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Bird flu and Your Personal Safety

What exactly is bird flu? How real is the bird flu danger? How does it threaten people? In this article, we'll review the basics of how viruses and influenza work, and we'll learn the answers to these questions about this flu, including whether it is likely to cause a global flu epidemic. The world we live in today is not safer than the one known by our parents and grandparents. If you've kept up with the news lately, you've heard terrible warnings about bird flu. It's the most serious known health threat the world is facing that has swept through the world bird population. There’s never a total absence of risks in our lives.  Risks are voluntary actions and can be managed.

  Emergencies can be met and handled, but it takes know-how and continuous awareness.  What you can't prevent, you can usually compensate for or protect against. With alarm growing over the possibility of a bird flu pandemic, we all must acknowledge the fact that we bear some of the responsibility for making our environment safe and safety is thinking about other people, too.

“Remember that we live on the same planet and our interests are interconnected”

The following statements provide a summary of bird flu outbreaks:

It’s caused by the influenza A (H5N1) virus. The infection can occur through the inhalation of the material infected with virus like cages, bird feeds, clothing, shoes of workers in farms, and any contaminated equipment. There is a greater risk of getting bird flu while handling the infected bird or infected eggs than eating these foods, as most cases of bird flu infection in humans have resulted from direct or close contact with infected poultry or surfaces contaminated with secretions and excretions from infected birds. Scientists believe that at least some migratory waterfowl are now carrying the virus and introducing the virus to poultry droves in areas that lie along their migratory routes. Within a country the disease spreads easily from farm to farm. Even small quantities of bird droppings carry a large load of the virus. Bird flu can appear within 1 – 5 days after contact with the infected material. It can pass from bird to bird, and from bird to human. No noticeable evidence to confirm human-to-human transmission of bird flu.The fear is that mutation of the virus will cause it to be easily spread from person to person, since flu viruses can change rapidly. The symptoms of bird flu in humans have ranged from standard flu-like symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat and muscle aches to eye infections and other complications. It has killed around 55% of the people it has infected so far. Humans have no immunity to it. There is no vaccine. Any new vaccine will be limited, not widely available. Antibiotics are useless against virus-caused flu. It can be contained through quarantine. The best way to cut the risk of attack is by taking sensible precautions. You are probably already aware of some of the precautions listed below, but some may be new to you, and you may find them useful. According to The US Department of Agriculture; “Proper handling and cooking of poultry provides further protection against this virus, as it does against many viruses and bacteria, including Salmonella and E.coli. Safe food handling and preparation is important at all times”.

Here is a summary of USDA recommendations:

Wash hands with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds before and after handling food (like fresh poultry and or eggs; Prevent cross-contamination by keeping raw meat, poultry, fish, and their juices away from other foods; After cutting raw meats, wash cutting board, knife, and counter tops with hot, soapy water; Sanitize cutting boards by using a solution of 1 teaspoon chlorine bleach in 1 quart of water; and Use a food thermometer to ensure food has reached the proper temperature. Cook whole birds to 180 °F; breasts to 170 °F; drumsticks, thighs and wings to 180 °F; ground turkey and chicken to 165º F; and a minimum oven temperature of 325 °F. To paraphrase …

If the food is well cooked, there is hardly any risk of getting bird flu as no data suggest that the disease can be transmitted to humans through properly cooked food (even if contaminated with the virus prior to cooking). And in general, frequent and thorough hand washing is to be observed to avoid getting the disease during processing and cooking of possibly infected poultry.

While your government will follow certain policy and procedures to prepare for a pandemic, people action and people responsibility are of vital importance for the success of any plan to maximize our preparation So if there is an outbreak of the bird flu virus, the solution is readily available if people would just get the right information on flu prevention and treatment with vaccines or other medical products.  Knowledge is POWER and we need to be prepared for an outbreak of bird flu.

Altogether, more than 50% of the confirmed cases have been fatal. This kind of flu in humans is still a relatively rare disease, but a very strict one that must be taken into consideration and closely studiedHealth Fitness Articles, because of the potential this virus to evolve in ways that could cause a human pandemic.

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Become like a bird, expand your wings, learn new things, and fly high as you can !

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If you’re feeling stressed and anxious, research says: feed the birds

In today’s constant contact, cell-phone celebrated, digital world, most people can go days or even weeks without spending any time in natural sunlight. Instead, we eat breakfast inside, or on the go, only to race to an office, filled with artificial light and plastic plants, for 8 to 10 hours a day. It’s no wonder why Americans’ mental health is suffering.Compare that hectic routine to those memorable moments when you’re able to sit quietly, let the sunshine warm your face, hear the birds, and allow nature to envelope you.

