Feeder placement depends on the birds you hope to attract to your feeding station. As much as possible, it should resemble the way birds feed in the wild, so keep colors neutral, put some feeders almost at ground level and others as much as six feet high. Another consideration is traffic from squirrels and other four-footed visitors.

Maintaining a clean bird feeder or bird bath is generally safe, unless these are attracting rodents or raccoons. It is always best to wear protective gloves when handling or cleaning these items to avoid contact with bird droppings or contaminated water in a bird bath. Always wash your hands with soap and water after doing these chores. The likelihood of getting a pet bird that is already infected with avian flu is very low. It is illegal in the U.S.

The key factor in the location of the feeder is to challenge the squirrel to get to it. One option includes using a 10' high free standing pole away from squirrel launch pads, such as fences, sheds, roof tops, trees etc. Keep in mind that squirrels are able to jump about 4' vertically. Another suggestion is to grease the pole so they are unable to get a grip to climb up it.

the present time, the risk of becoming infected with H5N1 virus from bird feeders is low. Generally, perching birds (Passeriformes) are the predominate type of birds at feeders. While there are documented cases of H5N1 causing death in some Passeriformes (e.g., house sparrow, Eurasian tree-sparrow, house finch), most of the wild birds that are traditionally associated with avian influenza viruses are waterfowl and shore birds.

There are so many solutions depending on your situation, but the best overall way is with a squirrel proof birdfeeder such as the "Absolute Squirrel Proof Feeder" by Heritage Farms and the "Yankee Flipper" by Droll Yankee.

You may want to move the feeder to a different part of your yard or closer to a protective shrub, especially if you have hawks in the area.

to 6 feet high will make the birds happy, and still allow you to reach. Our post-mounting bracket is sturdy enough to sit on the post without the need for screws...making takedown for cleaning easy.

For the M & MW Series units the recommended operating height from the ground is the lowest possible height up to a maximum of five inches (12.7 cm). This is typically 3" to 5" (7.5 to 12.7 cm). Measure the highest known obstruction that will be driven over in the operations area, and use that as a starting point. Raise or lower until optimum performance height is reached.

Sometimes it takes birds quite a while before they use a new feeder or bird bath. If after ten days, no birds are visiting, think about moving the unit to another location in your yard. I don't have any suggestions. Hopefully, this bird will quickly pass through whatever season is causing this behavior or move to another location. Even if you succeeded in chasing the bird out of a particular tree, it would probably choose another location equally close.

There is no single best feeder for bird feeding. A well-rounded feeding operation will include a platform feeder, a tube feeder, a hopper feeder, a suet feeder, and a peanut feeder. And don't forget the bird bath! The seed-drilling culprit is a weevil that lays its eggs on developing sunflower seeds. The hatching larvae consume the kernel and then drill exit holes through the shells.

At this time, there isn’t evidence to indicate that humans can get infected directly from an infected bird. However, it is recommended to always follow general hygienic procedures. Birdbaths and feeders should be washed or disinfected regularly. Wash your hands with soap and water after touching the baths/feeders. To prevent mosquitoes from breeding on your property, empty and clean birdbaths at least once a week and eliminate any other standing water in your area.

Avian influenza strains are not commonly found in birds typically seen at backyard feeders (e.g., robins, blue jays, cardinals, chickadees, finches), and it is unknown if H5N1 can cause significant illness and death in songbirds. There is no need to stop watching, feeding, or attracting birds to your yard. Proper hygiene (i.e.

Just shake the bottom of the feeder a little and if you hear the seeds rattle around then it's time to refill it.

A nestling, that is a naked or down-covered baby, found on the ground should be put back in its nest, if at all possible. If the youngster is cool to the touch, it should be gently warmed in your hands before placing it back in the nest; the parents will not reject it because a human has touched it. However, there is an exception. Baby ducks and geese are walked to water from the nest soon after hatching.

