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Whether we realize it or not we all have our favorite birds. Perhaps it is the bright flash of red wings in flight that attracts us to the cardinal, or the sweet chirp of a chickadee on a grey winter's day that makes us long to keep him around. Well, keeping our favorite birds coming back to us or nesting near us isn't as hard as it seems. We simply need to know a little about them, and what they prefer in a house to get them so they call our yards "home". Here we will look at some favorite back yard birds and their shelter preferences, as well as how to make a blue bird house.
Blue jays: Blue jays build their nests from twigs and line them with dried grass, and are often aroung 10 to 15 feet above the ground, usually in the crotch of a tree. They like to nest in trees that line a forest or woodland. Although some blue jays travel south in colder months, they may be tempted to stay in your yard if you offer them various nuts, including acorns, seeds and small fruits or berries. Of course, the length of their stay will probably depend on if you have some nice trees nearby for nesting.
Cardinals: Unlike some blue jays, cardinals will stay put during winter months. Cardinals like to live in tangled shrubs and overgrown bushes where their nests can be hidden inside. They usually find these spots along streams or bordering the woods. They can be attracted to your feeder with small fruits, squash and sunflower seeds. Cardinals tend to frequent feeders that are placed near pines or other trees and bushes.
Robins: Although robins have no problem finding their own nesting sites in tall trees or on ledges of houses or buildings, you can almost guarantee their springtime return to your yard if you provide some additional nesting sites for them. They prefer nesting on open shelves that have an 8" high back with a 6" high ledge. These open ledges should be placed in partly shaded spots on trees or under eaves of outside buildings for some shelter, at a height of 6 to 15 feet above the ground. Robins prefer to nest near food sources, which consist of berries, worms, grubs and other insects, which in springtime are plentiful almost anywhere.
Chickadees: Chickadees are wonderful back yard birds that bless us with their presence year round. They will visit any yard that serves them suet, cracked nuts, including shelled and broken peanuts, sunflower seeds, and bread crumbs alone or mixed with peanut butter. As far as shelter goes, they are content to build in cavities of trees on the edges of orchards or woodlands, but if you offer the above goodies on a regular basis you may easily be able to convince them to take up residence in a manmade house in your yard. Any style bird house will suit them as long as the entrance is 1 1/8" in diameter and it is hung 6 to 15 feet above the ground.
Purple martin: Purple martins once relied on hollows of rocks, or holes of trees that were weathered or made by woodpeckers. Today they depend almost exclusively on the man made "hotel" like houses you can spot almost anywhere. Their nests are made of a mixture of grass and garbage, and each pair of martins occupies one room of the house. Although they may rely on man for their housing needs, they do not need our assistance for food, as they feed almost entirely on insects that are usually caught in the martin's wings.
Wren: Wrens are small, beautiful birds that are not really picky when it comes to shelter. They will build nests in almost any cavity left unattended, from old tires to pockets of clothes left on a line too long. You can provide housing for a wren with anything from hanging a hollowed out coconut, a tube of empty pipe or a small, simple birdhouse placed at least 6 to 10 feet above the ground. If you want the wrens to earn their keep, place their houses in the vicinity of your garden as they live entirely on insects, many of which are harmful to plants.
Bluebird: The bluebird is probably a favorite of almost everyone, and yet in many places they are hard to find. However, by providing their favorite foods and some nearby housing you can greatly increase your chances of attracting a bluebird to your yard. For feeding, bluebirds love suet, sunflower seeds, mealworms, and small fruit including soaked raisins. Bluebirds like open orchards or fields with trees scattered about. They also like low growing vegetation.
When it comes to shelter, bluebirds nest in cavities that are already in existence, from trees to fenceposts. If there are no pre-existing nesting cavities near your yard you will not have bluebirds that stay, no matter how good your food is.
Nest boxes for bluebirds can be purchased at almost any home and garden center, or you can make your own with the following materials and instructions.
Materials list:
Pine or cedar board - 1"x6"x5'
(or 3/4" plywood)
galvanized nails
drill with 1/8" and 1/4" bits
screw eye
jig-saw
Directions: With a jig-saw cut the following pieces from the wood: 2 pieces, 5 1/2" wide with one side 11" in length, the other 9" in length with and angled top sloping from the 11" side to the 9" side. These will be the side pieces. Drill 1/4" ventilation holes in two places near the top of each side piece. On what will be the right side piece, drill a 1/8" hole at bottom where it will line up with the side of the bottom floor piece, for a screw eye fastener.
The front piece should be 9" high by 5 1/2" wide, with an entrance hole, 1 1/2" in diameter, drilled in center 6 1/4" up from bottom.
The back piece should be 5 1/2" wide by 16" long with 2 holes drilled for mounting, one near the top and one near the bottom.
The top pece needs to be 5 1/2" wide x 9" long, and the bottom floor piece needs to be 5 1/2" wide by 4" long, with corners notched for drainage.
A small strip of wood, 5 1/2" wide x 1" high can be cut and saved for eventual placement as a weather barrier.
Once your pieces are cut and the necessary holes drilled, you can begin nailing the pieces together. On the right side, DO NOT nail the bottom side to front or back piece. Nail only the top, placing nails evenly 8" up from the bottom coming through the fron and one coming through the back. This is necessary for the ability to pivot the piece open for cleaning. To secure the right side at bottom, place a large screw eye into the previously drilled hole. This will be much easier to remove than a screw that may rust and weather into place.
Once the box is together, attach the small strip of wood to the top of the box where the roof meets the back. This will help keep out rain and snow.
Your bluebird nest box should be placed 5 - 10 feet above ground. They prefer to be in or near orchards or on the edge of a field with plenty of sunlight. One way to attract them is to have plenty of perch sites nearby, such as fenceposts or simple poles, as they like to perch while they scout for food.
By paying attention to the likes and dislikes of your favorite backyard birds, you can learn how to cater to their feeding habits, which will keep them visiting, as well as their shelter preferences, which will entice them to stay.
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