BUSINESS FEATURE Wild Birds Unlimited Dripping Springs shop celebrates ve years W hen the Peña Bustillos family decided to start a business, they wanted to nd something they could all do together. So when Manuel Peña—a retired Austin police o cer who owns Wild Birds Unlimited in Dripping Springs along with his wife, Anna Peña, a retired pharmacist—suggested they open a bird feed business, the whole family got involved. “I’ve been feeding the birds since I was a little girl,” said daughter Amanda Peña Bustillos, who grew up in Dripping Springs and helps manage the family shop. The Peñas have lived in Dripping Springs for more than 35 years. Their store on Hwy. 290 will celebrate its ve-year anniversary in September. The locally owned franchise does not sell birds but specializes in backyard bird products including bird feeders, an extensive variety of bird food, nest boxes and more. "We take care of wild birds,” Peña Bustillos said. Dripping Springs just might be the ideal place to have a bird feed shop. In February, the city was designated a Bird City by Texas Parks & Wildlife and Audubon Texas. The program recognizes communi- ties that do a good job to improve nature. Peña Bustillos’ husband, Hector Bustillos, a former teacher, also works with the family. And while everyone comes from vastly di erent professional backgrounds, a shared passion for wildlife comes naturally. Wild Birds Dripping Springs was awarded by the franchise in May for its great work educating the community on saving songbirds and nature. “It’s really amazing to see how many people are passionate about taking care of birds,” Peña Bustillos said. “It’s something that brings our family a lot of joy.” BY ANDREA ANDERSON
The Peña Bustillos family and Kenzie Reitler, an employee, are seen at the Dripping Springs store.
The Dripping Springs nature shop lists ways to help birds through the summer heat. TIPS FROM WILD BIRDS UNLIMITED Water Birds need water all year, but this summer Austin’s extreme drought conditions, make water more important than ever. Food Birds will always go to nature for food rst and visit feeders as a secondary source when food is sparse. O er fresh food.
Shelter Properly placing birdhouses in your yard is one of the best ways to o er shelter
The family business won it's franchise’s Song Birds Hero Award, which recognizes those who help to educate the community on saving birds.
to birds.
Wild Birds Unlimited 333 Hwy. 290, Dripping Springs 512-829-4782 https://drippingsprings.wbu.com Hours: Mon.-Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., closed Sun.
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