Bird Feeders

Ben Franklin asked:


Few additions to a backyard will bring more hours of visual enjoyment than the inclusion of a bird feeder. But, the type of feeder chosen can oftentimes be as important as making the decision to encourage winged visitors.

Here are some things to look for in a backyard bird feeder. Keep in mind there are many different kinds of feeders and many different kinds of birds to attract. Choose the one that works best for your unique situation.

Regardless of feeder style, it’s a good idea to look for these things:

* Any feeders made out of wood should be weather-resistant. If they’re not, they should be painted or stained. Cedar is one of the best wood types to choose. Choosing correctly will help ensure your feeder lasts.

* A feeder should be relatively easy to clean and easy to reload with seeds or other feed.

* Any feeders made out of plastic should have some device for discouraging squirrels. This means the feeding ports should be reinforced with metal. Also, perches should not be made of plastic. They should be metal or wood.

* Inspect quality of construction. A good feeder will last for years. If it looks flimsy and feels flimsy, it probably is.

Now that you know what to look for in a feeder, it’s time to start deciding what type of feeder you want. Feeders generally come in three different styles, but more are always available. The basic forms they take on are hopper, tube and platform. All offer their own advantages, but remember to look for the basic requirements in any feeder you buy.

Hoppers are a great choice for people who don’t have the time to reload feed on a daily basis. They can hold a lot of birdseed and they generally are very easy to refill. Typically, hoppers look like tiny barns or similar and they have Plexiglas sides so it’s easy to see when they need more seed. Depending on the size, they can be used to attract an array of birds both large and small. The choices for mounting include poles, trees or even a simple hook.

Tube feeders are just that. They’re long tubes with perches at the feeding sites. These are great for discouraging squirrels and are wonderful for attracting small birds. They can create a problem with seed rot, so it’s important to inspect them on a regular basis. But, these have a number of hanging options, including poles, hooks and tree limbs.

Platform feeders are generally open platforms that can be hung or placed on the ground. These are fantastic for attracting birds that tend to feed closer to the ground such as sparrows and doves.

No matter the feeder you choose, make sure to inspect it from time to time and do replace and refill the seed. A welcoming feeder is often all it takes to attract an array of birds to a backyard setting. To ensure the bird feeder does its job year in and year out, be certain to buy one that meets the minimum requirements and take care to keep it stocked.



Jack

Mayoor Patel asked:


Unlike many of the birds you may try to attract with feeders in your garden the hummingbird is not one to share. This is because they are one bird that is protective of its own territory and will not readily share a food source with other hummingbirds. That means if this is the bird you want to attract you will need to put several humming bird feeders around your garden. Hummingbirds are very accepting of where their feeders are located so you can put them in many locations. They can be outside a window of a home or office or on an apartment’s balcony. These places are as comfortable for the birds as if they are hanging from a tree branch. The thing you need to be sure of is whether the area you live in is one that hummingbirds travel through on their yearly migrations. You can find this out by doing a little research on the internet.

To ensure you have a chance of attracting these beautiful little birds put the humming bird feeders out early in the spring. Then keep them out there until the end of the fall. If you have previously attracted the hummingbirds and then there are none that will mean they have completed their migration south and it is time to put the feeders away until next year. They may get damaged by hanging outside during the poorer weather and since there will be no birds to feed it is wiser to bring them inside, clean them and store them until the next spring.

Hummingbird feeders can be bought or you can make them yourself. They are frequently made from a bottle or a tube. This kind of feeder is made from glass or plastic and has tiny holes in it for the feed, known as nectar, to come through. These feeders must be made to in a way that allows them to be cleaned regularly. Again, based on the nectar, this is important. You want to be able to take it completely apart and wash is each time before you are ready to refill it. The nectar is very easy to make. You take water, boil it, and then add sugar. It should be one fifth sugar with four fifths water which is then stirred until it is well mixed. Once this is done allow the mixture to sit until it has cooled. Then pour it into the nectar feeder and wait for those amazing little birds to come and have a drink.



Jamie