The House Dressing Company

Birds, birds everywhere!  It’s that time of year again when our feathered friends are foraging for food to fatten up their little bodies before the winter sets in.  There are so many food sources out there right now.  I’m sitting in my family room with its large picture windows, and just watching these resourceful little creatures absolutely demolishing every berry that is on the massive Mountain Ash tree in our backyard.  They won’t stop until every berry is eaten and their bellies are full.  It is absolutely pouring with rain right now but the birds seem to love it!  They are joyfully bathing in the bird bath in between snacking and chasing each other from one tree to another.  If you watch them long enough, you’ll recognise  the “pecking order” that so well describes their system of who eats first between the species as well as within their own family groupings.  It seems the kids always eat last and have to wait their turn!

I love to watch the birds and hear their cheerful chirping and songs.  The Chickadees are such characters and I love the Robins with their orange breasts.  I’ve also spotted a regular Northern Flicker to my suet feeder, some shy little Towhees, the Juncos (back again for the winter months) and lots of song Sparrows.  The Anna’s Hummingbirds are still around and will stay for the winter but the Rufous Hummingbirds will be moving south pretty soon, if they haven’t already.  We also have a regular Blue Heron that comes to the garden and wanders around my pond.  I have it netted, much to his chagrin, and my fish are well protected.  Doesn’t stop him perusing it every now and then though!  He is really quite gorgeous.

Not only can we enjoy watching the birds outside, but in our homes we can decorate with all kinds of bird ornaments - from realistic looking to abstract.  From wood to metal and everything in between.

At the House Dressing Company, we have an amazing selection of all types of bird ornaments that can add to the flavour or theme of your decorating and help bring some whimsy and personality to your space .  For instance, you can use sea birds in your seaside themes to go with your collections of driftwood, pebbles, starfish, etc.

There are gorgeous, silver abstract birds that would look beautiful in a contemporary setting on a mantle piece or table year round.  You could pair them with a lovely set of silver candlesticks and plain, white candles.  So elegant.

Look at these gorgeous owls – we have them in all shapes and sizes and they can be complemented with these wonderful canvas prints.  They are fun for decorating in the Fall and Winter months.

We also have a wonderful array of colourful birds that you can decorate with during the year.  They come in such a variety of colours, that you are sure to find some to fit your decor.  Here are some examples:

And then of course, there’s Christmas!  It’s just around the corner again, and we are getting the store all “Christmassed up”  just for you!  Birds will be a very big theme again this year and honestly, they look so sweet in a tree.  There are clip on birds, glass birds, gold and silver birds, traditional red Cardinals to place in your tree – you just have to see them all to appreciate them!  I know I’ll be adding quite a few to my collection.

Of course, the real birds outside will really benefit from us giving them a helping hand at this time of the year and during the winter months.  If you do start to feed them, don’t all of a sudden stop, as they will become dependent on the food sources you are giving them.  Also, make sure you clean feeders regularly – there are a lot of diseases harboured by dirty feeders, that little birds are susceptible to.  Keep the hummingbird feeders full during the winter, especially if we get snow.  The Anna’s Hummingbirds that stay during the winter, will need a little extra help during really cold weather.  You can make the mix a little stronger in the winter months to help prevent the mix from freezing.  I use a third cup of sugar to one cup of boiled, cooled water.  No need to add colouring.

Enjoy watching birds in your garden, and consider bringing some “pretend” birds into your home to liven up your space and bring nature indoors.