While everyone longs for less stress, actually relaxing can be dauntingly stressful!However, a new study out of the United Kingdom sheds light on one way people can de-stress: bird watching. The study finds that people who watch birds from their home have lower depression, anxiety, and stress compared to those that live in less leafy areas that have fewer birds. People "felt relaxed and connected to nature when they watched birds in their garden," researchers say. These feelings increased with the level of bird feeding in the yard, they add.Specifically, the number of birds people might see was directly associated with better mental health. "This study starts to unpick the role that some key components of nature play for our mental well-being. Birds around the home and nature in general, show great promise in preventive health care, making cities healthier, happier places to live.," says lead researcher Dr. Daniel Cox from the University of Exeter.Dr. Tina Phillips, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, agrees. "Overwhelmingly, studies show that people feed birds because it makes them feel more relaxed, that it’s something they’re interested in and ultimately something that makes them feel good."If you want to disconnect from the digital world and relieve some daily stress and anxiety, getting outside, bird watching could be the key to increasing your mindful, mental health. Since studies reveal the more birds you see, the less likely you are to be stressed and anxious, it’s important to attract as many birds as possible.The first step to attracting birds is to use an all-purpose tube feeder, which is the number one feeder choice, allowing birds to feed from multiple ports. Cole’s Wild Bird Products, Co. offers the Terrific Tube feeder, it’s made to last with state-of-the-art materials that prevent warping and discoloration and it features a "Quick Clean" removable base, so cleaning is super simple. Natural grip perch covers mimic the feel of a real branch, which encourages longer feeding times.Once you have the right feeder, you’ll need reliable seed that will bring birds to your backyard to deliver that dose of stress relief we all desire. According to Elaine Cole, President and owner of Cole’s, the quality of birdseed will determine how many feathered friends will flock to your backyard.Unlike other birdseed mixes, which typically contain cheap filler seed like milo and wheat, Cole’s selects only the top 1 to 2 percent of the highest quality seeds birds like to eat. Plus, Cole’s doesn’t add pesticides or chemicals, preferring instead to keep the seed as close to its natural state as possible."If you use inferior seed, you’re not going to like the results. Our seed is specifically formulated to attract the greatest number, variety, and species of birds. Birds are picky and birdseed matters. If you use cheap feed, they won’t hesitate look for something else they prefer. Birds are like people, give them what they like to eat and they’ll come back and bring their friends." Cole said.Since we’ve learned that the more birds we attract, the more stress-free we’ll be, it makes good sense to use the best bird feed you can buy. Cole’s Special Feeder, attracts the greatest number of wild birds than any other mix out there. Add Cole’s Blue Ribbon blend, which attracts the greatest variety of wild birds to the mix, and you’ve got the perfect prescription to help calm your anxiety and stress.At the heart of it, everyone wants less stress and anxiety. Once you start watching birds in action, they’ll engage your attention in a way that keeps you in the moment, a state that provides mental relief. Admiring their beauty, listening to their sweet song and enjoying their antics will calm your overactive mind and bring joy and renewal.

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Want your favourite birds to visit your garden? Tempt them with the right bird food!

If you want to fill your garden with beautiful birds, you have to do more than sprinkle a few breadcrumbs on the lawn. Just like us, birds can be picky eaters – and different species like different foods. Boost your chances of attracting your favourite birds by following this simple bird food guide.

Robins, blackbirds, goldfinches and other wild birds are a wonderful addition to any garden and what tempts them in there in the first place - and keeps them coming back - is the range of bird food on offer. But birds can be picky eaters! Some are vegetarian whereas others eat insects; some like one seed but not another and others will eat almost anything!

They also feed in different ways. Some birds are at home on hanging seed feeders, whilst others can’t manage the gymnastics involved in that and prefer to feed from the ground or bird tables.

So boost your chances of attracting your favourite birds by following the simple bird food guide below.                                                          

Blackbirds

Favourite Food: worms, insects, fruit, berries and suet products

How they feed: from the ground or bird tables                                            

What to put out: dried mealworms; ‘ground blend’ bird food mixes (usually containing fruit and suet); suet pellets (insect or fruit flavour); fat balls (crumble these first to make them easier to peck at).

Robins

Favourite Food:  robins love insects and worms but also eat fruit and seeds. In winter, they devour fat products to give them the energy to survive the cold.

How they feed: robins are ground feeders by nature but are now often seen on hanging seed feeders, which they have learnt to use.

What to put out: dried mealworms, insect suet pellets, fat balls (crumbled on ground or hanging in special feeder), bird seed mixes (‘ground’ or ‘feeder’ blend)

Tits

Favourite Food: great tits and blue tits are not fussy eaters and will eat a wide range of insects, seeds, fruit, berries, nuts and kitchen scraps.

How they feed: they are very acrobatic and happily hang every which way on hanging seed feeders.

What to put out: peanuts, bird food mixes, fat balls and sunflower hearts in hanging feeders. Kitchen scraps (fat, fruit, meat) on bird tables.                                              

House Sparrows                                            

Favourite Food: sparrows eat a wide variety of seeds and berries. They also like kitchen scraps.

How they feed: sparrows are ground feeders.

What to put out: ‘ground blend’ bird food mixes, sunflower hearts, suet pellets. Kitchen scraps (fruit, fat)

Goldfinches

Favourite Food: the beautifully-coloured goldfinch loves niger seed more than anything else. Niger (or thistle) seed is a tiny, black energy-rich seed.                                  

How they feed: goldfinches feed from hanging feeders. As niger seed is so tiny, it has to be fed from a special hanging feeder, with very small feeding ports.                                                      

What to put out: niger seed!                                                    

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Favourite Food: these stunning birds love insects and larvae, which they extract from under the bark of trees. In winter, they feed on seeds, berries, nuts and suet products.

How they feed: from hanging feeders

What to put out: peanuts, fat balls, sunflower seeds and hearts.

And don’t forget, whatever the weather, garden birds need fresh water for drinking and bathing, so keep a dish topped up with a regular supply.

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Fall Bird Migration

Fall is the time of the year when many birds are busy preparing for the long journey to their winter homes. Migration is the movement of birds and other animals from one home to another. Some birds will fly thousands of miles to reach their winter homes!

