Bird feeders come in all shapes and sizes but generally serve the same purpose – to provide food and attract birds. What goes into a bird feeder depends on several factors, including the type of birds you want to attract, the time of year, and your budget. Proper bird feeder contents are key to creating an engaging habitat that brings delightful birds to your yard or garden.
What types of food can go in bird feeders?
There are many different types of bird food that can be offered in feeders, including:
- Seed – This includes mixes of millet, sunflower seeds (black oil and striped), nyjer, safflower, cracked corn, peanuts, and other seeds. Different seeds attract different species.
- Suet – Suet is fat, often mixed with seeds, nuts, or fruit. Offered in mesh bags, suet cakes, or plugs, it provides high energy for insect-eating birds.
- Nectar – Special nectar feeders dispense sugar water to attract hummingbirds and orioles.
- Fruit – Slices of apples, oranges, bananas, and other fruits can be skewered and hung in fruit feeders.
- Mealworms – Live or dried mealworms offered in specialty feeders attract robins, bluebirds, and other insect-loving species.
- Peanut butter – Offered in mesh bags or smeared directly onto tree bark or pinecones, peanut butter is relished by woodpeckers, chickadees, nuthatches and more.
The most common bird feeder contents are seeds and suet. Nectar and fruits can also be offered in certain feeders. Mealworms and peanut butter complement other feeder offerings.
What are the most popular bird feeder seeds?
Here are some of the top seed choices for bird feeders:
Black oil sunflower seeds – These are the #1 choice to attract the widest variety of birds. Chickadees, nuthatches, finches, cardinals, mourning doves, blue jays, woodpeckers and many others enjoy them.
Nyjer – Also called thistle, nyjer seeds will bring frequent visits from American goldfinches and pine siskins. They are tiny, black seeds high in oils.
Safflower – Safflower is loved by cardinals, mourning doves, grosbeaks, chickadees, and finches, but ignored by pigeons, grackles, jays, and squirrels. It is a good choice if unwanted visitors or seed-wasters are a problem.
White proso millet – A favorite of ground feeding birds like juncos, sparrows, and towhees, millet is best scattered directly on the ground or offered in tube feeders with catch trays.
Peanuts – Shelled, unsalted peanuts will attract blue jays, woodpeckers, chickadees, titmice, nuthatches, and other large beaked birds. They are often offered whole or chopped in mesh bags.
Cracked corn – An inexpensive choice for ground feeding birds like doves and jays. Chickadees and crows will also feed on the bits.
Mixed bird seed – Seed mixes combine several seed favorites to attract a diversity of birds. Mix contents vary widely by brand.
How much and how often should I fill my bird feeders?
To keep the birds coming back, aim to keep your feeders filled on a consistent basis. At minimum, check and refill empty feeders every 2-3 days. During peak feeding times or rapid consumption, replenish daily or even twice daily.
As for how much seed to offer, here are some general fill guidelines for common feeder styles and seed types:
- Tube feeder (mixed seed) – 3 to 5 pounds
- Hopper feeder (mixed seed) – 5 to 10 pounds
- Platform feeder (mixed seed) – 5 to 10 pounds
- Suet feeders – 1 to 2 cakes or bags
- Nectar feeders – 3 cups sugar nectar
- Ground feeding (millet, corn) – 1 to 2 pounds per day
Monitor to see how quickly each feeder empties and adjust amounts accordingly. Having ample feeder supplies will provide a stable food source birds can depend on.
When should I offer different bird feeder foods?
The time of year impacts the kinds of foods birds seek. Here are some seasonal considerations:
Spring – Black oil sunflower, nyjer thistle, and suet are excellent springtime choices when birds need fuel for nesting and raising young. Fruit supplements protein needs.
Summer – Continue sunflower and nyjer. Fruit, nectar, and mealworms help adult birds maintain energy in hot months and feed their fledglings.
