Bird Feeding Basics - How to Feed Birds

Summary

This video offers essential tips for attracting birds to your yard, emphasizing three key factors: fresh water, shelter, and quality food. It covers how to provide water with bird baths or water features, offer cover through trees, shrubs, and birdhouses, and select the right food for various bird species. It also shares advice on positioning feeders, using different types like platform or tube feeders, and keeping food fresh. With practical advice on preventing squirrels from accessing feeders and creating a bird-friendly environment, this guide aims to enhance your backyard and support local wildlife.

Takeaways

• 😀 Provide fresh water sources like bird baths or water features to attract a variety of birds.
• 😀 Ensure there is plenty of cover, such as trees and shrubs, for birds to hide from predators and to nest.
• 😀 Consider adding nest boxes or bird houses to encourage birds to stay and raise their young.
• 😀 Keep cats indoors to protect the birds in your yard.
• 😀 Offer a variety of quality foods to attract different types of birds, especially in the winter.
• 😀 Use high-quality birdseed, such as black oil sunflower seed, safflower seed, and thistle seed, to attract a wide range of birds.
• 😀 Store birdseed in cool, dry conditions and use metal containers to keep out pests like mice and squirrels.
• 😀 Place feeders at different heights and in different areas to cater to various bird species.
• 😀 For winter feeding, use platform feeders and seed blends that can attract birds like cardinals, sparrows, and chickadees.
• 😀 Hang hummingbird feeders in the shade and ensure the nectar doesn’t spoil to support their survival, especially during migration.

Q & A

What are the three basic things you can provide to attract birds to your yard?

To attract birds to your yard, provide fresh water for drinking and bathing, plenty of cover for nesting and hiding, and a variety of quality foods for them to eat.

Why is fresh water important for attracting birds?

Fresh water is important because while birds can get some moisture from rainwater and dew, having a consistent and easily accessible water source, like a bird bath, can attract a larger variety of birds.

How can trees, shrubs, and hedges benefit birds in your yard?

These plants provide cover for birds to nest, hide from predators, and protect them from harsh weather conditions, making your yard a safer and more attractive environment for birds.

What is a key reason to keep your cat indoors if you want to attract birds?

Keeping your cat indoors prevents it from posing a threat to the birds, as cats can easily hunt and harm them.

What types of bird food are recommended for attracting a variety of birds?

It is recommended to use quality foods like black oil sunflower seed, safflower seed, thistle seed, and seed mixes containing nutritious ingredients such as millet and cracked corn. Some birds also enjoy fruits or peanuts.

What is a good way to store bird seed to keep it fresh?

To store bird seed, keep it cool and dry in a metal container to protect it from pests like mice and squirrels and prevent spoilage.

What is the best type of feeder if you want to attract a wide variety of birds?

A tube feeder is the best option as it can attract many different species of birds when filled with black oil sunflower seed or a no-mess blend.

How can platform feeders be beneficial for attracting birds?

Platform feeders are versatile and can be placed at different heights to attract a variety of birds. They are efficient and prevent seed spoilage when mounted higher off the ground.

What is a specific type of feeder used to attract small beaked finches?

A thistle seed feeder is designed specifically for small beaked finches, such as goldfinches and house finches, as they particularly enjoy thistle seed.

Why should you hang your hummingbird feeder in the shade?

Hanging the hummingbird feeder in the shade helps to prevent the nectar from spoiling quickly, ensuring that the birds have access to fresh food.

How can you prevent squirrels from accessing your bird feeders?

To prevent squirrels from reaching the feeders, mount the feeders on poles at least 5 feet off the ground and more than 6 feet away from trees, and use baffles to block their path.