Birds and Squirrels

It’s a battle that’s seemingly been waged since the dawn of time. No, I’m not referring to the conflict in the Middle East or anything quite so weighty and grand. This particular skirmish recurs on a daily basis in backyards across the nation, and the two principle parties are humans and squirrels. The squirrels just want to scavenge a few seeds from low-hanging bird feeders. For their part, the humans are interested in keeping that from happening at all costs.

Selective, squirrel proof bird feeders are the secret weapon that can sway the war firmly in the humans’ favor. The feeders boast a protective cage that wraps around its base. This cage is too narrow to allow furry intruders any entry points, but it’s wide enough to let birds pass at will. From a squirrel’s perspective, this confounding contraption is utterly worthless, but to you it will prove invaluable.

We’ve all heard that the early bird gets the worm, but it’s just as true that a well-placed worm attracts the bird. Bluebirds are widely coveted for their enchanting song and pleasant disposition, but it’s not always easy to entice them to your feeder. It’s a common misconception that sunflower seeds and other dry grains can bring all manner of feathered friends to the neighborhood.

In fact, bluebirds thrive on mealworms. Many birdwatchers choose to purchase their worms online, refilling their feeders as needed. It’s important to note, however, that other species of birds will be all too eager to snap up those mealworms before the bluebirds get a crack at them. Timing is everything, and it takes an especially active and astute enthusiast to keep bluebirds appeased.

  Bluebirds were once a common sight in suburban and rural areas. Much admired for their beautiful coloring and their distinctive song. The Eastern Bluebird (one of 3 types of Bluebirds’) is the state bird of both New York and Missouri.

  All Bluebirds are cavity nesters. Due to loss of nesting habitat such as tree holes, and old fence posts or orchards and the introduction of House Sparrows and Starlings from Europe in the later 1800’s the Bluebird population declined nearly 90% by 1970. But today Bluebirds growing numbers can be attributed to the many humans who are putting up nest boxes to help them. All you need is a fairly open area, along with food and water sources nearby. 

  Bluebirds’ mate in the spring and summer, with the female laying 4 to 5 light blue eggs which will take about two weeks to hatch. Both the male and the female will care for the young. In addition during the second nesting, occasionally one of the young Bluebirds from the first brood will remain to help raise the young.

With their bright orange, yellow and black plumage, orioles can’t help but make a grand entrance when they appear in your backyard. Many homeowners are so taken by the sight of these beautiful creatures that they try to attract them through specialized means. In order to lure an oriole closer to your home, you’ll need to come bearing fruit. Start by cutting an orange in half and laying it face-up on a railing.

Once you’ve confirmed the bird’s interest in eating in your neck of the woods, start looking around for oriole feeders. These receptacles are similar to hummingbird feeders in that they are meant to be filled with nectar. Fill the feeder with four parts water for every one part sugar, and then hang it from the exterior of the house or a nearby tree branch.