Wild Birds Unlimited, Everything You Need to Bring Birds to Your Yard

WIld Birds Unlimited in Paramus, N.J. is located on Route 17 South. It's in a strip of stores with somewhat limited parking but it's worth the effort is you are interested in making your back yard a haven for birds. You'll spot it easily. The window display is full of wonderful birdhouses and feeders. It's a franchise , one of 300 in the United States operating since 1981. They're motto is "Bringing People and Nature Together". It is wheelchair accessible. The store is much larger inside than it appears from the streetbut for the disabled be aware there is a step down/up when you are inside.

If you already have a garden full of wonderful birds visiting, then this is the place to get seed, suet, baffles, feeders and birdbaths and more. They have decorative stakes, water features and bird bath heaters for those of you who live in a Northern climate. They have endless guide books to birding. I purchased the Peterson Field Guide to Hawks as I love to watch them when I'm in New Jersey and in Florida where many of them migrate in the winter. I also purchased Peterson's Guide to Eastern and Central Birds for myself and one as a gift. There are dozens of wonderful books, a small library of birding books as well as software for Windows about birds. You can purchase binoculars for bird watching to go along with your books here for yourself or as a gift.

Along with the incredible selection of bird books this is the place to come for seed. You need to check out the Christmas Blend, a special high energy blend for wintering birds or migrating birds that is available this time of year. It consists of Cranberries, Almonds, Peanuts, High energy Black Oil Sunflower Seed and Suet nuggets.This is a must for those birds wintering over, they need the all the extra help they can get in the harsh Northern winters. The Wildbirds Unlimited Company has put 20 years of research into developing good seed mixes and they have a top notch selection for every type of bird you might want to attract.

The seed they sell might be a bit pricier but it is top notch. It does not include Milo and Wheat which the less expensive seeds include. Milo and Wheat ar rejected by most birds. Wild Birds Unlimited offrers a No Mess Blend, a Supreme Blend , a Deluxe Blend for tube feeders, Safflower and a Black Oil Sunflower Blend. They offer 100% edible seed which is bird speciific. Tell them what you want to attract and they will tell you what seed to offer. For instance, Juncos and Jays like peanuts and Finches prefer Niger.

Bird baths are also very important for the birds wintering over or passing through. Birds have to keep their feathers very clean since their feathers provide them with good insulation. A heated water source is definately recommended for colder climates and Wild Birds Unlimited has many different varieties of heaters for their birdbaths. They offer misters or drip systems too.

The shop offers all sorts of bird related gifts, lawn statuary, bird flags and a phenomenal selection of bird houses. They have Wren houses, Bat houses, Bluebird houses and nest boxes, nesting material, woven nests for Swallows and more. The houses in wood are extremely solid. All the houses whether more decorative or simpler are completely functional. It's importat to know the size of the opening in a bird house since it is specific to the breed of bird. Too large a whole for that species and a predator will steal the eggs or kill the babies. The staff here will give you all the informatin you need for purchasing bird dwellings or feed.

You can purchase Shepherd's Crooks for hanging feeders or houses, poles, free standing decorative poles, mounting material, window feeders and little mounting weather protection rooves for feeders. They have baffles to help fend off squirrels and raccoons, the bird feeder marauders.

The Wild Bird Unlimited also offers summer camp for kids through the National Audobon Society Centers. Their site offers a bird of the month page to introduce each particular species which is a great teaching tool for teachers to use for their students. A definite must is the Bird Feeder Cam online, It's just fascinating. You get to watch birds in real time feeding at their set up feeder.

Wild Birds Unlimited is a nice place to bring your children. It's educational and fun and is a good source of information and supplies for a back yard bird enthusiast.