Visit our industry news blog for the latest information on the birding feeding industry. 

The world changed since our last printed issue, before summer, and birding is back in the news.

Before the housing crisis, and before oil prices spiked to unthinkable levels, the wild bird feeding trend seemed to have crested.

Hot-hot-hot two years ago. But how long could we sustain?

Want to pack more into your Atlanta trip this January?

You will enjoy the new schedule for Birdwatch America. The leading trade show for outdoor nature products, with a focus on birding, will run Friday and Saturday this year

And retail seminars will run during the show, rather than requiring retailers to travel a day early to attend sessions before Birdwatch exhibits open.

You’re not alone. Most of the country – including reptile owners, wildlife rehabbers and hardcore bluebird trail monitors – are having a tough time finding live mealworms.

What happened? “It is because many of the larger growers had crop failures this spring and there is just not enough to go around now,” says Rita Smith of New York Worms, an online retailer. She did not answer when asked to clarify what caused the crop failure with the larger growers.

Prices for just about everything appear to be growing faster than weeds sprouting from cheap bird seed.

So do not expect that your customers will get a break on sunflower seeds, just about the most popular in the business.

"New crop prices for oil and confection sunflowers remain at historically high levels," Larry Kleingartner, executive director of the National Sunflower Association, said in his weekly press release

Droll Yankees: Makers of the world’s best bird feeders and more since 1969. Offering a full line of quality bird feeders, accessories, nest boxes and a complete pole system. Home of the Yankee Family of squirrel-proof bird feeders, Make A World of Difference campaign and the Find-a-Retailer store locater program.

All of our products are proudly made and assembled in the USA. Lifetime warranty against squirrel damage, legendary customer service and satisfaction.

If you’re interested in controlling birds responsibly, you’ll find this relaunch Web site helpful.

At bird-x.com, you’ll find resources on bird and animal control, including educational and practical information, links to articles and customer testimonials as well as species-specific control methods.

"We wanted to create a Web site that functions as more than just an online store," says Mona Zemsky, marketing manager for the company.

The site offers news and case histories to educate readers.

The Council for Environmental Education, Flying WILD, and the Bird Education Network (BEN) will soon be hosting Bird Conservation through Education: A National Gathering in Jekyll Island, Georgia.

GCPS has been Sold

Garden Center Product Source and its three sister trade publications have been sold to GIE Media.

Can you believe that Americans throw away 2.5 million plastic bottles every hour?

Since 1994, McNaughton Inc. has been thinking green and promoting the re-use of plastic soda and water bottles by turning them into inexpensive bird feeders.

Some product introductions arrive with a thud. Others with buzz.

This one has generated a hive of buzzing.

GreenBird LLC’s new paper birdhouse is designed to promote conservation and bird education. Completely biodegradable, the birdhouse is made from a special three-layer laminate of recycled paper with a water-resistant coating. The houses are designed for one nesting season. At the end of the season, you simply toss the house in a compost bin for use in next year’s garden. Each house comes with a biodegradable cotton strap for ease of hanging.

We are not biased and will not cave to the public relations enticements of any company out there. No siree. But you can’t blame us for passing along the latest introductions from the entertaining shirt maker Earth Sun Moon.

One of the hottest books hitting shelves this year is The Young Birder’s Guide for eastern North America by Bill Thompson III,  editor of Bird Watcher’s Digest.

Thompson used his kids and his daughter’s fourth grade class for input on what kind of bird guide they would like. The result is a book of 200 common species with information on habitat, “wow” facts on bird species, photos and range maps. Julie Zickefoose, nationally known wildlife expert and Thompson’s wife, contributed illustrations.

Visit our industry news blog for the latest information on the birding feeding industry. 

More than 3.7 million milk jugs have been diverted to backyards from landfills. That’s because Birds Choice has used that many to create its lines of recycled feeders.

For years many have heard of the plight of the Red Knot in North America.

Have you seen the birds that can Moon Walk better than Michael Jackson?

Having made progress on light bulbs and hybrid cars, the growing green movement has grocery stores in mind next.

The Squirrel Buster Mini, 2008 winner of Best New Product at Birdwatch America, is the newest addition to the Squirrel Buster Line of feeders.

