Feeding Birds

Bird Feeder Basics Multiple Feeders - Place different types of feeders with different types of food at different levels to attract a variety of birds to create feeding stations Set up different feeding stations around your home Location - Quiet place, easy to refill, close to natural shelter, and protected from wind

Feeder Types Trays Birds it Attracts  Juncos  Doves  Jays  Blackbirds  Sparrows Pros vs. Cons  Attract the most diverse species  No protection from weather, squirrels, and chipmunks  Seeds will be soiled by bird droppings Where to Locate  Near the ground  On deck railing, stumps, or posts

Feeder Types Hoppers Birds it Attracts  Finches  Jays  Cardinals  Buntings  Grosbeaks  Sparrows  Chickadees  Titmice Pros vs. Cons  Attractive to many species  Protects against weather and bird waste  Holds a large quantity of seeds  Squirrels can still raid feeder Where to Locate  On a pole  Suspended

Feeder Types Hollow Cylinder and Tube Feeders Birds it Attracts  Finches  Grosbeaks  Sparrows  Chickadees  Titmice Pros vs. Cons  Attractive to many species  Protects against weather and bird waste  Somewhat Squirrel Resistant (metal feeding ports)  Multiple feeding ports  Excludes larger birds like grackles and jays Where to Locate  Suspended

Feeder Types Wire-Mesh/ Plastic Cages Birds it Attracts  Woodpeckers  Nuthatches  Chickadees  Titmice  Jays  Starlings  Wrens  Creepers  Kinglets  Cardinals  Orioles Pros vs. Cons  Holds high energy food that most birds enjoy  Attracts insect feeding birds  Raccoons and Opossums ransack feeders Where to Locate  Suspended  Attach to tree trunk

Feeder Types Nectar Feeders Birds it Attracts  Hummingbirds  Orioles Pros vs. Cons  Protects against weather and bird waste  Sugar water can spoil  Can grow harmful mold  Attracts species that do not eat seed Where to Locate  Suspended in Shade

Seed Basics Storage - Airtight containers that cannot be raided by pests and will not get moldy Cost - Feeding birds doesn’t have to be expensive, you can make your own mixes using less expensive seeds as filler Surrounding Habitat - Certain species of birds thrive in woodlands, prairies, and fencerows. Depending on what is near the feeders, the type of food to feed will vary Season – Depending on the season, different birds will be in the area

Types of Food Black Oil Sunflower Birds it Attracts  Finches  Cardinals  Grosbeaks  Sparrows  Chickadees  Titmice  Nuthatches  Jays  Woodpeckers  Blackbirds  Indigo Buntings What Type of Feeders  Tube Feeders  Hoppers  Trays Pros vs. Cons  Attracts greatest variety  Thin shells for smaller birds  High meat to shell ratio

Types of Food Striped Sunflower Birds it Attracts  Cardinals  Grosbeaks  Nuthatches  Jays  Woodpeckers  Blackbirds What Type of Feeders  Tube Feeders  Hoppers  Trays Pros vs. Cons  Attracts variety of birds  Thicker shell for large birds  High meat to shell ratio

Types of Food Safflower Birds it Attracts  Finches  Cardinals*  Grosbeaks  Chickadees  Titmice  Nuthatches  Sparrows  Doves What Type of Feeders  Tube Feeders  Hoppers  Trays Pros vs. Cons  Pest birds dislike safflower  More expensive than sunflowers seeds

Types of Food Corn Birds it Attracts  Sparrows  Blackbirds  Pigeons  Doves  Jays  Finches  Sparrows  Pheasants  Quail  Turkey What Type of Feeders  Tube Feeders  Hoppers  Trays  Ground Pros vs. Cons  Attracts game birds  Relatively inexpensive  Attracts pest birds

Types of Food Millet – Red and White Birds it Attracts  Finches  Sparrows  Blackbirds  Pigeons  Doves  Indigo Bunting What Type of Feeders  Trays Pros vs. Cons  Common filler in mixed seed  White is more appealing than red  Attracts undesirable species

Types of Food Milo/Sorghum Birds it Attracts  Cowbirds  Starlings  Grackles  Jays  Pigeon  Doves What Type of Feeders  Tube Feeders  Hoppers  Trays Pros vs. Cons  Most birds will eat if there is nothing better  Attracts pest birds

Types of Food Nyjer/Niger/Thistle Birds it Attracts  Finches  Indigo Buntings  Siskins  Redpolls What Type of Feeders  Tube Feeders Pros vs. Cons  Small seeds attract small birds  Discourages larger birds  Expensive

Types of Food Suet What Type of Feeders  Wire/Plastic Cages  Onion Bags Birds it Attracts  Woodpeckers  Nuthatches  Chickadees  Titmice  Jays  Starlings  Wrens  Creepers  Kinglets  Cardinals  Orioles Pros vs. Cons  Holds high energy food that most birds enjoy  Attracts insect feeding birds  Non-rendered suet can spoil

Types of Food Nectar Birds it Attracts  Hummingbirds  Orioles What Type of Feeders  Nectar Feeders Pros vs. Cons  Attracts nectar birds  Hard to clean  Can grow mold in hot weather

Types of Food Fruit Birds it Attracts  Robins  Cedar Waxwings  Thrushes  Bluebirds  Mockingbirds  Tanagers  Catbirds What Type of Feeders  Trays Pros vs. Cons  Attracts insect eating birds  Expensive

Types of Food Peanuts Birds it Attracts  Titmice  Chickadees  Nuthatches  Woodpeckers  Jays  Sparrows  Wrens  Siskin What Type of Feeders  Hoppers  Trays  Wire/Plastic Cages Pros vs. Cons  High in Protein  Popular with birds  Can mold

Types of Food Mixed Seeds Birds it Attracts  Depends on the seeds in the mix What Type of Feeders  Tube Feeders  Hoppers  Trays Pros vs. Cons  Attracts a variety of birds  Could have high levels of filler

Other Attractants Grit - Birds need to grit to help aid in digestion (ground feeder) Birdbaths - Birds need a source of fresh, clean water, this is key in the winter time Bird Houses - Provide shelter if there is none near Shrubs - Provide shelter, additional food source Brush Piles - Provide shelter Standing Dead Trees (snags)- Provide nesting location and insect food source