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Wildlife-Houses Create Sancuraries for Birds and Bats

By: 198 Comments

bird in a tree

Photo by permission of Keven Law. Check out the great giveaway for one lucky reader!

G.L. Freedman of Wildlife-Houses sent me this email recently, and I could not resist reprinting it in full because I am an avid gardener and an animal lover.  With only a few weeks until Spring,  read on how to attract those beautiful blue jays, robins, and hummingbirds to your garden.

As many may know, many North American birds nest in “cavities”, or holes in trees and fence posts. Some birds, such as the wood pecker, are able to actually chisel their own holes with their sharp and heavy bills, yet other cavity nesters must find suitable holes for their nesting needs.

Unfortunately, suitable nest cavities can be a hard match and difficult to find in much of North America. One way to solve the depopulation and nesting problems of all natural insect controllers, which can really harm vegetation, plant life and tree life – thus destroying the environment, is to provide artificial cavities, also known as bird houses or nest boxes.

More than 50 species of birds – including Bluebirds, Kestrels, Owls, Titmice, Chickadees, Nuthatches, Wrens, Tree Swallows and Woodpeckers – will use nesting boxes. Not to mention, bats and Purple Martins, which also help to naturally control pests and insects, thus eliminating the usage of man made insecticides and pesticides, harming the environment.

Nest Boxes have also helped to boost populations of many cavity-nesting bird species whose numbers where on the incline. For instance, both Eastern Bluebirds and Wood Ducks have recently made a dramatic comeback in population.

A Nest Box on ones property will provide an inexpensive, valuable home for birds and bats as well as fun and enjoyment for the whole family. What better way to teach our youngsters about environmental preservation as well as natural pesticides and the aiding of the longevity of our natural, cavity nesting friends.

To find out more how you can help and be part go to www.wildlife-houses.com.

To echo G.L.’s sentiments about birds’ nesting habits, I have nests all over my house.  Last year, I had nests on my ledges, inside my fake ivy topiary plants, and even a small bird house my son built.  The problem is whenever I go outside my front door, the birds fly away since I guess, they are scared of humans.

One time, a baby bird was so scared it flew out of its nest and was not really ready to fly. I picked it up to put it back in its nest and realized I probably hurt the bird more than helped.  My human hands touched it, and I was worried that its mother would reject it.  The birds love my house and perhaps, it would be better for me to install more bird house around the property so they nest inside their homes rather than near my doors. In any event, the birds have been my main pesticide, eatting those unwanted garden pests!

In addition, bat house are wonderful.  Stop thinking vampires are going to show up at your door!  Bats eat mosquitoes among other insects.  In my area, mosquitoes have been associated with spreading the  West Nile virus , which can affect humans and mammals.   Crows have been affected by this virus.  What is West Nile virus?

“The most severe type of disease due to a person being infected with West Nile virus is sometimes called “neuroinvasive disease” because it affects a person’s nervous system. Specific types of neuroinvasive disease include: West Nile encephalitis, West Nile meningitis or West Nile meningoencephalitis. Encephalitis refers to an inflammation of the brain, meningitis is an inflammation of the membrane around the brain and the spinal cord, and meningoencephalitis refers to inflammation of the brain and the membrane surrounding it. West Nile Fever is another type of illness that can occur in people who become infected with the virus. It is characterized by fever, headache, tiredness, aches and sometimes rash. Although the illness can be as short as a few days, even healthy people have been sick for several weeks.” (CDC, West Nile Virus)

For more information about who is most susceptible and  more information about this virus, see here.  If you want to learn more about bats, consider following the Company’s bat blog.  Attracting bats to your yard helps to control these unwanted pests.

Wildlife-Houses sells many different types of bird houses as well as ones coated with edible products (edible birdhouses)  and wildlife  structures for owls, bats, and butterflies.   Pictured below are some of the different types of wildlife houses you could purchase:

Edible Bird's house

This is the edible bird house, which after the seeds are gone, there is still a bird house.  Priced at $47 but on sale for $38.54.

