By using sunflower seeds only, they will avoid the feeder, but so will some of the more desirable species. Once you’ve attracted these aggressive gluttons, it’s hard to get rid of them. To deter these pests from hogging your station, place cobs of corn or peanuts in the shell for them around your property, far from all feeders.Īlso annoying are starlings and House Sparrows. Squirrels can be an ever-present problem around even the best located feeders. The Competitionįeeding birds doesn’t come without its share of frustrations. Some people stock their feeders all year, while others stop in April or May or whenever natural food becomes available for the birds. Since you'll want the birds to find your feeder before cold weather sets in, September is a good time to start stocking it with food. Most likely, the less cautious sparrows and starlings will be the first guests, but others like cardinals, chickadees, and jays will soon follow. This can produce a larger variety at your feeder. Harsh Northern winters often force certain species farther south than usual. Your feeder won’t be an immediate success, but as Northern birds’ food grows scarce, many will move south to their wintering grounds-your backyard. You’ve made a feeder, hung it in its proper place, and loaded it with seeds birds dream about, but there are no birds. It’s also best to place the feeder 15 feet away from brush or thick bushes since you don’t want to offer your feathered guests as fast food for a hungry cat. This discourages squirrels, which are fond of seed and able to get at almost anything. With the exception of the window feeder, stations should also be placed 10 feet from any buildings. Sheltered areas are best not only because birds won’t tolerate strong winds, but a hanging feeder may be blown about and lose much of its seed.Īll feeders should be at least 5 feet from the ground and 10 feet from the nearest tree or overhanging branch. All feeders should allow you to see the birds easily.
The type of feeder you use will determine where to place it. Location of the feeder is as important as the seed you put into it. Commercial grit is available, usually crushed oyster shells. Without grit, most birds can actually starve at even the best stocked feeders. Pieces of fruit (orange halves, raisins, cherries) are appealing to woodpeckers in winter and tanagers and orioles in summer.Īlso, because birds lack teeth and need some coarse material to grind their food, some type of grit is necessary to round out your feeding program. Soapy beef suet is best, but remember to remove it during extended periods of warm weather since it spoils quickly. Insect-eaters such as woodpeckers, chickadees, and nuthatches like suet, which is available at most meat counters and often is free. Seeds aren’t the only food attractive to birds. It’s important to fill your feeder with the correct seed if you want to attract more than just snow. Birds that normally eat insects-nuthatches, chickadees, and woodpeckers-often change their diets to seeds in winter.
LARGE BIRD FEEDER PLANS CRACKED
Some, like goldfinches, cardinals, and House Finches, will dive into a pile of sunflower seeds but turn up their beaks at cracked corn. Like people, birds have preferences for certain foods.
No matter where you live, it’s crucial that once you’ve begun to feed them in the winter, don’t stop, because the birds will come to depend on finding food in your backyard. Rural and wooded areas will attract woodpeckers and titmice, while urban and suburban areas will tend toward cardinals, jays, and House Sparrows. Habitat will also determine what kinds of birds you’ll entertain. Bobwhite, Hermit Thrush, and Redbellied Woodpecker frequent the Southeast, while the Southwest hosts California Quail, Plain Titmouse, and Scrub Jay. In the East, Tufted Titmouse, Cardinal and Blue Jay are common. West of the Rockies, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Pine Siskin, and Bushtit will find your banquet. Of course, not everyone will have the same species in his or her backyard.
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