{"id":9957,"date":"2020-06-05T14:28:00","date_gmt":"2020-06-05T14:28:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/healthyaging.net\/magazine\/?p=9957"},"modified":"2020-07-24T16:55:42","modified_gmt":"2020-07-24T16:55:42","slug":"birds-for-the-brain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/healthyaging.net\/magazine\/spring-summer-2020\/birds-for-the-brain\/","title":{"rendered":"Birds for the Brain"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Carolyn Worthington<\/p><\/p>\n

T<\/span>he fascination of watching birds flit in and out of birdhouses has mesmerized people for hundreds of years. What is it about watching these often-tiny beings so merrily go about their day, building their nests, hatching newborns, and exploring the nature around them?<\/p>\n

\"\"

Birdhouse at the Eyup Sultan Mosque in Istanbul. Photo: Wikicommons<\/p><\/div>\n

Creating houses for birds goes back to 15th century Turkey where ornate birdhouses appeared on walls of churches and other buildings.<\/p>\n

Native Americans used birch bark to craft their birdhouses. In Europe, clay pots were set on their sides and attached to homes or buildings.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Reproduction of colonial bird bottle that can be found in the shop at Monticello<\/p><\/div>\n

In colonial times, bird bottles were hung beneath the eaves of buildings to encourage martins and other small birds to roost and help with insect control. Reproductions can be found in the shop at Monticello<\/a>, Thomas Jefferson\u2019s Virginia home.<\/p>\n

The Birdie Real Estate Market<\/h3>\n

According to Massachusetts Audubon<\/a>, birds that are real-estate hunters are eastern bluebirds, chickadees, woodpeckers, eastern screech owls, barred owls, wrens, and nuthatches.<\/p>\n

Wondering how to choose a birdhouse? Here are some of Massachusetts Audubon\u2019s tips…<\/p>\n

Who Wants What<\/h3>\n

Different birds prefer different sizes for the hole, or opening, as well as how high that hole is from the birdhouse floor. Be sure to consult our helpful chart to make sure you select the right birdhouse.<\/p>\n

Important for Urban and Suburban Areas<\/h3>\n

If you live in the city or a populated suburb, you\u2019ll most likely want a hole no bigger than 1.25 inches. That size is big enough for chickadees and wrens but too small for house sparrows\u2014an invasive, nonnative species that can be detrimental to bluebirds, chickadees, and other species.<\/p>\n

Birdhouse Appearance and Style<\/h3>\n

Birdhouses should be made of wood. Not only is wood durable, but it\u2019s also porous enough to enable moisture and heat to escape during the summer, which keeps the young birds from getting too hot inside. Metal and plastic can get too hot, which can cause harm to the birds.<\/p>\n

Birds are not crazy about perches. Birds don\u2019t need them and they only make it easier for predators or unwanted birds to get in.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Birds nesting in bicycle helmet. Photo: CWIProphoto.com<\/p><\/div>\n

Making a Birdhouse<\/h3>\n

In Pennsylvania where I live, spring has sprung. Saw my first barn swallow fly out of the barn and some small bird returned to nest where we keep bicycles. She couldn\u2019t find the helmet she used last year, I guess. These birds make their own houses, but maybe more birdhouses are needed for the other ones.<\/p>\n

If you would like to get closer to nature, have some extra time on your hands, and want to try making a birdhouse, here are some ideas.<\/p>\n

For starters, you might grab a copy of the book 40 Bird Boxes Feeders & Birdbaths, Practical projects to turn your garden into a haven for birds<\/em><\/strong><\/a> by Jen Green.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Photo: 40 Bird Boxes Feeders & Birdbaths, Practical projects to turn your garden into a haven for birds<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cObserving the variety of species that visit can develop into an absorbing pastime\u2014and one which offers unparalleled insight into nature,\u201d said Green. \u201cAs farming becomes more intensive, and more and more of the countryside is swallowed up by new housing and industrial developments, the natural habitats of many birds are being reduced or lost altogether. Gardens are now more essential for the survival of birds than ever.\u201d<\/p>\n

Throughout this gorgeous book filled with color photos of unique structures for birds, you can explore tables, feeders, nest boxes, birdhouses, roosts, and birdbaths. Below you will find step-by-step instructions for building a rustic bird table.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Rustic bird table — How-to from 40 Bird Boxes Feeders & Birdbaths, Practical projects to turn your garden into a haven for birds<\/em><\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n

Rustic Bird Table<\/h3>\n

A basic table is one of the simplest ways to dispense food to birds. One of the advantages is that it can take many different kinds of food. You can make this attractive rustic table quite simply from two pieces of rough wood, nailed together with battens to strengthen the structure. The lip around the edge is designed to stop nuts and seeds from rolling off. String is tied to a hook in each corner so that the table can be hung in a tree, out of reach of predators.<\/p>\n

You will need:\n2 rough wood, 10-by-5-by-1\u20442 inch\nBattens, 10-by-1-by-1 inch (two) and 11-by-2-by-1\u20442 inch (four)\nNail\nHammer\nWood preservative\nPaintbrush\n4 brass hooks\n2 yards sisal string\nScissors<\/p>\n

