Wild About Wild Life

Recently I came across a great birder site on the web and thought that I would share it with you. It is “Bird Life International Community.”

This site deals with many issues facing our hobbies and birds today. When visiting this site, you will find information on all things birds and how we can work together to help in natural preservation of our avian friends. The site gives global coverage of events that are going on in that part of the globe to include Africa, Asia, America’s, Europe, Middle East and the like.  New posts are shared weekly from around the world.  Topics like Regional Work, Global Protrammes, Action Takers, Publications, Updated Data, Partnerships and fresh News updates.  So instead of hitting 20 different sites to stay abreast of this information, this site offers a “One Stop Shop” of sorts for your review and research.

The site also encourages its readers to engage in their ideas, stories and information of all things bird life, with their Blog Posts drop down.  Here you will find information on policy, preservation, and other sites on what the global community is doing to help preserve the avian wildlife. You’ll find articles from organizational directors, conservationalists, enthusiasts and the like. A great resourse from a grass roots level. All of this on one site! Not to mention products, maps, adversiements and video. It even has a translator button. So if you speak another language, you can still be involved and informed by selecting the language you are most accustomed to.

And for those of you that like to bookmark and share, they have user friendly links right on the home page to click to Twitter, Facebook and You Tube to name a few. This way you can help to keep family, friends and fellow bird aquaintences informed and abreast on some of the latest issue and events going on in the birding community.

I hope that you will take a moment and visit Bird Life International Community site today at :  http://www.birdlife.org/community/. Words can’t even begin to express the great experience you will have when visiting this site. These folks truely are “Working together for birds and people.” Won’t you also be apart of this great mission? When you get there, tell em’ The Birdhouse Guy sent you and we will hope to see you there!!

Happy Birding,

The Birdhouse Guy!

Here is something that will thrill your local bird friends as well as those migratory avian travellers. The Edible Birdhouse!

You may be wondering what this is. Well, these birdhouses are made out of wood and then sprayed with millet, fruit, berry’s, seed and other goodies that they enjoy eating. These edible birdhouses come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. Some look like cottages, some like log cabins, others resemble a John Deere tractor, as such. Maybe the bird you are trying to attract really dig fruit, like the beautiful Oriole, so a fruit, edible birdhouse may be what is best for you. Whatever your fancy, or shall I say your local birds’ fancy, there is an edible birdhouse that is right for you and them!

Another great thing about these edible birdhouses is theme and color. I know that many of you have a certain theme that you would like to stick with when considering a purchase of your edible birdhouse. There are an assortment of themed edible birdhouses. Anything from shapes like Apples, Tractors, Huts, Two-Story Houses , Castles and Beloved Lighthouses. You will be pleased to see the very assortment of colors ranging from Purples, to Oranges to Reds , Yellows and Greens.

People have asked how the birds are going to continue to live in an Edible Birdhouse if they eat all the goodies off, won’t that destroy the house? My answer is NO! Absolutely Not! How can that be you ask? Easy, the plywood bird box is reusable for year after year. It’s not like a Gingerbread House, meaning as you eat the pieces, it compromises the house. Once the birds eat all the goodies off of the plywood frame, you can then reshoot the goodies back on.

This is not only a novel idea, but a practical one also. Just like you maybe have been to a bed and breakfast or a hotel that offered breakfast down stairs after a comfy night in their room, your birds will simply enjoy raising their family in one of these Edible Birdhouses. Not only that, but this is a great talking point for all your friends and family. Your kids will also enjoy the pleasure of watching your birds grow their family in your own yard! Be the first on your block to get one of these unregrettable Edible Birdhouses!

**For more information on how you can select the right edible birdhouse for you and your avian friends, simply visit:  http://www.wildlife-houses.com/index.php?cPath=3&&page=4

Seeings how people from all over the world read this site, I thought it would be a great idea to feature some wildlife in their neck of the world. India has a lot of rich history and facinating tales, so I thought I would feature another facinating TAIL – The Eurasian Hoopoe of India.

The name “Eurasian” is a two part word meaning European and Asian, thus the name Eur-asian. Eurasia is a large landmass covering about  20,846,000 mi or about 10.6% of the  Earth’s surface . Often considered a single  continent,  Eurasia comprises the traditional continents of   Europe and Asia (and Eurasia is a  portmanteau or the blending of two or more words and their meaning into one word, of the two), concepts which date back to   classical antiquity and the borders for which are somewhat arbitrary.

Here is a wonder of India call the Eurasian Hoopoe bird. These monogamous little guys love to nest in any hole they can get to. From cliff, to crevices between rocks, to trees, walls, you name it, they are big time cavity dwellers. The Eurasian Hoopoe a a medium sized bird whose plumage on the chest varied from chestnut to a pink brown color. Their broad back, wings and tail are typically black and white. The erectile crest is the same color as the head and tipped with black. These little insect controllers have a long , slender and curved bill with a type of modified muscle which allows the bird to open its bill as it probes for food. Both male and female have small leg stucture and the babies, or juveniles are duller than adults with shorter bills and lighter colors.