Bat House

This wildlife house is a bat condo!  It holds up to 100 bats and there is no  condo approval requirement to move in.  Priced at $54 but on sale at $44.28.

Bird House with Infrared Camera

For the ultimate bird watcher, the above house is for you.  It contains a color camera with infrared night vision so that you can watch the birds’ nesting habits or record them on your computer if you wish.  Priced at $192, but on sale for $157.44.

Which one is my favorite?  It is the seeded one.  I love the multi-purpose idea of the house.  Note, this is a great time to pick up any one of the Company’s products since many of the items on the website are on sale and reduced 18% below their originally marked price. Consider purchasing one of these birds structures and enjoy watching the magic that birds create.

Wildlife House seeded bird house

The Company has been so kind to giveaway the above seeded bird houseto one lucky Green Talk reader.

In order to enter the contest, you must live in the US, and be 18 or older and follow the rules below:

  • Leave me a comment here telling me what is your  favorite bird and why (if you can). If you don’t have one, just say so.
  • To double your chances of winning the shirt, consider joining Green Talk’s Ning Forum. Come back and leave a separate additional comment that you joined my forum.
  • To triple your chances consider joining my Feedburner email list or subscribe to my RSS feed. Both subscriptions are listed on the upper left hand column. Be sure to come back and leave a separate additional comment to tell me which one you joined.
  • To quadruple your chances of winning, twitter about this contest and come back and leave a separate additional comment of the url (weblink) of your twitter comment.
  • You must enter by March 25, 2009, 6 PM EST time to win. A winner will be chosen at random on Thursday, March 26, 2009.  Good Luck everyone!

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Grow From Seed Mini Course

Comments

  1. 1

    That is a beautiful bird picture. I like to make my own bird houses and feeders. All you need is a few pieces of wood, some nails and a hammer. If you live a forested area you can ask the local phone company to put a wooden post up near your house for hawks and eagle to nest in, very cool. I also like making houses for butterflys. Regards!

    Reply
  4. 4

    My favorite birds are Cardinals and Bluejays. We have a family of Bluejays that live in our pear tree, and Cardinals are so vibrant and pretty.

    Reply
  7. 7

    I have to go with the Robin – I used to watch them when I was a little kid and still love watching them come from the trees to our deck.

    Reply
  9. 9

    I have a green cheek conure (or should I say he has me) so of course he is my favorite bird because we are part of the same flock.

    Reply
  10. 10

    My favorite birds are mourning doves and mockingbirds. I also love black capped chickadees. They all remind me of when I was a little girl watching the birds at my grandparent’s house. My grandmother loved the birds and always had food out for them. We would watch them from the back porch. Thank you.

    Reply
  13. 13

    My faorite bird right nw is the pixilated woodpecker. I’ve recently moved t0 the N. Ga. mountains where these birds abound in our woods. They are so big and beautiful!

    Reply
  14. 14

    I love all wild birds. Just listening to their songs is so relaxing. I don’t know the names, but there is one up in Georgian Bay in Canada that has the most beautiful sound. I love it better than the loons.

    Reply
  17. 17

    It may seem silly but the Red-Breasted Robin is my favorite because my grandfather always talked to one that came in his yard every day, and I still remember how much he enjoyed that little bird. We have several that visit here, as well as many other types of birds, but none that are regular conversationalists like my grandpa’s bird was.
    msurosey@yahoo.com

    Reply
  22. 22

    I am a Gold Finch person since one followed me home because I sang back the song it was singing for me. It stayed by my home for a few days and taught me never to promise something I could not deliver on.

    Reply
  24. 24

    I don’t just have one favorite bird. I love the tufted titmouse, cardinals, blue jays, bluebirds, nuthatches, and gold finches. I’m so lucky to be visited by all these beautiful birds.

    Reply
  26. 26

    tweeted / lisagee123 Edible bird house.~http://tinyurl.com/afx8lsless than 5 seconds ago from web

    Also the Indigo Bunting, the Northern Flicker, The Coopers Hawk, actually I love them all :o)

    Reply
  27. 27

    I love cardinals because they are so lovely in colour, and our state bird, so I see them often. 🙂 Thank you for offering this giveaway! eyeslikesugar [at] gmail [dot] com.