Birds begin the journey to their winter homes before the food supply in the north runs out. Day length and temperature plays a part in triggering the birds' internal seasonal clocks. Shorter and cooler days means that the food supply is running out. When the water in ponds and lakes begin to freeze over, waterfowl cannot get at food easily and it is time to fly south where it is warmer and open water and food can be found.

In the fall birds begin to flock together getting ready for the big trip south. This is the time of the year when you will see flocks of blackbirds feeding on berries or the V-formation of flocks of geese in flight. It is an important time to build up strength and fuel up for the dangerous voyage.

Birds use fat as fuel for their journey. It is important that they have enough to eat before they leave so they are able to store enough fat for the long distance they must travel. Some birds make many stops, filling up with enough food to make it to the next stage of their journey.

Birds face many hazards during migration. Some may get blown off course or get caught in a storm. Some birds don't have enough food or fat stored to complete the trip. Hunters claim thousands of ducks and geese each year during fall hunting season. Changes in forestryScience Articles, agriculture and urban expansion are difficult for birds. These changes affect the habitats of birds and other wildlife. Migrating birds depend on the forests and wetlands and sometimes cannot adapt to the changes.

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A Few Words In Praise of Birds

An appreciation of birds and the many reasons why birds and birdwatching appeal to so many people, this article discusses such factors as the beauty of birds, their songs, and the symbolic associations that we attribute to bird behavior.

Why do birds appeal to us ? Most people enjoy the sight of birds, even people who have never been active birdwatchers. Although birds are less like us in appearance and habits than our fellow mammals, birds undeniably hold a special place in our hearts.One reason that birds capture our imaginations is that they can fly, while we remain trapped here on earth.

What child hasn't watched a bird fly overhead and dreamt of being up there in the sky flying alongside ? What adults have not, at one time or another, wished that they could take wing and fly away from all of their everyday troubles and cares ? Birds are natural symbols of freedom and escape. After all, what could better encapsulate our vision of pure freedom than the ability to fly off into the sunset ?Birds can soar overhead and they can also cover great distances. They are privy to a "bird's eye view" of a single building or a park, or an entire city or landscape, making them a perfect metaphor for obtaining a fresh perspective on a situation, or for taking a larger view of an issue.Birds often symbolize other things, as well, such as human character traits and qualities. There's the proud peacock, the noble eagle, the thieving magpie, squabbling crows, and billing and cooing love birds. Gliding swans are the perfect picture of grace and elegance in motion. The hawk is a symbol of war, the dove a symbol of peace.What else attracts us to birds ? Birds have feathers, soft to the touch and a joy to look at. Plumage seems to come in an infinite variety of lovely colors and patterns, from the subtle, earthy tones of the common house sparrow to the outrageous, iridescent regalia of the showy peacock. Birds are beautiful works of art, signed by nature. Their plumage adds color and spectacle to a humdrum world. Their colors may also suggest many different locales and associations to us.For example, those small, round, brown sparrows are homey, comforting and familiar to those of us who live in temperate climates. They are our backyard friends and neighbors. American cardinals and blue jays are highly colored, cheerful sights to behold on gray days, from the tips of their tail feathers to the fanciful crests on their heads. They are a bit more exotic, yet they are still familiar backyard friends. Then there are those birds who live in far off exotic places, such as African pink flamingos and tropical parrots, who sport wonderful tropical colors. We love them, not only for their magnificent colors, but also for their association with far-flung lands and exotic adventures.Birds also come in a great variety of shapes and sizes, which further adds to their appeal. We can relate to them, in so far as they, and we, have two eyes, one mouth and bilateral symmetry. Yet, they are also very unlike us. They have protruding beaks, from the sparrow's tiny jabbing beak to the toucan's enormous appendage. They have wings, more unlike human arms than those of other mammals, or even of reptiles. In fact, when their wings are folded against their sides, birds appear to have no arms at all. They also have thin, bare legs and they have claws. Their heads and necks flow smoothly into their bodies. Their forms create graceful outlines, whether round like a chubby European robin, long like an African parrot, or sleek like a regal swan.Yes, birds are beautiful to look at, but the beauty of birds is not confined to the visual aspects of shape and color alone, because birds also fill the air with music. They seem to offer us their song simply to entertain us, and they ask for nothing in return. Like a garden bursting with colorful flowers, the fantastic colors and songs of birds seem frivolous and out of place in a world full of harsh realities. It seems as though they were put on earth expressly to make life more beautiful. They were not, of course. Their color and song serve biological ends in the process of natural selection, but that does not prevent us from enjoying such sights and sounds. We can listen in on their free concerts and derive pleasure and serenity from the experience. We can also be amused when a few species of birds even mimic our own speech.Another characteristic of birds that we humans respond to is the fact that they build nests. They seem so industrious and we watch with wonder as each type of bird builds its own species-specific nest, ranging from a simple assemblage of twigs to an intricately woven masterpiece of craftmanship. "Nest" is such a cozy word. Birds build their cozy nests, care for their young, and raise their families, all in the course of a single spring or summer. We admire their patience and devotion and attentive care to their offspring. We observe and marvel at a parent bird's countless trips to and from the nest to diligently feed the helpless chicks. Birds provide us with fine role models for parenting.Yes, birds are homebodies during the nesting season, but they also migrate. Birds are free to come and go and many cover vast distances each year, as they travel between their summer and their winter homes. They are social creatures, moving in flocks and creating great spectacles as they fly. A glimpse of a V-shaped flock of geese passing overhead thrills us and stirs something in us. We admire their strength and endurance in carrying out such grueling journeys year after year. We envy them, too, for they are free to go beyond mere political boundaries and to cross entire continents. We up north are sorry to see them part each autumn and we are heartened to see them return each spring. The return of such birds as the swallows signals the return of spring, with its promise of birth and renewal.Each spring we are able to welcome them back into our midsts, for nearly everywhere that humans live, birds live also. Birds cover the earth. There is such a diversity of bird species to fill each ecological niche on earth and to contribute to its balance by doing such things as eating insects and dispersing plant seeds. There are the ducks and moorhens of rural ponds. There are birds who live in the forests. There are birds in the mountains and birds in the deserts. The forbidding oceans have their hardy puffins and pelicans. Even frozen, icy places have their own birds, the lovable penguins.Birds adapt to so many different habitats and situations, including human environments. The often ignored pigeon is a beautiful bird. (I have cared for and been grateful to have known many individual pigeons over the years.) As a species, they have managed to adapt to modern cityscapes, substituting cliff-like building ledges and bridge girders for their ancestral cliffs of rock. Other bird species may be less tolerant of such disturbances and avoid the prying eyes of humans.Wherever they choose to live, birds remain symbols of untamed nature, surviving despite man's interference with their habitats. They remain proud and free to the present day. They are also a living link to the mysterious and fascinating history of life on our planet, as birds are the surviving heirs to the dinosaurs. One look at unfeathered baby birds, with their oversized beaks and feet, and it is easy to see the dinosaur in them.Each of us may have our own reason, or combination of reasons, for loving birds, but their appeal is indisputable  and universal. Birds represent the perfect blend of beauty, strength, grace and endurance, from the cuteness of a tiny sparrow to the majesty of an imposing raptor. Birds fill both the eye and the ear with beauty. We enjoy them. We admire them. Sometimes we envy them. They add appreciably to the quality of our lives and to the diversity of life on earth and the world would be a smaller, sadderComputer Technology Articles, emptier place without them.