1. Join the two pieces of rough wood by positioning them side by side and placing the two 10-inch battens across the wood, one at each end. Nail the battens securely in place to make the base.\n2. Nail the four 11-inch lengths of batten around the edges of the flat side of the table, creating a lip of at least 1in. This will ensure the food is not spilled.\n3. Lightly paint all the surfaces of the table with wood preservative and leave to dry.\n4. Screw a brass hook into each corner of the table to attach the string.\n5. Cut the sisal string into four equal lengths and tie a small loop in one end of each piece. Attach each loop to a hook, then gather up the strings above the table and tie in a loop for hanging.<\/p>\n

Typical visitors: Finches and cardinals sparrows and juncos tits and titmice.\nTypical food: Varied, including seeds and bread.<\/p>\n

Used with permission from 40 Bird Boxes, Feeders & Birdbaths by Jen Green and published by Lorenz Books.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Do it yourself, step-by-step, from Home Depot<\/p><\/div>\n

More Do-It-Yourself Ideas<\/h3>\n

There are directions for very rudimentary houses to be found on the Home Depot<\/a> and Popular Mechanics<\/em><\/a> websites. Kits, such as these, can be purchased on Amazon.<\/a><\/p>\n

Not feeling handy or creative? Check out these extraordinary birdhouses that you can purchase online.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Birdhouses by Chris Grejtak. Photo: courtesy of Chris Grejtak<\/p><\/div>\n

One Man\u2019s Hobby Migrates Into Charitable Effort<\/h3>\n

Baby boomer Chris Grejtak began building rustic birdhouses as a hobby. That hobby has since turned into an altruistic endeavor.<\/p>\n

\u201cOver the past couple of years, I have built over 50 \u2018rustic\u2019 birdhouses built entirely out of wood from pallets,\u201d said Grejtak. \u201cI would be remiss to say that there are plans for each birdhouse\u2014there aren\u2019t any. Instead, my birdhouses (coffee and end tables, serving trays, and cheese boards), follow the tenants of \u2018Bricoleur,\u2019 one who starts building something with no clear plan, adding bits here and there, cobbling together a whole while flying by the seat of their pants.<\/p>\n

\u201cToday, the birdhouses have homes throughout Fairfield and New Haven counties in Connecticut. Some have been doled out to friends and family; others have been purchased through a local garden center.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith more ready to go out, I am looking for people who want a one-of-a-kind, rustic birdhouses (tables, cheese boards, serving trays, plant trays, etc.) and will donate whatever they would pay for the house to a local charity. And that\u2019s why I continue to head to my workshop: for the joy of building something that can make a bird or a person a little happier and, at the same time, provide some needed funding to local charities.\u201d<\/p>\n

Chris Grejtak (family.grejtak@gmail.com<\/a>)\nMilford, Connecticut<\/p>\n

\"\"

Birdhouses by BirdhouseChick.com<\/p><\/div>\n

BirdhouseChick.com<\/h3>\n

Beth Wheeler started over at 45 by following her lifelong passion for backyard birding and gardening. On a shoestring budget, Wheeler hatched BirdhouseChick.com<\/a> in 2008. \u201cOur mission has always been to entice more folks to this soulful and rewarding hobby. It\u2019s absolutely addictive!\u201d said Wheeler. Wannabe birders can find a unique collection of birdhouses, bird feeders, birdbaths, and garden art on the website.<\/p>\n

\u201cLong before the popularity of this niche, we realized that bird-watching and nature were a tremendous cure for stress relief!\u201d Wheeler said.<\/p>\n

\"\"Thousand Oaks Barrel Company<\/h3>\n

Thousand Oaks Barrel Company<\/a> makes barrels for aging wine, whiskey, bourbon, and tequila. As a line extension, the company makes fun personalized items including birdhouses. Thousand Oaks\u2019 birdhouse is not ordinary, to say the least. The company calls it a Winehouse™. Its Park Avenue designs were created to provide luxury aviary living. The designs are customized for hobbies, sports, and professions such as The 19th Hole Clubhouse, Kosher Delicatessen Katz & Dawgz, The Dentist, Registered Nurse, Man Cave, and Fireman\u2019s Pub.<\/p>\n

\"\"Barns Into Birdhouses<\/h3>\n

For 20 years, Barns Into Birdhouses<\/a> has been handcrafting designs from repurposed 19th-century barns. \u201cWe harvest and preserve their remains and transform their ancient planks and siding into rugged works of art that defy the elements,\u201d said John Guertin, founder of the company.<\/p>\n

\u201cBarns Into Birdhouses makes unique birdhouses, feeders, and bat houses that are functional, rugged, and beautiful,\u201d Guertin said. \u201cThey are a fusion of architecture and science that are well-researched for the needs of native birds. Wild habitats are diminishing and the stewardship role of every person with a good conscience becomes, with each passing year, more urgent.\u201d<\/p>\n

Whether you want to adorn your yard with a beautiful, handcrafted birdhouse like many of these or if you choose to build one yourself, the fun of watching birds awaits.<\/p>\n

What better way to connect with nature and to get outside?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The art of building a home for feathered friends<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":10034,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[124,126],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9957","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-spring-summer-2020","category-spring-summer-2020-features"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/healthyaging.net\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9957","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/healthyaging.net\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/healthyaging.net\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/healthyaging.net\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/healthyaging.net\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9957"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/healthyaging.net\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9957\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10337,"href":"https:\/\/healthyaging.net\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9957\/revisions\/10337"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/healthyaging.net\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10034"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/healthyaging.net\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9957"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/healthyaging.net\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9957"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/healthyaging.net\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9957"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}