What do these wonders of nature do for food? What do they consider Yum Yums? Well, they are a bird and this particular type likes to munch on insects, mainly, specifically larvae and pupae. Centipedes, earthworms, spiders and other creepy crawly things they will munch on also. It has been recorded that the Eurasian Hoopoe will partake in a frog or lizard and an occasional small snake also.  You will find these guys constantly making short probes in the ground because this is where they often hunt –  in short grass and on bare soil, but at times will stop to incert their full bill into the ground, opening and closing to test the object targeted or to seize it up.

The Eurasian Hoopoe is no stranger to human habitation. They are certainly found around human population. They are great climbers of rough surfaces and like to roost in cavities at night.  The male is the one who takes the lead, selects the nest site and establishes the territory.  The facinating this about their nesting habits is the fact that they may inhabit the same nest for 4-5 years. The female will produce one egg per day and the clutch size it 5 to 8. They incubate the eggs for 15 – 18 days and the female is the ONLY one who performs this. After about 6 days the youngsters will begin to feed theirself and then remain with mom and dad for the next few weeks.

These guys have a distinctive flight pattern with erratic, butterfly- like flapping. They can climb through rough surfaces and are ready to perch at anytime.

Interestingly enough, there is a book of poems in Persian by Farid ud-Din Attar called “The Conference of the Birds”, which is a great example of Persian poetry and this book has clever word play.  The “Simorgh” is a mysterious bird in Iranian mythology which is a symbol often found in sufi literature and similar tothe phoenix bird. “Si Morgh” means 30 birds in Persian. The poem uses a journey by a group of 30 birds, led by a hoopoe as an allegory of a Sufi sheikh or master leading his pupils to enlightenment.

These birds are also great for insect control. For those of you in Asia, Africa or India that would like some unique idead on attracting and harboring these birds in your yards, please visit : www.wildlife-houses.com  As always, Happy Birding!

 

 

Special Thanks to Wikipedia

One of the most beautiful bird species of all North American birds is the Cardinal. This is a facinating bird from its vibrant red and black colors to its flight patterns and a great eyeful to watch as they feed. We want to look at some cool facts concerning these wild birds, which are an all-time favorite amongst most backyard birds. There is probably not another bird that looks good with a snow back drop as does the Northern Cardinal.  The word cardinals, which means “principle,” comes from the Latin “cardo” for “a hinge or pivot.” This bird is named for its color which matches the robes of Catholic Cardinals.Cardinals have greatly increast their breeding range over the past 80 years. Cardinals do not migrate, but simply keep pushing farther and farther North and West as suburbs and bird feeders proliferate. The Cardinal ranges throughout most of the Eastern and Central states, the entire South and much of the arid Southwestern states.

HOUSING: Cardinals prefer dense, shrubby habitat. If that is provided in your neck of the woods, or in your yard, then you will keep this feathered beauties happy. The nest in the shrubs and viney tangles at least twice every summer. If the shrubs provide fruit, then that is even better. Some of the shrubs you may want to consider when attracting a Cardinal are Junipers, Dogwoods, Honeysuckle and Viburums.

SEED DIET: The Seeds that the Cardinal prefers are Black Oil Sunflower and Safflower, or a mixture of both. The Cardinal’s large bill also allows them to crack open the larger striped sunflower seeds. WATER: Like most other birds, having a year-round water source is a great help in attracting Cardinals. Just to name a few of their favorites which include: Deck Mounted Bird Baths, Heated Bird Baths and Hanging Bird Baths w/ a copper, rough surface which causes the bird to feel safe.

HOUSING: Unfortunately, the Cardinal will not use a nesting box. They like the fruit bearing shrubs and viney vegitation for their nesting pleasure.

FEEDERS AND FEEDER PLACEMENT: The Cardinal is not a real hard wild bird to please. If you provide their favorite seeds, they will often be the first bird that you feed in the morning, and the last one you’ll see feeding at night. In the Spring, you’ll enjoy seeing the male Cardinal offer the female a carefully selected seed as part of their Mate Feeding Ritual. Cardinals are also good ground feeders, however, they will feed on flat surfaces also. They prefer a wider perch when feeding. The perches on most tube feeders are too small for them to feed on so a regular feeder would suit them best.

Best to you as you endeavor to attract these Christmas Card beauties. They are a real joy to watch and listen to also. For more information on how you can attract Northern Cardinals and find out more about them, simply go to:  http://www.wildlife-houses.com/product_info.php?cPath=13&products_id=281

We’ve all heard the song, “Who’s that Doggy in the Window.”  What would really be neat would be to sing “Who’s that Birdie in the Window?”, while watching the birdie through the window. This is a great gift that all your bird loving friends and family will enjoy! What a unique gift for any birthday, Christmas or special day!!

This is a one-way,  mirrored panel that allows  you see the birds and they can’t see you.  Designed for casement windows, the feeder is secured to your  window with three heavy duty suction cups.  This feeder is easy to fill while the two seed tubes hold two pounds of seed.  Seed tubes easily slide out of feeder for easy cleaning.