    Reply
  28. 28

    My very favorite bird has always been the Red Cardinal they are just beautiful . I love the way they stand out and act like the king of birds thank you very much.

    Reply
  29. 29

    To me the red cardinal is the king of all birds you almost think he has a comb in his back pocket and they look so smart. thanks for a chance to win them a goodie.

    Reply
  30. 30

    I really love seeing all the birds that come into my yard. I do especially like seeing a cardinal or blue jay because I don’t see them as often as sparrows, wrens and mourning doves.

    Reply
  33. 33

    I have only seen one blue bird in my yard a couple times in the 13 years we have been here but when I do it is very special.

    Reply
  37. 37

    I love hawks. When I see them soaring, I can’t take my eyes off them, whether I’m in my car on the highway, or in my front yard.

    Reply
  38. 38

    I love cardinals. I love their color, their differnet calls, and the way the male takes part in the nest with the new babies. There are also wonderful stories having to do with how they got their bright red colors and why they are often featured as a Christmas bird against the green pines trees.
    Thanks for this great giveaway. The seede bird house is very unique.

    Reply
  39. 39

    My favorite bird is the American Eagle. So strong and majestic and beautiful! I have seen them soaring overhead and wished I could be up there with them. As for attracting yard birds, I enjoy watching Cardinals. I love to watch them grab a seed, fly to a perch to eat it, and return for another. I love their constant chirping too. I have them around all year long and make sure the feeders are full to keep them happy.

    Reply
  41. 41

    We love all birds here in the northwest. I have a balcony on my apartment where I encourage butterflies and birds with feed, flowers, and other items that attract them to us. I would love to add one of these bird houses to my efforts!

    Reply
  42. 42

    The Cardinal is beautiful! Like a flying tulip! Wonderful sitting on a snow-covered bush with just the red peeking out! Lovely!

    Reply
  46. 46

    Ny favorite bird is a Bluebird. But, here in TX the bird I see most often is a Cardinal and i enjoy watching them. My grandkids love watching the birds. That is why I keep feeders and bird houses in my yard.

    Reply
  49. 49

    My favorite bird is the Cardinal, because I’m always charmed by how the male and female call to and watch over each other – they’re fascinating.

    Reply
  53. 53

    Every spring I put my hummingbird feeder and every spring they come and feed. They are so sweet and tiny looking. I love to watch them eat.

    Reply
  54. 54

    My favorite bird is the woodpecker because of their color, as well as the fact that they always make their presence known at the bird feeder – tap, tap, tap!

    Reply
  55. 55

    We have wild canaries in our yard who nest here every year. I would love to provide them with a nice bird house. (Living on the Puget Sound we also have loads of water birds)

    Reply
  60. 60

    I am also a bird person, I love my feathered friends…!, and I have learn how to know who is around my window by their singing, tweeting or fighting!!!…..yes they stand on their grounds for food and they know what they like, and I do know too.
    I have different feeders with different seeds, and they know their feeder. Example, the yellow finch will go to the feeder with niger seeds, the noisy titmouse loves sunflowers seeds, so does the nuthatch, and the sparrows!!!!! they eat whatever is there, I call them the common birds!
    I would love to get one of those bird houses. I would put it where squirrels cannot get to it, because squirrels are cute but they are scavengers!!! and dary!! and !!!! and have no shame!..Sorry Squirrels lovers! Maybe we should also have a quirrels house made with corn, and it would be fun to see them going at it!!!!! Just an idea.

    GENEVIEVE

    Reply
  61. 61

    I love all birds but my all time favorite is the Bald Eagle, they are just so majestic and beautiful.I have been fortunate enough to see a few of them in the wild and it was so cool!

    Reply
  66. 66

    My favorite is the black capped chickadee. I love how they are so brave and come to the feeders first. They have a quizzical look on their faces as they discriminately pick just one seed and swiftly fly away to the safety of their favorite tree, to hack away at their prize!

