Bluebirds are beautiful songbirds that many backyard birdwatchers enjoy seeing. To attract bluebirds to your yard, putting up a bluebird feeder specifically designed for them is key. But with so many options on the market, how do you choose what kind of bluebird feeder is best?
What Do Bluebirds Eat?
Bluebirds are omnivores, meaning they eat both plant and animal matter. Their diet consists mainly of insects and berries. Some of their favorite foods include:
- Mealworms
- Waxworms
- Crickets
- Grasshoppers
- Spiders
- Caterpillars
- Berries
- Fruits
While bluebirds will eat seeds and nuts, they prefer foods high in protein and fat like insects. This is especially important during breeding season when they need extra nutrition to raise their young. Mealworms are a particular favorite of bluebirds.
Key Features of Bluebird Feeders
To attract bluebirds, you’ll want a feeder designed specifically with their needs in mind. Here are some key features to look for:
- Open design: Bluebirds like to perch on an open feeder and spot their food easily. Closed tube feeders are not ideal.
- Size: The feeder hole or tray should be large enough for bluebirds to easily enter and eat from but small enough to discourage larger birds like starlings.
- Raised platform: A raised perching area allows bluebirds to conveniently access the feeder tray.
Best Bluebird Feeder Types
There are a few common feeder styles designed for bluebirds:
Tray Feeder
Tray feeders, also called platform feeders, have an open flat surface for placing food. This allows easy access for bluebirds. They often have a raised perching area and a wire mesh cover to keep larger birds out.
Tube Feeder
Tube feeders designed for bluebirds have large openings of 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 inches specifically sized for bluebirds. This allows them to feed while keeping out bully birds. Choose tube feeders with perches at the feeding ports.
Basket Feeder
Basket feeders have an open wire mesh basket design that allows bluebirds to easily enter and exit while feeding. Choose a basket feeder with smaller mesh openings to hold in mealworms.
Tips for Attracting Bluebirds
Follow these tips to make your bluebird feeder as attractive as possible:
- Place the feeder in an open area about 5-10 feet off the ground near trees or shrubs.
- Use quality bluebird feed specifically designed to meet their dietary needs.
- Offer mealworms which bluebirds love.
- Keep feeders clean to prevent disease.
- Provide nest boxes for bluebirds to raise their young.
- Discourage house sparrows and European starlings from taking over the feeder.
Best Foods to Offer Bluebirds
Here are some of the top foods to offer bluebirds:
Mealworms
Fresh or dried mealworms are a bluebird favorite. Offer them live or freeze-dried in tray, tube, or basket feeders.
Waxworms
Waxworms are soft-bodied larvae that bluebirds find irresistible. They have a high fat content to fuel energy needs.
Crickets
Crickets make great nutritious snacks for bluebirds. Live or freeze-dried crickets can be placed in open tray or basket feeders.
Berries
Try offerings berries like raisins, currents, or even blueberries that bluebirds can pick out of platform feeders.
Fruit
Chunks of apple, oranges, melon, and other fruits provide a sweet treat. Skewer pieces onto a branch or offer in small trays.
Bluebird Pellets
Specially formulated pellets provide a balanced diet of seeds, grains, nuts, and dried fruit bluebirds enjoy. Look for smaller sized pellets.
5 Best Bluebird Feeders
Here are 5 highly rated bluebird feeders to consider:
Feeder | Type | Highlights |
---|---|---|
Perky-Pet Bluebird Feeder | Tray feeder | Raised perches, roof to shield food, drain holes |
Songbird Essentials Bluebird Feeder | Tube feeder | Two large feeding ports, removable basal tray |
Woodlink Going Green Bluebird Feeder | Basket feeder | Durable wire mesh basket, easy to hang |
Audubon Bluebird Feeder | Tray feeder | Lead-free copper roof, drainage system |
Squirrel Buster Bluebird Feeder | Tube feeder | Weight-activated squirrel deterrent |
Building Your Own Bluebird Feeder
Want to DIY your bluebird feeder? You can easily make one at home with some simple supplies.
What You’ll Need
- Small plastic food storage container or wood box about 6 inches across
- 1-2″ diameter PVC pipe, 5-6″ long
- Wood branch or dowel rod for perching
- Power drill
- Zip ties, screws, glue
- Outdoor waterproof wood sealer (if using wood box)
Instructions
- Drill 1 1/4″ to 1 1/2″ holes in the sides of the container spaced a few inches apart. These are the entry points for the bluebirds.
- Cut the PVC pipe into 1-2″ segments. Drill holes in the caps if using caps. Glue or screw caps on if desired.
- Insert the PVC segments into the holes drilled into the container to create perches.
- Drill small holes in the bottom of the container for drainage.
- Attach a wood branch above the platform using screws or zip ties to create an additional perching area.
- Seal and waterproof wood box if needed before drilling.
Then simply mount your homemade bluebird feeder in place and fill with yummy mealworms or other foods bluebirds love. You may need to experiment with the height of the perches or size of the entry holes to get it just right.
Conclusion
Attracting beautiful bluebirds to your backyard is easy with the right feeder design and food. Look for an open feeder style like a tray, tube, or basket feeder. Offer mealworms, waxworms, crickets, fruit, and bluebird pellets. Locate the feeder in an open area near trees and keep it clean. With a quality bluebird feeder and tasty food, you’ll be enjoying the sight of these gorgeous songbirds in no time.