Feeding the Birds

 

                When cooler weather finds us inside looking outside, watching our feathered friends can bring so much pleasure. The common birds I see at the feeder this time of year are titmice, chickadees, nuthatches, red bellied woodpeckers, juncos, doves, purple finches, wrens and downy woodpeckers.  To get the most out of watching birds at your feeder, here are a few suggestions.

Food and Feeders

                Placement of your feeder is important.  It should be visible from a window so you can enjoy watching the activity.  Studies recommend placing it about three feet from a window because a startled bird impacting the glass at close range is less likely to be injured.  It should be near cover such as shrubs or trees, but far enough away to prevent predators from attacking. 

                The bird food you buy is more important than the container you put it in.  Bird seed is not cheap but buying in bulk saves money.  As long as you keep it clean, a plastic feeder will work as well as a metal feeder in most cases.  A container that opens at the bottom for cleaning helps prevent a clogged feeder.  Expensive squirrel-proof containers are not always the best investment, in my opinion. 

                The variety bags of bird seed you can purchase at the grocery store contain filler seeds that many birds will pick out in order to get to the few sunflower seeds in the mix.  It may cost a little more to get a bag of seed without filler, but there won’t be excess waste. 

                Cardinals, nuthatches and many birds love safflower seeds.  Fortunately, pests such as squirrels and starlings do not.

                 Most birds love sunflower seeds, always a good choice.  Black oil sunflower seeds are easier to crack and most birds love them.  Striped sunflower seeds have a thicker shell that some birds can’t open.   They also cost less.  Squirrels and other pests love sunflower seeds too, which can be a problem.  

                I find that a large variety of woodpeckers and birds love seedcakes, which contain nuts, seeds and fruit.  Seedcakes, which fit into a wire container that woodpeckers can easily cling to, typically last longer than a container of seeds.  Seedcakes and their containers are usually available at Lowe’s or Home Depot.

                 In winter months, suet provides the higher calories birds need in order to stay warm.  Suet is also a woodpecker favorite.  Nuthatches, wrens and chickadees enjoy it too.  It is cheap and easy to find.  It fits into a wire container that makes it accessible to many birds, including undesirable starlings and grackles.  The wild bird specialty stores sell a special upside down suet feeder that allows woodpeckers and nuthatches to eat, but is a challenge for pests.  Or, when opening a suet cake, remove the wrapper but leave the suet in the plastic container.  Then place it in the holder, and only one side is available to birds, making it easy for clinging birds to eat but harder for starlings or pests to devour. 

                Although it may be difficult in winter, providing a water source is important for birds, and will enhance your viewing pleasure. 

                Many people throw bread out for the birds.  Birds will eat bread  but it doesn’t provide any of the nutrition they need so you aren’t doing them any favors.  Moldy bread is unhealthy for birds. 

What About Squirrels?

                Squirrels are a nuisance and besides eating all the bird food, they can also destroy a birdfeeder.  There are many remedies and tricks to combat the squirrels but there is only one way to eliminate them that doesn’t involve a weapon.  The best investment you can make before you buy any food or containers is a squirrel-proof feeder stand.  These are available at wild bird specialty stores such as Wild Birds Unlimited, and they really do work.  The people who make them know exactly how far a squirrel can climb, jump or hurl itself from a tree, so it really is worth the cost to buy a good feeder pole system from them.  They also offer a wealth of knowledge about birds and seed.  A good pole system may cost more in the beginning,  but it will last for many, many years.  And in the long run it is cheaper than feeding all those squirrels and replacing chewed up feeders.   Part of the perfect pole system includes a squirrel baffle that really works. Squirrels absolutely cannot climb around it to get to your feeders.  Or, for a few dollars more, you may purchase a raccoon baffle, because squirrel baffles don’t apply to raccoons, as I found out.  Only a raccoon baffle will stop a hungry raccoon and again, those clever people at the specialty store know the exact specifications for discouraging raccoons. 

                Once you start feeding the birds, stay consistent.  Birds will become accustomed to eating at your feeder.  Keep your feeders clean throughout each season. 

                Watching the birds at your feeder is very rewarding.  You will be surprised to see newcomers at your feeder during spring and fall migration.  You’ll come to recognize the regulars.  Once you start enjoying watching the birds, your next purchase will likely be a field guide so that you can identify those regular visitors as well as your transients.