Any idea how to keep cats out of bird nests in trees? sm
Posted By: moo on 2008-05-30
In Reply to:
This is the 4th day in a row I have had to pick up a dead, mauled bird (3rd baby). I am assuming cats are the cause, since neighbors and I did not have a problem until this year, when we started seeing a couple of roaming cats. My dog is no help as he is still a puppy and is afraid of the cats. 
Anyway, does anyone know humane ways to keep cats from climbing the trees? I know, you can't fight nature, but thought I would ask anyway. Thank!
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What is it with cats and Christmas trees?!
They just love to be under them! Very cute! Love the big gray and white one!
Cats declawed front only can still climb trees and
x
Bird feeder and bird food?
For the older ones somebody might need to keep it filled.
I think cats look beautiful - love pics of cats
They can also be he!! on wheels to live with and a major PITA.
I say this as my dog is barking at a leaf blowing by the front door.....
trees
Glad you made it through the storm okay. . I have lots of trees all around my house, which I love, but when the wind gets up, it is pretty scary. . There are several that could totally destroy the house. . My brother lives in a mobile home about a half mile from me. . I couldn't get him on the phone that night - later I found out he spent about 2 hours sitting in his truck - he thought that would be safer than his trailer. . I told him the next time, come to my house, though, like I said, with all the trees, not sure how safe it is. . I really wish I had a basement. . None of my neighbors have basements either. .
treeS?
When I was a kid, there was this really rich girl in the neighborhood whose birthday was around Christmastime. So they had a Christmas tree and a Birthday tree.
I've also entertained putting up multiple trees... in my fantasy about winning the lotto ;-)
If you do have more than one tree, that is wonderful!!! You put up the tree I didn't. I'm a 'real' tree gal and just afford it this year.
It made me sad at first, but I feel a little better now knowing I won't have to take it down, etc. So your post made me happy. Taking down the tree always made me sad. I left one up until Valentine's Day once because I just liked looking at it.
Anyhow, thanks for the venue to ramble and happy new year to you :-)
climbing trees
nm
Year before last I had 2 trees up
I have a big house and don’t find that unusual for more than 1.
We take our trees down after Jan 6, Epiphany.
After 24 years of marriage, we managed to collect a lot of ornaments. One tree is only for glass ornaments, most of which I inherited from mom and grandmother. Our kids are grown, so no worry about breakage, but that tree is usually real and goes in our front room. In our family room, we have an old artificial tree. The tree was being thrown out by a friend, and so we asked for it, and he laughed and said, "Sure!" For 10 years we've been using that throw-away tree. It's pretty Charlie Brown-ish when it's naked, but we throw all the little collected things on it -- the stuff the kids made out of macaroni when they were little, ornaments we picked up here and there or were given to us as gifts. All of those ornaments will be divided up and given to our sons when they move out. One is 20 and the other is 18, so perhaps soon, at least some of those will be adorning someone else's first Christmas tree.
It is a pain to take it all down, so I'm not looking forward to Sunday. Lots of sorting and storage to be done, and then everything has to get packed away up in the attic for another year.
question about pre-lit Christmas trees
Looking into a new artificial tree - mine's pretty old and falling apart. Seems like for such a huge investment a pre-lit tree might not be a good idea - how do they hold up - how many years for the lights? Read some reviews on line and different stores and said they have to be stored in climate controlled area - not hot attic or garage. Anybody know?
Too funny - there's an add above for prelit trees!
Anyhoo, I got mine at Penney's last year, first artifical one I've ever had. I love it. It's beautiful, convenient. I thought I'd miss the smell of a real tree but there are so many beautiful candles now (Yankee Candles are my fave) or tart warmers - Mistletoe, etc, that make the whole house smell soooo good!
Where in FL do iguanas live in trees? (sm)
Ok, I grew up in North Florida, never saw an iguana other than someone's pet....have been all over Florida but never knew that iguanas lived in trees there! Anyone?