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Humane Way of Controlling Bird is Best

Home owners and business operators tend to implement bird control methods even without considering whether they are harming the birds or not. In their desire to quickly solve the problems related to pest birds they forgot the aspects regarding the nature of bird control methods they are implementing. We all should remember that we should look on other aspects on bird control such as using humane bird control deterrents.

These pest birds like pigeons are now considered one of the most household problems. The reason is clear. They can create wide and huge damages to our lives. An additional explanation for this is the health issues associated with them and their droppings. Thus, it is really important to deter them and keep them away from our area of living. But we should eradicate them in a more secure and humane way. We should always consider them as harmless animals therefore they require to be eradicated without harming them or creating risks to the environment.

When birds are obviously becoming pests and many problems regarding their existence occur, it is clear that we need to properly solve the problems to prevent further damages in the future. Solving problems with pest birds such as pigeons, woodpeckers, starlings and crows which are very annoying and irritating all the time when they come in very large numbers should be prioritized by all homeowners and building owners. We should all find ways to totally get rid of them once and for all. Giving the right and effective bird control methods to solve pest bird problems should not only be given time to be on top of the list but must be correctly addressed by means of deeper studies and research. This is a very serious issue thus requiring serious solutions and effective methods to control these pest birds. There are several reasons why we want them away form our properties and there are even more reasons why we need to keep them away from our area. They are harmless as other people might say but if they continue to create mess and dirty surroundings we should consider employing bird control methods, which will allow us to control their behaviors. Pest birds are serious subject and it will create more damages if we do not solve these problems immediately.

There are lots of bird control products available that will act as bird deterrents and repellers. The main purpose of all these bird control devices is to get rid of pest birds and keep them away from our surroundings.

Bird control devices like bird spikes, pest bird gels, nets and visual and ultrasonic deterrents should be the first to look upon as we are finding ways to get rid of pest bird problems.

Solving pest bird problems are easy if you totally understand what you are doing. Implementing inhumane bird control will only worsen the situation in any given time thus making it harder to tackle the pest problems with birds.

You know you can do it. We can solve pest bird problems on our own. We just have to be precise and focus on the problems at hand before anyone gets hurt and make additional insult to injury.

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Benefits of Bird Spikes Installation

This article you will discover all the fundamental data about bird spikes and their establishment. Get help with bird control measures in addition to the most recent data on best bird spike models at this moment.

It generally begins with just a couple of birds on your rooftop, signage and so forth. However, unless you execute some proficient Pigeon Menace Solution in India, like Pigeon Spikes in India or Bird Spikes in India, birds will be attracted to your property in increasing numbers. Before you understand the issue, you'll need to fight with blocked and destroyed signage, damaged roof tiles and bird droppings.

Bird Spikes in India are a phenomenal low profile bird hindrance framework for use on edges, parapets, signs, shafts, smokestacks, set patterns, security cameras, lights, and so forth. The Pigeon Spikes India offers an empathetic bird spike with obtuse tips that forestalls wounds to both birds and clueless support specialists.

This Pigeon Menace Solution India comprises of meager, stainless steel bars and a clear U.V. safe polycarbonate base for long lasting durability while securing against target pest birds. The width and spacing of the spikes make this bird spike the minimum conspicuous bird spike available and abstains from ensnaring flotsam and jetsam too.

