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Just for YOU... Information and Resources on Bird Garden Essentials from the Experts at... |
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| You are here... Bird Garden Essentials > Imitating Natural Bird Nesting Places |
Imitating Natural Bird Nesting Places...If you want birds to stay in your garden, to nest there, then you need to provide nesting places unique to their species. Nesting boxes located among existing trees and shrubs in your garden will be the most successful because they imitate natural habitats. Actually, some aren't even boxes... they're more like platforms. The secret is matching the nesting boxes, and where you place them, to the bird species you want to attract to your garden. Natural Bird Nesting Places...Cavity-nesting birds often make use of existing holes created by woodpeckers, or they just excavate their own. Most often they select standing dead trees (called snags), logs, or stumps - then they build their nests inside the cavities.Nest-builders select surfaces or shapes capable of supporting nests - they build nests on or under them. Oddly enough, some even lay eggs underneath logs and larger woody debris. Imitating Nature...The bottom line is that cavity-nesters look for something with a cavity to build their nest in, while nest-builders look for something to build their nest on or under.. something capable of supporting or hiding a nest.Enticing birds to nest in your garden absolutely depends upon how closely you imitate their natural nesting sites:
Supplementing Nest-Building Supplies...Those of you who are minimalists will appreciate this. Only 4 main substances are used by all these species to construct their nests, and another 2 substances are used to line the nests for comfort. Twigs, grass, mud, and barks - a combination of some or all - are the main nest components for all 15 of these birds. And all of them lined their nests with fine grasses and hair for comfort.These materials are readily available. If not already in your yard, then just ask any lawn care service. They'll probably give you a bag of lawn debris... eagerly. Arrange bits and pieces of these items throughout your bird garden, and get ready to watch a parade of nesting pairs eagerly snatch up all those bits and pieces. Offering these nest-building supplies,
together with
nesting boxes and platforms, may be all it takes to convince some of these birds to raise their young in your garden.
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Even if they don't nest in your garden, you can still enjoy their happy songs as they gather up their booty.
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