How to Feed Wild Birds in the Northeast
According to the Lab of Ornithology at Cornell University, over 65 million people provide wild birds with food each year. Giving birds a safe and reliable year-round place to gather food benefits everyone. Feeding birds helps supplement their diets and provides a food source during difficult winter months. Their presence also allows you to enjoy nature up close and observe the many beauties of these interesting animals.
- Difficulty:
- Moderately Easy
Instructions
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Research the different kinds of birds in your area. Use a regional bird guide to identify common wild birds. Observe the birds in your backyard and neighborhood. Talk to a bird expert at your local birding shop, who will have lots of information about birds specific to your area. Some common birds in the Northeast include the American goldfinch, blue jay, house sparrow, purple finch and robin.
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Purchase a bird feeder from your local hardware or birding store. There are three main types of feeders to choose from, each attracting different kinds of birds. Tray feeders are placed near the ground and welcome ground-feeding birds including sparrows and mourning doves. Hopper feeders are larger, allowing for the storage of seed, and need to be hung from a tree or a pole. These feeders attract larger wild birds such as cardinals and jays. Tube feeders also need to be suspended from a tree or a pole and, according to the Audubon Society, attract the largest variety of birds.
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Select a bird seed to draw the specific bird species you are interested in. Black oil or striped sunflower seeds attract the most varied types of birds. White millet and cracked corn are other favorites among small-beak ground-feeding birds. Instead of purchasing premixed bird seed at the store, create your own mixture. The Lab of Ornithology at Cornell University suggests stirring together one 25-pound bag of black oil sunflower seed, one 10-pound bag of white proso millet and one 10-pound bag of cracked corn. Add fruit pieces and peanuts to welcome berry-eating birds including mockingbirds, robins and bluebirds. Another food option is to hang a processed suet cake, which is a mixture of berries and seeds held together with beef kidney fat, in a mesh bag or wire black cage. These can be purchased at a store or made at home.
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Find a place in your backyard to hang the feeder. Choose a calm area that is free of noise and protected from the wind, rain and snow. Consider a location near a natural area, such as a tree or a large plant, to provide the birds with shelter. When hanging the feeder, think about how many birds may visit. To avoid competition for food, hang multiple feeders around your backyard. Place feeders at different levels to attract a variety of birds. Be sure to keep the birds safe; select a location that is at least three feet from windows to prevent window collisions.
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After about two weeks, depending on feeder usage, remove the feeder and clean it. It is important to thoroughly wash the feeder to prevent the spread of disease among the birds. To clean, empty any remaining seed from the feeder. Wash the feeder in a bleach-water mixture of nine parts water and one part bleach. Rinse the feeder thoroughly and refill with seed.
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Enjoy the birds. Once birds start visiting the feeder, spend time observing them. Use a bird guide to identify different birds.
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Tips & Warnings
If you do not have any bird visitors after a couple of days, sprinkle sunflower seeds directly on the ground. The seeds will bring attention to your feeder.
Store extra seed in a waterproof container, such as a metal or plastic trash can. Be sure to secure the lid tightly to keep out unwanted rodents and other pests. Choose a cool, dry place to keep mold and other bacteria from growing.
To attract more birds, consider adding a bird bath or other water feature. Place a shallow pan or dish on a stand and fill with water. During the winter, purchase a bird bath heater to keep the water from freezing.
Window collisions kill countless numbers of birds each year. Other ways to prevent them are adding bird decals, window films and reflective tape to your windows, especially those near the feeders.
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- Photo Credit tit feeding image by Studio Pookini from Fotolia.com
