Main Menu
Articles Home
Most Popular Articles
Top Authors
Submit Articles
Submission Guidelines
Link to Us
Bookmark
Contact Us



Partners
 
Home / Others

Choose The Best Feeder For Your Feathered Friends

By:Ben Franklin


Few additions to a backyard will bring more hours of visual enjoyment than the inclusion of a bird feeder. But, the type of feeder chosen can oftentimes be as important as making the decision to encourage winged visitors.

Here are some things to look for in a backyard bird feeder. Keep in mind there are many different kinds of feeders and many different kinds of birds to attract. Choose the one that works best for your unique situation.

Regardless of feeder style, it's a good idea to look for these things:

* Any feeders made out of wood should be weather-resistant. If they're not, they should be painted or stained. Cedar is one of the best wood types to choose. Choosing correctly will help ensure your feeder lasts.

* A feeder should be relatively easy to clean and easy to reload with seeds or other feed.

* Any feeders made out of plastic should have some device for discouraging squirrels. This means the feeding ports should be reinforced with metal. Also, perches should not be made of plastic. They should be metal or wood.

* Inspect quality of construction. A good feeder will last for years. If it looks flimsy and feels flimsy, it probably is.

Now that you know what to look for in a feeder, it's time to start deciding what type of feeder you want. Feeders generally come in three different styles, but more are always available. The basic forms they take on are hopper, tube and platform. All offer their own advantages, but remember to look for the basic requirements in any feeder you buy.

Hoppers are a great choice for people who don't have the time to reload feed on a daily basis. They can hold a lot of birdseed and they generally are very easy to refill. Typically, hoppers look like tiny barns or similar and they have Plexiglas sides so it's easy to see when they need more seed. Depending on the size, they can be used to attract an array of birds both large and small. The choices for mounting include poles, trees or even a simple hook.

Tube feeders are just that. They're long tubes with perches at the feeding sites. These are great for discouraging squirrels and are wonderful for attracting small birds. They can create a problem with seed rot, so it's important to inspect them on a regular basis. But, these have a number of hanging options, including poles, hooks and tree limbs.

Platform feeders are generally open platforms that can be hung or placed on the ground. These are fantastic for attracting birds that tend to feed closer to the ground such as sparrows and doves.

No matter the feeder you choose, make sure to inspect it from time to time and do replace and refill the seed. A welcoming feeder is often all it takes to attract an array of birds to a backyard setting. To ensure the bird feeder does its job year in and year out, be certain to buy one that meets the minimum requirements and take care to keep it stocked.

Digg del.icio.us Blink Stumble Spurl Reddit Netscape Furl

Article keywords: bird feeder, bird feeding, bird hopper, bird seed

Article Source: http://www.articles2k.com

#1 Resource


Bird feeder and feeding information.


http://www.birdfeederguide.com




Top Others Articles
  • 1). Clay Pot Crafts: Make a Bell for the Porch  By : Paul Duxbury
    Clay pot crafts are a cute way to make home decorations. In clay pot crafts, clay flower pots can be crafted into a variety of decorative things that appeal to gardeners. Usually, the crafter begins with new pots.

  • 2). Our Dinner At The Inn At Kristofer's In Door County WI  By : Dorrie Ruplinger
    The Inn at Kristofer’s, located on Bay Shore Drive in Sister Bay, Wisconsin, is a wonderful place to go for a special meal. My husband and I treated ourselves to dinner there during our latest trip to Door County and we were very glad we did. We had a great meal.

  • 4). Biotechnology And Immortality  By : frank vanderlugt
    In a very primitive way we are on the road to Immortality. Within the nucleus of nearly every one of the 100 trillion cells that make up our body is a Computer Program of enormous complexity. This Computer Program is our DNA. We can now for the first time in Man's history read the message this Computer Program produces.

  • 10). Treadmill Vs Elliptical  By : Kathryn ONeill
    Should you buy an elliptical trainer or a treadmill? Discover the unique benefits of both elliptical trainers and treadmills to help decide which one is best for you.


New Others Articles
  • 1). Psychic Ability - Fraud Or Gift?  By : Ciara McGrath
    A psychic has some special powers that ordinary people don’t have. Some psychics are able to predict the future, others can communicate with the recently deceased. Some psychics are telepathic, others have the ability to exorcise ghosts. The police use psychics to help solve crimes, preferably without the media getting to know! The newspapers would have a field day mocking the police investigator who had to resort to a “fortune teller” Many people secretly believe that ...

  • 2). Native Speakers?  By : Brenda Townsend Hall
    In a recent poll, I asked readers if they thought English language teachers should be native speakers. The result was interesting, as the vote from those with an opinion was close with 48% believing they should be native speakers and 41% saying no. I don’t know what you think about this but I’ve always had mixed feelings. The first question I would raise with those who believe being a native speaker is an essential prerequisite for an English language teacher is, which nat...

  • 3). Don't Hesitate To Cry A Tear  By : Hallidae Thomason
    Growing up, my siblings and I were never aloud to cry even just one tear. No matter how sad, mad or hurt we were, tears were never allowed. We were told that truly tough people didn't shed a tear no matter how bad life got. Tears, our parents said, were for wimps and people who weren't strong enough to handle life. As I grew into my teenage years, I found it nearly impossible to make it through week after week without crying a single tear. Since I knew my parents would not...

  • 4). I Heard About A Shark Attack  By : Hallidae Thomason
    Ever since my children were little, my husband and I have been taking them on beach vacations. So my kids have grown up with an honest love of the ocean. Even my youngest child loves to run by the side of the ocean and to wake up to the sound of the waves. My own childhood was filled with various beach vacations and cruises on the ocean. I have never given safety much of a thought on our family's beach vacations, but last year we heard a story about a shark attack that had ha...



 


© 2006 articles2k.com - Privacy Policy