Fall – Black oil sunflower, safflower, peanuts, and suet will help migrating birds fuel up for travel. Nyjer and fruit also help boost fat reserves.
Winter – Higher calorie sunflower, suet, safflower and peanuts help birds survive cold weather and maintain body heat. scattering millet and corn helps ground foragers.
Adjust feeder offerings throughout the seasons to provide birds what they need, when they need it.
What feeder types should I use for different foods?
Bird feeders are designed to dispense specific foods. Here are some common feeder and food matches:
- Tube feeder – Black oil sunflower, nyjer, safflower, peanuts
- Mesh feeder – Peanuts, fruit, suet
- Hopper feeder – Sunflower seeds, safflower blends, mixed seed
- Platform feeder – All seeds, especially millet and cracked corn for ground feeding
- Suet feeder – Suet cakes or plugs
- Nectar feeder – Sugar nectar mixes
- Oriole feeder – Orange halves, jelly
- Mealworm feeder – Dried or live mealworms
Choose feeder styles that allow birds to easily access the foods you want to offer. Multiple feeder types let you serve up a diverse buffet.
Should I offer feeder foods other than seeds?
While seeds definitely form the foundation of most backyard bird feeding, incorporating some non-seed foods can increase both the diversity of birds you attract and the variety of nutrients they receive. Here are some benefits to including suet, nectar, fruit, nuts, and other feeder foods:
- Provides essential proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals
- Offers variation from seeds
- Attracts orioles, hummingbirds, woodpeckers, and less common species
- Sustains migrants, nesting birds, and birds in harsh weather
- Discourages selective seed eating
- Adds color and interest for you to observe
A diverse feeder setup with suet, fruit, nectar, and other options combined with seeds will create a more dynamic backyard bird habitat. Feeder food variety keeps birds satisfied.
What are some mistakes to avoid with bird feeder contents?
To get the most out of your bird feeding efforts, here are some key mistakes to steer clear of:
- Letting feeders sit empty – Birds will look elsewhere for food if feeders go unfilled for too long.
- Offering stale or spoiled food – Discard old seed or suet and clean nectar feeders to prevent illness.
- Feeding the wrong foods – Research which birds eat which seeds and offer accordingly.
- Introducing too many new foods – Stick to 2 or 3 foods birds know to ensure they adapt.
- Overdoing treats – Peanuts and fruit are treats that complement seeds rather than replace them.
- Using cheap mixes with fillers – Poor quality seed won’t nourish birds adequately.
- Failing to tailor to seasons – Offer high fat and high energy foods in winter and more fruits/insects in summer.
Being thoughtful about maintaining fresh, appropriate feeder contents birds want and need will increase feeding success. Pay attention to your feeder visitors’ preferences.
What are some creative bird feeder food ideas?
Beyond basic seeds and suet, some creative ways to integrate different foods into your bird feeding include:
- Fruit kebabs – Thread grapes, berries, melon balls onto a skewer and hang in a fruit feeder.
- Bark butter – Spread peanut butter or suet on pine cones or stuffed into bark crevices for woodpeckers.
- Berry wreaths – Make a wreath out of strawberry halves, cranberries, grape clusters and hang for fruit-loving birds.
- Nectar pops – Freeze nectar in ice cube trays with a stick or small flowers included for whimsical feeding.
- Suet stuffed acorns – Place suet mixture inside an acorn cap and hang for chickadees.
- Peanut dough ornaments – Roll peanut butter and seed dough into balls or shapes and decorate outdoor trees.
Let your creativity go wild when making unique feeder foods to attract a diversity of wild birds to your yard!
Conclusion
The contents of your bird feeders will determine which feathered friends pay your yard a visit. Tailoring feeder offerings to your target bird species and the seasons, mixing up food types, and maintaining fresh supplies will lead to an active space. Whether you stick to basic seeds or get creative with fruit, suet, and nectar, your feeder habits directly influence the experience for backyard birds. Offer foods birds want and need and they will thank you with frequent filled flights to feast!