Feeding wild birds is a popular American pastime that brings a wide variety of species together for observation purposes. Along with offering food sources, providing water supports hydration and bathing needs.
Provide the appropriate type of bird seed in your location. Low quality “bargain” mixtures may turn out to be costly in terms of unutilized seeds being dropped on the ground by birds.
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Bird Feeders
Choose a bird feeder that accommodates the type of seeds you would like to offer for maximum bird enjoyment.
A tube-style feeder is ideal for ground feeding birds like sunflowerseed and squirrels, featuring metal ports which shut when larger birds or squirrels climb onto it to prevent theft of its seed supply. Constructed from UV stabilized polycarbonate for durability and weatherproof performance; with its removable seed bowl and tray it’s also easy to maintain cleanliness.
In order to avoid attracting predators such as free-roaming cats, hang the feeder at least 12 feet from any brush piles or evergreen trees; additionally, choosing a location which offers natural cover may also help.
Bird Seed
Quality seed in a bird feeder can make an enormous difference in terms of bird health and numbers, especially if you want to attract wild birds. Cheaper generic mixes typically contain fillers like golden millet, red millet and buckwheat that have very limited nutritional benefits for those trying to attract birds.
Black oil sunflower seeds (commonly referred to as sunflower hearts) are the ideal and cost-effective bird seed option, enjoyed by chickadees, grosbeaks and cardinals alike. You can purchase them shelled for easier bird eating while stripey versions also exist with thicker shells that may prove harder for exotic species to crack open.
Higher quality seed blends might include hulled sunflower, safflower and nyjer seeds that attract birds like goldfinches, Indigo Buntings and pine siskins. Peanuts also make an excellent option that provides plenty of protein and fat content to draw wild birds to your feeder.
Bird Feeding Supplies
Many people enjoy feeding birds to attract beautiful wildlife into their backyards as a source of entertainment and relaxation. Others take pride in helping to sustain healthy environments for local bird populations; providing food can also protect native plants and animals against pests that might threaten them.
Birds require a diet rich in proteins and fats for feather replacement, migration, and winter survival. Sunflower seeds and hearts contain large quantities of oil to provide this energy source; other seeds include black oil sunflower seeds, hulled sunflower seed, nutra safflower, and peanuts.
An attractive seed mix is essential to drawing birds to your feeders in greater numbers. When selecting seed mixes for birdfeeders, quality should always come before quantity. Avoid low-grade mixes containing milo, red millet or wheat which only offer 8-12% protein and 2-4% fat content; opt for higher quality blends consisting of sunflowers, safflower and peanuts instead.
Bird Care
Maintaining clean feeders and food supplies for backyard birds is critical to their wellbeing, both for them as well as any pets or children that might roam into your yard. By investing in quality bird care supplies, your feeding station can remain fresh for years!
Your choice of seed blend will depend on which birds inhabit your region and climate, so speaking to an employee at a wild bird store about what works in your region would be invaluable.
Wild Bird Habitat was established as a family business in 1993. Since then, they have collaborated closely with numerous local and national organizations to protect wildlife habitat and educate people about wild birds. With unparalleled products and superior service for over 21 years, their commitment has earned them high praise both in industry circles as well as their local Lincoln communities – Lincoln Journal Star columnist Howard Wiegert named them Conservationists of the Year by Howard Wiegert while Nebraska Wildlife Federation hails them “Wildlife Communicators.” Their mission is to connect all with nature by inviting wild birds into yards!
