Wild About Wild Life

BIRD HOUSES (Credit for this Article goes out to:  http://www.turkishculture.org/pages.php?ParentID=6&ID=104)   BIRD HOUSES IN TURKEY Bird houses are man’s humble offering to his winged, feathered friends, and one of the oldest and most important expressions of the love of and compassion for animals. The history of houses built for birds like sparrows, finches and swallows goes back a long way. Some of these tiny dwellings, whose numbers proliferated in parallel with the development of classical Ottoman architecture in the 15th century, indicate that they were being built, albeit on a smaller scale, already in the pre-Ottoman period. The purpose of these charming bird houses, which the Turks continued to build up to the 19th century, is to provide refuge to birds, who range freely through the skies but are consequently lonely to the same degree, and to protect them from storms, rain, mud and the burning sun. Turkish Birdhouse Bird houses come in all varieties. While the first bird houses tended to be simple, in the 18th century they were transformed into structures of comfort exhibiting a refined aesthetic sense. But aesthetics isn’t everything of course. All bird houses have to meet certain standards, the most important of which is to ensure that birds feel safe inside them. What would be the point, for example, of building a bird house in a place accessible to a cat? Their houses need to be constructed on the sunny side of buildings, in a place that is not exposed to strong winds. One of the most beautiful examples of civilian architecture, bird houses are the centre of attraction on any building. Some have been added following construction, others built in at the start. We encounter them everywhere–on mosques, madrasas, libraries, houses, inns, baths, tombs, bridges, churches, synagogues, and even palaces, in short, in every place that has been touched by human hands. Bird houses fall into two groups. The first group consists of those built specially into the facade of the building in the form of either a single aperture or several side by side, in other words, structures that do not extend far beyond the facade. Those on the Suleymaniye Mosque, the New Mosque (Yeni Cami) and Buyukcekmece Bridge in Istanbul are examples of this kind. There are also bird houses that project out from the facade of the building, most of which were built in the 18th century. More than houses, these are highly ornamental, elegant dwellings reminiscent of palaces or pavilions. Indeed, some of them even have feeding and water troughs for finches and sparrows, runways for landing and take-off, and even balconies where the birds can venture out and survey their surroundings. Among the loveliest examples of these houses, which are the product of delicate workmanship, are the Yeni Valide, the Ayazma and Selimiye mosques at Uskudar, and the building in the inner courtyard of the Darphane at Topkapi Palace. Other important buildings with bird houses in Istanbul include: the Feyzullah Efendi and Seyyid Hasan Pasha Madrasas, the tomb of Mustafa III, Cukurcesme Han, and the Ahrida Synagogue in Balat. Bricks, tiles, stone and mortar are the building materials of bird houses. Unfortunately those that were made of wood have not survived. Birdhouse But Istanbul is not Turkey’s only landlord catering to birds. From Thrace to Eastern Anatolia, bird houses are to be found in every place touched by human hands. Kirklareli, Tekirdag, Edirne, Bolu, Bursa, Milas, Antalya, Amasya, Kayseri, Ankara, Nevsehir, Sivas, Erzurum, Sanliurfa, Dogubeyazit are just a few of the Turkish cities with bird houses that we can mention here. Bird houses are a symbol of the value and importance Turks place on animals, especially birds. Several foundations were founded in the Ottoman period for the care and protection of animals. Some of these foundations specialized in feeding birds on cold winter days, caring for and treating sick storks, and providing food and water to animals in general. Let us conclude with a few lines from Mehmet Zaman Sacliolu’s poem, ‘Bird Houses’; Bird Houses The outer walls of houses should be bird houses That take wing when children laugh. Even if it’s winter outside, The summer sun should rise inside the walls And happiness will also warm the birds.

A bee collects nectar in a mustard flower at Sitgram village, about 185 km (115 miles) south from the northeastern Indian city of Siliguri November 22, 2008.

Credit: Reuters/Rupak De Chowdhuri

BEIJING (Reuters) – Being stung by a bee would have most people rushing to hospital, expect at one Beijing clinic where patients queue up to be pricked into good health.

Bee sting therapy, which involves placing live bees on a patient’s body at certain pressure points, dates back over 3,000 years in China and was considered legal in 2007.

It is similar to acupuncture in that it uses bees stingers instead of needles and the same principles, but the bees’ toxin, which doctors say is a natural medicine, is essential, making the treatment like an injection.

