From the Desk of Old Ben
Winter Bird Feeding
If you feed birds, you're in good company. Feeding birds is one of North America's favorite pastimes.
A 2018 report from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimates that about 60 million Americans provide food for wild birds.
Wintertime is Not Easy
In much of North America, winter is a difficult time for birds. Days are often windy and cold, nights are long and even colder. Vegetation has withered or been consumed, and most insects have died or become dormant. Finding food can be especially challenging for birds on cold days. Setting up backyard feeders makes their lives easier and ours more enjoyable.
Types of Bird Food
During the spring and summer, most songbirds eat insects and spiders, which are highly nutritious, abundant, and for the most part, easily captured. During fall and winter, non migratory songbirds shift their diets to fruits and seeds to survive. This is the time of year when bird feeding enthusiast roll out the welcome mat and set the table.
Which Seed Types Should I Provide
Black oil sunflower seeds/chips attract the greatest number of species. These seeds have a high meat to shell ratio, they are nutritious and high in fat. Their small size and thin shells make them easy for small birds to handle and crack. Although sunflower seeds/chips are the overall favorite, some birds prefer other seeds. For example blackbirds like corn, and doves prefer millet and safflower. Nyger is a delicacy for small finches such as goldfinches, and siskins. Nyger seeds are small. Offer them in special Nyger feeders. Most ground feeding birds prefer Old Ben's No Mess seed to black oil sunflower seeds.
Water, Water, Water
A dependable supply of fresh water will attract many birds to your yard, including species that don't normally visit feeders. A shallow easy to clean birdbath is best. Clean your birdbath often and keep it filled with fresh water.
Feeder Placement
Place your feeders close to natural shelters such as trees or shrubs. Evergreens are ideal, providing maximum cover from winds and predators. A distance of 10 feet from trees and shrubs seems to be ideal. You can provide resting and escape cover for ground dwelling birds, such as Song Sparrows, by placing a large, loosely stacked brush pile near your feeders.
Helpful Hints For Successful Bird Feeding:
-- Avoid overcrowding at feeders by placing numerous feeders several feet apart.
-- Keep your feeding area and feeders clean.
-- Keep food and food storage containers dry and free of mold and insects.
-- Check your feeders for safety. Sharp edges can scratch birds and lead to infections.
If You Build it, Will They Come
It may take a while for birds to discover a new feeder. If you are not seeing birds within a few days of setting up your feeder, try sprinkling some seeds on the ground around the feeder to make the new feeding site more obvious.
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