It can be used for birds such as gulls, crows, pigeons and other larger birds. Bird spikes can be utilized to ensure edges, parapets, signs, bars, stacks, set patterns, security cameras, lights, segment tops and more from perching pigeons, gulls and other large pest birds.

Advantages of using Bird Spike:

Dependable, compassionate, almost imperceptible feathered creature control item Works from light to substantial bird pressure To a great degree solid and flexible bird control item Effectively stuck or screwed to any substrate Uncommonly treated polycarbonate is exceedingly impervious to U.V. beams Stainless steel bars are tough and gruff tipped to avoid harm Bird spike poles are divided to abstain from ensnaring trash Bird spike base is adaptable permitting establishment on bended surfaces as well Three spike widths (2-1/2", 5" and 8") for various edge widths One foot areas are moved for simple convey Areas scored for simple break to introduce on littler compositional points of interest Special gutter point bird spike for canal protection Altruistic bird control item Can be used of 5years or more How It Works?

Pest Birds, for example, pigeons and gulls like a flat surface to arrive on and bird spikes keep them from landing to pick up an a dependable balance. The bird spikes adaptable base permits it to comply with both level and angled zones, making it an extremely compelling bird control item for use in ranges with contrasting bird pressure, for example, a secured edge underneath a sunny overhanging parapet.

How to install bird spikes?

In the first place, it ought to be noticed that pigeon spikes installation is an effective, economic and humane solution to prevent birds from landing on your property.

Bird spike are perfect for:

Parapet Dividers Ledges Signs I-pillars Roof-lines Eaves Light Posts. Generally speaking, spikes have adaptable bases which make them simple to introduce on level or bended surfaces. Pigeon spikes installation is very easy. Spikes can be glues, screwed or tied down. The one foot lengths are scored for simple breakFree Reprint Articles, obliging any building arrangement.

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How to Identify Birds

Perhaps birds aren't really your cup of tea, well believe it or not, it can actually be quite entertaining to be able to identify birds. Birdwatching has always been a popular pastime, especially with noble men and royalty.

As a continuation of our how-to series you are going to talk about how to identify birds. Perhaps birds aren't really your cup of tea, well believe it or not, it can actually be quite entertaining to be able to identify birds. Birdwatching has always been a popular pastime, especially with noble men and royalty.

In fact, bird watching is still a rather popular hobby. However, it can take a little time and research if you plan to sort through the many airborne creatures that inhabit this world. If you ever had any doubts, why don't you try it for your self?

It would be quite impressive if you could actually identify the various birds that you came across in your travels. That would probably catch them off guard. The great part is, you don't really need much to get started. A decent pair of binoculars and a bird book should do the trick quite nicely.

Have you ever seen an unusual looking bird that really caught your eye and wondered, what is that? At that point I bet that you have the knowledge to the to identify birds.

I myself can remember seeing beautiful birds as a child that inspired me to want to learn how to identify birds. Growing up in the country certainly has its high points, but the true value of the experience is in interacting and appreciating nature around you. As an example, my grandpa taught me how to identify birds. He initially I had no interest in it, however, as I grew and experienced camping and fishing much more, I eventually wanted to know how to identify birds. And then that spread to a natural curiosity of plants and other things in nature. While identifying birds is a fun past-time, having the ability to know the different properties of plants should certainly be beneficial. I found that out soon after I contracted poison ivy. That incredibly annoying rash that I got absolutely drove me nuts.

After spending a beautiful springtime on the Colorado River with my grandpa and sisters, I was really starting to come into my own as far as having the ability of how to identify birds. Learning how to identify words is not a difficult skill in the least. There is mountains and mountains of reference books can be used. You can also go on the Internet where there is an abundance of information that you will find helpful. The key to great bird watching once you've learned the names and characteristics is a great pair of binoculars. While you initially become an avid birdwatcher, you will eventually no doubt opt for a more expensive, higher-quality pair of binoculars. That ideal pair of bird watching binoculars can make all the difference in the world and help you learn how to identify birds. After allArticle Submission, if you can't see them you can't identify them.

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Birds Love A Good Bird Bath

In case you like birds you must know that there is nothing more welcoming to the feathered creatures than a bird bath. That nice installation filled with clean, fresh water will be like an oasis for the neighborhood birds. And if you decide to make one, your kindness will be fully repaid by the daily visits of our entertaining and delightful flying friends. Just watching a bird bathing is quite a pleasurable and repaying experience itself.

Of course people may decide to build such a place for people too, but in fact a nice bird bath can simultaneously be the perfect garden accessory and service a good purpose. And if you manage to choose the right style to design it in, youll definitely improve your garden setting. In the end youll have something for all to enjoy both birds and people.

A bird bath is the perfect device for bird watchers to use for attracting birds. Taking the time to create such bath is always rewarded by the view it offers afterwards. It gives the birdwatchers the possibility for a close proximity watching, and most of them guarantee that you can in fact attract more birds with a bird bath than with seeds.

This is absolutely true, because bird feeders, wonderful in my opinion, still do attract only seed-eaters and thats why the species that gather around them are much more limited. From time to time you can spot a finch or a bright red cardinal, but you are more likely to find around always the same visitors mostly blue jays and sparrows is what you youll see hovering near the feeders.

There are lots of birds that prefer fruits and insects to the seeds. Although species like waxwings, wrens and catbirds wont offer a great variety to your garden, they can not be found anywhere around the seed feeders. That is the main difference between the two, and areas with bird baths are much more abundant in species than the seed feeders as not all birds do eat seedsFree Articles, but all birds drink water.

