4 Things You Should Have in Mind If You’re Taking Care of Wild Birds

There are a wide variety of wild birds found in the countryside and even in your backyard. The most common ones you can see include ducks, pigeons, and magpies amongst many more. If you can’t get close enough to touch one of these magnificent birds, you can still enjoy watching them from a distance and provide them with a little extra food. Follow our tips to fully understand how to treat a wild bird.

1. The Right Way To Tame Wild Birds

Wild birds got this title for a reason; they are the opposite of tame birds who will come and sit on your hand as you feed them. If this is your aim, there are certain steps you need to take to reach this kind of connection with wild birds.

First, maintain a safe distance from the wild bird while chatting to it constantly. It may take a while for them to get used to your presence so you should always walk carefully and quietly around them. Don’t make any sudden moves that might frighten them. In addition, keep in mind that the idea of a naturally-tamed wild bird is almost impossible. Until you gain their trust, the bird will see you as its enemy. Chances are if a stray bird that you are trying to hand-tame is getting quite comfortable with you, then it’s probably already been tamed.

Unless you have food in your hand that the bird enjoys, never approach it with your hand out. A wild bird will definitely risk flying towards you because of hunger. Even worse, the bird may assume that the gesture means the food supply is exhausted and that it’s going to have to find a new home. If a bird decides to land on your shoulder, you should have some peanuts or any kind of seeds on hand to feed it.

2. Provide Fresh Food

Despite the abundance of food available to birds in the wild throughout the summer, they still enjoy fresh seeds and clean water. Keeping your birdhouse or water source clean and stocked with fresh water is a must if you have one. Furthermore, as advised by the wildlife enthusiasts at https://feedsandseeds.com, doing so prevents the sugar water in your hummingbird feeders from fermenting which can take anywhere from 2 to 5 days. This is dependent on heat exposure, so be sure to clean it frequently and replace it altogether if necessary.

If you are wondering what to feed those birds, you must seek professional help to make the right choice. There are a variety of seed blends to choose from, so you should try to feed them with some samples to know which they like most. Siskins and Goldfinches love nyjer seeds because of their rich oil content, whereas sunflower seeds are a favorite of many garden visitors. Buying pre-husked mixes will save you from having to clean up clutter around the birds’ feeding area.

3. Keep Your Other Pets Away

A free-roaming pet cat is a joy to have, but they are responsible for millions of bird fatalities each year. The young ones that enjoy roaming on the grass and aren’t strong enough to fly away are their most common victims. To keep both animals safe, keep your cats indoors or on leashes. It’s important to watch over your cat even if they are kept on a leash outside.

4. How To Act When Wild Birds Approach You

How To Act When Wild Birds Approach You

You must control your breath as much as you can and remain completely still when a wild bird approaches your hand for the first time. They may feel terrified as soon as you try to catch them, even if you have good intentions such as wanting to feed them or even save them from an injury or a dangerous situation.

Letting the birds go when you are training them is best instead of chasing them. This is because the bird understands it as the same behavior as its predator when they’re looking for food. Just be patient because when the bird is hungry, it will approach you without hesitation.

Successfully hand-training a single bird is impossible if you leave out a constant supply of food. Pet birds should never be left alone, not even with the closest of friends. You spent many months of hard effort to befriend them, and your bird might be ruined by an unintentionally helpful buddy. As a naturalist, you’re not alone if your first few experiments at hand-taming don’t go as planned. Individualism is equally as prevalent in wild animals as it is in humans.