Dear Birdsquatch:

My girlfriend and I have been saving our cats' fur from their brush so we can put it out for birds who are building nests. What's the best way to attract birds to our balcony so that they can find and use it? What's the best receptacle for the fur?

—David F.,
Minneapolis, Minnesota

Dear David,

We furry animals sure enjoy a good brushing. I know I do. On behalf of your cats, thank you! On behalf of the birds, you can easily offer that kitty fur in a mesh produce bag, the kind onions come in. Same for dog and squatch fur, but be sure to offer it in short pieces so as not to risk entanglement. That's especially true for human hair. Cut it into pieces one inch long, max. Do not offer dryer lint (which falls apart too easily and is too absorbent) or nonbiodegradable materials such as plastic, foil, or synthetic fibers. The best nesting materials are natural sources, including plant down; dried grass, leaves, and pine needles; moss, and other natural materials birds will recognize and that their ancestors have used to build nests for countless generations.

Birds naturally use animal fur to line their nests, and if you hang that onion bag in a location near your bird feeders, they'll find it. You can also shove nesting materials into a crack on your deck floor or railing, or in the branch of a tree, on the ground, in an unused suet cage, or just drape it over vegetation.

I hope you live in a lower floor of your apartment. Not too many birds will look for nesting material higher than your local tree tops.

Note that birds don't need our help in finding nesting material. They'll survive without our assistance. But it's a kind thing to do, and makes their lives a bit easier while bringing them closer into our view. It makes me happy when a titmouse lands on my shoulder and plucks a few strands of my coat, even if it hurts a little.

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