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The good side of bird poop

An adult Green-winged Macaw has been seen captured by a Brown Capuchin Monkey as the macaw waited in the trees above a clay lick in Peru. It is much more common for parrots to fall prey to raptorial birds like an Ornate Hawk-Eagle (a bird with a 4 ft. + wingspan). As a group, the falcons are effective predators of many birds and among the world's best fliers. The Peregrine Falcon is the world's fastest bird and can reach speeds of 200 mph in a dive. This bird is likely a threat to parrots wherever it occurs.

"Safety in numbers," a defensive weapon natures implants in birds is their ability to disguise illness. The beak is an individual defensive weapon. But in nature Illness means weakness to a predator. Birds of an individual species all look the same. You can't feel their beak like you can a dog's nose. Forget about a rectal thermometer. (Rapid changes in weight are another indicator) But looking at poop may enable you to diagnose illness in a bird (that's a whole article in itself) who is not displaying any noticeable symptoms of illness.

Bird poop is also a medium to cultivate nature. Think about it. You're driving through the country and some folks are fishing at a small lake in the middle of nowhere. What are they fishing for? If there are fish, where did they come from? In many cases, bird poop! Birds are scavengers. People tell us our cockatiel will only eat THIS!. I say go to Australia and you'll find cockatiels (and certain Cockatoos) are the pigeons of that continent. Birds will eat fish, dead or alive. some of those fish may be pregnant. The birds will eat the fish and the eggs, fly to another small area of water and poop out the fish eggs while looking for more food. Those fish eggs may become someone's dinner when they grow up. So the next time you kneel down to clean the poop around your bird's cageHealth Fitness Articles, think about all the good it can do-do. An adult Green-winged Macaw has been seen captured by a Brown Capuchin Monkey as the macaw waited in the trees above a clay lick in Peru. It is much more common for parrots to fall prey to raptorial birds like an Ornate Hawk-Eagle (a bird with a 4 ft. + wingspan). As a group, the falcons are effective predators of many birds and among the world's best fliers. The Peregrine Falcon is the world's fastest bird and can reach speeds of 200 mph in a dive. This bird is likely a threat to parrots wherever it occurs.

"Safety in numbers," a defensive weapon natures implants in birds is their ability to disguise illness. The beak is an individual defensive weapon. But in nature Illness means weakness to a predator. Birds of an individual species all look the same. You can't feel their beak like you can a dog's nose. Forget about a rectal thermometer. (Rapid changes in weight are another indicator) But looking at poop may enable you to diagnose illness in a bird (that's a whole article in itself) who is not displaying any noticeable symptoms of illness.

Bird poop is also a medium to cultivate nature. Think about it. You're driving through the country and some folks are fishing at a small lake in the middle of nowhere. What are they fishing for? If there are fish, where did they come from? In many cases, bird poop! Birds are scavengers. People tell us our cockatiel will only eat THIS!. I say go to Australia and you'll find cockatiels (and certain Cockatoos) are the pigeons of that continent. Birds will eat fish, dead or alive. some of those fish may be pregnant. The birds will eat the fish and the eggs, fly to another small area of water and poop out the fish eggs while looking for more food. Those fish eggs may become someone's dinner when they grow up. So the next time you kneel down to clean the poop around your bird's cageHealth Fitness Articles, think about all the good it can do-do.

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What You Need To Know About Bird Window Feeders?

Do you watch what birds do, as they nest in trees? Have you seen bird window feeders or bird baths? They are cheap and let you see birds close. You can use them in your home or apartment window. You can just slip them on your windowsill or use Velcro to attach them to the glass. For details on these bird feeders, read this article.

Bird window feeders are great for attracting birds into your yards. If you want to see different birds up close in your yard, or apartment building, having window feeders are more convenient than other types of feeders. You can also attract birds with the bird bath.

There are two types of window feeders. One is attached to a window, and the other is put inside a windowsill. The feeder attached to a window is always attached to the glass through suction cups or with Velcro. Generally smaller than windowsill feeders, on-window feeders fit any type of size of window.

Other advantages of a on-window feeder includes having the option of using multiple feeders on a particular window. It also increases resistance among squirrels because they are unable to reach an on-window feeder.

Windowsill feeders, on the other hand, thrust forward into the house through an open window. There are also other models that are secured outside a closed window. One model, called solarium feeders rest on a windowsill and secured by closing the window on top of it. They could also be secured by a tension pole on the outside of the window, and allow the window to close.

Unlike the on-window feeders, the windowsill feeders have larger seed tray areas to accommodate larger numbers of birds. Other features of bird window feeders are one-way mirrors to allow you to see the birds without them seeing you, and access to the seed tray from inside your house.

Most birds have a sense of smell. But in seed-eating species, such sense is poorly developed. It is not so much about a smell of a seed that attracts birds to the feeders. It is the seeds that they can see. Or, its the birds that flock around the feeder and the attracting chirping sound they make.

Over time, these birds develop a ‘search pattern’ for bird feeders that lead them to feeders in different houses. They know what areas have feeders as the migratory. If this is your first time to use bird window feeders, it will take several weeks before the birds discover your place. If you have a tree in your yard that bears fruits, then there are plenty of birds around your house.

It is helpful if you place something glossy under the feeder along with some seeds. Water can also attract birds, so you can place a bird bath near your feeder. The favorite food among birds is black oil sunflower seeds.