Doctors at the Kang Tai Bee Clinic, a traditional Chinese medical facility in northeast Beijing, say the therapy has proved effective in curing diseases such as rheumatism and arthritis, as well as a list of other ailments.

“The bee therapy has an obvious effect on patients with bone and joint diseases,” said Wang Jing, a doctor at the clinic.

“This treatment relies mainly on the bees’ poison, which can help blood circulation, reduce inflammation and ease pain.”

The bees used for the treatment are a hybrid of species from Italy and the Gulf, and are kept on the clinic grounds. Their 0.3 mm-long stings, which contain about 0.3 mg of toxin, make them suitable for the therapy, doctors say.

For the treatment, doctors use tweezers to pick up bees from the hive, placing them one by one on the pressure point of the painful area.

The bee then instinctively stings its “enemy” and dies. The stinger is then left in the body for several hours, and patients say it helps to ease their discomfort.

The doctors, who undergo strict training, decide how long the stinger should stay in body, and how many bees should be used in the treatment. At the very most, a patient can be stung more than a hundred times. At the very least, four or five times.

The center sees an average of 30 patients daily, while more than 50 can queue up during the weekend. Doctors say that the treatment has become so popular that they are considering expanding the clinic in the next year.

Some patients even travel long distances from remote areas of China to try out the unique treatment, which at around 120 yuan ($18), is much cheaper than most conventional medical treatments.

Han Lide, a patient suffering from an inflammation in the veins caused by diabetes, has been treated at the clinic seven times and insists the results are worth the initial discomfort.

“After I am stung by the bees, the pain is gone by the afternoon. My legs feel lighter. It becomes easier to walk and my legs do not feel swollen,” he said.

Doctor say more than 90 percent of their patients have recovered or felt an improvement in their condition after receiving treatment.

Despite the pain, patients often continue the treatment for many years. Cai Shulan has used bees to treat her arthritis for five years.

“I couldn’t move my shoulders before. I needed someone to help me get dressed. It was too painful to even put on clothes. After being treated here I feel fine and I am just like a normal person,” she said.

 

FREE REPORT: The Seven Mistakes People Make When Putting Up A Birdhouse.

 

Many times people make the mistake of placing a birdhouse in the wrong location when trying to attract the local avian friends in their neck of the woods. In this free report, you will find out about the in’s and out’s, the do’s and don’t’s and the what-nots up placing and properly installing a birdhouse. We explore what the dangers are and how to avoid them so the your feathered friends can have the best and safest experience in your outdoor set up.

Please take advantage of this free material today.

Simply visit: www.birdhousenow.com/report 

 

Enjoy!

~ The Birdhouse Guy ~

Seeings how people from all over the world read this site, I thought it would be a great idea to feature some wildlife in their neck of the world. India has a lot of rich history and facinating tales, so I thought I would feature another facinating TAIL – The Eurasian Hoopoe of India.

The name “Eurasian” is a two part word meaning European and Asian, thus the name Eur-asian. Eurasia is a large landmass covering about  20,846,000 mi or about 10.6% of the  Earth’s surface . Often considered a single  continent,  Eurasia comprises the traditional continents of   Europe and Asia (and Eurasia is a  portmanteau or the blending of two or more words and their meaning into one word, of the two), concepts which date back to   classical antiquity and the borders for which are somewhat arbitrary.

Here is a wonder of India call the Eurasian Hoopoe bird. These monogamous little guys love to nest in any hole they can get to. From cliff, to crevices between rocks, to trees, walls, you name it, they are big time cavity dwellers. The Eurasian Hoopoe a a medium sized bird whose plumage on the chest varied from chestnut to a pink brown color. Their broad back, wings and tail are typically black and white. The erectile crest is the same color as the head and tipped with black. These little insect controllers have a long , slender and curved bill with a type of modified muscle which allows the bird to open its bill as it probes for food. Both male and female have small leg stucture and the babies, or juveniles are duller than adults with shorter bills and lighter colors.

What do these wonders of nature do for food? What do they consider Yum Yums? Well, they are a bird and this particular type likes to munch on insects, mainly, specifically larvae and pupae. Centipedes, earthworms, spiders and other creepy crawly things they will munch on also. It has been recorded that the Eurasian Hoopoe will partake in a frog or lizard and an occasional small snake also.  You will find these guys constantly making short probes in the ground because this is where they often hunt –  in short grass and on bare soil, but at times will stop to incert their full bill into the ground, opening and closing to test the object targeted or to seize it up.

