Learn About Bird Feeders
Bird feeding is the human provision of supplemental food and water for wild birds. It is especially beneficial to birds during winter when their natural supply of food or water is scarce or temporarily unavailable, although it may be practiced throughout the year. This is where a bird feeding station, made up of various types of bird feeders can help the most.A bird feeder station may simply be a place where food is scattered on the ground, but bird feeders are more effective in luring specific bird species. The habitat prevailing in one’s backyard greatly determines its attraction to birds. The backyard bird feeder encourages them to take a look at what humans have to offer. Bird enthusiasts should not be surprised in the increase in crowd size and variation of bird species that would come as word spread among birds about their feeders. Even those living in the cities will get unusual bird visitors that would find their feeders and stop in on migration.
- American Goldfinch
- American Kestrel
- Ash-throated Flycatcher
- Bald Eagle
- Baltimore Oriole
- Barn Owl
- Barn Swallow
- Barred Owl
- Barrows Goldeneye
- Belted Kingfisher
- Bewicks Wren
- Black-capped Chickadee
- Blue birds
- Blue Jay
- Brown Thrasher
- Bufflehead
- Bullocks Oriole
- Cardinal
- Carolina Chickadee
- Carolina Wren
- Catbird
- Cedar Waxwing
- Chestnut-backed Chickadee
- Chickadee
- Crow
- Dark eyed Junco
- Downy Woodpecker
- Ducks
- Eastern Bluebird
- Eastern Phoebe
- Eastern/Western Screech Owl
- European Starling
- Finch
- Golden-fronted Woodpecker
- Grackles
- Great Crested Flycatcher
- Hairy Woodpecker
- Hawks
- Hooded Merganser
- House Finch
- House Sparrow
- House Wren
- Indigo Bunting
- Juniper Titmice
- Meadowlark
- Mountain Bluebird
- Mountain Chickadee
- Mourning Dove
- Northern Flicker
- Northern Mockingbird
- Northern Saw-Whet Owl
- Oak Titmouse
- Owls
- Pigeon
- Pileated Woodpecker
- Pine Siskin
- Purple Finch
- Purple Martin
- Red Bellied Woodpecker
- Red Breasted Nuthatch
- Redheaded Woodpecker
- Red-tailed Hawk
- Robin
- Rose-breasted Grosbeak
- Ruby-throated Hummingbird
- Scarlet Tanager
- Song Sparrow
- Sparrows
- Stellers Jay
- Towhee
- Tree Swallow
- Tufted Titmouse
- Western Bluebird
- White-breasted Nuthatch
- Wood Duck
- Woodpeckers
- Wrens
Bird feeders allow people to observe birds up-close especially with a window feeder. To fully enjoy this opportunity, a feeder should primarily be easy to use for both the owner and the birds. Difficulty in use discourages the owner to maintain it while rendering it useless or harmful to the birds.
A person intending to put out his/her first bird feeder would do well to start with a feeder that is easy to fill and holds a reasonable amount of food. A bird feeder that displays the food in full view is highly recommended since birds are attracted by the sight of food and the sight of other birds eating. In this case, an open tray bird feeder would be great for starters.
Bird feeders should have plenty of room for birds to eat without protrusion or decorations disturbing or preventing then from eating. This is an instance where birds would appreciate a perch or a raised ledge which they can grasp while eating. Owners of bird feeders should always make sure that the food they are offering are still good to eat. Extra attention should be given to foods that easily spoil.
Birds that come to bird feeders want food and they want it fast. A main tray feeder that is big enough for at least a dozen birds to eat at once is necessary. This can then be supplemented by other types of feeders such as the hopper and tube bird feeders. Caged bird feeders give small birds a place to eat without competition from larger birds, as well as from predators. The suet and nectar bird feeders attract specific bird species that would otherwise not be seen in other bird feeders. Numerous specialty bird feeders have been developed in consideration of the nature of particular birds.
A well-made bird feeder will last for years and will provide unlimited source of wonder and joy. However, bird feeding is not only about the structures or containers but also about the foods and treats that are guaranteed to bring wild birds flocking to a backyard. Educating oneself will ensure that the birds are provided for with little waste.
It is not true that these birds will wither away and die if humans neglect to feed them. The fact is that birds go to their accustomed places first to find food and will head off to seek sustenance elsewhere when no food is found. Thus, a well maintained bird feeder is very critical especially during winter and the nesting season.
Combining plants with feeders will work in attracting more variety of birds. Since the seeds and other preferred treats have their target bird species, bird-favored plants attract the insect eaters and the fruit lovers. These are the species that are not tempted by even the tastiest bird seeds or foods contained in the fanciest bird feeders.