Belize: The Magnificent Booby Birds

The Red-Footed Booby is a species within the Pelican family that lives in tropical coastal areas. This Booby Bird is also found on tropical islands in the Pacific, Indian and Atlantic Oceans, excluding Africa's Atlantic side.

In Belize the Booby is most often found out on the Cayes, most notably Half Moon Caye, part of which, in 1928, was gazetted as a Crown Reserve Bird Sanctuary under the Crown Land Ordinance. The Crown Sanctuary Reserve was specifically dedicated to protecting the Red-Footed Booby Bird. The Crown Reserve was the first and still is the oldest area designated for the protection of wildlife in Belize.

Half Moon Caye is currently home to a colony of about 4,000 plus birds including the Booby Bird. Boobies like to nest in very large colonies among the orange-flowered Ziricote thicket. At the western end of Half Moon Caye one has a spectacular view of the Boobies from an observation deck.

The Booby mother will lay only one light blue egg in her nest, which is made from sticks. Using their feet both Booby parents will take turns incubating their eggs for about 44 to 46 days then the babies will learn to fly about 3 months after hatching. Boobies must use their feet to incubate their eggs as they do not have a brood patch. Mating Booby pairs may remain together over several seasons though they do not stay together for life.

The Boobies love of the Ziricote trees is not a one-sided relationship. The Booby colony actually supports the forest's stability with their droppings which the forest uses as fertilizer. This very unique relationship between Booby and Ziricote has and will continue to endure for many future years if it is left alone as nature intended.

The Booby has a very unique variety of color morphs, unlike other seabirds. The Boobies on Half Moon Caye are made up almost entirely of white-colored birds with some black markings on the tips of their wings. Elsewhere Boobies are a light brown and looking into the flock you may see a white-tailed brown morph or a Red-Footed Booby that is entirely brown. Despite plumage differences, all of these adults will have the same characteristic: red feet.

Being a coastal bird it is no surprise that Red-Footed Boobies eat fish. Like many fishing birds Boobies will dive into the ocean at high rates of speed from the air to catch prey in the water. Their diet has a main makeup of small fish and squid which will sometimes swim in large numbers close to the water's surface.

The Red-Footed Boobies in Belize are the smallest of all the nine Booby bird species in the world. There are three Booby bird species in Belize: the Masked, Red-Footed and the Blue-Footed Booby. The Red-Footed Booby is about 28 inches in length and has a wingspan of just over 3 feet. The Boobies' 3 foot wingspan makes them very powerful and agile fliers, however, they are known for clumsy takeoffs and landings.

A trip out to Half Moon Caye to see these magnificent birds will be an experience you will remember for the rest of your life!

Anthony Benjamin, an avid writer, world traveler and a great lover of nature. He would like for you to check-out his latest book: http://www.amazon.com/Belize-Wildlife-Barrier-Fishing-ebook/dp/B007E2SFNQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1336140932&sr=8-1

5 Easy Essentials to Begin Feeding Birds

Okay, so you want to start feeding those pretty little backyard birds. You like hearing their cute twittering tweets and bubbly songs. You want them to stick around and gobble up all those nasty bugs and their larvae. By the way, birds can do a number on weed seeds. In fact, that's what helps to sustain them all winter long in the northern climates.

It's human nature to want to feed animals--to help nature along, so to speak.

So what is the best way to get started? What exactly do you need? Here are 5 essentials that will get you well on your way to making your backyard a favorite hangout for one of nature's best defenses against weeds and insects.

1. A fly-through or tray style feeder with a roof to protect the birds and the seed from wet weather. This feeder can be mounted on a pole, post, deck or window. It depends on your situation and how much room you have in your yard. If you select a tray feeder, it can be placed right on the ground. Be aware, though, that if you have cats or they might be present in the neighborhood, this type of feeder must not be used on the ground. Your birds would be easy prey. So be sure to hang or pole mount such a feeder to keep your birds safe.

