Five Interesting Facts about Wild Birds

Here are five facts that we have recently compiled about wild birds. We thought these were interesting, and we hope that you do too.

1. All mockingbirds have a unique repertoire. No two mockingbirds ever sound alike. You can see a mockingbird perch on a very high tree or on a telephone pole and sing its heart out. It mimics the sounds that it hears in its environment: other bird songs, frogs, cat meows, dog barks, even squeaky hinges. Scientists believe that each mockingbird can have a repertoire that contains over 200 songs.
2. Birdbaths aren't just yard decorations. Rather. they serve an important purpose. Birds love shallow water. Most importantly, birds need water to drink. They also like shallow ponds to bathe. "Shallow" is key, however, because songbirds cannot swim. You can set a proper birdbath for them your yard, or even create an in-ground shallow pool in your yard. Most people opt for birdbaths on some sort of pedestal or one that hangs. They are easy to maintain, and the birds aren't as vulnerable to predators as they would be if they were on the ground. It is important that you keep your bird bath clean. You should clean it by scrubbing it with a 1:1 vinegar to water mixture about once a week. And remember that birds also need water in the winter. You can get a heated bird bath to provide them with water in that season.

   

   Enjoying a Bird Bath

3. Feather and skin treatment – all from dust! Birds clean themselves frequently, and not just with water. They also take dust baths to keep themselves clean. There are quite a few species of bird that will find some ground that is full of dust and then cover themselves in it. They roll around, and generally brew up a dust storm. Dust baths are always followed with cleaning their feathers, also known as preening. Thus, the experts think that dust baths help keep birds' feathers clean when there is no water available; and the dust baths may soothe irritation that is caused by molting or mites.

   

   Birds Taking a Dust Bath

4. Birds need a place to hide. Birds may hunt in the open, but they love cover. You can help them out by providing some on your property, especially in the winter. Any sort of evergreen, trees, or bushes will be valued. During the cold months of January and February, you might even want to prop up your used Christmas tree outside for a few months for the birds to hide in. A thicket or a brush pile in your yard also makes an excellent place for birds to rest in safety.
5. Are you feeding birds or....? You may find that your bird feeders are emptying much more quickly than usual. You may enjoy feeding the local wildlife, but it is usually better not too. It makes them less afraid of humans.

   

   Animals Eating from a Bird Feeder

   Now, squirrels are clever animals. If your bird food is disappearing quickly, they are often the culprits. If it can be done, they will find a way to get to the food that you put out for the birds. Some of the devices available to deter squirrels are squirrel baffles, caged feeders, twirling feeders, and all sorts of other contraptions. Some work better than others. But in the end, you may just have to accept the fact that the squirrels are very acrobatic and clever. You may even want to get a peanut feeder just for them.