We have had snow and colder weather for a while and finally the bears, raccoons and chipmunks have gone into hibernation for the winter.  I can finally leave my bird feeders out just for the birds.  They are making such good use of them that I just can't seem to keep ahead of them.  Sunflowers, suet, nuts and just balls of fat seem to keep them coming back.  My favourite hummingbirds however have flown south for a bit.  Nothing like rushing the seasons but I can't wait to see the first ones coming to my window and hovering there as if to say - what - no food out for me yet?  It seems every year one in particular comes to the window and, as if suspended from a string, will stare at me through the window.

7 Things to Think About BEFORE You Buy That Bird!

 This is similar to an article I posted last week.  Although it is not exactly the same I am sure you will get the general idea.

7 Things to Think About BEFORE You Buy That Bird!

Once you have decided to buy a bird there are several things you should think about before you actually buy one.  The breed, the size, the cage, and the joy they will bring should be secondary to the things you should know first.

I‘ve had a number of smaller caged birds over the years. I’ve had ones that talk and ones that don’t.  Some that are loud and obnoxious and some that are quiet and shy.  Some that sing and some that squawk.  Some that screech and some that chatter back and forth to each other all day long.     

They All Make a Huge Mess!!  

All birds preen. 

That is, they are constantly either fixing their own feathers or the feathers on another bird.  Sometimes the cat and sometimes the person that lets it perch on their head.  Preening is a whole other story.  Suffice it to say – birds preen and they moult.  Their feathers fall out and new ones grow in.  Of course, every time the birds flap their wings for exercise those feathers are scattered everywhere.  

All birds eat.

Caged birds usually eat seeds and seeds have shells.  Most birds don’t eat the shells so they have to get rid of them and as they don’t have hands to hold the shells – they use their beaks and those shells fly.  Sometimes I think the shells have wings when I find them so far away from the cage. 

However, all is not lost – you can buy cage skirts or make your own that fit around the bottom of the cages to keep the seeds and feathers on the inside, not on your floor. 

If you don’t mind the feathers floating around your house you can always try feeding them the seeds that have no shells.  Bits of fruit and veggies.  Or just resign yourself with the fact and get on with sweeping it up every day.   

 All birds need water.

Clean water to drink – and clear of feathers and seed shells.  I know – you ask – how am I going to keep it clear of feathers and shells when every time one of them flaps – there will be more things in the water.   I have a bird bath attached to the cage but the birds prefer to bathe in their drinking water cups instead.  So every day and sometimes twice a day – the water has to be changed. 

All birds need exercise.

Now with all that eating, preening, bathing and drinking you need someplace for them to exercise.  You will need a cage with enough room in it that is free of toys, drinking and food cups and anything else you might have in there so the wings can be fully expanded.  I must admit – I do allow mine to fly outside the cage now and then and they just love it. 

Relaxing?

Now with all that done – they are going to relax – and well, they must get rid of some of that food and water they had.   Rather than you trying to catch the droppings when they gotta go - you can use ripped up newspapers, cedar chips, grit paper and a host of other products that are disposable in the bottom of the cage.   Try to find a cage that is easy to clean – it sure saves a lot of time. 

After a hard day.

All birds sleep – at least all mine do.  It is the only time they are semi-quiet.  Those budgies still chatter when they are napping! 

A cover over the cage at night stops the chatter and they are all tucked in but.... I have a cockatiel.  Cockatiels suffer from night fright and often in the middle of the night the ruckus is enough to wake the proverbial dead.  Squawking, flapping and not only the cockatiel is at it now but the whole lot of them.   After a few nights of that – I have a nightlight in the room for the birds and we all sleep peacefully.

Location to park the bird cage.

You will need a stand or a table to put the bird cage on.  Be careful to ensure that the cage is away from any plants because some plants are toxic to birds and to ensure that the birds don’t make a mess of those beautiful leaves.   They have chewed up some of mine and they take a long time to recover. 

Enjoy your birds! 

Frosty Nights

It is that time of year again when the dahlias and the glads have been hit by frost and now it is time to dig up the bulbs and get them stored until spring.  I have decided this year to put a tag on all my bulbs to see what colors they are for next year.  I always end up with such a hodge podge of color but on the other hand - it is always a surprise.  I did not get as much time to spend in my gardens this summer as I would like to.  I have so many of them it is hard to get to them all.  Thankfully most of them are perennials and look after themselves except for the weeds but there is always a lot to do just the same.  I have a lot of flowers that attract the birds, the bees and the butterflies so there is quite a variety and I like to keep a little color for spring, summer and fall.  I now have some that will still make a statement with their fluffy wands in the winter too. 

This hardy little rose keeps flowering even with the frost on it. 

Chickadees and Goldfinches

In my yard there are a lot of birds that visit my feeders regularly.  The most predominant being chickadees, nuthatches and goldfinches.  I do have lots of other species that come but not in the numbers that these ones do.  I tried to take some pictures but they are all so fast that you don't even get a chance to focus on them let alone take a picture.  When I don't have the feeders out - they all sit there very patiently waiting for me.  In the trees, the ferns, the christmas lights that I never take down (they make a great place for the birds to perch) while waiting for a feeder or a place to sit when one is there.  As soon as I open the door with feeders in hand they come right over and start to eat before I even get them hung up.  They are so used to me and the cat, that they don't hesitate at all.  Some of them will take the food right from my hand.  Some of them are still nervous but with patience, they too will soon be used to my presence. 

My Raccoons

As long as I forget to bring in the bird feeders or leave some tasty treats lying around outdoors, the raccoons will find it.  Just when you get a little complacent about cleaning up before retiring for the night you are either rudely reminded before you even get to sleep or you find out very quickly in the morning that you did not put everything away like you should have.  I spend half my time between cleaning up after either the bears or the raccoons.  Like the bears, they don't care if my houseplants remain upright or upside down.  They want every last one of those sunflower seeds that the birds left lying around or that crust of bread the grandkids left behind.  Anything will do whether it is edible or not, gets investigated one way or another.  Several times they have left little presents for me to find.  Not just one raccoon but the whole family leaves it one spot.  Usually on the top step just so you know they were there.   Thinking of this reminded me of a raccoon that we had when I was young.  We named him Bobby.  He was the most lovable animal with the softest hands that he would wrap around your neck and give you a hug or pat your arm when he wanted something.  We had dog kennels and he would often play with some of the dogs but he was always very confused because he could not bark like the rest of them.  He would sit for a long time and wait for one of the dogs to bark and he would go to them and watch them bark.  He never did figure it out. 

 

No more Hummingbirds

The humming birds have all gone south for the winter so we can clean up the feeders and store them away for next season.  We always know that summer is here when they all come back.  Even thought the humming birds have gone there are still lots and lots of other birds that will stay for the winter and we will continue to feed them. Some of the food I buy but some I make up myself.  I will buy or get beef fat or suet from the butcher or the grocery store and keep it in the freezer.  I also keep those net bags that onions or some other foods come in.  Then when I am ready I put the suet (fat) inside the mesh bag, tie or sew the hole shut and hang then up for the birds.  I also make sure I put them where the squirrels can't reach them. 

 If you want to see a cute humming bird video - check out my website.
http://www.birdsupplywarehouse.com 

Chickadee Heaven

We have had a few trays of water out for the birds, chipmunks and my cat to get a drink.  This summer we bought a small fountain to enjoy the sounds of gurgling water on those quiet evenings when you get a chance to slow down a bit.  We discovered that the chickadees much prefer the fountain to not only get a drink from but they have a free shower included in the deal.  Being the polite little things they are, they even take turns sitting over the spout.