Birdfeeders

As we are cleaning our bird feeders and preparing for the spring arrivals, I started shopping for a new supply of bird seed. We have one tube bird feeder that is filled with only black oil sunflower seeds for that is the seed that is always the most popular. However, our other tube bird feeder I like to use a wild bird seed mix. A local store was advertising a really good price on a wild bird seed mix, so I went to check it out. Sure, it was a good price, but most of it would have landed on the ground. Be very careful when buying these mixes. Be sure to get a mix with quality birdseed with a minimum of filler seeds. Birds will usually just toss aside milo, wheat and most of the dark colored millets. I’m still finding that the best way to have a mix is to buy the individual seeds and mix it yourself. I use sunflower chips, white millet, peanut pieces, safflower and cracked corn. With this mix, there is a minimum of waste. If you use only seeds that have had the hulls removed, the seeds cannot germinate in your yard, but these are more expensive. The pictured tube bird feeder is a new Quick Clean Big Tube by Aspects that is simple to keep clean.

Hopper bird feeders have a lot of advantages over other types of feeders. Generally, they hold more seed than tube feeders or platform feeders and they keep the seed dry and fresh. The most common type of hopper bird feeder is generally shaped like a house. The seed is poured into a center trough and flows out the bottom into a feeding tray. They can be either be hung or pole mounted and usually provide a larger perching area to include not only small birds, but also larger species such as Cardinals. Some have suet cages mounted on the ends and many are made of recycled plastic. These feeders are so durable that they come with a lifetime guarantee. They also help to keep these plastics out of our landfills!

Tube bird feeders are a simple way to feed birds in your yard. The clear tube allows you to easily see when the seed is running out and these feeders are generally easy to clean. Because tube feeders usually have smaller perching areas, they generally attract small birds such as chickadees, finches, titmice and nuthatches. There are now a few tube bird feeders made with spiral perches. This allows more birds to perch at a time and they will also accommodate larger birds. This type of tube feeder is perfect for attracting Cardinals and woodpeckers. A plastic seed tray can be added that will catch seed to keep the yard cleaner and will also allow more perching area.

I know I’m thinking about feeding the hatchlings way too early, but I am sooooo ready for spring! I’ve had enough of winter and am looking forward to spring courting, nest building and the arrival of hatchlings. I think this year I am going to add a second hanging platform feeder to our yard just for offering foods from the kitchen. We have a year around hanging platform feeder that we keep stocked with assorted seed, sometimes eggshells or left over rice or pasta. However, when the chicks are hatched in nearby nests, there is a greater demand for soft foods and having a separate hanging platform feeder might be easier and less messy. I’m planning on keeping the seed offerings in the permanent platform feeder and using the second one to offer “baby food” such as soft bread crumbs, eggs, either hard scrambled or mashed up hard boiled, even canned dog or cat food. Lots of kitchen leftovers are appreciated at this time such as cottage cheese, soft cooked peas, lentils, pasta or rice, even finely chopped up meat. Soft bananas, apples and other fruits will also be taken.

Most of the time, we don’t worry about what colors most birds prefer. Sure, we know that hummingbirds love red so most hummingbird feeders feature red. However, if a new platform feeder or hopper feeder is introduced, it is helpful to know that white food is most bird’s favorite. If a new platform feeder or hopper feeder features small pieces of white bread, it will quickly draw the attention of many birds. Once they find the new feeder, they will eat other foods, but white is a strong attraction. The next most attractive color to many birds is red, so adding red fruit and berries will also draw attention. Another attractive color to many birds is orange. Put an orange half in a platform feeder and watch how many birds are drawn. The one bird who prefers orange above all other colors is the oriole. There are now many oriole bird feeders which are orange nectar feeders designed specifically for orioles. These beautiful birds will arrive in the U.S. from Central and South America in late Feb. or March so we need to get our oriole bird feeders cleaned, filled and out by early March.

I just came across a recipe to help out our ground feeding birds during the cold winter months. Since they do not use our hanging suet feeders, this is a way to offer them a high calorie treat in a platform feeder. Put in a food processor, 4 cups coarse ground cornmeal (found in a farm supply store, not the fine ground from the grocery store), 1/2 pound cubed fresh suet (without any meat or blood on it), and 1 cup of peanuts and also 1 cup of raisins if you like. Pulse the processor on and off until the mixture is crumbly (only takes a few seconds). This mixture can be scattered on the ground, but on a platform feeder there is much less mess. You can just put out the amount that is eaten in a day and keep the rest in a ziplock bag in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. You can also freeze it for later use.

Tube feeders are a really simple way to feed lots of birds. It’s clear tube makes it easy to see when the hanging tube feeders need to be refilled, they are easy to keep clean and many species are happy to visit hanging tube feeders, especially if they are filled with black oil sunflower seeds. We have a large one hanging in our yard that is constantly being visited, especially in the winter. The one drawback of this feeder, at least in our yard, is that is regularly dominated by all the scrub-jays that hang out in our yard. Especially during the spring breeding season, the scrub-jays constantly empty our tube feeder. I have just discovered the solution. We are adding a tube feeder that is designed for clinging birds only. It doesn’t have perches, so the jays will find it quite difficult to access. Instead, it will be perfect for Chickadees, small Woodpeckers, Titmice, Nuthatches, Goldfinches and other small birds.

February is National Bird Feeding Month. It’s a good time to be sure we are all feeding our backyard birds the foods that will keep them warm and healthy. The best foods have a high fat content - black oil sunflower seeds, nyjer, peanuts and suet. The first three can all be easily offered in hanging tube feeders. Many people find squirrels to be a particular problem since they love all of these foods. Luckily, there are many styles of squirrel proof feeders available in a wide range of prices. There are those that are weight sensitive so whenever a squirrel gets aboard, the ports will close, it will twirl faster and faster until the squirrel flies off or the platform tips them off, etc. Many are surrounded by a cage to keep the squirrels out. Some people think that by offering squirrels their own feeders, they will stay away from the bird feeders. This can work to a point, but squirrel proof feeders are a much more reliable deterrent. The pictured squirrel proof feeder from Brome is actually guaranteed to keep out Red and Gray squirrels as well as large birds such as Grackles and starlings.

If you have squirrels in your area, you know what I mean. Squirrels can be a real pain around our bird feeders. There are many different models and types of squirrel proof bird feeders. Everyone seems to have a different favorite, depending on their yard and the behavior of their squirrels. Without some protection, squirrels will regularly empty bird feeders. After finally accepting that squirrels are not going to go away, I have adopted the idea to accept their presence and see what happens if I actually feed them. We recently nailed to a tree a squirrel box feeder. I have filled it will dried corn, peanuts and assorted other nuts. Guess what? The squirrels have been so busy with the new squirrel box feeder that they haven’t been bothering the birds any where near as much. Now, when the novelty wears off, this may change, but for now, it’s working. The added benefit is that it is fun to watch them competing over this new source of food and running up and down the tree.

As the snow storms roar through the midwest and east, offering a sheltered dining area for ground feeding birds can be very helpful. A feeding shelter can be especially useful to quail and pheasants who don’t like to venture far into the open unless absolutely necessary. The easiest shelter is a picnic table situated at least 10 feet from shrubs, brush or other hiding places. Placing a platform feeder full of seeds under the table will protect it from the snow and allow the birds some shelter while they eat. Of course, you can build a lean-to facing south to make use of any possible winter sun.The roof can be weather proof plywood or to look nice, use a thick hatch of evergreen branches. You can just scatter seed on the ground, but I find it preferable to use a platform feeder to cut down on the mess.