Oh sadie, too bad you can't see the forest for the trees...
giving something away when you already have the same exact thing is not being a Grinch...didn't your family teach you it is better to give than to receive? Maybe it would be nice to put a smile on another child's face for a change...so sad that you are so materialistic you can't see that.
I'm taking down my trees today boy what a job it is.
//
Artificial only for us - I'm allergic to "real" trees.
.
I picked the olives off trees in Greece
and was I surprised. Tasted nothing like what I was used to. I love Milk Duds also. I think they are really good when you go to the movies along with your popcorn and cola. I hardly buy them if not at the movies, wonder why?
Ugggg. Christmas trees in the stores already!
Isn't it just back to school right now? Went to Walmart today to get school supplies and they were no longer on clearance. What has replaced them?
Drum roll: A tiny bit of Halloween decor, a few Thanksgiving napkins and plates and
Tons of lit Christmas tress. Many aisles of decorations with lights, garland. Even the CHRISTMAS JEWELRY is out. Forget the half off on notebooks and pens, hurry and get your candy cane earrings before it's too late!!
Ahhhhhkkkk. My kids are already writing lists for Christmas. My pocket book cannot take it. My DH gave me 50 bucks to buy milk, and get all of our 9 year old girl's birthday gifts who is turning 9 in 2 weeks. So... who can think about Christmas? Anybody got any ideas on how to deal with all this stress? Would appreciate any comments on above experience. Thanks in advance!
Ohhh! CHRISTMAS trees! ha ha ... I thought
;D
That is very sweet! I have never thought of giving trees before!
~
Agree, not to mention those weird looking Christmas trees they have
throughout their stores. What's up with that? We had around 80 people from our church offer to bell ring in front of stores on Saturday and the Salvation Army said on that day alone they brought in more dollars than any other day since bell ringing starting this season. I was one of those bell ringers and not one single person who passed by me was discourteous and most people gave! A simple smile and MERRY CHRISTMAS means a lot to people! Target would do better by following that example.
I had a cat who once caught a bird...
in mid air. I saw it with my own eyes or never would have believed it.
Maybe it was a bird - a hawk!
My hubby saw one land in our back yard. I'm grateful my dogs are over 50 lbs so they can't get carried off. But a small cat? Maybe. I saw a red tailed hawk carry off a large cottonmouth snake once. Flew right over our truck hood. Loved it.
lonely bird
I've had all kinds of birds but only a couple types of finches, none of them Blues. I do know that finches tend to be colony birds and prefer companionship as a rule. I think she is probably missing her best buddy and she is also afraid because she doesn't know what happened. If there was any blood involved with the dying bird, this will terrify birds even more. (They don't even like it if you wear red nailpolish.) That might account for the odd chirping. It might be to your benefit to try to find out what the other bird died from because if it had anything to do with something that is still in Roxy's environment, this will upset her.
Some birds bond for life and will never accept another companion. Others can resist a companion at first but then get used to them. This is breeding season. I would think she would be accepting of another bird right now.
My first suggestion would be to get a mirror and put it in her cage and see if that helps calm her down. Just seeing another finch like her buddy might help. Then, if you want to try getting another bird (which I would definitely do if she accepts the mirror bird), get one and put it in a separate cage right beside this one. Don't just put it smack into her cage. She could attack it for not being her buddy or for territorial invasion. But if the new bird is sitting in its own cage (can be a small travel cage for the trial) and yours acts like she wants to go be with it, then put them together for short periods of time at first and watch them carefully to be sure she doesn't attack the new bird. If they are compatible, then you've got yourself a new pair and Roxy has a new best friend. Also, it would be wise to keep the birds in separate cages for a while and watch the new bird's droppings, even have them checked out by a vet for parasites, etc., before you let them live together to be sure the new one is perfectly well.
One other thought that comes to mind is perhaps you had a male and female and did not know it. I confess I do not know how easy it is to tell the sexes of Blues. I'm used to the larger birds and using blood tests to be sure, as I paired and bred for sale. But a blood test is impractical on a finch as they really can't afford to lose any blood because of their small size!!! BUT, one could have killed the other since this is breeding season and birds, even finches, can get very aggressive towards one another, even those of the same sex.
