasts and hobbyists to construct on their own. Suet itself is included, but it is possible to make some of your own if you have the right ingredients. The suet you make can be used to refill your feeder once the birds have finished it.Suet is most easily cooked out of ground ...

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Birds: Bird Seed

June 20, 2008 – 2:24 pm
Bird seed is a mixture of many common seeds. Peanuts, sunflower seeds, and even corn are used in bird seed, and it is sometimes suspended in something called suet. If you have a bird feeder, you should make sure to purchase bird seed that will be accessible through its openings.Bird seed is very inexpensive to buy. You can buy it in smaller quantities (a few quarts) for under $10, but if you have a larger feeder you can find bags of 20 or more pounds for less than $50. That much seed will last for months, unless it is being eaten by other creatures, such as squirrels.Premium Bird SeedIn addition to the many seeds you probably already know about, there is an imported seed that can be considered an avian delicacy. Nyjer seed is harvested primarily from the banks of the Niger River in Africa ...

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Birds: Yankee Flipper

June 19, 2008 – 2:24 pm
The Yankee Flipper is one of the best bird feeders on the market, and it is also one of the most amusing. Bird feeders are a great addition to any yard, but squirrels are a constant problem, as they can access the seeds and go to town on your supply of bird seed. Droll has made it their mission to create a feeder that stops squirrels from stealing your seed, and the Yankee Flipper does just that.How Does the Yankee Flipper Work?Squirrel proof bird feeders come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but they all feature smaller openings that make it more difficult for squirrels and larger birds to feed. Some also have very tiny perches or are shaped like cylinders which make it hard for squirrels to keep their balance. Taking it one step further, some perches are weight sensitive and are attached to ...

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