A quick guide and facts to feeding and enjoying our feathered friend
Like many people, I am a seasonal bird feeder. I like to start feeding birds in the fall and go through the winter. September through March is a difficult time for birds, as many natural sources of food disappear in the winter months. For this reason is why I like feeding birds as a seasonal hobby.
Here are some more educational FAQs to help you become a more educated and better bird feeder:
- Choose the correct feeder. You may want more than one. A tube feeder with large holes will hold the larger seed, such as the popular sunflower seed. Just want to make sure that the port holes will accommodate the large seeds, nuts, and fruit.
- A tube feeder with small holes if for the thistle seed and feeding Finches.
- Birds prefer to live and eat in areas where cover in trees and shrubs is readily available. I like hanging my two feeders from the branches of trees.
- Some birds, like Cardinals, prefer to eat off the ground or from a platform feeder. These birds often prefer to feed close to brush or trees for safety. Finches will come to feeders, regardless of their location.
- Why is all the seed on the ground? – Many birds do not like certain seeds and grains used in bird seed mixes. They will “throw” this unwanted seed out while searching for more desirable seeds and grains. I see this happening all the time with my feeders. But the fallen seed seems to be popular with the ground feeders, such as Dove, Cardinal, and a few others. And, my squirrels seem happy with the fallen seed and less bothersome in trying to raid my feeder.
- So, how do you keep squirrels off your feeder? This can be tough. Squirrels are looking for food as well. It can become discouraging. Make sure that the feeder is at least six feet above the ground and ten feet away from any launching point like a deck rail. You can use a hanging baffle over the feeder as a deterrent. In my own personal case I have accepted the inevitable that squirrels will get to my feeder and have decided to enjoy watching them try to get to my feeders. Squirrels are obviously hungry as well.
- Some birds, like Blue jays and Nuthatches, take a seed or two and then fly to a perch to crack open the hull. They will then hide these seeds in trees and other places for later use.
- Birds do not stick to metal perches in the winter. Birds have no sweat glands in their feet, so there is no moisture to freeze onto the metal surface.
- And, lastly, don’t forget about providing some water for our feathered friends. I do not have a birdbath. I use plant saucers, sit on the ground, and keep the water fresh and not frozen.
So, I hope this information has been helpful. And, I hope that it helps you with enjoying nature and feeding our birds even more.
HAPPY BIRDING!!