Be a Friend to Birds
In almost every place on Earth, people and birds live side by side. Chances are, you see more birds on a daily basis than any other wild animal. Sometimes sharing their habitat with humans puts stress on birds. But there are also plenty of things humans can do to make their habitat bird-friendly. Here are some things for you and your family to try.
Food:
Provide a variety of foods to attract different kinds of birds. You can buy bird feeders or make your own. To attract the greatest variety of birds, keep your feeders stocked all year round and position them at different heights.
Place feeders in places that aren’t too windy, have good cover nearby, and minimize other hazards.
Fill feeders with the amount of food that can be eaten in 2-3 days.
Keep feeders and feeding area clean by raking up spilled seed on the ground. Eliminate food that the birds aren’t eating.
Experiment to find out which foods the birds prefer. Here are some
to try: black oil sunflower seeds, Niger thistle seeds, cracked corn, white millet, and seed mixtures (sold as “wild bird food”). For additional bird feeding tips visit Audubon At Home.
Water:
If there isn’t a natural source of fresh water nearby, you can buy or make a simple birdbath or water dish. Place the water source on a tree stump or even right on the ground. Keep the water container clean and filled with fresh water.
Nesting and Resting:
Birds need places where they can rest in safety from predators, as well as places to build their nests. If you have space, you and your family can plant native bushes and trees that give birds good hiding and nesting places. (Some also provide food!) Check with a local Audubon Center or other nature center for help choosing the right things to plant.
Made possible in part by funding from Stonyfield Farm
