This summer has been hot, and we aren’t the only ones ready to fly the coop. Our Texas wildlife is very tolerant of weather changes, but there are limits. Like people, they can acclimate to the hot or cold, but when summer temperatures are on the rise, necessary resources can be hard to find.
Birds are essential to keeping the Earth thriving. They are nature’s clean-up crew by hunting and removing disease-prone critters and they are a natural form of pest control. They are also responsible for maintaining the balance of nature through pollination.
How can you help birds in hot weather? Imagine life without shade or air conditioning, without a refreshing drink of water, or having to scavenge for nourishment in the hot sun. Birds need food, water, and shelter to stay happy and healthy. Here’s how you can help backyard Texas birds beat the heat!
1-Best Types of Foods for Birds During High Temperatures
BIRD FEEDERS & BIRD SEED
Is it safe to feed birds now? When the temperatures are soaring, natural food resources become scarce. Birds need protein-rich foods to give them the energy to withstand the extreme heat. At Calloway’s and Cornelius, we have a fabulous collection of bird feeders, seeds, nectars and more that our Texas Birds love!
Attract more birds to your garden with the Stokes Select Easy Fill Metal Mixed Seed Bird Feeder. Its spring-loaded, push-button top effortlessly opens with one touch for the easiest filling. The metal seed tray with a wide perch rim helps to keep dropped seeds off the ground and allows larger birds to comfortably feed. It has 4 large perches to help feed more birds at once.
To attract smaller birds, try the Perky-Pet® Yellow Finch Tube Feeder. With this feeder, you get superior durability and functionality. It has an easy-to-remove cap and base which makes this feeder low maintenance and easy to clean. The wire mesh design helps resist squirrel damage and it is ideal for smaller bird seed blends. Plus, the feeder’s bright yellow accent looks great and will easily attract nearby finches.
Give our Texas birds the best with high-fat foods for a well-balanced meal. Fill your feeders with Calloway’s Premium Bird Seed and avoid the potential risks of overheating in birds with a proper diet. Our bird seed blends are chock full of the proteins, carbohydrates, and fats that birds crave. Each “flavor” contains a variety of ingredients that will appeal to various types of birds.
HUMMINGBIRD FEEDERS & NECTARS
Did you know that Hummingbirds can overheat easily? Heat can greatly impact their general health, energy, strength, and well-being. Birds tend to eat less during the summer, simply to avoid exposure to direct sunlight. Help minimize the risk of heat stress with a proper feeding schedule and quality nourishment.
Hang fun and funky Hummingbird feeders in your garden. Display them in a cool area that has a lot of shade. Refill your feeders regularly to keep them clean. Add some southern flair to your outdoor space with More Birds® Mason Jar Hummingbird Feeder. It features a beautiful bronze finish and an antique glass design that gives it a vintage feel. The wide opening and flat bottle make it easy to fill, and the feeder disassembles into three pieces for convenient cleaning. There are 5 metal flower feeding ports and a metal perch ring to give Hummingbirds a place to rest while feeding.
Show your Texas pride and welcome Hummingbirds to your home with a Texas Hummingbird Feeder. The durable plastic design is easy to fill with a large perch so several Hummingbirds can enjoy a tasty meal together.
Give Hummingbirds high-energy foods like More Birds® Hummingbird Nectars. These premium nectars come in powder and ready-to-use formulas that are rich in both Vitamin D and Calcium.
SUET CAKES & FEEDERS
Summer is a nesting season when energy requirements are extremely high. Suet cakes are great bird feed adaptations during heat waves. Suet is a fat rendering that is combined with protein-rich foods to create a healthy meal for our feathered friends.
Will Suet Cakes melt in the summer heat? Suet Feeders should be displayed in an area with a lot of shade to keep the cakes fresher longer. Try Heath® Crafted Suet Cakes for an all-season, no-melt suet. They can withstand temperatures up to 124 degrees and are made with fresh fruits, nuts, and high-quality blends of all-natural ingredients.
