With the pandemic and all of the time that people have been spending indoors, many have taken up a new hobby: birdwatching. Birds are truly mesmerizing, and watching these creatures can help pass the time and can also be entertaining.
Recently, I was at my mom’s house, and she had just refilled her bird feeder. I never realized what an impact these little creatures had on her life. Since she cannot drive, she spends a lot more time at home alone. Feeding and watching her backyard birds have become a part of her daily routine. She not only pays attention to which birds visit the feeder but also watches to be sure that they are safe.
Several types of birds visited the feeder while I was there, and mom clearly has her favorites. Just outside her window is an entire world of nature. She watches their comings and goings and treats them as friends.
According to a 2017 study from the University of Exeter in England, watching birds of any kind from a window or around your neighborhood is associated with lower levels of depression, anxiety, and stress. The positive association applied regardless of species and whether or not it was in an urban or rural setting. The evidence shows it’s not about identifying bird types, but instead, interacting with birds.
People who have pets tend to have lower blood pressure, heart rate, and heart-disease risk than those who don’t. Backyard birds offer a great alternative to having pets in the home. By feeding backyard birds, you will likely get regular visitors. These birds become like pets to their favorite homeowners. Birds are even known to return each spring after migration to nest in the same yards where they grew up.
If you are interested in attracting backyard birds, stop by Braxton’s –
we have an entire upstairs section dedicated to wild bird feeding.
If you aren’t sure where to start, read about winter backyard bird feeding here.
Do you live near birdlife? Has this had a positive experience in your life? Let us know in the comments section below.
Leave a Reply