Giving food to birds can be a rewarding experience and help our feathered friends survive, especially during harsh winters when food is scarce. However, there are some important factors to consider when feeding birds to make sure it is done safely and effectively.
What types of birds can you feed?
There are many types of birds that can be fed, including songbirds like sparrows, finches and cardinals, as well as woodpeckers, chickadees, nuthatches and other backyard birds. Waterfowl like ducks and geese can also be fed. It’s best to avoid feeding seagulls, pigeons, crows and other nuisance birds that may become dependent on human food sources.
What foods do wild birds eat?
Different birds have different natural diets depending on their species. Many backyard birds are primarily seed eaters who enjoy black oil sunflower seeds. Sparrows, juncos and doves favor small “filler” seeds like millet. Finches relish nyjer thistle seed. Cardinals, woodpeckers and nuthatches prefer shelled sunflower chips. Suet, peanuts and mealworms appeal to insect-loving birds like woodpeckers, nuthatches and chickadees. Fruits like raisins, currants and berries can be offered. Many birds will also visit bird feeders filled with nut and seed blends.
Should you feed birds bread?
Bread is not a recommended food for birds. Bread does not provide the nutrition, vitamins and minerals that birds need in their diet. Stale bread can be difficult for birds to digest. Moldy bread can make birds sick. However, occasional bits of bread are not harmful, as long as it makes up only a tiny portion of a bird’s overall diet.
What are the best bird feeders to use?
Good bird feeders for offering seed and other foods are tube feeders, hopper feeders, platform feeders and suet feeders:
- Tube feeders – Clear plastic tubes with perches and feeding ports. Good for sunflower seeds and nyjer thistle.
- Hopper feeders – House-shaped feeders that birds access from the bottom or sides. Work well for all types of bird seed.
- Platform feeders – Flat, open trays elevated above the ground. Allow easy access for all birds to a variety of foods.
- Suet feeders – Cage-like feeders with mesh openings to hold suet cakes. Designed for insect-eating birds.
Look for feeders made of durable materials that protect seed from weather and have drainage holes to prevent mold.
Where should you place bird feeders?
Here are some tips on where to position bird feeders:
- Place feeders where there is visibility from inside the house so you can enjoy watching the birds.
- Situate feeders near trees, shrubs or other cover so birds have a place to escape from predators.
- Elevate feeders on posts or hang from tree branches or shepherd’s hooks to deter squirrels.
- Put multiple feeders in different spots to reduce crowding and allow different species to feed.
- Avoid locations near windows where birds may collide with the glass.
How often should you feed birds?
Birds should have a constant source of food available. Here are some feeding frequency guidelines:
- Refill seed feeders when they drop below 25% full.
- Refill suet feeders when cakes are half-eaten.
- Refreshed softened fruit and mealworms daily.
- Clean and disinfect feeders every 2-4 weeks.
- Remove old seed hulls and empty seed from tray feeders daily.
Increase feeding during winter months when natural food is limited. Reduce feeding in spring and summer when birds can forage more widely.
How do you offer fresh water for birds?
Birds need a reliable water source for drinking and bathing. Here are tips for providing water:
- Use a bird bath, water basin or garden container 2-3 inches deep.
- Add a dripper, mister, fountain or bubbler to provide movement.
- Include rocks or stones for perching near the water.
- Change water at least every 2-3 days to keep it clean.
- Use a birdbath heater in winter to prevent ice.
- Position water sources near trees or bushes to minimize predation.
Should bird feeders and baths be cleaned?
Yes, it is important to keep feeders and bird baths clean. Here are some tips:
- Empty and scrub feeders with a 10% bleach solution about once per month.
- Use a brush to remove built-up debris and residue.
- Rinse thoroughly and let dry completely before refilling.
- Clean birdbath weekly by scrubbing and rinsing with bleach solution.
- Wash feeding platforms, ground under feeders, and any uneaten fruit.
This helps prevent spread of bacteria, mold and illness among birds using feeders.
What are the risks of feeding birds?
While most often safe, bird feeding does have some potential risks:
- Feeding can encourage large crowds of birds where diseases can spread.
- Rotten or moldy foods can make birds sick.
- Feeders and bird baths may harbor bacteria if not cleaned regularly.
- Birds at feeders are vulnerable to window collisions and predators like hawks and cats.
- Some birds become too dependent on human food sources.
Proper bird feeding practices can help minimize these risks.
What are the best foods for wild birds?
Here is a table of recommended bird foods by type:
Food Type | Recommendations |
---|---|
Seeds | Black oil sunflower, nyjer thistle, safflower, millet, mixed seed blends |
Suet | Pure raw suet, no-melt suet blends |
Fruit | Chopped raisins, currants, apples, berries |
Nuts | Peanut pieces, crushed nuts, shelled sunflower |
Insects | Mealworms, dried crickets |
Seek out high quality bird feeds without fillers, artificials colors/flavors or additives.
What feeder perch styles work best?
Different perch designs appeal to different species of birds:
- Small narrow perches – Good for finches and chickadees
- Large flat perches – Ideal for cardinals, doves, jays, grosbeaks
- Small gripper perches – Allow woodpeckers and nuthatches to cling
- Mesh cages or tail props – Enable swift acrobatic feeding by woodpeckers and nuthatches
Using feeders with a variety of perch types will accommodate more species.
Should you use squirrel guards on feeders?
Squirrel guards like collars, baffles and cages can help protect feeders. Here are some options:
- Metal guard collars on pole-mounted feeders deter climbing squirrels.
- Plastic or metal baffles place above feeders block access.
- Wire mesh cages allow birds in but exclude larger pests.
- Dome-shaped squirrel guards prevent access through top openings.
- Weight-sensitive feeders temporarily close when heavier squirrels land on them.
Using multiple deterrents like slippery poles, hot pepper powder and relocating feeders can also foil squirrels.
How can you attract more birds to your feeders?
Here are some tips to get more birds coming to your backyard feeders:
- Offer a variety of preferred seeds, suet, fruits and nuts to appeal to diverse species.
- Use feeders tailored for different birds like finch tubes or mesh suet cages.
- Situate feeders in safe, sheltered spots near bushes, trees or brush piles.
- Include separate feeding stations and multiple feeder types to reduce crowding.
- Provide a reliable fresh water source like a birdbath or fountain.
- Limit disturbance and maintain visibility from indoor viewing areas.
Placing feeders near diverse plantings and nesting spots will also encourage visiting birds to stay.
What are some common mistakes when feeding birds?
Some common errors to avoid when putting out bird food include:
- Letting feeders get dirty and fail to clean them regularly.
- Not providing adequate drainage in feeders leading to soggy seed.
- Overcrowding too many birds at one small feeder.
- Allowing feeds to get water-logged, moldy, rotten or full of droppings.
- Feeding birds inappropriate “people food” like bread, crackers, etc.
- Putting out too much food at once leading to waste.
- Using cheap, low quality bird feeds with fillers and additives.
Learning proper bird feeding techniques and following cleanliness, maintenance and hygiene practices can help avoid problems.
Conclusion
Bird feeding allows us to help wildlife while also enjoying seeing different birds up-close. Following the right practices for bird food, feeder placement and hygiene will ensure a safe, nutritious and rewarding experience for both birds and bird lovers. Understanding the diet, behavior and preferences of different bird species is key to attracting more variety to your backyard feeders. With proper care, bird feeding can be an excellent way to engage with nature close to home.