Bird Feeders

Pj Hall asked:


You have learned how to make nectar to feed hummingbirds, but what is the best way to feed them?  All bird feeders are not created the same and hummingbird feeders are special types that are specifically suited to their feeding habits.  If the hummingbird cannot reach the nectar they will not come back to feed.  You don’t want other animals eating the nectar either.  These are some of the considerations that should be made when deciding on the style of feeder that you want to use.

Types of Hummingbird Feeders

With the many types of bird feeders on the market today it is not difficult to find a feeder that is made specifically for the hummingbird.  When buying a feeder, remember that hummingbirds love bright colors, especially the color red.  Hummingbird feeders should be made to hold the nectar in a way that the hummingbird can get to the nectar without drawing other insects or unwanted creatures.  These feeders come in a wide range of prices and are easily affordable by all.  Feeders can be made from different types of material.  Most often they are made of plastic, wood, and glass.  Plastic feeders are usually easy to care for, but they do tend to fade with time.  Wooden feeders are beautiful and provide a pleasant feel to your garden or anywhere that you decide to place them.  Wooden feeders require extra care and are a little harder to clean but are worth the effort.  Glass feeders can provide some of the brightest colors which hummingbirds love.   These types of feeders are very artistic and provide a different look to the area that you place them in.  They also tend to be somewhat easier to clean than the wooden feeders. 

Hummingbird Feeder Safety

There are a few guidelines specific to hummingbird feeders.  Hummingbird feeders that are not cleaned can cause diseases for these sweet birds.  Feeders should be cleaned each time that you fill them.  Use a vinegar and hot water solution to clean all parts of the feeder.  Rinse the feeder well with clear warm water then let dry before replacing the nectar.  Change the nectar when you start to see it become cloudy.  Some experts recommend changing the nectar every 3 - 7 days.  To keep ants, bees, wasps, and other insects from the feeder use a little mineral oil on the wire to the feeder and on the ports of the feeder.  A word of caution when using the type of feeders that goes on windows!  There have been occasions when hummingbirds have flown into windows that had a dark film on them. If you do decide to hang your feeder outside a window make sure that is has no tint to it.

Each type of feeder has some really good aspects.  Only you can choose the feeder that is right for you and your décor.  Don’t be afraid of having to keep them clean and safe for the hummingbirds.  The joy of having these beautiful birds in your yard or garden far out weighs the job of maintaining the feeders.  Get the feeder that is right for you and enjoy!



Carrie

Lee Dobbins asked:


Some of the fondest memories of childhood are the discovery of the biords nesting on our backyard. The bird feeding in our backyards is the easiest way to enjoy the world of wild life. People of different ages can enjoy doing this.

It does not matter whether you’re living in the suburban or renting an apartment. You can easily hear the chirping of birds coming form your windows or backyards. These chirps can even create music in our ears. Life would surely be dull without birds.

Bird watching is one of the most convenient recreations. You don’t need to cash out even a penny just to enjoy it. All you’ll need is some piece of leftover food and some water to feed the birds.

A lot of bird feeders are now available in the market. There is the platform feeder, hoppers feeder and also the tube bird feeder. Each feeder has its own advantages. Each also attracts different kinds of birds.

The tube bird feeders are long and cylindrical in shape. It also has perches on its feeding ports. It is one of the most popular bird feeders and they usually come in upside down or seed tray models.

The tube bird feeders usually discourage competing animals such as the squirrels. The perches on the feeding ports also discourage the large birds from eating the bird seeds.

Tube feeders attract birds such as the titmice, chickadees, woodpeckers, finches and nuthatches. Be sure to see to it that there is no dead space which occupies the bottom of the feeder. The seeds may rot in there which may cause illnesses to birds.

You can start by picking a location where it is quite easy to get and reach. This is because when the weather gets bad, which is also a time wherein birds need a lot of food that they can possibly get, it would be much better if the feeder is an easy-to-reach places.

Try to pick a location wherein the droppings of bird seed’s shells will not be too much of a problem when cleaning it. Place your feeder where squirrels will not be able to reach it also. The squirrels are one of the ultimate competitors of birds when it comes to bird seeds. They even often scare the birds so that they’ll just be the sole beneficiary of it.

You can hang your tube bird feeder from a branch of strong tree or mount it using a pole. Try to put some baffles around it to avoid other animal intrusions. Don’t over hide your feeder just because you’re avoiding the squirrels to see it. Your main point here is to actually appreciate viewing the birds eating.

If ever you see squirrels on your neighborhood, it would be safe if you’ll assume that they will invade your feeder at any given time. So choose the place wisely. You can hang your feeder at a height where they can’t reach it.

You should also avoid the plastic or wooden tube feeders because squirrels tend to chew this off just to take a bite form the bird seeds. Choose a tube feeder that is metal mesh protected.

So what are the best foods to feed the birds? Seeds are your best option. Do not try to waste you money purchasing those mixed bird seeds bag on the supermarket. They may look yummy for the birds but then the tendency is that they will choose the tastiest seeds on it. So instead of birds consuming everything, what will happen is that the seeds with the least flavor will just be put into waste.

It would be best to offer one kind of seeds to each feeder. You can try sunflower seeds which most pet stores offer. Cracked corn and peanuts are a good option too.

The bottom line here is that every type of feeder is just the same thing. What matters is that you are enjoying watching the birds eating and at the same time being able to feed them is spiritually rewarding. Just remember the simple tips and advices on how to make your tube feeder a squirrel proof one. Start purchasing your own bird feeder to enjoy the therapeutic effect of the bird watching brings.



