The Bird Appliance
Installation
Portland Building Art Space
by Lake Davis and Gregory Cosmo Haun
July 1 - August 2, 1996
Made possible by the
Regional Arts & Culture Council
Weeds
Wild plants usually considered "weeds" by humans are critical foods for birds. Ragweed, amaranth, bristle and panic grasses, lambs-quarters, pokesalad and others often appear in urban yards to be mown down. The Lawrence's goldfinch depends on wild grass seeds as the main staple of its diet. Consider leaving a wild patch of "weeds" in your yard for a wild bird's picnic.
Water
More than 1/3 of all of the nation's rivers, and half of all our lakes are too polluted for fishing, swimming or drinking. Cars, agricultural pesticide, herbicide and chemical fertilizer run-off, industrial wastes, sewage, even eroded dirt are responsible for destroying our waters. Ground-water, an underground water source upon which thousands of people depend, is also seriously at risk due to pollution and poor management. Birds can not go long without a drink of water, and more sources of water could be made available for birds to drink from in the city. Bird-baths and fountains are a good start, and small home ponds can be very helpful. Portland has many creeks running through it which were covered up with the onset of urban development. Exhumation of these creeks would help to create a more contiguous source of water, and a more complete, healthy eco-system in which birds, animals and people could thrive.
Wild Rose
Rosa virginiana, rugosa The dense thorny shrubs provide safe nesting sites for thicket birds like the brown thrasher and the northern cardinal. The hips, or fruits of the rose attract at least 20 species in late summer. There are many lovely varieties of roses that produce good hips, which are higher in vitamin C than oranges, and are sometimes picked by people and steeped in a refreshing, healthful tea.
Pine, such as Ponderosa Pine
Pinus ponderosaA variety of pine trees produce seeds in their cones which are important food sources for birds. The ponderosa pine begins producing tiny, abundant seeds (12,000 to a pound) at about 20 years old. Lewis' woodpecker, the band-tailed pigeon and the red crossbill are among the birds which feed on pine seeds.
