Feed the Birds
Beginning with the basics, rest assured there is no right or wrong way to
feed wild birds. All it takes is a little bread of bird seed in the palm
of your hand, and your in the business of feeding chickadees. For most other
birds however, its your choice of a wide variety of seeds and an endless
selection of bird feeders, strategically placed to maximize your viewing
pleasure and enjoyment.
Types of Bird Food:
Here are the basic types of bird seeds and bird foods:
Seeds and their value to Birds:
| Sunflower |
High in protein and fats |
|
| Black Sunflower |
High in oil. |
|
| Sunflower Kernel |
High in energy |
|
| Cracked Corn |
carbohydrates, grit to grind seeds. |
|
| Safflower |
High in oils, but only specific birds will eat it. |
|
| Peanut Kernels |
High in fat and calories |
|
| Thistle (Nyger) |
High in oil. A favorite of finches. |
|
| Yellow Millet |
Vitamins, and protein |
|
|
|
|
Note: Squirrels like most seed. too. The exception... Safflower. Too
bad few birds eat Safflower.
A misnomer: What many of us call Thistle is actually Nyger.
Other Common Bird Foods:
Suet- high energy, and fat. Feed your birds suet during cool weather and
winter months. Suet is fat, and melts in warmer weather. It also spoils.
Discontinue use when high temperatures reach 70 degrees.
Vegetable treats- Peas, corn and other seeded vegetables.
Berry bushes- Blackberries, raspberries, blueberries. Almost any berry plant
or bush will attract a variety of birds.
Flying insects- a favorite of many birds, including purple martins, bats,
and many more.
Worms and grubs- in your soil and lawn. Just skip the grub killer one season
and you will attract a lot of birds.
As you know, backyard birds do not have teeth. They need grit in their gizzard
to help grind down the seeds they eat. In the winter, it may be hard for
them to find the grit they need. You can help by placing coarse sand near
the bird feeder. If you leave it out, they will find it.
Did you know? Egg Shells aid birds in digestion. Crush a few dried
egg shells and leave them at or near the feeder, especially in winter when
it is hard for birds to find tiny pebbles and grit.
Gardeners, here are some flowers that you can grow that will attract
birds to your yard:
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Amaranths
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Orach
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Aster
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Bachelor Button
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Goosefoot
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Thistle, any variety
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Cosmos
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Delphinium
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Purple Coneflower
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Blanketflower
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Sunflower
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Salvia
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Hyssop
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Flax
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Alyssum
-
Poppy
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Black Eyed Susan
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Pincushion Flower
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Zinnia
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Trumpet Vines
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Sorghum
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Millet, all kinds
Buy Flower Seeds that attract birds.
Bird Feeders- There are different bird feeders for different types
of birds. Hanging feeders and platform feeders. Specialized bird feeders
to hold different kinds of seed, and attract different types of birds.
Birds can become dependent upon your feeder. The toughest time for birds
to find food is mid winter when snow covers their food supply, and spring
when natural food supplies are low or exhausted. Once you start feeding the
birds, it is best to continue to do so until summer, when natural food is
plentiful.
Did you Know? Some birds feed upside down, so the bird perch and feeding
station needs to be placed accordingly.
As an avid bird watcher, you will want to take pictures of the birds that
visit your feeder. Sometimes, you will have your camera ready, and catch
a great shot. But, you can't be there every minute, awaiting the perfect
picture. A bird camera may be the solution. Just imagine the great shots
that an outdoor digital Bird Cam will take!
Buy a Bird Cam now!
Other:
Looking for the right flowers to grow to attract birds to your garden? Try
a selection of plants for the perfect
Hummingbird/Butterfly
Garden
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