Ana

cbstone10 asked:


I live in Vermont and I have just put up a bird feeder at my new apartment. I live in a rural area so there are lots of trees etc. for the birds to live in.

Lewis

MOLLY asked:


Startlings come in flocks to my bird feeder,do you know to keep them away without hurting them?

Erik

Mayoor Patel asked:


For many people their gardens are a part of their home that they take a lot of pride in. They will paint the fencing in such a way that the garden is almost an expression of the artist in them. The plants they choose will reflect this as will the garden furniture and even the type of bird feeders they pick. Many people will purchase decorative bird feeders that will add color and style to their gardens while still being a truly functional piece of garden equipment. The variety of bird feeders styles that can be put in your backyard will answer anyones taste. They come in small feeders that will sit well in a little backyard or on a balcony or large ones that better suit a big yard to show them off.

Interestingly some people even collect these as works of art. Some feeders will be in the style of Asian culture while others might be like miniature country houses. This decorative style can spread through any type of bird feeder. For example, you can put a tube feeder in your backyard to attract smaller birds. You can make it a simple structure or an unusual one. Perhaps the tube feeder will look instead like a lighthouse. Or maybe the decorative bird feeders you will choose are ones that are hand blown glass made to resemble flowers so that they attract the hummingbirds. Depending on the style you like these feeders have quite a price range. Something simple like a lantern style feeder may cost less than twenty five dollars. But if it is an elaborate feeder you are looking for, perhaps one styled like a cottage or a gazebo, you can expect to pay over a hundred dollars.

The fact is that there is a style for everyone’s preference but if you do not find what you like there are many places that will custom make any type of bird feeder that you want in any style you desire. They can look like small houses, apartment structures, giant mushrooms, the local post office or a gilded cage. If you find what like but the color scheme does not match your garden, buy it anyway and repaint it so it fits in. The birds do not honestly care what shape or color it is, this is for your own pleasure to reflect your tastes. There is no end to what one’s imagination can conjure up in the shape that decorative bird feeders can take. You even have the option of making it yourself if you cannot find the style you want. Just use your imagination, build it and the birds will come.



Jo

Ginger asked:


I do not want to take the bird feeder away because I like to watch the birds, but the crows and ravens now, scare all the other poor birds and eat all the food. Help please!

Bobby

zzHoUnDzz asked:


Its Winter here & I have alot of birdseed left over from my parakeet that has recently perished & Im wondering how to make a feeder for the birds outside.I have plastic milk jugs & possibly other items that I may be able to use.Thx.

Neil

Michael Rasco asked:


Wild bird feeding is a very engaging and entertaining winter pastime. It also is very beneficial for the birds’ health. The cold weather months make it difficult for wild birds to find food. Backyard bird feeders provide much needed assistance in this regard. Three specific items, if properly maintained, can optimize your wild bird feeding experience, ensuring that many different species of birds visit your backyard feeders all winter long. First, of course, you need one or more bird feeders; second, you need a birdbath; and third, often overlooked, you should put up a winter roosting box.

Bird Feeders

Bird feeders come in all shapes and sizes, often accommodating the different ways birds eat. For example, juncos and sparrows forage on the ground, so platform feeders easily meet their needs. Meanwhile, finches and chickadees are drawn to tube bird feeders filled with seed.

If you place a few bird feeders of various styles and use a combination of seed, fruit, and nutmeats, you can greatly increase the number and variety of visiting birds. In fact, adding to the variety of food you provide for the birds will more than proportionately add to the variety of birds at your bird feeders.

Bird Baths

A water feature, like a birdbath, has a magnetic effect on birds, as long as you pay attention to a few details.

Change the water every few days to keep it clean and healthy.

Add a drip or mister to your birdbath to maximize your bird traffic - moving water is far more effective at attracting wild birds than still water.

In the winter, you will need to keep the water from freezing. A submersible birdbath heater will keep the birds coming, even in snowy weather.

Roosting Box

The birdwatcher who can provide a bit of protection from the cold winter nights will likely be rewarded with a greater variety and frequency of birds at their feeders. Wild bird roosting boxes are built to accommodate several individuals. The lucky birds, now sheltered from wind and rain, can huddle together for warmth. Imagine a clean, fully stocked bird feeder just a few yards away from the roosting box. That would be a very busy and entertaining place in the winter.

Place your roosting box on a metal or wooden post, on a tree, or on the side of a building. Make sure it is facing away from prevailing winds. If you can mount the roosting box so that it faces south, it will get the most warmth from the sun in winter.

Whether you purchase a wild bird roosting box or you make one of your own, make sure it meets these criteria:

The roosting box, unlike a nest box, should not have ventilation or drainage holes - the idea is to keep heat from escaping.

Roosting boxes built in a horizontal orientation may have a few perches that extend from one side of the box to the other, while vertical roosting boxes will likely have several shorter perches that are mounted in a stagger pattern. Either way, there must be plenty of room for several birds.

The entrance hole should be located at the bottom of the roosting box. Heat rises, so an entrance hole placed too high will cause the roosting box to lose heat.

The roosting box needs to be accessible for cleaning purposes. The top or the front of the box should be hinged for easy opening.

One or more bird feeders, a birdbath with a drip or mister, and a nearby roosting box are the makings of a successful winter of wild bird feeding. Go put your triple play together today, and enjoy the results. Happy birding!



Debbie