I have found that the best poles come from the plumbing department at the nearest big box hardware store. They are available in long lengths which they will cut for you at the store. These pipes are inexpensive, very sturdy, and the galvanized metal lasts a long time in all kinds of weather. One end will be threaded so the right size fitting, also found in the plumbing department, will screw right on to the top of the pole. The fitting needs to be a threaded flat metal flange with screw holes. Use wood screws to attach the flange to the bottom of your feeder. Rotate the whole assembly into the threaded end of the pole and you're all set.

You'll need to dig a hole about a foot or 18" deep to accommodate your new pole and feeder. So buy a length of pipe that is a total of 6-½ to 7' long. I used a small torpedo level to make sure the pole was standing straight before I added a few large stones for support. Then I mixed up some quick setting cement (also from the hardware store) and filled the hole. Remember to check for level again before the cement sets up and make final adjustments. Once the cement has set, you can attach and fill your bird feeder and wait for your first bird to find it. Be patient, they will find it!

2. Black oil sunflower seed is universally accepted and eaten by a huge variety of birds. In my area, the backyard bird gang consists of chickadees, nuthatches, woodpeckers, juncos, finches, cardinals, blue jays, titmice, sparrows, etc. And yes, you will learn which one is which by using #5 below! All these birds and many more can easily open and eat black oil sunflower seed.

This seed contains high energy, nutritious oil--a great source of good fat to keep birds warm in winter and healthy year round. I buy it by the 40-pound bag at the local tractor supply store. I keep it in a clean large sealable plastic-lidded garbage can, which I have in the garage for easy access and to keep the seed cool and fresh.

3. Don't forget that a tube-type baffle is necessary to keep those pesky, clever squirrels from climbing your pole and wiping out your precious seed before the birds ever get a chance! Placement of your pole is critical. It needs to be at least 8 feet from any overhanging tree branches or shrubs, and at least 5 feet from ground to feeder base. Squirrels are very adept at the standing high jump. I can attest to that!

4. Some sort of bird bath or suitable vessel to hold water. Don't overfill your bird bath. Two inches is plenty. Any more than that and you risk drowning your little friends. Clean water is as essential to the birds as it is to us. They must have it year round to avoid dehydration and death. I always add a clean flat stone so the birds can decide to 'wade in' or drink some water before their bath.

My Mom used a very large plastic pot turned upside down. On top of that she added a cake pan she no longer used. You don't have to pop for an expensive bird bath. Just make sure it is secure and won't overturn when birds land on it.

In winter it is essential that the water not freeze over. That's where a bird-safe low-voltage inexpensive bird bath heater comes in handy. Hook this up to an outdoor rated extension cord and you're good to go. The heater will keep the temperature of the water just above the freezing mark. It will have a cover that will protect the birds from the element inside, and there's no chance of shock if used with a UL listed extension cord.

5. Finally, a good bird guide makes identifying your backyard visitors a fun and easy task. It's optional to keep a journal, but I find it enjoyable to look back at my notes occasionally to see how far I've come in my quest at identifying as many different birds as I can. This is also known as a 'life list'. Many die-hard birders travel the globe looking for new species of birds to add to their life list.

There are numerous good bird guides available. I started with 'The National Audubon Society Guide to North American Birds', and I have also used the 'Peterson's Field Guide to Birds'. Both are excellent in different ways. Browse your bookstore or online to find the one that you like best.

There you have it. Five easy essentials to make bird feeding in your backyard a fun hobby. It's also great to know that you are making a difference in the survival of our beautiful wild birds. Make a connection to nature and you will be rewarded with color and song. And did I mention you won't have as many weeds or bugs?!

My name is Connie Smith, and I have been watching and feeding backyard birds for over 35 years. If you would like more information about wild birds, please visit my website at: http://www.rusticbarnwoodbirdhouses.com/ where you will also find an awesome selection of quality handmade reclaimed barnwood bird houses and feeders. First time ordering enter code for 10% discount.