Suet Cakes need a cage-style feeder to hold the food while still being accessible to our Texas birds. Try a Single Suet Galvanized Feeder for easy hanging and refilling. Birds cling to the sturdy wire cage that can withstand the rigors of daily use, and the metal cage is topped with an overhanging roof to protect the food from the weather.
2-Understanding the Crucial Role of Water for Birds in Hot Weather
Who doesn’t enjoy a refreshing dip in the water on a hot sunny day? Providing access to water during extended periods of heat and drought is one of the most important ways you can protect our Texas Birds. Water plays a crucial role in maintaining bird body temperature because Birds can get overheated easily.
Attract the beauty of nature to your garden with a birdbath. All backyard birds need a source of fresh water for both drinking and bathing because hydration and keeping cool is of utmost importance during the summer season. Place your birdbath in a shaded spot and keep it frequently refreshed so they can always have clean water available and to avoid mosquito infestations. Fill the shallow dish with no more than 3 inches of water and let nature take its course.
Let our Texas Birds escape the hot sun in a birdhouse. Providing shelter could be a lifesaver for many as finding areas with adequate shade can be difficult during the summer season. Birdhouses create a safe place for raising babies and resting with added protection from predators and extreme weather.
Adorn your garden with a stylish Rustic Farmhouse Wren House. The functional design has a hanging nest box with a pitched roof for small cavity dwellers. The floor removes for easy cleaning, and it comes ready to hang with an attached jute rope hanger.
Want to make your own birdhouse? It’s easy! Gather your family together and try this fun activity.
HOW TO MAKE A HOMEMADE BIRDHOUSE
Create your own stylish birdhouse collection with recycled milk and juice cartons! Spend some time in the blissfully cool indoors and get creative with your family. Personalize, paint, and decorate as you please.
SUPPLIES:
- Used Milk or Juice Cartons
- Craft Paint
- Popsicle Sticks
- Glue
- Stickers and Other Décor
STEP ONE: PREP YOUR CONTAINER
Clean out your used container and let it dry completely. Once it is ready, using adult supervision, cut off the pour top. This will create a level space for your popsicle stick rooftop.
Then, cut a large hole in the center of the carton to create the opening for the birdhouse. Add a small, horizontal cut right below it for the perch.
STEP TWO: PAINT THE CARTON
Next, personalize the carton with paint! Start with a layer of white paint as a primer for your creation. This will help cover the packaging and create a clean canvas for your creativity.
With your favorite craft paints, paint your birdhouse to match your style. Choose your favorite colors and create your own designs.
STEP THREE: ADD THE ROOF AND PERCH
When the paint has completely dried, build your popsicle stick roof. Glue a row of sticks on the front and back of the milk carton. The overhang will provide additional shade for the birds.
In the small slit that you cut early, slide in a few popsicle sticks, a branch, or a wooden rod to create the perch. Use glue around the edges to help keep it secure.
STEP FOUR: DECORATE AND DISPLAY
Now that the essential elements are ready to go in your birdhouse, it is time to decorate! Gather your favorite stickers, craft flowers, and more.
Decorate the front or accent the whole container with decorative elements. Glue on felt flowers, foam hearts, or special paper and allow everything to dry completely.
Prepare your birdhouse for hanging and add 2 holes for the string. Use a hole punch or if the carton is too thick, let an adult use a drill to create the holes.
Add twine, rope, or string, and hang your new birdhouses out in your garden. Display them in a shaded area that is close to the food and water supply.
Shop with Ease
At Calloway’s and Cornelius, we have everything you need to help our Texas Birds this summer! Visit us today and explore our entire collection of birdhouses, bird feeders, and so much more! Shop one of our 28 neighborhood stores, serving our loyal customers for over 35 years.
Have questions? Ask our Texas Certified Nursery Professionals; they are here to help!
