Birdfeeders

Once we start adding multiple bird feeders to an area in our yards, it’s important to be mindful of how they all look together. If we just add an assortment of feeders that we like, it is easy to start looking junky. It’s necessary to plan ahead to be sure assorted types of bird feeders all look compatible and enhance the look of the yard. If the first feeder is a large, natural wood or dark painted one, then other smaller birdfeeders may be appropriate in bright colors. If the first feeder is a unique, eye-catching feeder, then it will be best to add others that are not as eye catching so they don’t draw attention away from unique piece. Of course, birds will find all our bird feeders and choose by what they contain, not what they look like! To attract the greatest variety of birds, we need to offer a variety of seeds, nectar and soft foods. This can be best accomplished by using tube feeders, platform bird feeders, hanging bird feeders, hummingbird feeders as well as other specialty feeders.

In the spring, all birds turn to mating and preparing for a family. If you offer nest building materials as well as food, your yard will become a busy place indeed. A cage suet feeder is the perfect container for offering nesting material. Fill a wire suet feeder with offerings such as pieces of string, feathers, fur, cotton, wool, moss, old shoelaces, twigs, grass or anything soft that a bird can use to soften a nest. Just be sure to have no string longer than 8 inches to be sure no bird gets tangled in it. Secure the suet feeder so it doesn’t sway and add a perch below to allow more species to check out what you have to offer. The birds that are use to finding food in these cages will be first to discover the nest building supplies, but others will soon want to see what is there. You will typically attract nuthatches, titmice, and chickadees, but with a perch you could be lucky enough to attract orioles and tanagers and some other larger birds.

All the other birds sure know when the jays are arriving for they are the biggest birds at the feeder, they are loud and just get everyone else to leave. If you want to discourage them from eating at your bird feeders, there are a couple of things to try. Squirrel proof bird feeders have cages around them that only allow smaller birds to get through. They discourage jays as well as squirrels. A plastic tube feeder with short perches will be very difficult for jays to land on, so will also send them on their way.

However, there are some advantages to having jays around the yard. Most importantly, they are great at alerting all birds to danger. If a cat or hawk is nearby, they sound the alarm to all birds in the area. Also, they really are entertaining to watch. They are always busy eating, bathing, whatever. So maybe a compromise is in order. Have squirrel proof bird feeders that are off limits to jays, but in another area have platform bird feeders with foods they love such as peanuts in the shell, cracked corn and sunflower seeds.

Just as birds love seeds with high fat content, they will really be drawn to suet bird feeders. This is probably the easiest and certainly the cheapest  bird feeder to add to your yard. Simple wire cage suet feeders are very inexpensive and you simply slip in a premolded suet block. These blocks come as plain suet and with additions such as seeds or insects. They also are available in a no melt form which is perfect for the hot summer months. All of these blocks are quite inexpensive and last a long time. Because there are so many insects available during summer, suet feeders won’t get as much traffic during this time. However, as the weather cools and birds begin their migration, suet bird feeders will see quite a bit more activity. As winter sets in and natural food becomes more scarce, birds spend more time looking for food. They no longer are tending nests so can explore a wider territory looking for tasty treats. Since suet offers an extra supply of calories, during the cold months a suet feeder will have so many visitors that it may have to be replaced at least once a month. There are more expensive suet bird feeders that combine suet cages with a seed feeder. This way both food sources may be offered with one birdfeeder. Not all birds can cling to the wire suet feeders. For these other birds like juncos, sparrows, bluebirds, etc. I have attached a perch to the pole just below the suet feeders. The other solution is to chop up a suet cake and add pieces to platform feeders or simply scatter them on the ground and watch the birds come and get it!

There are two basic types of tube feeders. One is specifically designed for the small nyjer seed that finches adore. It is either made of screen material that finches can cling to and pull out seeds one at a time, or is a plastic tube with perches and tiny openings for seed to be taken from one at a time. The other type of tube feeders is designed for larger seeds, either sunflower or the many mixes that are available. These bird feeders are made of plastic with perches and larger openings for birds to feed from. These feeders come with a wide range of prices, but it isn’t a good idea to buy the cheapest. These will crack, be easily chewed up by squirrels and not last very long. If you invest a little more for  tube feeders, they will last a long time. Look for strong plastic tubes, metal perches and metal guards around the feeding ports as well as metal caps for the top and bottom. Not only does the metal protect the feeder, but adds weight to the feeder which cuts down on the swinging that can spill seeds. Tube feeders with perches limit the access to seeds. If your tube feeders become so popular that there are birds fighting for a place, it might be worth adding other bird feeders to your yard to lessen the competition.

