If you want to attract more birds to your yard, you should consider purchasing wild bird nut feeders. These are an easy way to attract a variety of different types of birds. They are also an excellent method for keeping pests away. These type of bird feeders allow you to provide your birds with all kinds of food, including acorns, nuts, and seeds.
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Peanuts
Peanuts are a popular bird food. They are a great source of protein and fat. They can be eaten whole or in chunks. They are especially useful during cold spells.
Peanuts are native to South America. They are now grown around the world. The United States is one of the biggest peanut producing countries. India and Nigeria are also significant producers.
There are new cultivars of the peanut each year. These varieties vary in size, taste, drought tolerance, and disease resistance. Some even come with a little bit of extra finesse.
There are several kinds of feeders you can purchase for feeding your peanut-loving birds. Some are squirrel proof, and some allow for a variety of different birds.
The smallest is a simple tubular transparent container with a hole. It’s called a seed feeder, but is actually designed to hold sunflower seeds. These attract greenfinches and siskins.
A more elaborate design is a bird feeder that has a gable roof and a seed area. It’s made of high-quality wood, and offers a bird-friendly design.
Cracked corn
Cracked corn is a great food source for backyard wildlife. It’s high in protein and fiber. Many birds love it. It can be fed alone, or mixed with other types of seeds. You can find cracked corn at local wild bird stores or at agricultural centers that offer animal feed.
Cracked corn is an inexpensive way to attract backyard birds. It’s especially great for ground-feeding birds. It’s also a good alternative for larger birds with bigger appetites.
Cracked corn is a cheap, easy to use, and nutritious option. It is a favorite food of many backyard and forest birds. It’s perfect for feeding doves, ducks, chipmunks, squirrels, and raccoons.
If you have a large family of birds, cracked corn can save you money on birdseed. You can also feed cracked corn on its own or mix it with a bird seed of your choice.
While some birds won’t eat cracked corn, it can be a good snack for many of them. It’s not as messy as other types of birdseed.
Nectar and dish feeders
There are a lot of different types of wild bird nut and dish feeders. You can use your imagination to find a design that fits the needs of your birds. You also have to consider how to clean the feeders and what kind of maintenance you need to do.
Generally, the best type of wild bird nut and dish feeders are pan style feeders. These are easy to keep clean and are not leaky. However, they can be expensive.
The main advantage of a pan type feeder is that the nectar is well below the feeding ports. This prevents nectar from spilling. They are also more attractive to hummingbirds.
Pan type feeders are bee proof and usually feature a brass hanger. They can be a little more expensive to buy than other types of feeders.
You can use your imagination to fill them with fresh fruit and seed mixtures. Some popular seeds include thistle seeds and niger seeds.
Keeping birds from becoming pests
If you enjoy bird watching, you probably want to keep your wild bird nut feeders free of pests. You may be surprised to learn that you can actually attract some of these pests into your home. Some of the pests that you can attract to your wild bird nut feeders include mice, raccoons, and squirrels.
Rats and mice can carry diseases that can infect other birds. They can also contaminate surfaces with their droppings. You should disinfect your bird food and other feeders regularly. You can use a bleach solution to clean them.
You should make sure to place your bird nut feeders away from trees, shrubbery, and other places that can be a hiding place for pests. You can add baffles to your pole-mounted feeders. These can deter raccoons and squirrels from climbing and jumping onto your bird feeders.
Another method is to scatter seed to draw nuisance birds away from your wild bird nut feeders. Blackbirds and other colorful songbirds like millet. The seed can be purchased at stores that sell bird food.