    Reply
  67. 67

    Black-capped Chickadee – so cute and such a beautiful friendly melodic song. Although I find the Cardinal stunning visually

    Reply
  72. 72

    I have my first bird feeder which is hanging outside my office. While, I havent quite learned the names of them all, I am really enjoying learning the habits of my frequent vistitors.

    Reply
  73. 73

    The Cardinal has always been my favorite. It’s a beautiful flash of color brightening the yard through the drab days of winter.

    Reply
  74. 74

    I have made my own sanctuary outside of my bedroom. I love waking up to their songs in the morning. This is also my cat`s favorite place to be all during the day. Thanks for the great giveaway!!!!!!!

    Reply
  75. 75

    My favorite is the crow, but my second favorite is the woodpecker followed by the red-winged blackbird. I love crows because they are so big and shiny and have such weight to their hops. They are so smart too.

    Reply
  76. 76

    I love Cardinals, Blue Jays, Goldfinches, woodpeckers… It’s hard to choose between all the pretty colored birds.

    Reply
  82. 82

    I just got a gold finch feeder because I’m wanting to attract gold finches. I think they’re sooo cute!!

    Reply
  85. 85

    The cedar waxwing was the first bird I ever saw out birdwatching. I was with a group of really experienced birders. They pointed it out. The coolest thing was that I had just attended a class and they showed pictures of it. I had never noticed such a bird in my area – but what a beautiful bird to be initiated with! I love watching birds ever since.

    Reply
  89. 89

    I love the cardinals that live in the wooded area behind my house. We watch them raise their families and continue to multiply each year. They are spectacular in the winter as well as summer, and they mate for life.

    Reply
  102. 102

    My favorite bird is the little wren. My father taught me how to make wren houses out of gourds and I have three hanging in the trees. They have such a lovely little song!

    Reply
  103. 103

    I do not have a favorite species of bird, per se. I do find birds incredibly interesting. Since we have moved from one part of Pennsylvania to another part of it, I do miss seeing the mated pair of Mourning Doves that live at our former residence. I especially miss their coos.

    Reply
  106. 106

    GENEVIEVE WARREN – Hang in there, we are on the dawn of opening a brand new store that will feature feeders for all kinds of wild life, including squirrels!!!!
    For more information, simply click: <a href=” http://wildlife-houses.com/”

    And best wishes to all of you that have entered the contest.
    I hope YOU win!

    G.L.FREEMAN – The Birdhouse Outlet.

    Reply
  108. 108

    I live up in maine today is the frist day of spring we have bluejays out by the feeder 1 gray squirrel an a red squirrel my favorite is a robin like them because of of the red on there ballys. an that means summer is not far away. thank you

    Reply
  109. 109

    Growing up in the countryside, I have always been surrounded by birds. I can’t say I have a favorite – I like them all, from chickadees to blue jays and woodpeckers. What a clever idea. It’s a gingerbread house for birds! Thank you for the fun give-away.

    Reply
  113. 113

    I love hummingbirds! They fascinate me on how they are so tiny and their little wings just beat fast and how steady they can be!

    orchestratenoise0726[at]yahoo[dot]com

    Reply
  114. 114

    Love all things hummingbirds.
    My mother-in-law put out feeders (multiple) and we could sit in the breakfast nook and just watch the air be filled with them. They loved Chico, California with all the orchards.

    Reply
  119. 119

    I love the RED Cardnial! Before my dad died he always said he was going to come back as a Cardnial , he always sang free bird. Now I always see this bright red cardnial in my yard all the time. It makes me smile and think of him! Thanks for letting me share 🙂

    Reply
  124. 124

    I think bats are amazing creatures – in fact, my bf just built by hand a bat condo (to hold up to 60 bats) !