I would suggest contacting a Blue breeder and find out more about their personalities and habits. And if you buy your second bird directly from a breeder, you can be more sure it will be a healthy one. The ones that end up in pet shops aren't always the best of the clutch.
I wish you luck and please know you have my sympathies in your loss. These little guys are really easy to get attached to. Please feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions I might be able to answer.
Yes, get another bird. They become very attached.
xx
Here is an unusual bird
The lyre bird is a mimic, but does much more than just other birds! See link below.
Bird watching
I like to watch the birds out my kitchen window, but they spook easily, like every time we walk into the kitchen. I'd like to put a film on the window that would allow me to see out, but not be the mirror reflective type that would cause the birds to attack the window or try to fly through.
The only one I've found like that had a military camouflage pattern (not too lovely, LOL). I'm sick of searching, and was hoping somebody else had already found something. Oh, and the easier to apply, the better! Temporary/cling is fine, but I do have to be able to see out.
Thank you. Never in bird. I'm too lazy LOL :-) NM
x
Can you tell me where the bird story is?
Thanks
You mean the bird's tail? (sm)
It's fatty meat and tail bone. I think people leave it, but don't serve it.
Bird story
 I just had to share this story with all.
This morning while downstairs doing laundry I hear my cats carrying on and on. I was concerned because the last time they were throwing such a fit our dog was choking and they cried to get my attention.
I walk in my den to see what was wrong and to my surprise sitting on my window ledge was a woodpecker pecking at the window. I shooed him away x5 but he kept coming back. I have never had this happen before.
I used to feed my feathered friends about 3 years ago but gave this up as our dog (german shorthair) started hunting them. While I know it is in his nature I just couldn't see baiting the birds for him.
Now I am wondering what has gotten into this little guy who is still looking in at me right now, not pecking at the glass but just watching, any ideas????
Any bird lovers out there? I have a question sm
I have had to female (didn't want to deal with breeding, been there done that) Cordon Bleu finches for almost 3 years. My hubby purchased them for me for out 17th anniversary. It has been just the two of them in their cage since we brought them home and they hang right beside my desk so I can see them when I work. Last night we found 1 dead. The other one has been chirping continuously since early this morning. They are not extremely vocal birds (usually the males are) but they would normally chirp a little and would fly around quite a bit. I know Roxy is probably wondering where Velma is and that is the reason for the continuous chirping (including a weird sing-sing-whisthiling noise that I have never heard before). I have been searching on the web about getting another bird for her to have as company. I can't find anything definite. We brought these birds 3 hours from here as our local pet store only carries zebra finches. I haven't spoken to anywhere there yet but plan to. Does anyone have any suggestions? My heart just breaks for the lone bird but am not sure if getting another bird is the best idea.
How is the bird who lost its buddy?
Responding to the post below about the dog made me think of the poster whose bird died. How is the little one doing? Did you get him a new friend?
If you didn't stuff it in the bird...
I would just wait until Thanksgiving to bake it.
Hey fellow bird watchers...
We added a new bird to our backyard list today - one that we have been waiting to have visit for six years. I must admit I had given up, as this is known to be a rural bird and we are just inside town. We have downy woodpeckers out the wazoo all day long, but today, much to my surprise and delight, we had a visit from a hairy woodpecker. He landed on the suet cage that I have hanging on the offce window so he was only about 4 feet away and I got a really good look at him. What a thrill! Now if I can just lure in that elusive pileated...
bird feeder . . . not birdeeder LOL nm
x
We have a barrel of bird seed that we keep in the basement.
A few years ago, when the contents got low, we found a 3-legged mouse trapped in there. The seed was low enough that he could not jump back out. Well, having had kept mice in the past (pet store varities) I put thick gloves on, caught him and set him up in a nice cage with all the stuff mice like. I would hold him every day and sign Micky, Micky Bo Bicky, banana fana fo ficky....and so on. Every day. But after two weeks I realized that he was not enjoying it. So, 3 legs and all, I took him out to our bottom field and let him loose. He ran and skipped to the closest tree and climbed that tree up about 15 feet. He then sat an a branch and gave me the evil eye. Didn't know he could do all that with just 3 legs.
