Birds DunRite

Providing bluebird houses and nesting materials is a strong factor in attracting nesting bluebirds since collecting nesting materials can take hundreds of trips.  They like fragrant pine needles and soft grasses as nesting material.  An empty suet cage is a good way to provide these nesting materials or simply gather bunches of material and situate in the bark of a tree.

Offering a nest box is one of the best ways to attract a bluebird.  Bluebirds nest in natural tree cavities and old woodpecker holes.  When natural nesting sites are scarce, they will readily use bluebird houses built to correct dimensions.  Mount your bluebird house on a fence post or pole, no higher than 4-5 feet from the ground.  An ideal location is along woodland edges facing open land.  Birds may roost in the houses during cold weather so put your bluebird houses up in late fall or winter.  Keep bluebird houses 125-150 yards apart.

Bluebirds, like all insect eating birds, get thirsty!  If your temperature drops below freezing, a heated bird bath will provide the necessary water during this period.  A heater can be placed in bird baths or heated bird baths are available.

Part of the allure and draw of bird watching is the huge diversity that can be spotted within the birds, from their colors and patterns to their size. One of the more striking birds you can view in North America is the Purple Martin, or the Progne subis. A member of the swallow family, it measures in as the largest—up to 20 cm long.

Purple Martins are known for their distinctive forked tail and their playful, acrobatic flight patterns. Purple Martins love open areas, and they breed throughout eastern North America. Less often, they are viewed in Mexico and British Columbia. Their migration pattern brings them to the Amazon basin in order to wait out the winters. If you want to catch a glimpse of these striking birds during the summer months, consider investing in Purple Martin houses for your backyard or outdoor patio.

There are more than 50 species of birds that will normally nest in bird houses or its variation such as nesting shelves and platforms.  Bird houses also plays an important role in the conservation of birds in heavily populated suburban areas where very few natural nesting places are found. Birds have different physical and behavioral needs thus there is not one type of birdhouse that would be suitable to all. The types of birds that will nest on a yard or property are largely determined by the habitat. Thus, a mixture of habitats may attract a great number of birds. If a particular specie is preferred, then the bird house and the environment should be readied to welcome it.

Many bird species live and raise their young in tree cavities.  Other species weave nests in tree branches, in bushes and in reeds.  However,  when cavity-nesters are unable to find natural nesting locations, it is these species that readily adopt man-made bird houses which are also known as nest boxes.

Land development and harvesting of forests over the past one hundred years have displaced prime breeding habitats for cavity nesters.  We can help maintain populations of many birds at healthy levels by supplying bird houses.  A single wooden bird house can have a long life — approximately 10 years — and such a house may fledge 50 birds during that time.  Providing a place for birds to raise their young rounds out a bird-friendly habitat that provides, food, water and shelter.

In addition to giving a helping hand, we have the gratification of witnessing the courtship, nesting and fledging of birds, a crucial part of their life cycle.

Black-capped Chickadees move together in winter, but break up into territorial pairs to breed.  Thus, though you may have a flock visiting your bird feeder all winter, you are likely to have fewer birds from late March to late May.  Nesting begins at the end of March — 5 to 10 eggs are laid by late April.  Eggs hatch after about two weeks and the young fledge 16 to 17 days later.  The male feeds the female during courting and while she is sitting on the eggs.

Pairs excavate cavities in soft and rotting wood, usually between 3 to 10 feet from the ground.  Now is a fine time to have your chickadee bird houses in place.  To help encourage them to use the birdhouses, put 2 to 3 inches of fine wood chips in the bottom of the bird house.

After the young fledge, the parent birds molt.  Therefore, when you see the entire family in your backyard or at your feeders or birdbaths, the young birds are the ones with neat and tidy feathers.  Fledglings also have shorter tails.

Black-capped Chickadees form flocks of four to twelve birds outside of the breeding season.  Mated pairs remain with the flock permanently, but young unmated birds move away and join another flock.  Each flock has a heirarchy:  the most aggressive bird dominates the rest and all the others fall into a decreasing pecking order.  Dominant birds have an advantage in feeding, roosting, nesting and other activities.  A flock occupies a territory covering 24 acres or more.  The birds often follow the same routes as they travel through it.  They normally don’t migrate outside their normal range, but young birds may move south together in the fall.

Flocks roost together in dense evergreen trees, often returning to the same tree each night.  Birds may also roost individually in cavities in trees or bird houses.  Birdhouses are unlikely to be occupied by a chickadee if the flock has an established roosting place.  Roosting chickadees fluff out their feathers to conserve heat, and their body temperature drops significantly to save energy.  Even when pairs have broken away for nesting, the flock may still roost together, especially on cold nights.