Orange Trap-It Ant Trap keeps ants and other crawling insects out of Oriole feeders.

Microbe-Lift/ Birdbath Clear is specially formulated for birdbaths inhabited by birds, small fish, frogs, etc. Prevents organic and inorganic contaminants from forming.

Research shows the No. 2 reason why consumers don’t like to feed birds is because of the mess left under feeders.

Nature’s Dance Photography by Bob Beal spans nature subjects and surroundings from Bob’s specialty of birds to landscapes, floral and landmark scenes.

The Daddy-Oh bird feeder collection is finished with beautiful re-active glazes that intensify the colors.

Having made progress on light bulbs and hybrid cars, the growing green movement has grocery stores in mind next.

IT STARTED WITH A SHOW CALLED “THE 4400” on USA NETWORK.  Fans watched and enjoyed - and then in December it was cancelled.

Have you seen the birds that can Moon Walk better than Michael Jackson?

A new study says bird feeding is good for birds. We knew it, but we appreciate the backup.

For years many have heard of the plight of the Red Knot in North America.

More than 3.7 million milk jugs have been diverted to backyards from landfills. That’s because Birds Choice has used that many to create its lines of recycled feeders.

In an effort to bring art to form and function, Woodstream is introducing two Sip & Seed; water and seed feeders. The Copper Sip & Seed is made of glass and antiqued copper.

In an effort to offer a large amount of water without drowning small birds, the Two Bowl Bird Bath allows you to have a deep reservoir that will not evaporate too quickly and still have a small shallow pool for finches and chickadees to sip and bathe.

In Techno Birding News, one of the most intriguing products introduced at Birdwatch America was the Remembird, a digital recording device that can be attached to most binoculars allowing the user to make audio recordings of their field notes while they are watching the bird in question through their optics.

BirdJam, the popular bird song identification tool for the Apple iPod, has a new module that formats and organizes bird songs from the Voices of Costa Rican Birds: Caribbean Slope CD set by David L. Ross, Jr. and Bret M. Whitney.

It’s a question heard a thousand times by bird store employees: “Do you have anything to catch the seed the birds spill under the feeders?”

This new concept in critter proofing bird feeding stations and bird houses is based on the premise that nocturnal animals do not tolerate being watched.

The Squirrel Buster Mini, 2008 winner of Best New Product at Birdwatch America, is the newest addition to the Squirrel Buster Line of feeders.

Orange Trap-It Ant Trap keeps ants and other crawling insects out of Oriole feeders.

Microbe-Lift/ Birdbath Clear is specially formulated for birdbaths inhabited by birds, small fish, frogs, etc. Prevents organic and inorganic contaminants from forming.

Research shows the No. 2 reason why consumers don’t like to feed birds is because of the mess left under feeders.

Nature’s Dance Photography by Bob Beal spans nature subjects and surroundings from Bob’s specialty of birds to landscapes, floral and landmark scenes.

The Daddy-Oh bird feeder collection is finished with beautiful re-active glazes that intensify the colors.

A stunning new DVD featuring extraordinary slow-motion images and close-ups of our most fascinating birds by award-winning filmmaker Charles F. Rattigan, with commentary by Sheri Williamson, author of the Peterson Guide to Hummingbirds.

Birdhouse Spy Cam has released its third-generation video camera, the Hawk Eye Nature Cam, a miniature marvel that now brings full color,real-time video action from the Great Out-of-doors right into the living room.

National Geographic Handheld Birds is simply the most powerful electronic field guide on the market.

Echo Valley’s Amphora ceramic birdbath-fountain is completely energy efficient and hand made from earthen clay.

The latest introduction is the No/No Finch Feeder, which positions against all the traditional tube feeders in the marketplace.

These silent and effective guardians, no matter how they are displayed, will stand as deterrents to many of the pests who share a keen interest in your garden!

Brighten your day with Little Guys! Miniature clay personalities, each one handmade by Cindy Pacileo in the N.C. mountains, have been delighting animal and bird lovers for 30 years.

Simply the best way to learn bird songs. Swipe the iFlyer across a barcode to listen to high-quality digital recordings of bird songs.

Nothing lasts forever but recycled plastic comes close.

Wingscapes Mounting Arm can be used with our BirdCam to get beautiful, close-up photos and videos of birds.

