Bird Feeders

Taylor Turnstone asked:


In order to attract the kind of birds you want at your bird feeder, you will need to know what kind of wild bird seed each species prefers. For example, black oil sunflower seeds will attract a variety of songbirds including chickadees, finches, cardinals and grosbeaks, siskins and buntings but won’t necessarily attract orioles, tanagers and doves. Orioles and tanagers like suet and fruit, even nectar while doves and other ground feeding birds prefer corn, millet and milo. Woodpeckers, on the other hand, prefer suet.

Not only do you need to get the right kind of bird seed, but a good quality seed as well. It is best to get your seed from a high quality distributor. Those mixed bird seed bags you find at the “Big Box” stores have often been sitting around in a warehouse for a long time and are very far from being fresh. Those bird seed mixes also have a lot of filler type seed like milo and wheat that birds don’t particularly like and have poor nutritional value. When offering such mixes, you’ll often find that the birds will kick all the filler seed out of the way in order to get to any of the better quality seeds that remain. Even worse, the milo may attract undesirable species like cowbirds, grackles and starlings as well as uninvited squirrels and even rats.

Although these types of mixed bird seed bags are cheaper, you really end op spending about the same if not more than you would on higher quality mixes. Perhaps half or even more of it ends up on your deck, porch or in your yard, makes a mess and is wasted. Sometimes you even have to fight the weed seed that starts sprouting in your lawn. So try to get your bird seed from a local bird shop or an easier way is from an online bird seed store.

A lot of people will buy sunflower seeds, but don’t realize all sunflower seeds are not created equal. There is black oil sunflower and striped sunflower seeds. Go for the black oil. Yes, they cost a little more than striped, but black oil sunflower seeds have twice the calories per pound than striped. Also, their smaller size and thinner shells are easier to crack open for a wider variety of birds than the thicker, harder shelled striped seeds that only birds with big seed-cracking bills can eat. If you love your birds, you will give them black oil. Enough said.

Now, if you don’t want to just serve sunflower seed, you can make your own mix of wild bird food. Try mixing hulled sunflower seeds, white millet, cracked corn, red millet, peanut pieces and hulled millet to attract a variety of species like doves, goldfinches, white-throated sparrows, house finches, indigo buntings, juncos, purple finches, quail, towhees, white-crowned sparrows and other species. If you don’t want to make your own, try to get a mix that is labeled “No Waste”. These mixes have no filler seeds and are usually all shelled so there is virtually no waste and less mess with no hulls piling up below the feeder.



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Andrea asked:


We have a ton of birds in my area and I want to attract all of them. The blackbirds and other “bullies” always run off the more attractive songbirds. Is there a bird food that will attract the songbirds and be less tasty to the bully birds. Thanks for you helop!!!

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Richard Adams asked:


In winter many of us put out food and water for garden birds not only to help them through the hardest time of the year but also because they are such a pleasure to see.

Living near the river as I do I put out food all year round and enjoy a wide variety of visitors, but many people I have spoken to about my passion say that either they don’t see very many birds, or that even the food they put out sits there untouched for week son end until they finally through it away.

What a shame this is.

Now certainly, there is a chance that this is simply a result of there not being very many hungry birds around - perhaps a neighbor feeds the birds regularly or there has been a bumper crop of seeds and fruits in the fall. However it is likely for another reason.

The first of these is that the garden bird feeders may have been sited in the wrong place. Birds like to feel safe when feeding and so while very hungry birds will get used to a feeder almost anyway, the more wary species, or those less hungry, may stay away from your feeders simply because they don’t feel safe there.

It is normal to place feeders out in the open so you can cclearly see the birds that visit but bear in mind that this is exactly what makes garden birds feel insecure.

A better location for your feeders is an area where there is some degree of cover. Placing feeders in or near trees, bushes and hedges seem to work best and attract the greatest number of winter visitors.

However there is another element at bay here - and that is the actual food you are putting out.

You see, different birds like to eat different foods - just as they would in nature. Some eat seeds, others insects, some fruit and so on.

Certainly there is generally some overlap in wild birds, but if you aren’t putting out a full range of goodies then it is unlikely you are attracting all the brids that you could.

When I have mentioned this to people in the past - and they have resired their feeders then added a range of food stuffs they normally report back within a few weeks that they are seeing considerably more birds in their garden.

But what foods should you put out? Well try peanuts, seed and fat balls for a start. These seem like the 3 main stamples of the wild bird food trade and should attract far more birds than if you only had one of them out.

You will likely find your local birds have a specific favorite. For example in my garden they eat the fat balls as quickly as I put them out while hardly touching the seed.

