Quick Answer Barn Owl nest boxes should be placed at a minimum height of 10-15 feet above the ground. The ideal height range is 12-18 feet high in open habitats like fields or pastures. In wooded areas, boxes can be placed a bit lower at 10-12 feet high. Placing the box high enough deters predators and provides the owls a sense of security. Height Recommendations Here are some general height recommendations for installing a Barn Owl nest box: Open habitats (fields, meadows, pastures): 12-18 feet high Along tree lines and woodland edges: 10-15 feet high Wooded areas: 10-12 feet high…
Author: Peter Knight
Featherglow is a premium brand of canary food that is specially formulated to meet the nutritional needs of canaries. Canaries are finicky eaters and require a seed mix that is fortified with vitamins, minerals, and amino acids to keep them healthy and active. Featherglow sets itself apart from other canary foods by using only top-quality ingredients and custom blending their seed mixes for optimal nutrition. What are the ingredients in featherglow canary food? The primary ingredients in featherglow canary foods are rapeseed, canary seed, oats, red millet, and niger seed. These seeds provide carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fats. In addition,…
Birds that nest on the ground and lay their eggs in grassy areas include many species of ducks, geese, plovers, quail, grouse, owls, and others. While most birds build nests up in trees or on cliffs and ledges, ground-nesting birds have adapted to make their nests on the ground, hidden amid grass and vegetation. Ground-Nesting Birds That Lay Eggs in Grass Some examples of birds that lay their eggs directly on the ground in grassy areas include: Ducks – Mallard ducks, wood ducks, blue-winged teal, and other duck species nest on the ground near water, concealing their nests in thick…
The Steller’s jay (Cyanocitta stelleri) is a striking blue and black bird found along the Pacific coast of North America. With its bold markings, loud calls, and curious nature, the Steller’s jay is a familiar sight in many western forests. But just how rare is this bird? Let’s take a closer look at the Steller’s jay’s range, population trends, and conservation status to understand its rarity. Range and Population The Steller’s jay is found in coniferous forests along the Pacific coast, from Alaska south to central Mexico. Its range spans over 68,000 square miles along the coast and in mountain…
The birds Directive Annex 1 is a list of bird species that are given special protection under the European Union’s Directive on the Conservation of Wild Birds. This directive, also known as the Birds Directive, was adopted in 1979 and aims to protect wild bird populations in the EU through habitat conservation and other measures. Annex 1 lists 194 species and sub-species of birds that are considered threatened in Europe and require enhanced conservation efforts from EU member states. Background on the Birds Directive The Birds Directive was one of the EU’s earliest pieces of environmental legislation and remains a…
A hummingbird fly is a type of insect that resembles a hummingbird. Despite its name, the hummingbird fly is not actually a bird or related to hummingbirds. Instead, it is a fly that belongs to the genus Baccha and family Syrphidae. Physical Characteristics Hummingbird flies get their name from their resemblance to hummingbirds. They have long slender bodies and wings that allow them to hover and fly like hummingbirds. Their bodies are usually 0.5 to 1 inch long. They have large eyes and short antennae. Their wings are usually clear or cloudy colored. The most distinguishing feature of hummingbird flies…
Chimney swifts are small birds that are known for roosting and nesting in chimneys. There are several reasons why these acrobatic birds are drawn to chimneys. They Originally Nested in Hollow Trees Chimney swifts are native to North America and originally nested in hollow trees and caves. When European settlers arrived, they started clearing forests for farmland and development. This led to a loss of many of the large, old trees that swifts relied on for nesting sites. As an alternative, swifts started using chimneys in the 1800s as manmade substitutes for hollow trees. Chimneys mimic the dark, enclosed space…
The brown-headed cowbird (Molothrus ater) is a small songbird species found throughout much of North America. Unlike most songbirds, brown-headed cowbirds do not build their own nests. Instead, female cowbirds lay their eggs in the nests of other bird species, leaving the host parents to raise the cowbird chicks – a practice known as brood parasitism. This unusual nesting behavior has made the brown-headed cowbird a species of great interest to ornithologists and birders. But where exactly do these so-called “nest parasites” lay their eggs? The answer is more complex than one might expect. Brown-headed cowbird breeding range Brown-headed cowbirds…
As a bird owner, it can be worrying when your feathered friend seems under the weather. Changes in behavior like decreased activity, fluffed up feathers, and loss of appetite can indicate illness. But sometimes birds exhibit these signs when they are simply tired or stressed. So how do you know if your bird is sick or just having an off day? Quick Answers Here are some quick answers to common questions about sick birds versus tired birds: Sick birds often have additional symptoms like discharge from eyes/nose, diarrhea, vomiting, or labored breathing. Tired birds usually act normal when not resting.…
Birds eat frequently throughout the day, consuming anywhere from a few bites to hundreds of individual meals. The amount and frequency with which birds eat depends on many factors, including the species, size, habitat, and energy requirements of the bird. Smaller birds with higher metabolisms may eat upwards of 30-50 times per day, while larger birds eat less often. Overall, most backyard birds eat between 2-6 times per day on average. How Often Do Backyard Birds Eat? Most common backyard birds, like sparrows, finches, doves, jays, chickadees, nuthatches and woodpeckers eat between 2-6 times per day on average. This consists…