Birds will come to balcony feeders, but it may take a while to attract them. Much depends on the surrounding habitat. If there are lots of trees and some water, your success rate will be higher. City dwellers may have to content themselves with sparrows as their primary visitors.

The fledgling stage of a bird is the most vulnerable. It has left the nest, and can flutter and fly short distances, but does not have the flying strength of its parents. Their short tails can often identify these birds. Oftentimes, the parents are nearby watching, and help "teach" the fledglings how to search for and obtain food. Humans with good intentions should not interrupt this cycle.

The satellite sends a location (in latitude and longitude) as well as an estimated altitude for each location point. Several data points were collected when the birds were apparently in flight during migration, as suggested by great distance traveled in a short time, together with higher altitudes (for example, >100 m).

Take a picture and carefully note the distinguishing characteristics of the bird (size, colors, size and shape of beak, behavior, etc.) and then give us a call at 451-7159 (or e-mail us at birds@alaskabird.org. We'll do our best to help you identify it. Sightings of rare or unusual birds should be reported to the Arctic Audubon Birding Hotline at 451-9213.

eye infection that attacks finches arrived in our area a few years ago. In worst cases, the eyes are sealed shut, and the birds are blinded. If you can pick the bird up (wear gloves!) and bring it to a rehabilitator, do so. If you have a cage for it, sprinkle seed on the floor so the bird will find and eat it. If the bird can still see, it may well get over its infection on its own.

There is nothing in aluminum itself that would be harmful to birds. Because it is a soft metal, however, it bends easily and could be crinkled if a squirrel were to land on it. Including a screen beneath a feeder will help reduce the amount of debris that attracts squirrels when it falls to the ground.

Bird feeders probably came into existence through a process of trial and error. After seed tossed on the ground attracted rodents, besides the birds, someone must have tried putting the seed on a tray or in a dish and a new concept was born. A company called Perky Pet Products was an early manufacturer of feeders, but it was Droll Yankees in Foster, Rhode Island that developed a feeder model in the early 1970s that everyone else tried to imitate.

Birdfeeding.org always says there is only one absolute rule in bird feeding: Clean. In cold weather it isn't necessary to clean feeders as often as during the summer, but don't let wet seed lodge in feeder corners where it can get soggy and unpalatable. Also, try to keep the area beneath feeders as free from debris as possible. Platform feeders are the biggest challenge to keep clean. Birds defecate in them while standing around to eat.

Although some diseases can be transmitted from insects to birds and from birds to birds, we are not aware that the same is true from birds to other animals. The most effective prevention of problems is to be sure to keep your feeders clean and the ground beneath them as free from debris as possible.

Hang the feeder away from trees, bushes or fences where squirrels may climb or jump to the feeder. If you must hang the feeder on a tree, keep it at least six feet from the trunk or the tree limbs. Add a squirrel baffle over the feeder to prevent squirrels from climbing down the wire from which you hang the feeder. If you decide to use a free standing pole, it should be 5' high and 10' from the nearest tree.

Different hammock lengths (ring to ring) will require different instructions. We can only make recommendations and you will have to tweak the installation to suit you. If your hammock is 13 feet long you will want a space approximately 15 feet apart with a foot of chain or rope at each end to adjust the hammock up or down from the ground. The hammock hooks that you hang the hammock from should be at least 4 to 5 feet off the ground.

Our first balcony, the Dress Circle, is 30 feet from the floor; our second balcony, the Grand Tier, is 60 feet from the floor; and our third balcony, the Family Circle, is 90 feet from the floor.

Since this feeder is a neat and clean-looking feeder that doesn't make a mess, it can be left up all year 'round.

For information about the Atlanta Public Schools, visit the APS website at www.atlanta.k12.ga.us or call 404-827-8000.

Every property in Colorado Springs has stormwater runoff that contributes to existing water quantity and quality problems, and to the need to operate and maintain the storm sewer system. Driveways, parking areas and rooftops in every part of the City contribute to the amount of water that must be managed. It is most equitable to have all developed properties pay a fee that is proportional to the amount of water that runs off of each property.