The Blue Jay occupies a variety of habitats within its large range, from the pine woods of Florida to the spruce forests of northern Ontario. It is less abundant in denser forests, preferring mixed woodlands with oaks and beeches.  It has expertly adapted to human activity, occurring in parks and residential areas.

The Blue Jay is a moderately slow flier (roughly 20-25M/PH when unprovoked) and an easy prey for hawks and owls, when it flies in open lands. It flies with body and tail held level, with slow wing beats. It is generally assertive toward other birds, and it may chase birds from bird feeders or other food sources. It may chase predatory birds, such as hawks and owls which occasionally feed on jays, and will scream if it sees a predator within its territory. It has also been known to sound an alarm call when hawks or other dangers are near, and smaller birds often recognize this call and hide themselves away accordingly. It may also be aggressive towards humans who come close to its nest, and if an owl roosts near the nest during the daytime the Blue Jay mobs it until it takes a new roost.

Blue Jays are highly curious and very intelligent birds. Young individuals playfully snatch brightly colored or reflective objects, such as bottle caps or pieces of aluminum foil, and carry them around until they lose interest.  Blue Jays in captivity have been observed using strips of newspaper as tools to obtain food.

The breeding season begins in mid-March and extends into July.  Any suitable tree or large bush may be used for nesting, though an evergreen is preferred.  Blue Jays are not really picky about nesting locations.  If no better place is available, they will even use places like the large mailboxes typical of the rural areas.   They typically form monogamous pair bonds for life.

Blue Jays have a bad reputation as a raider of other birds’ nests, stealing eggs, chicks and nests.  However, this may not be as widespread as is typically thought.  A scientific study found only 1%  had evidence of nestlings or eggs in their stomachs.   You can protect your bird houses in your own backyard with predator guards and, therefore, enjoy the beauty of the Blue Jays without fear of losing eggs or baby birds.

The Finch is one of the more favored backyard birds.  Their favorite habitat are trees but they have accepted man-made houses.  They will nest in either bird houses or platforms.  The ideal Finch birdhouse should have approximately a 6 x6 inch floor and a height from 6 to 12 inches with an entrance  hole of 1 1/8 to 1 1/2″ diameter located at least 4 1/2 inches above the floor and ventilation opening.  They should be assembled with corrosion-resistant screws.  A hinged-roof is recommended which should be secured with shutter hooks for easy access.

The Finch bird house should be predator and competitor-proof.  It is best to mount the birdhouses on  a post in the middle of a yard but near enough to some foliage.

When building Finch bird houses, one should choose the right materials.  A naturally decay-resistant wood such as redwood, cedar or a good grade of exterior plywood is ideal. Wood should be at least 3/4″ thick as anything less will allow heat to build-up which is detrimental to the babies. Natural looking Finch bird houses are more attractive to the birds, thus the use of paint is best avoided.

 Proper drainage and ventilation is a must. Proper drainage can be provided through an ample overhang on the roof and 1/4″ drain holes bored in each corner of the floor. Suitable ventilation is posible by driling 1/2″ vent holes at the top of each side or with a ventilation gap between the roof and sides.

Building Finch bird houses can be a wonderful time to spend with the family. It can be a fun way for children to learn about nature. A Finch birdhouse that is not only well constructed but made with the Finch in mind will provide much joy for both the birds and the watcher.

The Clair Murray creation of a classic wind swept cottage on the high ground of “Siasconset” features architecture from the beloved island of Nantucket. The Sconset Cottage, as the area is affectionately known, is a functional wooden bird house with two separate nest boxes. The gray bird house is surrounded with a white picket fence and rests on a moss green base.  This decorative bird house is big, so it will require a post mounting or one of our signature pedestals.

In 1999, Home Bazaar set out to create the world’s most spectacular line of bird houses and bird feeders. In their workshop, they have combined their love of birds and nature along with technical and design abilities.

Avian Housing reaches new heights with Home Bazaar’s distinctive line of architectural bird houses and bird feeders. Take a bird’s eye view of their Victorian designs enhanced by authentic scroll work and turn-of-the-century, cottage inspired embellishments, giving you and your feathered friends the finest in avian housing. All of Home Bazaar’s birding products are designed for outdoor use in the garden or can be enjoyed in the home as a decorative accessory. 

Their distinctive bird houses and bird feeders can be matched up with an accommodating garden pedestal. These pieces can be easily placed in the backyard or in a garden setting. The cottage design combined with the Victorian scroll work often end up close to the home, on a covered porch, and in many cases, as a decorative feature in the home.