Bird Feeders and Bird Baths

Garden bird feeders and bird baths are more popular today than at any other point in history. People are choosing to spend a good amount of their time living outdoors rather than locking themselves away from the outside world. One of the ways we tend to enjoy our time out of doors is by adding brightly colored bird feeders and bird baths to our garden.

There is no such thing in this day and age as typical garden bird feeders. They come in all kinds of shapes, sizes, designs, and many are made to accommodate specific breeds of birds. In addition to the various bird feeders, there are many different types of bird food on the market as well. In fact, more and more people are trying to turn their yards into their own personal (albeit small) wildlife preserve.

Some of the best bird feeders on the market are those that keep other animals out. Squirrels love to steal bird’s food and many manufacturers are becoming more and more savvy to this fact and designing feeders that spin when the weight of a squirrel rests on them, which causes the squirrels to fall. These are actually ideal for bird feeder owners who want to insure that the feed actually gets to the animals it was intended for. Of course if you have really good bird food, there will be a nice supply of squirrels watching carefully for falling feed. Birds do tend to be messy eaters and drop quite a bit of their food.

Bird feeders and bird baths are great ways to add to your personal enjoyment of your garden. Many people find it very relaxing to watch the birds come and enjoy the food and clean water that has been provided for them. Children especially enjoy this. Watching a bird take a bath can be so entertaining.  If you are hoping to have a hummingbird or two to watch occasionally you will need a special feeder and nectar for them but these are perhaps my personal favorite birds to watch.

When comparing bird feeders and or houses, consider what kinds of birds you are hoping to attract. Certain birds have different colors, traits, sounds, and qualities. If you are looking for a specific breed of bird, one bird feeder may be better than another.

Before you buy a bird feeder or bird bath, make sure that you have all the pertinent information on the feeder and bath you are considering, especially the cleaning instructions. It is very important that you clean your bird feeder on a regular basis in order to prevent the risk of spreading diseases.  Bird baths will require regular cleaning to help keep moss build-up away.

Whether your purpose for purchasing bird feeders or bird baths is in order to better enjoy your garden, a sincere interest in the birds in your community, or to share a love of bird watching with your children most people find that this can be quite a relaxing hobby. Compare the features on many feeders to find the one you like best, or buy several different feeders and place them in various spots throughout your yard. Be sure to keep plenty of bird food, especially in spring and summer months, as it tends to go fast. Most importantly, enjoy!