Bird Feeding Made Easy
There are over 20 million people in the US that feed wild birds; the following easy steps will help you become one of them. Start out gradually and simply, work your way up to creating that unique backyard environment that will attract many colorful wild birds.
Selecting a feeder
Feeders come in some basic shapes however; there are many variations on styles and size. It is a personal preference which ones you place in your yard. By placing Several different types of feeders throughout your yard, you will attract many different types of birds.
Platform feeders can be placed on the ground to service ground feeding birds, hung from trees or mounted on a post. They are a great place for larger birds like doves, towhees, sparrows, grosbeaks and blue jays.
Hopper feeders typically will hold a large amount of seed that will be protected from the weather. These types of feeders are generally very easy to fill and will accommodate virtually any type of seed.
Tube feeders tend to attract the smaller birds like chickadees, titmice, nuthatches, goldfinches and house finches. These feeders can have either large or small Ports. Choose the size according to the seed you want to offer. The small port is for smaller mixed seeds, Finch mixes or Nyjer. The larger ports work best with sunflower seeds, peanuts, cracked corn or wild bird mixes.
Suet feeders are usually wire cages that hold suet cakes or nuggets and tend to attract bluebirds, chickadees, nuthatches, mockingbirds, thrushes, vireos, warblers and woodpeckers.
Regardless of the type of feeder you select, regular care and cleaning will be required. A monthly cleaning with hot soapy water or one part bleach to nine parts water gets rid of bacteria, mold or fungus.
Selecting the food
As with selecting the right type of feeder, putting out the proper type of food will help you attract the specific types of birds you want in your yard. Some birds are opportunists and will eat a variety of foods; others are picky eaters.
Black Oil Sunflower is among the most desired seeds for a wide array of birds, it's high Fat content provides much needed energy. Black Oil sunflower attracts chickadees, cardinals, nuthatches, goldfinches and juncos.
Striped sunflower is a high oil content seed that is appealing to larger birds because of its size and hard shell. Striped sunflower attracts blue jays, woodpeckers, grosbeaks, titmice and cardinals.
Nyjer is considered the perfect seed for attracting many varieties of finches and other small songbirds. This small seed is rich in oil and protein as well as high in nutrition so it attracts American Goldfinches, purple finches, House finches and indigo buntings.
Safflower is a high oil content seed that is very desirable to chickadees, thrashers nuthatches and grosbeaks.
Millet is generally the preferred food of birds that favor smaller seeds and it is an Excellent source of starch, vitamins and minerals. Typically, millet attracts Sparrows, juncos, towhees, mourning doves and chickadees.
Peanuts are a very good source of fat and protein and can be offered either whole or Shelled. Blue jays, titmice, woodpeckers, nuthatches and bluebirds enjoy Eating peanuts.
Cracked corn is a good source of oil and starch and is an especially valuable food to feed during the winter. Cracked corn will attract bluebirds, mourning doves, juncos, indigo buntings and woodpeckers.
Wild bird mix, typically featuring millet and sunflower, has the proper variety of ingredients to attract many different types of birds. Cardinals, chickadees, nuthatches, mourning doves and white crowned sparrows will be attracted to a wild bird mix.
Sunflower hearts or pieces have a high oil content offers a highly nutritious food that Leaves no seed hulls under the feeder. Sunflower hearts attract finches, juncos, cardinals, chickadees, titmice and grosbeaks.
Adding Landscaping.
In addition to commercial feeders and food, a well landscaped yard will provide numerous dining opportunities for your birds as well.
Deciduous and nut bearing trees
Be sure to include deciduous trees, which loose their leaves seasonally, in your garden plans. Not only are they a haven for bark-hiding edible insects, but also for nuts that are favored by many birds.
Butterfly, bee and moth plantings
Planting a garden designed to attract butterflies and bees is an excellent way to add another food source for your birds. Butterflies, bees and moths are attracted to a wide variety of plants such as coneflowers, Black-eyed Susans and hollyhocks.
Fruit trees
Fruit trees of all sorts are a treat for many birds. Cherries and plums make Great summer feasts for birds and other wildlife. Apple trees are particularly Attractive in the fall. Fruit trees in your backyard also add nesting cover for your birds.
Berry Bushes
Berry bushes of many types provide good cover and tasty food for your backyard bird population. Raspberries, blackberries, mulberries and many others are great Food sources birds will flock to.
Dead trees and brush piles are great places for small insects to live, these insects are a great food source for birds including Woodpeckers, Robins and nuthatches to name a few. Dead trees, rocks and brush piles also are great nesting locations and good cover for shy birds.
Dust, grit and salt
Dust, grit and salt are a requirement for building healthy birds. A small bare spot with tiny stones and loose soil can be an important area for your backyard birds. Dust is important for some birds' hygiene as they use this to take a dust bath and grit is required by some birds for proper digestion. You can also offer a salt block for birds to help keep their diet in balance.
Now that you have learned the basics of providing food, water and shelter for your wild birds, you should try to make a long term plan so that you can build your backyard habitat slowly over the years, this will greatly increase the variety of birds to your yard.
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