Fast Facts Scientific Name: Icterus galbulaCommon Name: Baltimore Oriole, Northern OrioleLifespan: 10-12 yearsSize: 6.5-8 inchesWeight: 28-42 gramsWingspan: 3.5-4 inchesConservation Status: Least concern Baltimore Oriole Identification Male and female Baltimore orioles look very different. Males have a black hood, back, and throat over bold orange underparts and rump, though some birds are paler and may look more yellow than orange. The yellow-orange color extends onto the shoulder in a thick wedge over black wings....

Historically, carpets were hand woven on looms, so the term ‘broad loom’ literally meant a loom that was wider than the average loom size and used to make a large carpet. What Is a Loom? A loom is a device that is used to weave fabric. For hand weaving, it holds in place the fibers running in one direction, so that the fibers going in the opposite direction may be interwoven....

Bird Species That Use Nest Boxes Many different types of birds will use birdhouses, including: Chickadees and Tits: Black-capped chickadee Blue tit Carolina chickadee Chestnut-backed chickadee Coal tit Great tit Marsh tit Tufted titmouse Ducks: Common goldeneyeHooded merganserWood duck Finches and Sparrows: House finch House sparrow Zebra finch Flycatchers and Warblers: Ash-throated flycatcherBlack redstartGreat crested flycatcherLucy’s warblerPied flycatcherProthonotary warbler Nuthatches and Creepers: Brown creeperBrown-headed nuthatchRed-breasted nuthatchWhite-breasted nuthatch Swifts and Swallows:...

If you are looking for a powerful vacuum that will glide smoothly across hard flooring, then you have many options. Like the Bissell Hard Floor Expert Deluxe Canister Vacuum, the best of them has powerful suction and a well-designed head to pick up dirt, dust, and grime. After testing the Bissell Hard Floor Expert in our home for about a month of almost daily cleaning, we realize it’s also quiet, versatile, light, and budget-friendly....

Carpet cleaners like the Bissell ProHeat 2X Revolution Pet Pro are a great way to elevate your cleaning routine, as they help get more dirt and grime out of your carpets and furniture than possible by vacuuming alone. They’re super useful for removing odors and stains, and as an added bonus, having your own carpet cleaner can save you money on renting one or hiring professionals. The Bissell Pet Pro claims to be designed with pet owners in mind, which is a really appealing concept, as many other carpet cleaners don’t handle pet hair and odors well....

The main upkeep tasks are typically watering young blue blossom ceanothus shrubs to help them become established, along with pruning as needed. Other than that, the shrub makes an easy-to-care-for addition to the landscape, and it can work especially well as a hedge or on a slope. An important factor to note is this shrub does not take well to its roots being disturbed, so avoid digging around it once it is planted....

For the first time ever, Brooklinen has released a dedicated holiday collection available to shop today. This is the brand’s largest drop of the year, and the collection includes smaller, giftable items starting at $15—including socks and candles, everyone’s favorite. The product offerings span every room of the house from bedding to bath. “When conceptualizing this collection, we thought of our customers first and foremost,” Deanna Wu, the vice president of merchandising at Brooklinen, shares with The Spruce....

About Jelly Many types of jellies, jams, preserves, marmalades, and fruit spreads can be ideal for birds, but the most preferred flavor for backyard birds is dark grape jelly. Other flavors, such as mixed berry, blackberry, apple, cherry, raspberry, red currant, and even orange marmalade can also be popular options. Jellies with real fruit and fruit juice offer the best nutrition for birds, including high concentrations of sugar and carbohydrates that can be excellent energy for active birds....

If your home’s walls, ceiling, siding, or stairs are looking tired and faded, you already know that you can paint them for a quick refresh. So why not your bathtub, too? Can you paint your bathtub, much like you do other surfaces in your house? Can You Actually Paint a Bathtub? Yes, you can paint a bathtub and dramatically improve its appearance. But it’s a different kind of painting with an all-new set of rules, from preparation and cleaning to materials, safety, and the painting process....

What gives castor bean plants their star power? Native to Africa and the Middle East, castor bean plants grow quickly, adding between 6 and 10 feet per growing season and featuring star-shaped leaves with vibrant red seeds. It can be planted straight into the garden in late spring or started from seed indoors about six to eight weeks before the last frost of the season. Castor bean plants are toxic to people, cats, and dogs....

Stud finders are a nifty tool for DIY lovers; they help you locate studs onto which you can secure picture frames, shelves, furniture, and more. There are a number of stud finders on the market, ranging in price from just a few dollars to a couple hundred. Some can pick up on a variety of materials, some beep or light up to confirm they’ve found a stud, and others even keep a digital map of your wall’s interior structure (studs, wires, and all) should you need it again later....

In any case, these are fun, interesting birds who are primarily good for laying eggs but not for meat. Their personalities can vary and their eggs, in all shades of blue, green, and even cream, are favorites among children and farmers market customers. They originally derived from Rhode Island Reds. Their personalities can vary by the bird, from focused on the pecking order and a bit aggressive toward other birds, to mellow and docile....

Before you can begin repairs, it’s important to have a basic understanding of how your toilet tank works. How the Toilet Tank Works The toilet tank’s function is to hold a quantity of water until you flush the toilet, at which time the water in the tank rushes down through an opening in the bottom of the tank and into the bowl, forcing waste out of the bowl and into the home’s drain and sewer lines....

Natural Stone Tile Mountain-born stone comprises a variety of specific materials, each of which has unique properties and characteristics. Granite The hardest and densest construction-grade stone material, granite can be polished smooth, honed flat, or left in a naturally gauged state. While it is resistant to stains and water penetration, it is somewhat porous and should be sealed after installation, to protect both the tiles and the grout lines between them....