The Eurasian Hoopoe is no stranger to human habitation. They are certainly found around human population. They are great climbers of rough surfaces and like to roost in cavities at night.  The male is the one who takes the lead, selects the nest site and establishes the territory.  The facinating this about their nesting habits is the fact that they may inhabit the same nest for 4-5 years. The female will produce one egg per day and the clutch size it 5 to 8. They incubate the eggs for 15 – 18 days and the female is the ONLY one who performs this. After about 6 days the youngsters will begin to feed theirself and then remain with mom and dad for the next few weeks.

These guys have a distinctive flight pattern with erratic, butterfly- like flapping. They can climb through rough surfaces and are ready to perch at anytime.

Interestingly enough, there is a book of poems in Persian by Farid ud-Din Attar called “The Conference of the Birds”, which is a great example of Persian poetry and this book has clever word play.  The “Simorgh” is a mysterious bird in Iranian mythology which is a symbol often found in sufi literature and similar tothe phoenix bird. “Si Morgh” means 30 birds in Persian. The poem uses a journey by a group of 30 birds, led by a hoopoe as an allegory of a Sufi sheikh or master leading his pupils to enlightenment.

These birds are also great for insect control. For those of you in Asia, Africa or India that would like some unique idead on attracting and harboring these birds in your yards, please visit : www.wildlife-houses.com  As always, Happy Birding!

 

 

Special Thanks to Wikipedia

This sounds like a real fun event that all birds may take part in. It is called TGB’s Birdhouse Competition. You can register on line if you think you have the coolest birdhouse around that is sure to win! You never know, Go For It!!!!

Here are some of the characteristics of the group listed below.

For the birds is a juried Design Competition and Summer Showcase exhibition that culminates with the Flocktail Party awards celebration at Toronto Botanical Garden, and you are cordially invited to be part of it.
This TBG event puts the fun back into fundraiser, and also
• Highlights the plight of songbirds due to environmental degradation
• Encourages wildlife preservation, ecological awareness and sustainability
• Informs TBG visitors about the principles of bird nesting, habitat and support
• Underscores the TBG’s ongoing mandate to promote environmental awareness through education
The birdhouse Design Competition of For the birds is a showcase of soaring creativity. For inspiration, take a look at last year’s entries. Then let your imagination fly!

***For more information on the TGB Birdhouse Competition, I encourage you to visit their website at: http://www.torontobotanicalgarden.ca/birds/

****If you don’t have a birdhouse and would like to get in the competition, there are lots to choose from here: www.wildlife-houses.com

Happy Bird – House – ing!!!   

~ The Birdhouse Guy ~

Have you ever had the problem of those pesky squirrels running up and eating your birds suet cakes. With the recent cold weather squirrels have been eating my suet cakes much to the dismay of our local  Woodpecker’s and Chickadees and other feathered friends that find energy and strength from you good winter offerings.

There may be some solutions that just might work for you. Here are some you may want to consider.  

Squirrels do not like pepper. When purchasing suet, or making your own, be sure that pepper is an ingredient. The Squirrels will be deterred from the suet, however this will not harm your local bird friends. When placing suet, you should look for a type of “cage within a cage ” – type system. This allows the smaller birds to go in and eat and enjoy the suet where the squirrels can’t. These type of suet feeders have a removable metal plate to block the bottom and keep the squirrels out. After you have discouraged them from entering, they will leave your feeder alone, then you can pull out the plate and the larger woodpeckers like Flickers and Red Heads can feed from the bottom.

Another note, based on a question that I was asked recently, you may use Fat Free Peanut butter in your homemade suet, however, keep in mind that it is the fat that the birds needs in order to help produce energy thus keeping their bodies warm in the wintertime. So if you use fat free products in your suet, pleae be sure to add some bacon fat or another form of fat to the recipe, otherwise you’re really wasting your time as well as the birds.

For some really cool suet food recipe ideas, check these out and tell us what you think.  Visit: http://nestbirds1.com/?p=450 for suet bird recipes.