    Reply
  126. 126

    Hi!
    I would love to win this edible birdhouse! One of my favorite birds is the cardinal because he’s such a show-off in the wintertime with his pretty red feathers!! Please enter me in your contest. Thanks a bunch! 🙂

    Reply
  128. 128

    My favorite birds are mourning doves because when I was little my mother and I would watch them most mornings from our back deck

    🙂 Thank you for the wonderful giveaway! 🙂

    Reply
  132. 132

    I don’t have a favorite bird, I enjoy watching all the little native birds around the houses and feeders in our backyard.

    Reply
  134. 134

    I don’t have a favorite bird but I do have a softspot for doves.

    Why? I set up a bird feeder outside my living room window for my indoor cat. She loved to just sit and watch the birds. The sparrows would always scatter when she approached the window BUT the doves stayed. At first, they flew away but then they became buddies of sorts. There was a family of three doves who would come daily. My cat literally had her nose pressed against the screen and the dove would come right against the other side of the screen. Nice moments.

    Reply
  136. 136

    I do not have a favorite bird. I do have a bird feeder in my backyard and I love all the different types of birds that visit my yard for food.

    Reply
  138. 138

    My favorite bird has been the hummingbird ever since I saw one outside my second-floor window in Manhattan. Manhattan! A hummingbird! I still think the bird was as startled as I was.

    Reply
  139. 139

    I LOVE hummingbirds. They amaze me. One time I stood still by a hanging plant (before I had for loud children) and a hummingbird actually hovered right near my face, it was incredible!

    Reply
  141. 141

    My favorite bird is the Golden Pheasant because it is so breathtakingly beautiful and colorful. wgbc1446[at]yahoo[d0t]com.

    Reply
  143. 143

    I love to watch the birds all year long, I feed them all year round. I love to see the Cardinals in the winter, the Hummingbirds in the summer, but I think my favorite is the first Bluebird of spring.

    Reply
  152. 152

    Living in Oklahoma there are many beautiful birds. I do not think I could give you a favorite. I do love our state bird though the scissortail. It is a beautiful bird as well as unique. We also have beautiful cardinals. 😉

    Reply
  153. 153

    Cardinals are my favorite bird because my grandpa loved Cardinals when I was a child and always pointed them out to me. He even painted his home Cardinal Red!
    Thanks!
    lisalmg25 at gmail dot com

    Reply
  155. 155

    Pelicans are my favorite bird. I love to watch them fish as well as fly. Cardinals are my favorite birds to see in the yard because they are so pretty.

    Reply
  156. 156

    I’ve always been a bird brain! I love both domesticated pet and wild birds alike! My current favorite birds are bald eagles, after seeing them live in nature in the Seattle, Washington area. They are amazing creatures!

    Reply
  157. 157

    I have a huge passion for birds so to claim one as my favorite would only insult all others but at this time of year I have to admit to being more partial to our Purple Martins. I have a large colony and we raise around 500 babies each season. I have a nestcam in one gourd each season and it’s such a treat to watch the whole proccess. It’s amazing how people orientated these birds are, how close we become to them and how quiet it is once they leave in late summer. That first day of silence is the first day I start thinking….they’ll be back in March 🙂

    Reply
  158. 158

    I don’t have a fave bird, but my mil does. She likes all kinds. This would be for her if I won. Thanks for the giveaway.

    themeimlookingfor at yahoo dot com

    Reply
  159. 159

    My favorite bird is the yellow wild canary. They are quite a site when about a 100 decide to nest in the same tree.

    Reply
  163. 163

    I can’t pick just one bird as I am in the process of discovering birds. I love to see the red headed woodpeckers at my suet feeders as here in the city they are rare. Red cardinals are just so awesome to see, but I guess lately the yellow goldfinch that come to my flower garden and thistle feeder are my favorite.

    Reply
  164. 164

    I love red-winged blackbirds (because of that beautiful flash of red-orange when they fly) and cardinals. Cardinals sound very similar to
    Lories (small type of parrot of which I’ve had many) and it’s being studied whether there is an ancestral link between the two – and I just love the beautiful RED of the cardinals!

    Reply
  165. 165

    I have always loved the cardinal. It is so colorful and reminds me of spring (which is trying hard to beat the stubborn winter here near Chicago).