Later on, when birds discover your place and their visit frequently, you may mix other seeds such as safflower seeds and sunflower hearts. You can also add to your ingredients suet cakes. Another reason why you may not have birds visiting you is competition.

Your neighbors may have their own bird window feeders and the bird bath. You can lure the birds into your feeder by having the best quality of bird seeds, which you can buy at pet stores. If you live in an area where squirrels are abundant, you may try squirrel-resistant feeders especially if you use windowsill feeder.

Using bird window feeders is a good way to feed birds and provide momentary shelter for the flying creatures. When birds feel secure and comfortable in your yardHealth Fitness Articles, expect to have visits from them daily.

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How To Attract Wild Birds To Your Garden - Wild Bird Food And Feeding Advice

If you want to attract a wide variety of birds to your garden, it is important to offer a good selection of wild bird food, but it is not necessary to spend lots of money on specialist seed mixes that you may not need! However, avoid prepared food that contains cheap fillers, such as whole oats which have little nutritional value, or seed that is high in cereals, as this will mainly attract pigeons. Here are some tips and advice on what best to feed wild birds.

If you have not fed the birds that visit your garden before, we would suggest you start with a few Fat Balls, Black Sunflower Seed or Sunflower Hearts and Peanuts which can be used in feeders, on bird tables or on the ground and in a variety of places in your garden. Include a few peaceful areas for timid wild birds and to encourage colourful songbirds into your garden.

Sunflower Hearts are basically a bird's equivalent to fast food, as the black outer shell has already been removed, and so leaving only the nutritious hearts. Unlike many prepared supermarket meals, these are a healthy option that is convenient for all wild bird species, as many smaller birds simply can't remove the tough outer shell of a sunflower.

By placing these foods around your garden you should attract a wide variety of bird species commonly found in the majority of gardens in the UK. As you gain confidence you can add some specialist seeds, such as Niger Seed and Hemp or even Dried Mealworms. This variety will increase and broaden your garden's appeal to a larger selection of bird species, including Woodpeckers, Buntings and Nuthatches.

It is recommended that if you feed whole peanuts to your garden visitors, it's important that they are fed from a wire mesh feeder. This is because smaller birds and fledglings can choke on the valuable food source.

Many of the premium wild bird food varieties use peanut granules instead of whole peanuts, as the bite-sized pieces are easy to digest and appeal to a larger variety of wild birds.

We suggest you place the food out at the beginning of each day to allow birds to replace the energy lost overnight and then top it up mid afternoon if necessary, to ensure your garden attracts as many birds as possible!

It is advisable to have multiple bird feeding sites within the garden to prevent overcrowding. Another good idea is to move wild bird feeders around regularly to prevent a build up of droppings. These can spread disease and bacteria. Finally, clean feeders at least once a month.

Lastly, remember that once you have started to feed the wild birds, it's important to continue to feed themArticle Search, as unfortunately they will become reliant on your help to survive and raise young fledglings.

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Gazebo Bird Feeders

You can choose to enhance your garden with bird feeders and there are many different feeders that you can choose from that will suit the many various bird species that are around. One type is the hopper feeders which also include gazebo bird feeders in their range. These gazebo bird feeders will also accommodate large sized birds and are practical. They’re also made with great care so that they add a decorative touch to your house and garden.

 One type of gazebo bird feeder is handcrafted and made in America and is made from both inland and Western Red Cedar wood. The paint coating on the feeder is a non-toxic water based stain varnish. The roofs of the gazebo bird feeders are made of copper. This helps to control the damage that is inflicted by the weather. The top of the feeder slides open allowing you to clean the feeder of mold and other growth that will hurt any birds that come to your gazebo bird feeders.

 This easy slide opening lets you pour more seed into the tubular feeder that is within the Gazebo feeder. The design of the feeder allows placing the feeder on a sturdy post or putting it up on a strong pole. Care should be taken with the placement of your Gazebo Bird Feeders so that no lurking predators will be able to eat any birds that are at this station.

 Gazebo style feeders are great for attracting lots of different types of birds. The feeder will hold sunflower seeds, mixed seeds and safflower seeds. With these different seed types the birds that come to your gazebo bird feeders will also be different.

 Using black-oil sunflower seeds will bring Goldfinches, Woodpeckers, Titmice, Chickadees, Nuthatches, Redpolls and Pine Siskins to your bird feeders. Finches, Grosbeaks, Cardinals, Nuthatches, Titmice and Chickadees will also flock around the gazebo feeder if you put safflower seeds there.

 In general these feeders come in many shapes and sizes. They also come in attractive colors or you could perhaps purchase a do-it-yourself kit. These can be assembled with the greatest of ease and you’ll also have the option of choosing your own color scheme. Painting it in bright colors will greatly attract many birds to your feeders and will lend your yard an air of festivity. Any paint used thoughComputer Technology Articles, should be bird-friendly so check before buying it.

 Buying multiple gazebo bird feeders will also allow you the opportunity to feed a great many birds and will afford you great pleasure as you relax and watch the antics of the birds.

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Cedar Bird Feeders

We all have a soft spot for birds. This means that we try and ensure that their environment is ideal for their needs. A bird house is a good way to provide an instant nesting site or home for any visiting birds. A bird bath placed near a bird feeder provides a source of water for drinking, splash bathing and just having fun. The many types of feeders make sure that there is a ready supply of food for the birds. However Cedar Bird Feeders go beyond being just a bird supply item. They bring a level of sophisticated beauty to the garden.