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It's False! 4 Common Myths About Birds

Remember when you were a kid how your mom told you, "Don't pick up the baby bird that fell out of the tree to put it back in the nest or it's mom will abandon it. Because birds are afraid of human scent." That's not true. Most birds don't have a very good sense of smell and could not detect human scent. Although, before handling the baby bird it would be best to determine if the bird is a nestling or a fledgling. Nestlings are featherless and fuzzy, and putting them back in the nest would indeed be helpful, because they are too young to be out of the nest. Fledglings have feathers and are old enough to leave the nest, and fledglings often spend several days on the ground as they learn to fly. It is best you don't carry them off to your house to care for them, because its parents are often nearby even if you don't see them. And they can take much better care of their offspring than you can.

You probably have also heard it said that, "you shouldn't feed the birds because your bird feeder should run out of food, the birds will come to depend on you could starve." That is about as true as you starving if the local McDonald's leaves your town. Although, if you are going out of town in extreme cold weather, a sudden disappearance of food, could be a hardship to them. May not be a bad idea to have someone fill your bird feeder while you are away if you leave town during icy and snowy weather.

Which leads to the concern "if I leave out my hummingbird feeder too long in the fall will I prevent the hummers from migrating like they should for the cold weather?" No need to worry. Hummingbirds know when to migrate due to hormonal changes in their body. These hormonal changes are triggered by the shortening length of daylight. The days getting shorter causes the hummingbirds to migrate. Leaving your bird feeders out too long in the fall will not cause the birds to miss their opportunity to migrate because they accidentally hung around too long.

We have often been cautioned not to throw rice at a newly married couples because a bird may swoop down and eat it. And as rice expands in water the bird will blow up. This is not at all true. Mary Jo Cheeseman, a rice expert at the USA Rice Federation says many birds such as migrating ducks and geese depend on rice fields each year to fatten up to have enough strength to migrate to their nesting grounds. "It's a myth. There is no reason why birds, including small song birds, can't eat rice," said Ned Johnson, a professor of biology at Berkeley. Johnson often gives lectures on feeding of birds.

Cassidy Frost http://www.thetinklingwindchime.com/ offers a wide variety of stylish garden decor, from practical to whimsical. If you are looking for wind chimes, garden flags, Birdhouses, and Birdbaths, we have what you are looking for! Join us in creating a year round safe haven in your garden for our feathered friends.

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Winter Season Feeding For Birds

It is cold outside and it is getting colder by the day. With old man winter setting in and Jack Frost on the way, our little feathered friends are going to need us more than ever. Birds have become more and more dependent on people feeding them. The availability of food is severely limited when the winter comes. The days are shorter and the natural food such as insects are no longer available to the bird species.

During the harshest season of the year there has to be a provision of water, food and shelter. Some birds like woodpeckers, and other insect eaters can still get their food under tree bark and other sources. Unfortunately, the smaller birds like finches and cardinals depend on seeds, fruits and nuts. They usually have a territory that they are used to where they are supplemented with wild bird seed from feeders in gardens.

A lot of birds depend on us for shelter during the fall and winter and there has been a lot of controversy over this. Birds have always migrated south for the winter. The question is, if we supplement them with shelter and food, will this stop their normal routine of migration? After much review and investigation the statistics show that this is not so. Birds may have a reason for not migrating. Perhaps they were injured or caught in a snowstorm. They would ultimately depend on feeding stations to help them survive the winter.

It is very important to give thought to the location of the shelter. Make sure this place is secure and they are not exposed to predators. A few trees, preferably pine trees, will keep the birds shielded from cats and hawks that are constantly surveying the area. Another form of shelter can be the nesting boxes that are used for breeding during the summer. They are perfect for night time roosting and seed caches.

Not much consideration is given to the availability of water to these winged creatures. When is it is blustery cold and everything is freezing, what then? Streams and puddles and bird baths are frozen over. These little birds are trying to stay warm in the extreme cold and this problem can be solved with a little forethought. A bird bath can be filled several times a day to ensure that they have water. This may seem like a lot of work, but the reward is when you see your little feathered friends lined up patiently around the bird bath waiting for a drink.