    Reply
  169. 169

    I like hummingbirds. I had to move their feeder higher because the cats soon found out where their feeder was. I was afraid the cats might get to the birds but they are safe now.

    Reply
  170. 170

    I love all wild birds and I put seed out for them everyday but by far my favorites are the owls.
    Seed Bird Houses – thats a new one for me. Very clever.

    Reply
  171. 171

    I love the Cardinal..red & beautiful. We have a summer place where lovely birds come to our feeder. I have never seen so many different birds. We feed the birds all year round

    Reply
  172. 172

    I love so many of the wild birds, and it’s really hard to pick a favorite. To name just one, I’ll say the goldfinch. They are striking with their black and bright yellow color and it’s always a joy to see them when they stop here for a few weeks in the spring, during their migration. And I see them again in the fall when they are making the return trip. At that time, they love to feast on the seed heads of my purple coneflowers.

    Reply
  173. 173

    I love the Blue Jays in my area. Curious and smart. I leave them unsalted peanuts in the shell as a special treat.

    Reply
  174. 174

    Birds certainly make our world beautiful and they also benefit the Earth in many ways….right now, although I love to see and invite different types of birds to my backyard, I would pick the cardinal today because it brightens up my view on this rainy Spring day in Ohio….

    The cardinal is our state bird, and represents other states also. has a very pretty sound, too….right from heaven.

    Reply
  175. 175

    I love the bright red cardinals. They are so pretty, especially the males. I saw my first red robin yesterday, and that’s a sign of spring , up here in the Northeast Kingdom. I love the edible birdhouse. That’s a great idea! Thanks for having the contest!

    Reply
  179. 179

    My favorite bird is the goldfinch. I love this bird because it is so beautiful and dainty. I really enjoy setting out thistle and watching them crowd around.

    Reply
  180. 180

    i LOVE birds~
    My favorite is the hummingbird~
    They are so metticulite~ (however you spell that)
    And fun to watch~

    Reply
  181. 181

    Hummingbirds, if I could hear them I think they would sound like the Great Gazoo from the Flintstones flying off.

    Reply
  182. 182

    Hummingbirds have always fascinated me! They can hover in mid-air, fly backwards, and they are beautifully colored. Thank you so very much for the opportunity to participate in this giveaway!

    Reply
  185. 185

    This is very neat. I just saw one like this at Smith and Hawken, my MIL loved it, but it was a little over $50!

    Of the birds I’ve had, I love Cockatoos, but, as we don’t have any birds right now, I’m going to say the blue starjay (I think that’s what they’re called). We feed them with pinecone feeders in our backyard and the sound they make wakes up our puppy, who is a bit slow and runs around trying to figure out where it’s coming from. (We’re not sadists, our puppy doesn’t care about birds and doesn’t try to get them or anything!)

    Reply
  186. 186

    I love Cardinals.they are beautiful birds and my state bird.They
    show up so pretty against the snow and they are graceful.Baseball
    team has been named after them.You can easily tell the female from
    the male since the male has brown on breast

    Reply
  193. 193

    I have grown so fond of Red Birds. I have 7 bird houses that can be seen from the windows in my living room and I love watching the red birds come and go for their daily feedings. When it snowed this past winter they were so vivid and beautiful, I’ll never forget their beauty. The birds are colorful and they are so plentiful in my yard. They bring so much joy and hours of viewing pleasure.
    But the tiny hummingbirds make a close second, I have three hummingbird feeders and I’ve put them close enough to the door that I can see them really close up. They make the funniest sounds with their fast flying wings.

    Reply
  195. 195

    I like the red robins because it is truely spring when they come back. During the sunner I like the blue jays.

    Reply
  196. 196

    Congrads to Charlene Kuser who won this wonderful bird house! Everyone, this is the time to get your birds houses. Prices are great at Wildlife-Houses! Birds need our help now since they are looking to build nest this Spring.

    Thanks for everyone who submitted. What wonderful answers about the birds you love. Anna

    Reply

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