 Cedar Bird Feeders from Woodlink will give you the rustic look that you desire and yet this is combined with a practical usage. These feeders can be used anywhere it’s necessary to feed large amounts of birds. They’re also good for bird feeding sanctuaries.

 Keeping this large sized feeder in your garden is an invitation for lots of birds to dine there. The Cedar Bird feeders are in the classic Hopper feeder style. Both sides of the feeder have lots of perching space in front of the feeding stations and there are clear plastic panels on both sides that show you the reservoir of seeds inside of the feeder.

 An internal seed baffle design makes sure that any empty seed shells are emptied out on to the platform below. This design feature ensures that no residue is left in the Cedar bird feeders. The feeding platforms are green metal screens that can be removed. For the ease of cleaning and easy refilling the roof of the Cedar bird feeders are hinged.

 These large Cedar bird feeders can hold 18 quarts of seed in them. This means that you don’t have to continually refill the feeder and if you need to go on your holiday you won’t be worrying about hungry birds.

 Many bird species like to use this type of feeder. These include Wrens, Towhees, Sparrows, Jays, Grosbeaks, Blackbirds, Cardinals, Doves, Flickers, Redpolls, Woodpeckers, Titmice, Kinglets, Bluebirds, Goldfinches, Starlings, Finches, Chickadees, Nuthatches, Grackles, Siskins, Mockingbirds and Juncos.

 These huge Cedar bird feeders are made in America from kiln dried Inland Red Cedar. They are hardy and durable. Their appearance will complement not only your garden but also any bird sanctuaries where they are needed. Due to the size of this feeder it may be best to pole mount it.

 The best types of seed to use in this feeder are sunflower seeds, mixed seeds, cracked corn, sunflower kernelsHealth Fitness Articles, safflower seeds and peanut chunks. The use of these varied bird seeds will bring different bird types to your Cedar Bird Feeders.

 With the purchase of any Cedar Bird Feeders you can be assured of getting a good value and there are many years of enjoyment to be had from watching birds eating from the bird feeders.

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Wooden Bird Cages

Gone are the days of boring bird cages. Today’s bird cages are trendy. They are stylish. They make a statement about the owner’s taste and lifestyle. Bird cages can blend in artfully with the décor or they can stand in bold contrast. Bird cages are available in many different themes and styles.

Modern, whimsical, simplistic, Victorian, Oriental, Tuscan, Arabian —bird cages are available in these styles and more.

 Some of the most beautiful cages in any style are wooden bird cages. They can be made of most any wood—cherry, oak, pine, maple, and even laminate. For most any wood décor, there is a wooden bird cage to match. And, if you can’t find an existing bird cage, one can be made to match.

 For all their beauty, though, there are some things to consider before buying a wooden bird cage. For example, wooden bird cages are difficult to clean. They can be very challenging to disinfectant and sanitize, as germs and bacteria can get into the grains.

 If you own a parrot, it is definitely best to avoid wooden bird cages. Parrots enjoy chewing the wood.

 Wooden bird cages are available online in a variety of sizes. They can also be custom ordered to your exact specifications. Though used wooden bird cages are availableComputer Technology Articles, they should be avoided. These cages could pose a significant health risk to your bird and your family.

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Bird table and the spectacle of watching

There are many ways to enjoy the spectacle of bird watching. You can attract the birds to your garden using different bird feeders filled with seeds or even nectar and there’s also the possibility of having a bird bath in your garden. This provides your visiting feathered friends the opportunity to splash about and get themselves nice and clean. The other option that you have is to provide a bird table with food placed on it.

You can of course go to your nearest pet store and buy the latest thing in bird tables or you can try your hand at making your very own bird table. This is a very easy project to do and the satisfaction that you’ll gain as you look at the many birds will definitely be worth your effort.

You’ll need a strong pole to support the table and any visiting birds, a large flat piece of wood to act as the table, and some thin long strips to place along the edges of the table. The pole should be about 1.5 meters high. This will keep your birds safe from any prowling hungry cats. You should attach the thin strips of wood to the edges of your table. These strips need to be 2 inches high and there should be a small gap between them and the table. This design feature will let any rain water drain off of the table. You can attach the strips of wood to the table before you nail it to the pole or afterwards. Just make sure that the pole and the table are firmly attached to each other.

 Before you hammer the bird table into the ground, check out the best place for your new table. This site should have some shrubs nearby so they can flee from any Sparrow Hawks in the vicinity, although there shouldn’t be too much ground cover as cats can hide there.

 Once your new bird table is firmly in the ground you can put out a variety of foods for the birds to enjoy. They’ll like to eat unsalted peanuts, fresh coconuts, fats like suet, dripping, meat fat and bacon rind. Cheese, stale cakes, biscuits and pastry with interesting fillings should tempt their taste buds too. Besides these types of food, birds enjoy fruits, apples, dried fruits, sunflower seeds, bread and some wild bird seed food.

 This is a great way to see different birds, but you’ll also need to make sure that all this food doesn’t get the attention of any squirrels who like any kind of free food. If however, you do manage to attract the attention of a squirrel, and it’s bound to happen, you have two choices: fight them or join them. Since fighting them requires too much energy joining them is the simplest course of action and placing enough food on the bird table for them as wellHealth Fitness Articles, will ensure that you have hours of added fun watching their antics along with those of the birds.