During the winter, a bird feeder will be the busiest, as other food sources are scarce. Particularly in very cold weather, birds will be happy to spend lots of time near an easy source of food. In the fall and early spring, a bird feeder will be only slightly less busy. However, by late spring, we all wonder where all the birds went! As food sources become easier with the spring bloom, birds get busy with mating, nest building and raising their families. During this time, they are likely to find food near the nest so as not to leave the nestlings alone for long. When the warm days of summer arrive, there are all sorts of bugs and insects that seem like a much tastier choice than anything we might offer in a birdfeeder.

However, we have other choices at this time. Summer is best time to attract nectar feeders such as orioles and hummingbirds. Putting up window hummingbird feeders, oriole feeders and glass hummingbird feeders in the spring through fall will keep your yard full of activity.

The tiny black seeds loved by gold finches and other finches as well are known by many names. I don’t think anyone really knows how they became known as thistle seed for they are definitely NOT part of the thistle family. Thistle feeders are actually designed to hold the seeds of the African plant Guizotia abyssinica which is actually a tall daisy that has yellow flowers. The English variation of this name is niger. The seeds are sterilized to prevent germination and sold in the U.S. under the names of either Niger or the now more frequently used spelling of Nyjer. The seeds are sterilized so that any seeds dropped from thistle feeders won’t sprout and grow in our yards. This newest spelling, Nyjer, is trademarked by the Wild Bird Feeding Industry of North America. Whatever these seeds are called, finches adore them!

For the most part, birds are just fine feeding on their own. They frequent bird feeders because they are an easy, constant source of food. However, during the cold winter months, there are times that our bird feeders can really save lives. During times of extreme cold when night temperatures can cause birds to die unless they are well fed, extra high fat food really can make the difference. A feeder that is a combination seed and suet feeder is perfect at these times. Also, deep snow will cover the seeds  that ground feeders (towhees, doves, sparrows, etc) depend on. A low feeder protected from the snow will be greatly appreciated. Mealworms and other insect foods will also be a big hit. Don’t discontinue these foods in the early spring, for there are often unexpected spring cold snaps and as birds begin raising their spring families, extra nourishment from a birdfeeder will draw many birds to your yard.

The oriole is a bird native to North America that is eagerly awaited by many bird lovers when it comes time for spring.   Orioles are often seen in suburban areas and parks due to their preference for open spaces with tall trees.  Considered a medium-sized songbird, the male is a brilliant orange with a jet-black hood, while the female is duller in color and does not have a solid black hood.  Bird conservationists say this species appears to be stable, but should be watched closely nonetheless.

Orioles feed on nectar.  Oriole bird feeders can be filled with the same formula as a hummingbird feeder would—4 parts clean water to one part white sugar.  Orioles also like oranges and need larger perches than a hummingbird does—they cannot fit in a hummingbird feeder.  To attract the oriole during its breeding season, be sure your oriole feeder is up by May 1, and to keep them around as long as possible, offer grape jelly—it is one of their favorite treats.
uld not be a problem finding a clock for any room in your home, regardless of decor.

Bird enthusiasts who enjoy yard and garden bird feeders can become frustrated with groups of “bully birds” raiding their feeders, emptying them of food and chasing away more favored songbirds in the process.  The most common bullies include blackbirds, pigeons, grackles, and house sparrows, who are usually seduced by birdseed or suet they can reach easily, whether it is in a feeder or on the ground nearby.

Bully birds are usually larger in size than more welcome guest birds, so try to limit accessibility to feeder ports to smaller birds only.  What you fill feeders with can also be a deterrent to bully birds, who tend to prefer wheat, sunflower seeds, corn and bread.  Try to keep surrounding areas as clear as possible to discourage pigeons.  Finches will be attracted to only nyjer, or thistle, seeds distributed in a hanging tube feeder.  Cardinals, nuthatches, and chickadees prefer safflower seed in tray or hopper design feeders.