 Feeding
Birds & Bird Foods
Feeding and watching birds is one of the fastest growing
hobbies in the America. Around 60 million people feed birds
in the US. The only outdoor hobby that is more popular is
gardening and the two are natural partners. Feeding Birds and
watching them at feeders is enjoyed by all ages. For birds
the benefit is reliable food sources provided by feeders.
Many birds depend on feeders to get them through the winter.
All birds need food, water and shelter, but they all have
different needs. You are more likely to find certain birds if
you look in their normal habitat. You will also have more
success in your backyard or garden if you are feeding the
birds what they like.
Natural foods that birds eat include insects, worms; berries
and other fruit, flower nectar, nuts and seeds, tree sap,
buds of trees and shrubs, fish and small animals or other
birds, eggs, they even scavenge dead animal.
You can get a clue what a bird eats by the type of beak or
bill the bird has.
A thick cone shaped bill is good for cracking seeds. Examples
would be Cardinals, Grosbeaks, Finches, Sparrows and Towhees.
These birds eat seeds all year long. When seeds are scarce
they eat insects.
For a look at different types of bird beak see Anatomy.
Other factors that determine a birds diet include flight
habits, sight, and hearing. For example birds like the
Swallow that feed while flying rely mostly on insects for
food. The eyesight of Eagles and Hawks let them see prey from
great distances. The hearing of an Owl helps it detect
rodents in darkness. A Heron not only has ability to see
fish, but it is able to allow for refraction of the water.
Robins can see and hear slight movements of earthworms.
Seasons
Since the availability of food plays a large role in
determining what a bird eats, seasonal changes make a
difference. When fruits are ripe the birds feed on fruit.
Insects are more plentiful at certain times of a year. Birds
are great opportunists and will eat what is available. Most
migrating birds will eat to help build fat for their
migration.
WATER
Most birds cannot resist water and will make frequent trips
to a water source. A birdbath or pool in the backyard or
garden will usually attract a variety of birds. Birds usually
prefer water close to protective comer like shrubs or trees.
Garden birds usually like water far enough from vegetation
that they can keep an eye on what is around them and close
enough for them to dive for cover. They will check out the
water from a close by tree then dive down for a drink or
splash. For garden birds keep the water shallow. They need to
water to clean their feathers for flying and insulation
During cleaning most birds rub oil from the Preen gland on
their feathers. Some do what is called Anting where
they rub an ant on their feathers to help fight
parasites. This is thought by some to fall under the
use of tools and be a sign of intelligence.
When birds find a good source of water they likely return
repeatedly. By observing birds around water in the wild you
can create a spot in your backyard or garden that will
attract them. You can buy a bird bath or it is easy to make a
small pool. Use an old barrel, a plastic pool, or line a hole
it the ground with plastic sheeting.
Garden
The best way to develop a backyard that will attract birds is
to observe the birds in the wild. Birds like natural
habitats. A garden that looks like the natural habit is more
likely to be visited by birds then one with excessive
pruning. The reason nest boxes are used by birds is they have
the same function as tree cavities in the wild. By watching
birds in their natural surroundings you will get a good idea
of where to put your nest box or feeder.
Feeding Hummingbirds
Their unique habits and beautiful jewel colors make
Hummingbirds one of the most popular birds to watch. The two
main sources of food for Hummingbirds are nectar and small
insects. They will visit all flowers but are especially
attracted to red, orange and bright pink. To attract these
little bird jewels plant flowering annuals, perennials and
shrubs.
There are many different Hummingbird
feeders sold or you can make your own. As they say if you
build it they will come. They love sugar water. Here is a
simple formula. About 1 part white sugar to 4 parts water.
Boil the water, add the sugar until it dissolves and let it
cool. Once you get Hummingbirds coming to you feeders fill
them daily. You should clean them every few days. Rinse them
with hot water. A little vinegar added to the water will help
fight mold.
Unfortunately insects also like sugar water. For a hanging
feeder a little petroleum jelly on the wire will keep ants
away. Flying insects are a little harder. Try a small amount
of the jelly around feeder openings. You can also get bee
guards, plastic grates that cover the openings. Other birds
such as Sparrows, Woodpeckers, and Chickadees will also visit
the feeders, especially if there is a perch for them.
Providing food for birds
The main food bird feeders provide are grains, seeds, nuts,
and fats in the form of suet. Fruit and sugar water and even
bakery products are also good.
In addition to bird feed it is good to provide grit. Birds do
not have teeth and depend on hard particles in their gizzards
to grind up their food. You can get grit at bird feed stores
and garden centers. Some forms of grit are ground oyster
shells, sand with particles of quartz, crushed eggshells.
Eggshells will also give the bird calcium. Spread the grit on
the ground or put it in small containers away from the
feeders to avoid bird droppings.
Seeds and Grains
Bird seed can be found in a variety of retail stores. Many
experienced bird watchers will avoid much of commercial mixes
because they have inexpensive seeds in them the birds will
not eat.
You can attract specific birds by offering only certain feed.
One way to find out what the bird you want to attract eats is
to put containers of different foods out and watch which food
they eat. Preferences do change though so you may want to
test at different times of the year.
To get started go with the most popular feed.
Sunflower
Black Sunflower was designed specifically to feed wild birds.
Most birds that eat Sunflower prefer it. It is better for the
birds because it is rich in oil. Sunflower can be purchased
unshelled to lessen the mess.
Safflower
This seed will help you attract bird favorites and discourage
unpopular birds. It has hard shells and some birds like
Starlings have more trouble eating it. Other birds like
Cardinals, Chickadees and Nuthatches will love it. It is also
good for birds because it is rich in oil.
Niger Seed
This small black seed is a favorite of certain birds like
Goldfinches and Pine Siskin. Many other birds will prefer
other seeds. Again the best way to know is to test.
Corn
There are a number of forms corn can be offered in. Northern
Cardinals, Sparrows, Blackbirds and many others love cracked
corn. Corn cobs or corn meal mush are also popular. This
makes a great winter food because the high carbohydrates are
good for keeping birds warm.
Nutmeats
Nuts are a great winter food because they are high in
calories and fat. Some birds may have trouble with harder
shelled nuts. Peanuts have a lighter shell than most.
Other Bird Foods
Suet
Next to back-oil Sunflower suet is a favorite of people who
feed birds. Woodpeckers, nuthatches, Bluebirds, Chickadees
and many more birds are attracted to suet. Beef suet is the
best. You can get it from a butcher. If you are going to melt
it ask the butcher to grind it for you. Suet cakes can be
made with all kinds of tasty treats in them. Heat the suet to
melt it. Let it cool a little to thicken and add your
ingredients. You can add Raisins, peanut butter, fruits and
cornmeal. Pour the mixture in to small containers and store
in a freezer. If you don’t like the work you can buy
commercial suet cakes. They have the advantage of not
spoiling as fast, but many birds prefer the soft home made
cakes.
Baked Goods
Most birds love baked goods. White bread crumbs, doughnuts,
crackers, pancakes and more.
Fruit and Jelly
A bowl with cut up fruit and jelly will attract Robins,
Mockingbirds, Orioles and many others. Try putting half an
orange on a stick.
Mealworms
Orioles, Warblers, Purple Martins, and other birds will come
for mealworms. Wild bird supplies, pet stores and fish bait
shops will have mealworms.
Sugar Water
As mentioned earlier this is great for Hummingbirds. Many
other birds also like it. Grosbeaks, Cardinals, Finches,
Woodpeckers, and chickadees are just few of the birds that
will come to sugar water feeders.
The
Birds Shop has special bird seed and suet cakes.
Click here for Bird Feeders.
|
