Populations of many kinds of birds are declining. Habitat loss and degradation, disease, collisions with man-made structures and a host of other factors contribute to these declines. You can help by creating bird sanctuaries with natural food sources in your own yard.
Here are six steps you can take to make the future brighter for birds:
• Step 1: Put out the welcome mat
- Plant a bird & butterfly garden that will provide natural food sources
- Add shelter from the elements and predators
- Provide feeders, nest boxes and water
• Step 2: Prepare a proper menu
- Provide appropriate foods year-round to attract more birds to your yard and help ensure that they have a safe and nutritious diet
- Refill feeders regularly with food desired by birds in your area. To pick the best menu, stop by the Gertens Bird's Nest area of the store. You can also find out more information in our Blooms and Berries article
• Step 3: Keep feed and feeding areas clean
- To help reduce disease transmission, clean feeders and feeding areas at least once a month.
- Scrub birdbaths with a brush and replace water every three to five days to discourage mosquito reproduction
- Rake up and dispose of seed hulls under feeders. Moving feeders periodically helps prevent the buildup of waste on the ground.
- Keep seed and foods dry; discard food that smells musty, is wet or looks moldy.
- Hummingbird feeders should be cleaned every three to five days, or every other day in warm weather. It’s good hygiene to wash your hands after filling or cleaning
• Step 4: Birds and chemicals don’t mix
- Always follow directions provided by chemical manufacturers
- Use more organic and environmentally friendly products to keep weeds, bacteria, and insects at bay
• Step 5: Keep cats away from birds
- Scientists estimate that cats kill hundreds of millions of birds each year in the U.S.
- If you have a cat, keep it indoors, it’s good for the cats AND the birds
- Install feeders in areas not readily accessible to cats or install fences or other barriers to help keep stray cats from feeder areas.
• Step 6: Reduce window collisions
- Collisions with glass windows kill millions of wild birds every year
- Depending on their size and location, some windows reflect the sky or vegetation, and birds are fooled into thinking they can fly through them
- Identify windows that cause collisions (typically larger, reflective windows, those near the ground, or those that “look through” the house)
- Attaching decorative decals or other decorations to the outside surface of the glass can reduce reflections
- Feeder birds fleeing predators are vulnerable to window collisions. If this is happening at your house, consider moving feeders within three feet of the windows so that birds cannot accelerate to injury level speeds while flying away
- Problem windows can be covered with a screen so that birds bounce off, rather than hit the glass.
The experts at Gertens are always available to answer your questions!