Feeding Backyard Birds

We previously discussed weaning backyard birds onto your feeder foods. In doing this, you may have noticed that at first, wild birds were busy at your feeders even though you may have not kept them up all day.

Now, you probably find few wild birds at your feeders. This is likely happening because other bird watchers in your area have feeders up – possibly all day.

I myself, have them up from 11:00 until 7:00. Thus, my neighbors are seeing my feathered friends in the morning – I often do not see them until afternoon.

Though food sources (insects, weed seeds, and berries) are still available, you may want to keep feeders up to keep a group of backyard birds at your feeders throughout the day. After all, you have put out the welcome mat, so make them at home.

As for myself, I am keeping my feeders up all day long.

- Craig Curtis

I am Craig Curtis. I am in my early twenties.

My interest in backyard birds began shortly after my German Shepherd “Penny” died when I was a teenager.

There was no life outside the kitchen window.

All I thought of was Penny. I wanted to see life outside the window. Then, I noticed the makeshift birdbath outside in the flowerbed and the birds that came around to it.

I bought a feeder along with food and a new pair of binoculars, and before long, I moved on from Penny’s death. I now have five feeders and birdbaths that are more appropriate and I have become quite familiar with my backyard birds.

Now I feed backyard birds for the simple pleasures they bring. They are charming, funny and beautiful. I like the unique characteristics of each species of birds. I find their unique personalities captivating and their antics humorous. They really are our feathered friends.

They may not literally say “Thank You” for the food or water that we provide, but somehow our feathered friends return our favor with the peace of mind and joy they bring.

When researching the benefits of feeding backyard birds for each season, I noticed that many bird watchers and enthusiasts stress that feeding wild birds is for mere pleasure. Frankly, I disagree with this view. Although I take whole-hearted pleasure in feeding backyard birds myself, I realize the struggle wild birds face from season to season, and I want you to realize this too.

I live in a rapidly developing rural area in South Central Pennsylvania, which – unfortunate for backyard bird’s habitat – is becoming suburban. Behind our house, expensive homes replace farm fields and wood patches. Down the road, several fields are being developed and commercialized. Factories, strip malls, shopping centers, and car dealerships have replaced yet more acres of adjacent farmland.

More development means less and less food and shelter for wild birds. This is not just happening in my locale, it is happening in yours and all across the globe. For this reason, keep in mind when you put out feed, you really are helping our feathered friends survive each day.

Remember, feeding backyard birds is not just for mere pleasure, but also for the benefit of backyard birds.

-Craig

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As mentioned earlier, in summer, wild birds instinctively fend for themselves. As they search, they must not only find native plants to feed from, they also must find sufficient cover and nesting because of habitat destruction in developing areas.

Many who enjoy bird watching like to help wild birds by providing birdhouses as nesting boxes. While this does aid wild birds, it only helps to an extent. In addition to providing birdhouses, bird watchers can help wild birds greatly by planting native plants that serve as cover and nesting. Bird watchers greatly reduce the stress of backyard birds that are in great need of these necessities.

Wild birds have a better source of protection from the tree’s foliage, and keep cool in its shade.

As a bird watcher, what should you plant to provide cover and nesting for wild birds?

Here are a few suggestions.

Native cover and nesting for summer

Logically, coniferous plants (evergreens) provide food,

cover and nesting all throughout the year. Whereas, deciduous plants only provide nesting and shelter spring — fall while they produce fruit at various times of the year.

For this reason, we will feature deciduous plants for the shelter and nesting they provide in summer.

-Craig

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I have noticed in the course of feeding backyard birds during the Spring months in South Central Pennsylvania, that House Finches and Goldfinches tend to be more dependent on human food sources, whereas Chickadees and Titmice fend more for themselves.

Why might this be the case? Chickadees and Titmice are likely to come and go through spring, but only to supplement their diet. Most of their time is spent eating insects, arachnids, larvae, plant buds and berries along with their seeds.

House Finches and Goldfinches feed mostly on weed seeds and grains. And the majority of grains develop in late summer. Weeds flourish then as well. Thus, if focusing on feeding common backyard birds in spring, consider Finches foremost because food sources will be scarce for a l

onger period of time.

-Craig

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I have decided to try and get into some backyard bird watching/feeding. I have been searching for a good book online, and am having difficulty in telling if it is what I am looking for. Anyone know of a good book that will explain about types of birdhouses, feeding/feeders, things that go along with all of that, and possibly (hopefully) including some kind of a guide to help you identify the backyard birds in your yard?
Check your local library. They usually have lots of books on birds, birdfeeders and identifying species. When you find one that is right for you, you can get it at a book store . My favourite book for bird identifying is by Roger Tory Peterson. Here is a link to get you started. Have fun! http://www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com/peterson/petersonhome.cfm

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I’ve loved birds for many, many years, but I never really thought about feeding and watching them until now! I’m a road biker, and with plenty of natural beauty around where I live, I come across plenty of birds on my rides. Today I biked out to a couple ponds and tossed bird seed here and there, trying to lure some birds into a free meal. It didn’t go so well. They either ignored me entirely, or I tossed the seed to close to them and I scared them off. I was using a common wild bird mix from the grocery store, but the birds didn’t seem too interested. Is it fairly hard to get the attention of small wild birds? Do you have any tips for me? I’d really like to get a couple birds close to me so I can film them. Thanks!
You can put bird feeders around your own yard and film them there. They have to get used to a regular meal. That way they will come back. If they are out and about you will have to feed them they a bunch of times before they will sit there and feed. Plant some big sunflowers in your yard also. They will attract gold finches house finches and cardinals for sure. Plant red flowers to attract humming birds. This is good to attract gold finches also. Save your cooking grease and put it in coffee cans. Store these in the fridge and put them out in the winter time. They will learn that there is suet in there. Birds will come from miles around if you feed them right. I guess a lot has to do with where you live and what they eat. I am using Kentucky as my example.

Please visit my Squidoo Lens: Why Feed Birds in Winter

New Lens being added too: Why Feed Birds in Spring

I’m not quite sure of the direction this site is going. In the meantime, enjoy the posts.

-Craig

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