Mar 4, 2016 | Featured Web Article

Help Birds in Spring: Supply Nest-building Necessities

A mother American robin tends her young.
Share:

Starting in late March, put out short pieces of string or yarn for nest-building. For birds that build woven nests (orioles, some sparrows, robins, and others), a few short pieces of yarn can come in mighty handy during building. Offer the pieces in a mesh onion bag or small basket. Keep the pieces shorter than 2 inches to reduce the risk of birds getting tangled in them.

Enjoying this feeding tip? Subscribe to Watching Backyard Birds and receive a heaping helping of backyard content year-round »





New On This Site

The Latest Comments

  • Re: Don't Throw Your Christmas Tree Away! Turn It Into a Shelter for the Birds
    I am excited to have my daughter’s tree this year, since my landlord has removed the lovely yew next to my patio, which was the only shelter for birds at my feeder.
    by pmalcpoet, Mon, 20 Dec 2021
  • Re: Goldfinch Salad » Watching Backyard Birds.com
    Goldfinches will continue as long as Swiss chard is available. I'm watching one eating chard right now (mid-November in Vermont).
    by Brian Tremback, Sun, 14 Nov 2021
  • Re: Ask Birdsquatch: Is Popcorn Safe for Birds? » Watching Backyard Birds.com
    Birds are on the decline though sunflowers are rarely touched and for weeks hardly .eaten. I'll try a few sparing nuts on the table and a fat ball broken for jackdaws and tits but mealworms were a summer favourite being my go to choice
    by Paul Harabaras, Thu, 04 Nov 2021
  • Re: On Thistle and Goldfinches in Winter » Watching Backyard Birds.com
    I’ve been enjoying goldfinches eating coneflower/ echinacea seeds in my new pollinator garden! I will leave the plants out all winter for them if the seeds keep that long? Or should I deadhead and put them in a dry area? Im in CT and thought they migrated, but didn’t know they put in winter coats! What do they eat in winter without bird feeders?
    by Anne Sheffield, Sat, 04 Sep 2021
  • Re: Ask Birdsqatch: Feeder Marauders » Watching Backyard Birds.com
    Hi Gary, I will pass your question along to Birdsquatch next time I see him. He knows infinitely more about nocturnal wildlife than I do. Where do you live? That's pretty important in figuring out the answer. But the thief could be raccoons, deer, or flying squirrels. Do you live in the woods? Are there trees near your feeder, or must the culprit climb a shepherd's hook or pole? Dawn Hewitt, Watching Backyard Birds
    by Dawn Hewitt, Mon, 30 Aug 2021