When choosing a feeding station it is wise to make sure is it at least five feet above the ground. Feeders can be made from most anything you have available. Empty milk cartons or even soft drink bottles. Some people even divide them up into specific bird seeds to attract specific birds. Buying seeds in bulk give you the advantage of avoiding filler seeds, which the birds toss out. The important thing to remember is that the feeders need to be cleaned and maintained regularly.

More and more bird watchers are erecting winter bird feeders. The birds are depending on us to provide during the severe winter, and could perish from starvation if we are not responsible.

Bird seed can be found in supermarkets, pet food shops and garden centres.

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Top 10 Myths About Feeding Birds

1. If you feed birds, they won't migrate and will be caught in the winter cold.

Birds know when to migrate based on sunlight, weather and their natural instincts, that give the urge to migrate. It doesn't matter how much food is available to them, in the bird feeders or where ever, when it's time for them to go, they go. Migrating birds do need to eat though, especially during migration, and if you keep your feeders well stocked, you will get a bigger variety of birds at your feeders during migration.

2. Birds will starve if you stop feeding them in the winter, so once you start, you can't stop.

It is best to keep your bird feeders well stocked in the winter for the hungry birds. You'll want them to think of your yard and garden as a place for food, so they will hang around all year. Birds in the garden are very beneficial and aren't just pretty things to look at. They eat a lot of bugs and larvae that would be eating your garden. So attracting birds to your yard year round is a good thing. If you suddenly had to go away, though, they would find food somewhere. They can range far and wide in search of food, they may have to work harder for it, but they will find something to eat. If you know you will be away though, it is better to arrange for a neighbor to refill your feeders for you. If not, then you may have to be patient and lure them back to your yard.

3. Feeding the birds is really good (or bad) for the birds.

In reality, birds do not need for us to feed them. They are perfectly capable of finding food on their own. So is it good to feed the birds? Well, it certainly is for us, since we get to enjoy watching them and listening to them, not to mention all the good they do in our gardens. Feeding them is also good for them, because they get a better variety of food at the bird feeders than they would normally get during the winter, and it's more accessible to them. It's not "bad" for the birds because birds eat what they like. If the food you put into the feeders for them gets spoiled or ruined, they will avoid it. If you put food they don't like, they will avoid it and go somewhere else to eat. That's a very good reason to use good bird seed mixes in your bird feeders.

4. The bags of mixed seed found at the grocery stores are bad for the birds.

Actually, it's bad for your pocketbook, not the birds, because the birds will just toss out the seeds they won't eat. Bags of cheap bird seed, whether it's from the grocery store or not, usually has so much filler seed in it that the birds won't touch, or it has red milo, wheat and other things in they don't eat and it will have none of the good stuff like, millet, black-oil sunflower seeds, broken peanuts, safflower or sunflower hearts. So it's a waste of money. However, even the grocery stores are beginning to carry higher quality birdseed, with very good combinations of seed, fruit and nuts that appeal to many kinds of birds. Buying bird food at feed/hardware stores or specialty bird shops is usually best, but high quality mixes can be found other places as well.

5. Squirrels and blackbirds won't eat safflower seed.

Many people who feed birds will use lots of safflower seed in their mix, believing that it deters the squirrels and blackbirds from feeding at their feeders. If that was ever true, it doesn't seem to be true any longer. Many people report that any bird (including blackbirds) or mammal (including squirrels) that will eat sunflower seed, will also eat safflower seed.

6. Only one species of hummingbird is found east of the Rocky Mountains.

I'm not sure of where this myth came from and if it were ever true, but it certainly isn't true now. There is a wide variety of beautiful hummers at hummingbird feeders all over the east, north and south.

7. Birds won't eat milo.

I've always considered milo to be one of the filler seed in the cheap bags of bird food, but I've recently learned that in the southwest it is a favorite of doves and quail and some other birds. So whether this myth is true or not depends on where you live.