But you can also add all sorts of extras. For example, a bowl of mealworms is usually popular, as are scraps from the table. Try things like bacon rind, uneaten meat, bread and fruit and I think you will notice the difference in a very short space of time.

Even better, it means less waste from your table to get rid of - and your garden will be full of stunning birds right throughout the coldest months of the year.



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Belindita asked:


I have several bird feeders in my backyard. Some contain sunflower seed, some contain wild bird mix, and two of them contain thistle (they’re the long, skinny, cylinder type).
Lots of birds come to my feeders, but very seldom do I see gold finches.
What can I do to attract them?
Thanks!

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Janet Ashby asked:


There are many ways to attract wild birds to your garden and hopefully to set up home in your garden bird house. Providing food and a safe place to eat is one of the easiest and most effective ways. This is particularly important during the winter months when there may be lack of their natural food.

Set up feeding stations designed for the different species you would like to see in your garden.

For finches place specially designed thistle feeders that hold the small thistle feeds that they love. Other speciality bird feeders include hummingbird feeders to hold nectar, woodpecker feeders and jay feeders. Tube feeders are designed to prevent seeds spilling on the ground and keep the seeds dry. You could also set up a window feeder to see the birds from the comfort of your room.

Always check the food regularly to make sure it is dry and free from mold and clean up around the feeder to deter wasps, ants and other predators. If squirrels are a problem in your garden be sure to purchase a squirrel proof bird feeder.

Provide Fresh Water for the Birds

Wild birds need a source of fresh water for both drinking and bathing. You could provide this with water pans or bird baths. Place water containers at various levels as some birds prefer ground level, others will be attracted to water placed at a higher level. Place any water sources away from bird feeders as birds prefer a quiet place for bathing and preening. Attract the birds to your water source with a water dripper placed in the bird bath or a mister in the trees. The gentle sounds of running water will attract the birds and many birds enjoy a bath below the dripper or in a mister as it simulates raindrops on their feathers.

During the winter months a heated bird bath or one fitted with a de-icer will ensure the water is always at the right temperature and available for the birds.

Provide a Natural Environment

Let a part of your garden grow wild and scatter wild flower seeds through the area to provide a natural environment for the birds. hang bird feeders from trees or posts in this area. This will enhance the sense of security for the birds.

Your bird house must be a safe place for birds to nest and bring up their young. Here are some tips for making your bird house proof from squirrels, yellow jackets, snakes, cats, wasps, ants and other invasive birds.

Perches

There is no need to have any perches in your bird house. The nesting birds do not need them and they only provide a means for predators to gain entrance. many bird houses come with a perch under the entrance hole. Remove it!

Baffles

A bird house mounted on a pole can have baffles fitted to prevent predators from climbing the pole and gaining entrance to the bird house. A metal baffle is preferable as it cannot be chewed. A bird house mounted on a tree can also have baffles attached to the tree trunk.

Metal plates

A metal plate fitted with a small entrance hole can be placed over the original hole on the bird house. This will prevent predators from enlarging the hole to gain entrance.

Entrance Hole

use a bird house with a small entrance hole that is just large enough for the species of bird you wish to attract. A larger hole will allow invading birds to gain entrance and eject the baby birds inside.

Ants Nests

Regularly check around the bird house (and bird feeders if you have them) for ants nests. Deal with them quickly using a method that is not harmful to wild birds.

Metal Poles

For bird houses mounted on metal poles slip a large PVC pipe over the pole before mounting the bird house. This will deter squirrels, snakes and raccoons from climbing up to the bird house. You could also smear vegetable oil on the pipe.

Cats

Fit your cat with a collar with a bell to prevent her sneaking up on the birds.



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Brice asked:


Birds are an astonishingly effective means of pest control and a ready source of fertilizers. However, when we put a bird in a cage, we are exercising our dominion over it. Beauty of these creatures can only be admired in a very natural atmosphere. By setting bird houses in your lawns, gardens, and backyards, you create a natural environment for them to live in. Birdhouses are a delight to have around your home. They also add a touch of elegance to your garden or backyard.

WindowAlert brings you a wide range of decorative birdhouses made up of recycled and natural materials, which symbolize all virtues of home like, safety, stability, and functionality. Blue bird houses, Wren bird houses and Butterfly bird houses are also available at WindowAlert. The 2 Hole Wine Birdhouse, Red Gold, is one of the latest products, and it is packed with functionality. Its door allows easy access for cleaning and the hole makes it ideal for small to medium-sized birds. WindowAlert also offers Retro bird houses that give a contemporary feel, and are an expression of individuality. These bird houses can also make fantastic gifts, and can become a simple way of repaying the birds for the benefits we enjoy through them.

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