While you are enjoying the many tasty treats that abound this holiday season, don’t forget to share some goodies with the birds. Decorating a tree for wild birds and other wildlife is a fun, easy activity the whole family can enjoy.
Birds like this frosty little Song Sparrow will benefit from edible decorations over the holidays. Photo by Megan Miller.
First, select a live, growing tree, preferably an evergreen or other tree that does not lose its leaves. It must also be strong enough to support animals other than birds, like squirrels, that come to dine. Find a tree somewhere near a window so that once you have completed your decorating, you and your family can sit back and watch as beautiful birds and other wildlife come to enjoy their holiday treats.
Then, add “edible decorations” to the tree. Some ideas include draping the tree with popcorn, fresh cranberries, thick fresh orange slices, peanuts in the shell, dried apples or dried figs on heavy string; packing pine cones with Bark Butter, suet and birdseed; and/or hanging fresh crab apples by the stem, rice cakes, baby dried corn bundles, dried ears of colorful corn with husks or red seedless grapes tied up in bunches. In addition, peanuts in the shell and whole walnuts can be scattered under the tree.
Natural, rough, brown string, ribbon and raffia can be used for hanging decorations. Also, consider decorating with lengths of natural wool or string. Birds will use this material for nesting in the spring. Make certain the lengths don’t exceed 3 inches so birds won’t get tangled.
For ideas on how to treat birds and other wildlife this holiday season, and to help them survive the upcoming winter months, stop in or call your certified bird-feeding specialists at Wild Birds Unlimited and see how easy it is to bring a whole new world of entertainment to your backyard. Happy birding!
For plenty of friendly, free advice on attracting the most beautiful birds in the world, call 303-467-2644.
~ David Menough, Owner of Wild Birds Unlimited of Arvada
David and his wife, Kathy, own the Wild Birds Unlimited store at the southeast corner of 88th and Wadsworth in Arvada. WBU stores specialize in bird feeders, birdbaths, houses, field guides, nature-related gifts, binoculars and quality seed blends.
Other WBU Front Range locations:
- Wild Birds Unlimited of Denver – 2720 S. Wadsworth Blvd.
- Wild Birds Unlimited of Fort Collins – 3636 S. College Ave.
BirdTalk migrating to noon! Tune in to David and Scott Menough at noon on Saturdays for BirdTalk Radio on 710 KNUS. They will broadcast live from their stores in Arvada and Denver.
