BACKYARD BIRDS

Glen Smart showed off a Great Spangled Fritillary butterfly that had been attracted to his yard by a Butterfly Weed plant.

Birds can be attracted to a yard with bird houses and by planting various flowers which also attract humming birds and insects.

Americans love their backyards, little corners of the world tailor-made for enjoying life.

A million and a half Missourians invite winged company into this private domain regularly. Food, drink and protection from the elements enhance the visits.

"I really enjoy the birds in my backyard, because I get to see them and find out what they're doing on a day-to-day basis," said Ida Domazlicky, a teacher of hearing-impaired children at Jefferson school.

Domazlicky, who became interested in bird watching more than 15 years ago, not only watches and feeds the birds, she also does research and writes about her observations. Her interest in bird watching has been a motivating factor behind trips to Ecuador, Costa Rica and Mexico. The fascination continues with each new finding.

"You never know what to expect," Domazlicky said. "There's always something to learn. You just never know it all."

Part of the fascination is the variety, said Glen Smart, who studied endangered species before he retired from the Fish and Wildlife Service.

"Behaviorally, they all have so many special attributes," he said.

Interested in birds since childhood, the opportunity to continue learning about them also intrigues Smart, who transfers his appreciation for the winged creatures into art. Smart crafts woodcarvings of birds then paints them true to form to adorn his Cape Girardeau home.

Attracting birds to a backyard doesn't take a huge investment of time or money, Smart and Domazlicky agreed.

Thought and planning can do the trick. "Any creature, whether an animal or human being, has three basic needs: food, shelter and water," Smart said.

It is the shelter part that many people miss, Domazlicky said because shelter means more than a bird feeder or bird house, it means habitat.

For instance, she said, "If you have a feeder, you need somewhere nearby for them to land and make sure the coast is clear."

A publication of the Missouri Department of Conversation notes that a complete bird feeding program includes establishing trees, shrubs, vines and flowers that not only produce food but also provide cover.

"Birds have their favorite trees and shrubs that they prefer to nest in or to shelter in," Domazlicky said.

Smart, who recently compiled a list of at least 18 species of birds that have nested within 100 yards of his home, said a homeowner's definition of a well-groomed lawn might not necessarily coincide with a bird's idea of home. Allowing some areas to grow a bit more naturally could encourage bird activity.

"Having a secure place where they can feel at ease and safe from predators, is very important. That's where shrubbery and planting come in," he said. "You will be more successful if you'll allow things to be a little bit less than perfect," he added, chuckling.

When it comes to water, birds just love birdbaths, said Donna Maguire, president of the Four Seasons Audubon Society, a regional organization that meets in Cape Girardeau. "They like a fine mist sprinkler in the evening and dripping water," she said.

"Running water does absolute wonders for birds," agreed Smart, who has installed in his backyard a small pond with a pump for circulating water.

Nesting and feeding boxes, like ways to provide water, are varied in size, form and function. Some bird species are attracted to nesting boxes while others aren't. For instance, robins are not attracted to a nesting box, though they might take a shelf, like under the eaves of the house, said Smart.

Entry size of the birdhouse can even play a role in making the nesting box attractive to specific species of birds.

Birds can display diverse interest regarding food choices along with feeding habits. The Missouri Department of Conservation said there are striking differences in seed preferences among bird species.

The sunflower seed, particularly the black oil-type, is an overall favorite among many of the more common types of songbirds.

Many bird enthusiasts feed birds throughout the year. According to the Department of Conservation, no research indicates that birds will starve if, during normal weather, feeding is stopped for a time. However, early spring -- a time when naturally occurring seeds are more scarce -- may be one of the most critical times for feeding birds.

A wealth of information about ways to encourage birds to take up residence, bird feeding and even building feeders and bird houses is available free of charge through the local arm of the Missouri Department of Conservation. A myriad of books and articles discuss feeding and housing preferences of the many species.

Bird watching and bird feeding is a recreation from which both wildlife and people benefit, and a hobby that can be entered so easily and enjoyed on many levels, enthusiasts say.

"Anybody can take a moment and sit back and relax and watch the birds, the butterflies and enjoy life," Smart said.