Birds and Squirrels

Would you build your house using toxic materials that could harm you and your family? No? Then you should take just as much care when building a birdhouse. Some building materials, such as plastic and wood, can be coated with toxic chemicals that can compromise human and animal health. Natural wood birdhouses are the best option for a bird shelter.

Make sure that the wood you use hasn’t been treated with any harsh chemicals or additives. Also choose the paint with care, specifically the paint you use on the inside of the bird house. Buy paint that is non-toxic and does not contain lead. In addition to making sure the materials used in building your bird house are safe for birds, you also want to ensure their bird seed is safe. Try to use an all-natural bird seed that hasn’t been treated with chemicals. Birds need good nutrition too.

Every spring North Americans can witness a miracle of flight. Each spring, hummingbirds migrate north to make homes for their coming young. They usually come for Mexico and South America in search of a cooler climate in which to create their nests and lay their eggs. Female hummingbirds have two priorities in mind when choosing a nesting site. They look for the right temperature and protection from the elements.

It takes the female hummingbirds about a week to finish her nest. The birds average more than 100 trips per day; working about four hours. The nests’ foundations are usually made of spider webs due to their sticky nature. Then a soft layer of moss or leaf hairs is added. The mother uses these layers to shape the nest, and brings more spider webs in after the mold is made. The inside of the nest is shaped by the mother’s own body. People who place hummingbird feeders in their yards should be on the lookout for hummingbird nests in the area. These birds are extremely intelligent and will often build nests near food sources.