As always, Happy Birding and oh….don’t forget to get your birdhouses and feeders out NOW! NOW is the time, so you’re wildlife will get used to them being there and then increase your chances of inhabitation.  ~ The Birdhouse Guy ~

People consider the Cedar Waxwing to be the most elegant of all the western birds.  With its slender form and intelligent face make it simple to spot, but most bird watchers know that the way to find the Cedar Waxwing is to listen for it.  The high-pitched zee zee is often the first indicator that these charming birds are nearby. Though they are inconspicuous in the summertime, in winter they travel in flocks of 40 birds or more. In our neighborhood, they flock to the winter fruit of the persimmon tree, which provides a generous meal.

A few cool facts about these little guys are:

• Latin Name: Bombycilla cedrorum
  Size: 6 1/2″ – 8″
  Color: Fawn colored with black mask and chin, yellow belly, white undertail.
  Voice: A high pitched, whistling zee zee zee.
  Habitat: Mixed forests, orchards, and city parks with berry-bearing trees.
  Range: Most of the United States.
  Bird feeder? Because the Cedar Waxwing feeds primarily on fruit, a seed feeder is unlikely to attract attention. Rather, planting trees and shrubs with winter fruit will be your best plan for inviting these birds to your yard.

The name “waxwing” comes from the waxy red secretions found on the tips of the secondaries of some birds. The exact function of these tips is not known, but they may help attract mates.  The Cedar Waxwing is one of the few North American birds that specializes in eating fruit. It can survive on fruit alone for several months. Brown-headed Cowbirds that are raised in Cedar Waxwing nests typically don’t survive, in part because the cowbird chicks can’t develop on such a high-fruit diet.

Building a nest takes a female Cedar Waxwing 5 to 6 days and may require more than 2,500 individual trips to the nest. They occasionally save time by taking nest materials from other birds’ nests, including nests of Eastern Kingbirds, Yellow-throated Vireos, orioles, robins, and Yellow Warblers.  

Cedar Waxwings with orange instead of yellow tail tips began appearing in the northeastern U.S. and southeastern Canada in the 1960s. The orange color is the result of a red pigment picked up from the berries of an introduced species of honeysuckle. If a waxwing eats enough of the berries while it is growing a tail feather, the tip of the feather will be orange.  Many birds that eat a lot of fruit separate out the seeds and regurgitate them, but the Cedar Waxwing lets them pass right through. Scientists have used this trait to estimate how fast waxwings can digest fruits.   Because they eat so much fruit, Cedar Waxwings occasionally become intoxicated or even die when they run across overripe berries that have started to ferment and produce alcohol.  There little bodies simply cannot handle such brew.

 

These little guys are quite a wonder. The best way to visually track the Cedar Waxwing is with a pair of good binoculars. Here are some good ones for your review:   http://www.wildlife-houses.com/index.php?cPath=22&osCsid=56905971c4905e0882f859f795d4b24f   As always, Happy Birding!!!

The American dipper, Cinclus mexicanus, are an all time favorite bird among many and it’s no wonder because  few birds are as fun to watch as these little guys, and you will not find them on polluted waters. Dippers are also called “water ouzels,” and their Eskimo name, “anaruk kiviruk,” translates to “old woman sunk.”

They are the only songbirds with the ability to dive straight into rushing water to feed on insects and not drown. They actually run and use their wings to “fly” along the bottom in search of insects and other tasty invertebrates. As their name implies, when perched on a rock of dry log above water, they do a funny little “bobbing” dance.

No, dippers do not have gills, they hold their breath while under the surface, and have flaps to cover their nostrils and keep water out of their lungs. They have to see underwater to seize the invertebrates they feed on. To be able to do this, dippers possess highly developed muscles in the iris of the eye that allow the curvature of the lens to change, accommodating differing refractive underwater conditions.

Dippers are also equipped with very heavy “coat” of down (insulation) between the rows of outer feathers, similar to ducks and other waterfowl. The down is excellent insulation and enables the birds to maintain normal body temperatures of more than 90 F when air temperatures are as low as -40 degrees F. 

 Usually, dippers’ nests are placed where water spray keeps the outer structures green and moist. The coarse inner grass resists moisture, so the inside remains relatively dry. Entrance to the nest is through a small hole, and some nests are used year after year.

The American Dipper’s nest is a globe-shaped structure with a side entrance, close to water, on a rock ledge, river bank, behind a waterfall or under a bridge. The normal clutch is 2-4 white eggs, incubated solely by the female, which hatch after about 15–17 days, with another 20–25 days to fledging. The male helps to feed the young.                   

