5 minute read
Attracting feathered friends
How to attract fine-feathered creatures of varied species
by ANNETTE JOYCE
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Oak Ridge resident Martha Pittman doesn’t remember a time when she wasn’t interested in birds. Growing up, Pittman said she enjoyed watching the array of birds that were attracted to the many feeders her mother kept filled and listening to her father as he pointed out the various species of birds that crossed their path.
Not surprisingly, as an adult Pittman carried her parents’ habits with her and began feeding the feathered creatures that flew within range of her own home.
Pittman said she started out in the late ‘70s with a single feeder and a small bird bath on her deck. Today, her yard has seven feeders, some bluebird boxes and natural habitat to shelter the birds. She’ll add hummingbird feeders in the summer and landscape her yard to attract these busy birds as well as other pollinators.
Pittman is one of a growing number of people who have become fascinated with attracting birds and providing them with food and shelter. According to “Science Daily,” an online resource for scientific research, over 57 million households in the United States feed backyard birds.
Most people feed the birds because of a desire to help wildlife or to connect with nature. Others do so simply because they enjoy watching the different birds that come to their feeders.
Often people start out as Pittman did, with a single feeder, and continue to add feeders and birdhouses. But as a novice, where do you begin?
While choosing from the vast array of feeders and food can seem overwhelming, the best advice when starting out is to do a little research before you jump in – and keep things simple.
Feeders range from those that are basic and functional to those with highly decorative styles. Most feeders are designed for seed, but some are intended to hold packets of suet (animal fat), or in the case of hummingbirds, sugar water.
When selecting your bird feeder, look for one that is large enough to hold an ample amount of food. Especially in the winter, you don’t want to be outside filling up a feeder on a daily basis. Also, if you have a large squirrel population, it’s a good idea to go with a feeder that will deter these persistent creatures from cleaning out the feeder before the birds even get a chance to fly by.
Adobe Stock photo Putting out a mixture of bluebird pellets and mealworms is a great way to attract bluebirds. Planting bird-friendly bushes also makes for a welcoming yard.
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The food you select will determine the type of birds that are drawn to your feeder. For those just getting started, you won’t go wrong with using a mixture of seed types, which will attract a variety of birds.
Be aware that seed mixtures can be messy, because birds will pick through the seeds and throw out the ones they don’t want. Even so, this can be a good thing.
“Some birds won’t eat from the birdfeeder,” said Pittman, noting that birds such as doves prefer to get their food from the ground.
Sunflower seeds are a popular choice for attracting blue jays, cardinals, chickadees, finches, nuthatches and sparrows. Pittman likes to purchase the seed mix and then add extra sunflower seeds to make sure these birds hang out at her feeders.
Another option is suet, a cake of animal fat that’s often mixed with seeds and enclosed in a wire cage. This is a healthy source of protein and is especially good for birds during the cold winter months – in fact, according to allaboutbirds.org, raw suet grows rancid quickly when temperatures are above freezing so it’s not advisable to offer it except in winter.
Note, starlings are very fond of suet, so if you want to dissuade this species, allaboutbirds.org offers this advice: “Offer suet in a feeder that requires birds to feed hanging upside down. Woodpeckers, chickadees and nuthatches will access it easily, but starlings cannot.”
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Adobe Stock photo Sunfl ower seeds are sure to draw a few cardinals to your home. When a male (right) is courting a female, he will offer her seeds beak to beak.
A lot of people, Pittman included, especially like feeding bluebirds. This requires some target feeding.
Besides providing food, you’ll need to offer a water source. This could be a bird bath or a small bowl. In colder weather, you’ll want to keep a close eye on the water to make sure it’s not frozen.
Winter is a great time to start feeding your local birds, since that’s when their food supply is at its lowest. Just be sure to be consistent throughout the cold months.
Some people like to continue feeding in the spring when birds are breeding and tending to their babies, while others like to feed birds year-round. Depending on your preference, just try to be consistent throughout the season.
Also, clean birdfeeders on a regular basis to help prevent unhealthy conditions and diseases among your bird friends. Get rid of soggy seed, spray down your feeders and dry them before replacing the seed.
With just a little effort, you could be enjoying your own backyard entertainment and helping the wild birds as well. Who knows where one birdfeeder might lead?
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