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Feeding the Birds

Posted by Admin on December 15th, 2008 filed in Uncategorized

Do you have a bird feeder in your backyard? Bird watching is becoming more and more popular among Americans. Recent surveys show almost half the households in the US feed wild birds with birdfeeders in their yards.

It’s not hard to see why…feeding birds allows us to bring them close so we can see them better. They can bring entertainment and something interesting to focus on during a long, cold winter.

It’s not only good for us, though. By setting up a backyard bird feeder we can make birds’ lives easier, too. Winter can be especially hard for birds and finding food can be difficult during periods of extreme cold.

So…just what should you serve your birdie friends for dinner? And how would it be best served? There is a lot to choose from as far as food types and feeder types. It can be hard to choose what kind of food to serve and exactly how.

Today I have some basic info about feeder types that may help you decide what will best for you and your little feathered friends.

Tray or Platform Feeder:

This is any flat surface for spreading bird seed. Trays attract most species of wild birds, but the disadvantage is that they offer no protection against squirrels, chipmunks, or precipitation. Also the seed can become soiled by droppings from the birds. A roof will provide some protection from the weather. Be sure your tray feeder has drainage holes.

Hopper or House Feeder:

This is a platform feeder with walls and a roof. This feeder protects seeds against the weather, but not against squirrels. It keeps seed cleaner also. Hopper feeders attract most feeder birds. Hopper feeders can be mounted on a pole or hung from a hook or a branch.

Window Feeder:

This is usually made from clear plastic and suction-cupped to a window. This type of feeder attracts finches, sparrows, chickadees, and titmice and is nice because it allows close-up views of the birds as they feed.

Tube Feeder:

This is a hollow cylinder made of plastic with multiple feeding perches. Tube feeders keep seed clean and dry and they are somewhat more squirrel resistant. The birds attracted depend on the size of the perches under the feeding ports.

Thistle Feeder:

This is a special tube feeder with extra-small openings to dispense tiny thistle seeds. Thistle is also known as niger. These feeders attract finches mostly. Thistle “socks” (fine-mesh bags) can be hung for birds to cling to extract the seeds.

Suet Feeder:

This is a wire-mesh cage or plastic-mesh bag that holds suet. This type of feeder can be nailed or tied to a tree trunk or suspended.

Next: Choosing the best bird food

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