8. Hummingbird food with red dye in it is bad for the hummers.

The truth about this myth is that we really and truly don't know. There is no proof that it's harmful to the birds, but there is no proof that it isn't either. If you buy hummingbird food ready mixed, then it will probably be red. If you mix your own (1 part sugar dissolved in 4 parts hot water and cooled) then you don't need to add the food color. The red food color really isn't necessary because the red that attracts the hummingbirds is usually found on the feeder.

9. There is a bird feeder that is 100% squirrel proof.

I've bought enough "squirrel proof" bird feeders to know the fallacy of this myth. Squirrels are ingenious, resourceful creatures and when there is a large population of them, and they are hungry, they will find a way. It may take them a while, but they WILL succeed.

10. Hummingbird feeders shouldn't have perches because it is bad for the hummingbirds.

Hummingbirds can feed while hovering, and they can feed while stationary on a perch. There is no proof that the perches are either good or bad. I have feeders of both kinds in my yard and the hummers seem to stay longer at the feeders with perches (I don't blame them, I'd rather sit to eat as well) and the other hummingbirds linger nearby awaiting their turn.

So, in reality, there is no good reason not to feed the birds, yet there are lots of really good reasons why we should. Watching the different species of birds that show up at our feeders and watching how they interact with each other can be so amusing and enjoyable. If the birds come to think of your yard as a haven with available food, they will stick around and come back season after season, year after year. This is a good thing for you, because it means you will have less bugs and creepy crawlies in your yard, eating on you and your garden. If you are lucky enough to have songbirds in your area, then you will have added reason to feed the birds.

For more information on feeding the birds and what foods to use to attract them to your yard have a look at this site: http://www.ourgardengate.com/2011/10/31/10-best-foods-for-birds-in-the-winter-2/

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Winter Care for Birds

Birdhouses, and bird feeders all require particular attention at this time of year. Fall is upon us, and in many regions, it is time to say goodbye for another season to the entertaining birds that have made our gardens their summer home, and who are now migrating for the winter. It is true that some of us, who live in areas that have distinct seasons, will miss the antics of the backyard friends that migrate south for the winter. It is easy to forget that many back yard birds will remain with us and will need access, to plenty of food and water to tide them through the fall and winter months.

Birdhouses need to be cleaned, repaired and made sturdy. Often we need to place the bird feeders and birdhouses in a more secure and protected area to enable the houses and feeders to survive the winter months, which often includes harsh weather. Being able to locate them close to ones house gives us added pleasure as we watch the activities of these delightful creatures. Because of the lack of vegetation and fruits, food supplies need to be more plentiful in the fall and winter but especially in the winter. Suet is a special treat, beneficial all year round, but I think more so in the winter months due to the lack of natural foods. Suet is a fat that helps birds to survive the cold winter months. In addition by adding some fruits, berries and seeds, you should have some happy campers, who will continue to entertain you.

How often do we have to remind ourselves to hydrate our bodies by drinking more water? Same goes for our fine feathered friends. Common garden birds, song birds, wild birds that remain in our areas need a fresh supply of water, along with the bird feeders and birdhouses that we provide. It is true that, during flight, the bird's eye view will locate streams, rivers, lakes, and puddles, in fact, most bodies of water, but reduced habitats are a problem, as populations expand, seasons change, weather interrupts, we can help by providing clean water. Sources of water should be at different levels, this provides for those birds that forage and live on the ground, and those who are tree dwellers. Our backyard friends will reciprocate by amusing us with their bathing antics. All of these accommodations, water, food, housing, go a long way in encouraging our little residents to consider our home their home... All that is needed is a little time and consideration, so that on the dreariest days you can be entertained by the antics of these wonderful creatures.

Jacquie F Hurlbut writes about one of her favorite pastimes,The care of backyard birds,and what it takes to enhance their habitats throughout the winter months, along with the enjoyment these wonderful creatures bring to all, the old,the infirm,the young and those who just need to relax. please visit http://birdfeedersrus.com/

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Birds - The 3 Phases of Breeding

After a successful courtship, a bird pair will mate and begin the process of having a family. Once the nest has been built and they have settled down, they enter what is commonly called the breeding phase. This breeding phase is actually broken down into three sub-phases.

