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Backyard Bird
Feeding 101!
By:
owner of The
Wild Bird Habitat Store
October! A time of change. Winter will
soon be settling in across the
Our winter
birds, the Red-breasted nuthatch, Dark-eyed Juncos,
Autumn is also
a time when many folks who didn’t maintain a bird feeder or two during the
summer months are providing some supplemental food sources for our backyard
birds during the winter. After all, when the snow blows and the temperatures
plummet, our resident winter birds are a short thirty six hours from starvation.
They only survive the coming frigid nights on what foods they can consume during
the day.
Feeding birds
in our backyards has become more than just a passing hobby. In fact, birding in
the
In the past many
people would just scatter the bird seed on the ground, or possibly have a single
bird feeder filled with a general wild bird mix and expect all birds to enjoy
their fill. However backyard bird feeding has become more specialized, targeting
the specific feeding habits of birds to meet their needs. Some birds will only
feed at elevated levels like the Chickadees, nuthatches, and goldfinch. Others,
such as Juncos, doves, and native sparrows, feed primarily on the ground. Yet
other birds like our woodpeckers and Brown Creepers prefer to feed around the
tree trunk zone. Then there are the cardinals and Blue Jays, who are just plain
opportunistic and will feed where ever the seed is provided.
Two of the most
common style of bird feeders for attracting a large variety of birds are hopper
feeders, which will attract large and small birds, and seed tube bird feeders
designed primarily for smaller birds. Other bird feeders include ground and
platform bird feeders which are undoubtedly the most versatile for attracting
many bird species. And some specialized feeders, such as thistle tubes and suet
cages that target specific groups of birds. These are the six types of bird
feeders recommended for a basic backyard bird feeding program. Then there are
those bird feeders that are more seasonal and used to attract a specific species
of bird. These include hummingbird feeders, oriole and fruit feeders, and
bluebird feeders.
Just as the type of
bird feeder you select determines which birds you will attract, the bird seed
you fill them with is just as important. Birds that feed at elevated hopper and
seed tube bird feeders prefer sunflower seed, safflower seed, and other nut
based mixes. If you put a general wild bird mix in these feeders, they will
sweep through it picking out these products, scattering everything else to the
ground.
Thistle feeders are
for Nyjer thistle seed and finch mixes. Caution must be taken to assure the
thistle seed is fresh or the finch you are trying to attract will reject it. A
good finch mix contains only thistle seed and finely ground sunflower chips.
Avoid those finch mixes with other so-called filler seeds.
General wild bird
mixes have a base of white Proso millet with cracked corn, peanuts, and
sunflower seeds added. They are best used on platform and ground feeders where
birds can select the seed they want without sweeping through it. However, when
purchasing a wild bird mix read the label. Many inexpensive general wild bird
mixes contain filler seeds such as
If squirrels are
robbing the seed you intended for the birds to enjoy, you may want to consider
adding a squirrel baffle or investing in a squirrel proof bird feeder. Another
alternative is to use safflower seed, or the new Nutra-Saff safflower seed, in
the bird feeders that squirrels seem determined to get on at all costs.
Safflower seed will attract most all your favorite backyard birds, can be used
in any type of bird feeder, but squirrels will not eat it.
Water for birds,
especially during the winter months, is essential for their survival. Although
they do not rely on any one food source, an open source of water in the winter
can attract more birds than bird seed alone. There is an assortment of bird bath
heaters and heated bird baths on the market that are thermostatically controlled
and use less energy than a 60 watt light bulb. Fresh water does more for birds
than just meet their fluid intake. Clean feathers provide better insulation
during cold nights.
Finally, consider
planting some habitat in your yard. All living things on our planet require
food, water, and shelter. Hedges and shrubs will not only offer protection from
bitter winter winds, but a place for birds to nest and provide a natural food
source. Consult with a master gardener at your local nursery or the Nebraska
Cooperative Extension Office about planting habitat for wildlife. Follow these
tips then sit back and enjoy a backyard filled with your feathered friends.
Copyright 2008