Wild About Wild Life

The California Quail is a handsome, round soccer ball of a bird with a rich gray breast, intricately scaled underparts, and a curious, forward-drooping head plume. Its stiffly accented Chi-ca-go call is a common sound of the chaparral and other brushy areas of California and the Northwest. Often seen scratching at the ground in large groups or dashing forward on blurred legs, California Quail are common but unobtrusive. They flush to cover if scared, so approach them gently.

The Beautiful California Quail

For More Information on helping bird and wildlife go to: www.wildlife-houses.com

*Special thanks to The Cornell Lab of Ornithology*

Since the early colonial times, people have really enjoyed the company of the Eastern Bluebird because of the their beautiful rusty breast, white belly and blue cape.

Some people like to find ways to attract bluebirds by knowing what bluebirds eat and setting up bluebird nests. They love to feed in open areas such as farms, bluebird trails with scattered trees and have no problem nesting in artificial cavities of man-made boxes or which they can lay bluebird eggs and raise their families anytime between the months of April through July.

There is nothing like waking up in the morning to hear the bluebird songs that really bring a good feeling to ones ears.

In the United States of America, there are three different type of bluebird birds. The bluebird that is, by far, the most numerous is the Eastern Bluebird that resides east of the Rockies.
Moutain Bluebirds and Western Bluebirds are those who nest across the Western one-third of the United States.

Remember, a Bluebirds primary diet is insects and fruit.
Some folks are privy to the fact that it is a good idea to plant plants like the American Bittersweet which is a great way to help and attract Bluebirds.
Meal worms are another resource in which you can attract Bluebirds because, at 50.4% protein, they are an excellent nutritional source and something that Bluebirds eat besides berries and insects.

Unfortunately, conservation studies have shown a sharp decline in population mainly for lack of and or the competition of residential nesting boxes amongst the wild Bluebird species.
The good news is that those numbers are increasing, in large, because more and more Bluebird nesting houses are being erected, thus providing shelter for these natural insect controllers.

For more information on how you can help, simply to go:

http://wildlife-houses.com/

Here are some interesting facts and ideas to think about, when planning to set out bird food in your yard, near your bird bath and to fill your bird feeders to feed and attract orioles.

Here are some things to keep in mind about Orioles.

ORIOLES migrate at night so they are tired, cold and hungry when they arrive in your neck of the woods.
If you wait until you see’em, you are “too late” to attract Orioles, in maximum numbers, to your yard.
Not so much wild bird seed but bird food like ORANGES are one of the “keys” to attracting Orioles. Cut oranges in half and provide them “juicy side out” for a refreshing snack for these beautiful birds.

You can also attract these wild birds up close by offering oriole feeder nectar, jelly and fruit on the feeders by the house and patio.
They love the bright orange feeders and they are inexpensive and slip right on any Smuckers ™ or other 10-12 ounce jelly jars.
Many people feed jelly year-around, not only Orioles, but Woodpeckers, Robins, Warblers and others enjoy it.

Many people tell have said that they keep Orioles longer now that they feed grape jelly!!!!
Our favorite Oriole nectar feeders are Orioles Feeders. Why? Their wide mouths and flat tops, make ‘em easy to fill and clean (base also comes apart easily to clean), and some have bee guards to make sure that Orioles – not bees – enjoy the nectar.

If you’re worried about ants bothering your jelly or Oriole nectar, simply hang oriole feeders with clear nectar protector ant moats above them and fill with water.
This acts like a moat around a castle.
In case you already didn’t know, ants can’t swim, and for a few extra bucks you’ll never have to mess with cleaning hem out of the feeder. These also work well with hummingbird feeders.

While it is often advised that it is good to mix their own humming bird nectar from sugar, some opinion is that commercial Oriole nectar will attract and hold more Orioles and other wildbirds at the feeder longer.

The Birdbird Guy!