Creative Bird Feeders and Baths

I love watching the various birds that drop by my home for a quick treat. Many of them are regulars while others are merely passing through. In the beginning, I tried to keep certain types of feeders for all the various types of bird species. I even thought about getting one of those sporty looking birdbaths with a heater to entice them year round. But eventually I learned just how expensive my new-found hobby could be. So I decided to get creative instead.

I discovered that you don't need to buy all those expensive bird feeders or even a fancy birdbath to enjoy your favorite birds. Heck, you don't have to shell out lots of money on feeding them either. Simply use what you already have on hand. From a myriad of containers to fruits, veggies and more, there's always something you can use for the birds.

Let's face it; not everyone can afford those elegant bird bath fountains, especially the ones that keep the water heated in winter-though they're certainly nice. Frankly, birds aren't that particular. As long as it's filled with water and clean, the birds will come. You can use nearly any type of shallow container as a birdbath. Anything from shallow pans and dishes to pie tins, plant saucers, and trashcan lids will work. If you're feeling especially creative, you can use an old litter box (cleaned out of course) as a makeshift birdbath. Set your birdbath directly in the garden or securely place it on top of a stump, block, post, pedestal, etc. Since birds are often attracted to running water, you could also hang another small container over your birdbath. Poke a hole in the bottom of this container and fill with water. It will slowly drip into the birdbath below. Be sure to clean and refresh the birdbath often.

Bird feeders can range from old containers and trays to milk jugs, pop bottles, and plates. Any number of dishes can make acceptable feeders as long as you keep them clean and protected from predators. If you have a deck or porch railing, you can even attach paper plates (the heavy-duty ones) to them for an instant feeder, and one that you can throw out once dirty. Just add some birdseed and other goodies and the birds will come. For milk jugs or pop bottles, simply add feeding holes and perhaps a perch, fill with seed and hang. Another quick way to feed your feathery friends is to hang a plain doughnut, bagel, or muffin from a tree branch. To make it more enticing, cover it in peanut butter and roll in birdseed. The peanut butter and seed mix also works well placed in orange or grapefruit rinds and placed in trays for feeding. To add more variety, hang a block of suet in a mesh onion bag.

Feeding the birds specialty seed mixes and such can get costly. Although some birdseed mixes are necessary, especially black oil sunflower seeds, there are several optional food choices available right from your kitchen. Everything from pieces of dried bread, crackers, and hard cheese to various fruits and vegetables can make excellent treats for birds. For example, crumble up some corn chips or sugar-free cereal and serve it up on a tray. The birds will come. Chop up some berries, grapes, bananas, and melons for a healthy bird snack. Nuts and peanut butter are always good choices. Even scrambled eggs and crushed eggshells can provide birds with essential nutrients. When you're in a pinch, cat or dog food makes suitable substitutes for bird food. It's packed with proteins and the birds love it.