BIRD INFORMATION AND BAT INFORMATION

MAINTENANCE, INSTALLATION, PRODUCT SELECTION, CLEANING

INSTALLATION:

For best results face the opening of your birdhouse away from the dominant winds. Don't be concerned where the occasional large storms come from because birds build nest according to everyday weather/wind patterns. In most cases, depending on the species of bird, the best place to install a birdhouse is on a pole away from trees and fences to avoid predators getting into the nest box. If this is not an option then install them on a fence or side of a building, again facing the hole away from dominant winds if possible. In most cases, installing birdhouses in trees is your last option due to predators. Many birds like open areas so they can easily watch for predators while hunting for food near the nest box.

Installing bat houses is much more complicated.  Bat's are very picky where they roost and raise there pups.  Call or email me for more specifics on bats.

PRODUCT SELECTION:

Choosing a birdhouse:  Every bird prefers a different cavity/design (hole positioning/size, cavity size, ceiling height) so purchase the birdhouse that is right for the bird you want to attract.  You may choose to build your own bird boxes as I do.  Design is crucial for the best results and you can purchase s specification chart by clicking here, Birdhouse Specifications.  The image of the birdhouse above is one we make and it is intended for Western & Eastern Bluebirds and cavity nesting Swallows.  To purchase one of these, and many others, visit my store location at http://www.birdmanusa.com/cgi-bin/birdnest/B1001.html.

Choosing a birdfeeder:  Choose a feeder for the intended purpose, then ensure it is of good quality.  If you want to attract finches, then get a quality thistle feeder like this one, http://www.birdmanusa.com/cgi-bin/birdnest/B4301.html.  If the feeder looks like junk, is flimsy plastic, does not look like it can be cleaned easily, then DON'T buy it!  It will be a waste of money.  When it comes to birdfeeders you get what you pay for.  Most of the feeders I sell come with a lifetime warranty and are made in the USA.

To attract specific birds I have a birdseed chart for sale at http://www.birdmanusa.com/cgi-bin/birdnest/B1002.html.  This Chart will be very helpfull in determining what grains and fruits attract which species of birds.  Once you know what kinds of birds you want to attract, assuming they reside in your area, then you can purchase a feeder for the intended type of seed.

Choosing a birdbath:  Plastic, metal, and fired clay are good products to hold water but more specifically to clean.  Concrete is very durable, but is not easily cleaned as it is to porous.  Though a fired clay pottery birdbath is easy to clean it is not very durable.  I recommend either a plastic or metal birdbath.  If choosing metal, make sure it is a light color if you live in warm climates as they tend to get very hot in the summer and can burn the feet of birds.  Water is the most important thing any living creature needs anytime of the year.  In colder climates you will want a quality heated birdbath like this one http://www.birdmanusa.com/cgi-bin/birdnest/B7015.html.

CLEANING:

Birdhouses: All birdhouses should be cleaned once per year, normally in the late fall.  If you have any birdhouses that can't be opened to clean, then THROW THEM AWAY!!!  Cleaning out the birdhouse once per year is VERY important to prevent diseases and death in young birds.

If you live in the northern states or in a cold climate then clean them in the fall and not again until the next fall.  Many birds will use birdhouses for roosting during the winter time so it is best to leave them alone during the very cold months.

Many small birds like Finches, Bluebirds, and Swallows, nest twice in the spring to early summer. There is no need to clean the house out between nestings.  In most cases the same parents will not use the nest for the second nesting if they have a choice, but another pair will use it with the old nest in it.

Birdfeeders:  Birdfeeders should be cleaned out regularly, every 1-2 weeks, with either soap & water or a bleach solution consisting of one teaspoon of bleach per gallon of water. After washing let them dry before re-filling. For ground feeders you may want to move them around every couple weeks to avoid large buildups of seed shells and spilled seed.

Birdbaths:  Birdbaths need cleaning often, usually once per week in the summer with a scrub brush, soap, and water.  In the warmer states it may need cleaning more often.  Mold, bird feces, grass, ... need to be removed before every re-filling. 

MAINTENANCE:

Yes, all products need some sort of maintenance at some time or another.  Birdhouses should have predator guards on them and replace when damaged or enlarged by other birds, like woodpeckers, or squirrels.  If you don't know what these are then call or email me.  Birdfeeders should be in good working order and able to hold the seed they were intended to hold.  If your birdfeeder ever holds water when raining it is defective and needs to be fixed, cleaned, or replaced.  Birdfeeders should have drain holes in the bottom of the feeder and the tray if it has one.  Standing water and birdseed is a sure formula to poison birds over time.

Feel free to contact me for further information or any specific issues or problems.  Call, 303-517-3102, or email, birdman@birdmanusa.com, at anytime.

Regards,

Pat "The Bird Man"