Well, a few weeks later, guess who was back in the barrel? I got the heavy gloves out and went to reach for him, he FLEW up my hand, arm, jumped 15' across the room and ran under the door to freedom. Guess he really did have enough of my singing. Never saw him again. (was definitely him cause you can't miss noticing a 3-legged mouse). Oh well...
Saw a surviving baby bird today!
That snake got something in my yard, but today I saw a baby bird on the ground. Just like last year there is a baby thrasher (I think I called it a thrush last time?) with this cute, stubby little tail. He's all fluffy and as big as his parents except that he has a little stubby tail in place of their 4-inch long tails, LOL. He hops out into view, opens his mouth, and then a parent comes down and shoves food down his gaping gullet. Soooo cute.
I had Sasha tied up, guarding the front yard to keep the neighbor's cat away. Not sure where the snake is, but he should be stuffed for a couple of days, anyway.
Have seen lots of birds do this with those fake bird-like
sdf
The Bird Cage! I love that movie.
Hank Azaria is a hoot. In fact, all the principals do a great job.
MTness: The bird story below is so strange. (sm)
I'm so sorry for your loss as well. I cannot even imagine (and don't want to!) how hard that must be for both of you who posted about losing your sons.
That bird thing is so bizarre. I have heard of people having signs that loved ones are about to die but did you ever make any sense out of the bird??
yeah, what strange bird story?
I couldn't find it either.
I saw the bird story, but didn't catch
what was odd about it. You saw a huge bird on a roof in Florida, but I've been to Florida and there are some really big birds there, just like on our coast here in NC. I did't catch what was odd about it.
I was watching a bird at work today.
I could hear it calling, so I looked up and watched a hawk circling. He had a lot to say. I believe he had an opinion about the squirrel tail hanging from another plant-stocker's trailer. She usually adorns her cart with flowers, but she recently added a squirrel tail another worker gave her. It's not a plain squirrel tail; she adorned with pink ribbons.
(I'm not missing MT at all, LOL).
So it wasn't contest where they threw bird out of plane and
s
Reveling in adding a new bird to my life list
of birds I have seen - a red-breasted nuthatch - not common this far south - at my suet feeder when suddenly birds scattered and my resident Cooper's hawk almost hit the window in front of me. Don't think he scored this time.
I ran over my science teacher at the dinner table because Big Bird said to. nm
nm
it takes 3 weeks for a baby bird to learn to
We have to watch the dogs and cats really close until all the babies leave the yard and it is a long three weeks. Our babies usually hide in the pumpkin patch during flight school with mama guarding from the fence.
Definitely get a companion bird - they are very social and need company. Poor thing is lonely. nm
x
BAD idea! Terribly BAD idea!
This could not be worse of any idea. People need to worry about their own bodies, not what other women do! This is supposed to be the land of the free, but people are trying to turn it into the "the land of the free as long as you agree with me." It's a medical procedure and no one else's business period! For some women, it's a hard enough decision to make without having other people tell them how they should do it!
If you do not believe in abortion...great, don't have one, but mind your own business and leave other people alone that need/want to have one! Again, it's none of your business what someone else does.
I don't have any children and don't want any. While I always use birth control, that's not 100%, and if it failed, I certainly would get an abortion without hesitation. I much rather have women get abortions than bring a child into the world that they don't want and mistreat or that they can't pay for and stick ME with paying for it! There are enough leaches out there having kid after kid they can't pay for, and we tax payers are footing the bill. Enough is enough already!
How about all you people that but your nose into other people's business and don't want these women to have abortions pay my share of taxes too since you don't mind paying for all of these unwanted children!
I am wondering about mixing the bird with another finch species such as a zebra finch. nm
!
Cats
My only suggestion would be to have set feeding times for the cats, that way you can monitor which cat is eating what. Just a thought -
Although my cats have started to eat my dogs' food, so I guess I shouldn't be one to give out advice!
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