For more information on how you can purchase one of these beauties for either yourself or a great gift idea for someone else, vist here:  http://www.wildlife-houses.com/product_info.php?cPath=4&products_id=112

The price is marked down for you so get yours today!

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 California Quail digests vegetation with the help of protozoans in its intestine. Chicks acquire the protozoans by pecking at the feces of adults.

Several California Quail broods may mix after hatching, and all the parents care for the young. Adults that raise young this way tend to live longer than adults that do not.

Pairs of California Quail call antiphonally, meaning that the male and female alternate calls, fit them into a tightly orchestrated pattern.

The California Quail’s head plume, or topknot, looks like a single feather, but it is actually a cluster of six overlapping feathers.

As an adaptation to living in arid environments, California Quails can often get by without water, acquiring their moisture from insects and succulent vegetation. During periods of sustained heat they must find drinking water to survive.

The California Quail is California’s state bird and has had roles in several Walt Disney movies, including “Bambi.”

California Quail nests can contain as many as 28 eggs. These large clutches may be the result of females laying eggs in nests other than their own, a behavior known as “egg-dumping.”

California Quail are pretty as well as popular with game hunters. They’ve been introduced to many other parts of the world, including Hawaii, Europe, and New Zealand.

The oldest known California Quail was 6 years 11 months old.

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

*Special thanks to The Cornell Lab of Ornithology*

What a great idea for a 2 for 1 birdhouse! This Roost can convert into a Winter home as well as a place to hatch their brood in the Spring. Something to consider when trying to save some money on a man made cavity for the birdies in yer neck of the woods. This is something that you and your family will enjoy in the Spring and Summer. 

The front of this bird house roost can be flipped to convert it to a birdhouse after the winter season. Position the front with ventilation slot at the top and remove the three interior perches and the roost becomes a nest box. This model does have similar dimensions to the Small Winter Roost.

For more information on how you can aquire one of these “room and board” pieces for your yard, simply visit:

http://www.wildlife-houses.com/product_info.php?cPath=1&products_id=29&osCsid=971fb716e920548ae71500dfb8e58e61

“It’s a bird……It’s a plane……It’s…..It’s…….a bird”! Birds are fascinating creatures and their flight patterns have always awed man throughout the ages of time. Many times we see things and use things like microwaves, cars and the like, but don’t really know or we would have a hard time really explaining the mechanics of HOW these things work.

I would like to take a look at some of the “mechanics” of and dispel the “mystery and secrets” of a bird and their flight abilities. It is a really fascinating read. Man has tried, in the past and maybe even today, to mimic a birds wings and give their inventions a shot of their own. (Remember the Wright brothers and some of their early contraptions?) But of course you have to start somewhere. Maybe you’ve wondered why a cow can eat green grass and produce white milk? Or how a bee can fly when his body weight is many times that of what his wings should handle. Let’s explore the miracle of flight and dispel the secrets that these birds possess.

• Specialized Circulation: Unlike mammals, birds’ lungs stay constantly filled with flowing air. Fresh oxygen enters their blood and carbon dioxide leaves as waste.
• Strong Muscles: Nearly half of a typical bird’s weight is made up of muscle tissue. The large muscles (Pectorals) pull down the wings and the Supracoracoideus muscles raise them back up. These two muscle groups contribute about 1/3 of the bird’s total weight.
• Wings: No, we’re not referring to Paul McCartney’s back up group from the 1970’s, but to the single most “secret” to a birds ability to fly. A bird’s wings lift and propel. They can be short, pointed, arched and deeply curved for flying, broad with a deep curve for fast lift and swift, short flight.
• Flight: Layered feathers of these birds help to give them streamlined shapes to help reduce turbulence and drag. A bird also compresses air on the down stroke as it pulls its wing down. Cycles of lift and compression give definite help to aid the bird in flight.

Hopefully this has give a little in site to the mysteries of a birds flying power. These magnificent creations can be seen all across our great country and all around the world.

For more information on how YOU can help to be a preserver of these creatures and help in natural pollination, visit us at: www.wildlife-houses.com Happy flying!!!!

A common sight in ranch land and other open areas of the American West, the male Mountain Bluebird is a breathtaking brilliant sky blue. It prefers more open habitats than the other bluebirds and can be found in colder habitats in winter.

ADULT DESCRIPTION:

• Medium-sized songbird; small thrush.
• Head large and round.
• Body chunky.
• Tail medium length.
• Blue in wings and tail.
• Male sky blue overall.

Male Description:
Body, head, wings, and tail sky blue; brighter above, paler below. Belly white. Duller brownish blue in winter.

Female Description :
Brown-blue overall. Brighter pale sky blue on rump, wings, and tail. Head and back bluish gray. White eyering. Sometimes a faint malar streak. Chest may have some reddish. Some females are more brownish than others.

Youngster Description:
Juvenile with spotted chest and unspotted back, blue in wings and tail. Immature similar to adult but duller.

These are remarkable wildlife birds. For more information on how to help, house and attract bluebirds take a peak right here: http://www.wildlife-houses.com/product_info.php?cPath=1&products_id=13