Nationally recognized artist Charley Harper provides retailers with proven selling notecards and prints. Broad selection of cards, choice of floor or counter displays.

This year we have added kits to the Best-1 line. This will include both 8 and 32 ounce sizes, each kit will include a Best-1 feeder, 14 ounce nectar, port brush and ant guard.

The Victorian Cottage Birdhouse is from the new Fledgling Series of smaller more affordable birdhouses and birdfeeders from Home Bazaar.

PMC-24, TM-12, MSS-12 martin safety systems with larger compartments. Supplemental food tray released in fall.

Birdhouse Birdfeeder Cleaner is simple to use. The entire 4 ounce bottle is emptied into a bucket of warm water.

People are asking for products that are USA made. Stovall Products delivers quality craftsmanship with functionality.

Guide to Birds of North America CD-ROM is an interactive, easy program for identifying and learning about birds. It’s now available for Mac users.

Inspired by Victorian-era milk glass, the Mini-Blossom Rose comes in our beautiful Sunset Red swirl.

This Bluebird House is 100 percent recycled aluminum and carries the North American Bluebird Society’s seal of approval with a lifetime guarantee.

Environmentally friendly suet cake in the candy bar wrapper. Suet Plus uses 80% less packaging by weight than suet in a tray and is 100 percent recyclable.

As these balls spin in the slightest breeze, the clear upper half creates a carousel of fun as whimsical objects orbit the center scene.

BARSKA Naturescape compact porro prism binoculars models include 8x20 (Model AB11172) and 10x25 (Model AB11174).

Birdwatch America returns to Atlanta January 9-10, 2009.

Nesting material hummingbirds really use! The folks at Hummer House at Brown Ranch in Christoval, Texas, introduced us to and helped us develop this fantastic product.

Barbara Herkert’s beautifully illustrated book for kids describes the characteristics, habits, and natural environment of various North American backyard birds, and provides tips for observing and attracting them.

This birdhouse weighs 15 pounds and measures 14 inches square. It is one of the new styles of birdhouses and feeders designed by Bob Campbell.

Hummingbird, songbird and oriole feeders are our specialty. Each Lone Wolf ceramic feeder is handmade and hand-painted by artists in New Mexico.

Introducing our new family of tube feeders, featuring powder-coated die cast metal top, bottom and seed ports, clear polycarbonate tube, removable bottom for easy cleaning, center seed diverter, looped hanger, unique perches and a lifetime warranty.

This forged steel Turtle is one of the many handmade creations of Blackthorne Forge of Vermont.

Wow! Watch the birds building a nest right on your window.

Hummingbird, songbird and oriole feeders are our specialty. Each Lone Wolf ceramic feeder is handmade and hand-painted by artists in New Mexico.

New additions to our line of Waders are (in order shown) an American Flamingo, a Heron and a pair of Egrets. All are cast aluminum.

No more unsightly pole baffles! The Squirrel Slinky is a simple and effective solution to keep squirrels and predators away from pole-mounted feeders and nest boxes.

This squirrel came prepared to defend his prized nut collection. He has his trusty acorn cap helmet and his family crest shield.

Big brother to the original Tri Lite Folding Stool, the Tri Lite XL has a higher seating platform and higher capacity (330 lbs) at an attractive retail price.

Questions about wild birds? Professor Bird has the answer!

Original Sky Cafe Bird Feeder with a Green Dome! There’s nothing like it anywhere!

One-way mirror film is the secret to Duncraft’s Bird’s Eye View One-Way Window Feeders. Birds see only their reflection.

Jackite is the original designer and manufacturer of flying bird kites and windsocks that beat their wings and soar across the sky.

Printed on recycled paper and made with soy ink, these pocket notes are made in the USA.

Already available in distinctive Brushed Nickel and Antique Brass finishes, Aspects’ popular line of Quick-Clean tubular feeders just got better. Or shall we say Bluer.

Our birdhouses are made of Vinyl and copper board, no rotting, splitting or cracking to worry about. Pictured is our 14-inch birdhouse featuring a bell-shaped bright copper roof.

A new Peterson Field Guide to 200 of the most common and interesting birds in eastern North America, written especially for kids ages eight to twelve.