The first of these phases is the egg laying and incubation. This is the most perilous stage of all as it can be short circuited in so many ways.

Eggs are a fantastic source of nutrients. And if the nest is left unprotected for any period of time, it is likely to be raided by predators in search of an easy meal. This means that the parents must watch diligently over the eggs to protect them.

In addition, incubation is also important. If the temperature of the egg is too cold, it may never hatch. For most species, this means one of the bird pair must always be ready to sit on the egg where the heat of their body can keep the egg warm. In some species, this is the duty of the female. In others, the male and female will trade off. And in rare instances, the birds will actually bury the eggs in soil and let the soil do most of the incubation work.

The second phase is called the nestling period. This is the period of time when the newly hatched young are spending all of their time in the nests. They are pretty much defenseless at this stage and rely one hundred percent on their parents to keep them alive and well. In most species, the male and female will alternate the duties of scrounging for food and bringing it back to the nest where it can be fed to the nestlings.

The final phase of breeding is the fledgling period. The young are now anxious to leave the nest and start to explore the surrounding environments. In the beginning they will do this with their parents keeping a close eye on them. They will follow the parents and do their best to imitate them until they become proficient on their own at digging up insects and finding other food sources.

When they can do all of this on their own and are ready to leave the nest, the fledgling period has ended. They can now go off on their own as an independent adult and repeat the cycle again with a family of their own.

To read more about birds, bird houses, bird houses for sale, and other bird related info, please stop by our website.

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Attracting Birds to Your Environment

Did you ever wonder why your neighbours seem to have an array of birds visiting their garden year-round? If you are interested in having these feathered friends grace your yard, talk to the neighbour to see what they are doing or do a little trial and error attracting on your own.

Either way, you are going to find that attracting birds to your yard is a relatively easy process and you may already be doing so if you have trees and shrubs that offer berries for them to feed off of. Find out the kind of birds that are common to your area. Place a few bird houses on posts in the garden or perched on the fence. Incorporate some bird feeders and a bird bath and the next thing you will know, is that you are being regularly visited by all kinds of feathery friends.

Housing birds can be done either by making your own bird house from a pattern or purchasing them. Commercial houses come in a variety of sizes, shapes and color. Some houses are made specifically for certain types of birds. Be sure to do your homework.

Choose food for your clientele. Read the packages carefully to determine that the type of seed you are buying is going to keep the majority happy. The last thing you want is waste and mess, which will happen if the feed you purchase contains what is known as fillers. The gourmet seeds cost a bit more, but the result is worth it when you entice more than your common local birds to your feeders. Gardeners who love birds, but hate the thought of pulling weeds, grasses and plants produced from wasted seed that has germinated, will also gravitate towards these types of seeds because they contain no shells, thus, no germination if dropped to the ground.

Now that you have picked out the feed what about a feeder? All mixed feed will have seeds that come in various shapes and sizes. It is important to choose a feeder that will allow the oddest shape seed to flow through smoothly. When you are refilling the feeder, clean out any old seed to avoid rot and bacteria. Clean the feeder thoroughly three or four times a year. Keep your feeders full throughout the year. Some people think that once spring and summer are here, they don't need to feed the birds; however, this is a time when eggs are being laid and young are hatching. The extra nutrition added by the food in your feeder will also encourage the mothers to bring their young for a treat when they learn to fly.

To attract birds to your feeders, remember to include water nearby. You can do this using garden fountains and ponds or even a bird bath. Whatever you choose, these areas too, need to be kept clean and refreshed often, to ward off disease and keep the birds coming back.

Place your feeders and bird baths in an area that is easily accessible by you and not by predators such as larger birds of prey and cats. For your enjoyment from either inside or out situate your feeders in your garden, on your deck and where ever you can watch them from the various rooms in your home.

Ann Edall Robson, owner of Comfy Country Creations is a quilter, avid gardener and freelance writer.

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