It is usually a permanent resident, moving slightly south or to lower elevations if necessary to find food or unfrozen water. The presence of this indicator species shows good water quality; it has vanished from some locations due to pollution or increased silt load in streams. They even swim up-side-down.

**For more information on this wonder of nature, research here: http://www.wildlife-houses.com/product_info.php?cPath=13&products_id=306&osCsid=3e60af7a6c992d0c15ad6275fcdc8aef

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rencently I had someone ask me about the feeding frenzie at their local feeder! Activity at the feeder, whether you are a bird, deer, fish or HUMAN, the behavior before a storm, whether conscious of it or not, tends to result in eating. We are thankful for the inquiry, as this gives opportunity to share great information on our feathered friends that like to hang out and EAT in your neck of the woods.

Enjoy – The Birdhouse Guy!

 

Q: Filled hummer feeder Sunday-it’s already half gone! what’s up? do they feed more before storms? babies? never happened before?

 

A: The increased number of birds at your feeder at this time of year during or before a storm likely pertains to migrating birds that have been forced to stop en route. Warm weather in the NE recently may have coaxed such birds as White-Throated and Song Sparrows north. Blackbirds such as Red-Winged and Common Grackles are also moving north. Stopping at feeders is a logical place to feed and wait it out until the winds again become favorable to their journey.

Insects seem to become more agitated as the atmospheric pressure drops before a storm; when the pressure is high on a “nice” day they move about more lazily and are easier to approach.

In addition, ‘many birds store food and have exceptional spatial memory to relocate it, even a month later.’ (from the on-line resource, Birds of North America)

Other interesting facts: 

• Generally birds need more food in cold weather. Small birds need relatively more food than larger ones, and they generally eat smaller items, so they are more likely to be affected by a blizzard. A small bird’s survival may depend on how well it can conserve energy during a storm. A chickadee, for instance, will increase its feeding intensity during cold weather.
• In general larger birds cope with the cold better than smaller birds.
• Did you know that individuals of a species living in colder regions tend to be larger than individuals living in warmer areas!
  

  The Birdhouse Guy!

* For more information on how you can help house and feed birds, whether local or migratory, visit: www.wildlife-houses.com

The first line of defense against mosquitos is to seal their point of entry. Mosquitos are most active in the early morning and early evening. They seek areas of still air because they are hampered by breezes. Close windows and doors on the side of your house which are opposite the breeze.

• The most important measure you can take is to remove standing water sources. Change birdbaths, wading pools and pet’s water bowl twice a week. Keep your eavestroughs clean and well-draining. Remove yard items that collect water.
• In a New England Journal of Medicine study, oil of eucalyptus at 30% concentration prevented mosquito bites for 120.1 minutes, while Bite Blocker with 2% soybean oil kept bites away for 96.4 minutes. (the eucalyptus oil must have a minimum of 70% cineole content, the active therapeutic ingredient.) Citronella, a common alternative to DEET, performed poorly, warding off bugs for only 20 minutes.
• If you’re using the barbeque, throw a bit of sage or rosemary on the coals to repel mosquitos.
• An effective natural bug repellent, mix one part garlic juice with 5 parts water in a small spray bottle. Shake well before using. Spray lightly on exposed body parts for an effective repellent lasting up to 5 – 6 hours. Strips of cotton cloth can also be dipped in this mixture and hung in areas, such as patios, as a localized deterrent.
• Neem oil is a natural vegetable oil extracted from the Neem tree in India. The leaves, seeds and seed oil of the Neem tree contain sallanin, a compound which has effective mosquito repelling properties. Neem oil is a natural product and is safe to use. Look for new Neem Oil-based commercial products on the market.
• ·  Planting marigolds around your yard works as a natural bug repellent because the flowers give off a fragrance bugs and flying insects do not like.

One of the best ways to get rid of pesky mosquitoes is to have an edible birdhouse or nest cavity which will house birds to eat up the mosquitoes. Bats are also natural insect controllers, and one bat can consume 1000 mosquitoes in one night and are harmless to human beings despite what you see in the movies or on TV…..

For more information on how you can house a natural mosquitoe controller, and NOW is the time to set them out, simply visit: www.wildlife-houses.com