Usually, whenever the weather is severe, birds will appreciate a
reliable supplemental food source. In northern areas, start before the
onset of cold weather so birds have time to find the feeder.
When's the best time to stop?
Although you can feed birds year -round, especially with fruit and
nectar, you can stop feeding seeds once a reliable supply of insects is
available in the spring.
Is it best to stop feeding hummingbirds after Labor Day?
There is no evidence that feeding hummingbirds after Labor Day will
keep them from migrating. In fact, it may help a weakened straggler
refuel for the long haul. Leave your nectar feeders out until the birds
stop coming.
How long does it take for birds to find a feeder?
It may take more time for birds to find window feeders than hanging or
pole-mounted feeders. You may want to wrap aluminum foil around the top
of the feeder hanger. Sometimes all it takes is the reflection of light
on the foil to catch their attention.
My feeder is full of seeds. I haven't seen a bird in months. Am I doing something wrong?
When birds desert your feeder, it may be simply that a lot of natural
food is available nearby Or something may be wrong, such as spoiled
seeds or a contaminated feeder. Throw the seeds away and wash the
feeder. Look at where your feeder is placed. Be sure it's not
vulnerable to predators. At the same time, make sure it is not in an
open area, away from the cover in which birds usually travel.
Will birds' feet stick to metal feeders and perches in the wet winter weather?
Birds don't have sweat glands in their feet, so they won't freeze onto
metal feeders. There's no need to cover any metal feeders parts with
plastic or wood to protect birds' feet, tongues or eyes.
Do wild birds need grit?
Birds have no teeth to grind their food. The dirt, sand, pebbles and
grit they eat sit in their crop and help grind up their food. Adding
grit to your feeder is helpful, particularly in the winter and spring.
Crushed eggshells do the same thing, and in the spring have an added
benefit: they provide birds with extra calcium for producing eggs of
their own.
Can birds choke on peanut butter?
There is no evidence that birds can choke on peanut butter. However,
birds have no salivary glands. You can make it easier on them by mixing
peanut butter with lard, cornmeal or grit. Your birds will appreciate
drinking water too, from a bird bath or trough.
Won't suet go bad in the summer?
In the winter, raw beef fat from the local butcher is all you need for
your suet feeder. When temperatures rise, raw fat can melt and get
rancid. It's safer to use commercially rendered suet cakes in the
spring and summer months. Rendering (boiling) the fat kills bacteria.
What is hummingbird nectar? Do hummers need nectar fortified with vitamins and minerals?
You can make your own hummingbird nectar by adding 1/4cup of sugar to a
cup of boiling water. Remember, sugar water will ferment when left in
the hot sun, turning nectar deadly. Do not put out a nectar feeder if
you are not willing to clean it at least weekly, preferably twice a
week.
Hummers eat insects for their protein. There is no evidence that these
tiny birds need vitamin and mineral supplements. There is also no
evidence that adding red food coloring to nectar will harm the birds,
but it probably is not necessary to attract them. Just put your feeder
near red flowers or buy a red hummingbird feeder.
How can I avoid bees at my hummingbird feeder?
Bees will inevitably visit your hummingbird feeder, especially in hot
weather. Little plastic bee guards may help keep them from getting
nectar but it won't stop them from trying. Don't take the chance of
contaminating your nectar by putting vegetable oil around the feeding
portals. One solution is to add a few small feeders away from where
people are likely to be bothered by bees.
How close to my window can I put a feeder?
Birds will come right to your window. Sometimes it takes a while for
them to overcome their initial reluctance, so be patient. Don't worry
that a feeder on the window will cause birds to fly into the window.
Birds fly into the window because they see the reflection of the woods.
Window feeders and decals help break up the reflection.
Is cracked corn coated with a red dye safe to use?
No. The red or pink coating is capstan, a fungicide used on seeds meant
for planting. If you buy a bag of cracked corn or other seed treated
with capstan, return it to the store. It can kill horses, other mammals
and wild birds.
I bought a bag of sunflower seeds early in the spring. Over the
summer first noticed worms, then moths. What can I do to keep the bugs
out?
Moths lay their eggs in sunflower seeds. The eggs lay dormant as long
as the seeds are stored in a cool dry place. In the summer, seeds get
hot and the eggs hatch. The best way to avoid this problem is to buy
seeds in smaller quantities, or store your seeds in a cool, dry place.
It also helps to know where your retailer stores the seed. An
air-conditioned storage unit is the better choice.
Insects also lay their eggs in burlap bags. Don't buy seeds in burlap
bags. Don't buy seed in paper and plastic bags with patched holes. That
may be a sign of insect or rodent infestation.
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