Bird Feeders & Food

Welcome to Birdwatching Guru: Your Guide to Bird Feeders and Food

At Birdwatching Guru, we’re passionate about helping you attract a diverse array of bird species to your backyard. One of the best ways to do this is by providing bird feeders stocked with a variety of nutritious foods. In this guide, we’ll explore different types of bird feeders and the best foods to use in them to attract a wide range of feathered visitors.

Types of Bird Feeders

1. Tube Feeders:

  • Tube feeders are cylindrical in shape with multiple feeding ports.
  • Ideal for small to medium-sized birds like finches, chickadees, and titmice.
  • Can be filled with various seed mixes, including sunflower seeds, nyjer seeds, and millet.

2. Hopper Feeders:

  • Hopper feeders have a tray or platform with a roof to protect the seed from the elements.
  • Suitable for larger birds like cardinals, jays, and doves.
  • Can be filled with sunflower seeds, mixed seeds, peanuts, and cracked corn.

3. Platform Feeders:

  • Platform feeders are flat surfaces where birds can perch and feed.
  • Attract a wide range of birds, including ground-feeding species like sparrows, juncos, and doves.
  • Can be stocked with a variety of foods, such as mixed seeds, nuts, fruit, and suet.

4. Suet Feeders:

  • Suet feeders are cages or holders filled with blocks or cakes of suet.
  • Popular with woodpeckers, nuthatches, and other insect-eating birds.
  • Can be supplemented with nuts, seeds, berries, and mealworms for added nutrition.

5. Nyjer Feeders:

  • Nyjer feeders have small ports designed specifically for dispensing tiny nyjer seeds.
  • Attract finches, sparrows, and other small seed-eating birds.
  • Require special feeders with small holes to prevent spillage and waste.

Types of Bird Food

1. Black Oil Sunflower Seeds:

  • High in fat and protein, black oil sunflower seeds are a favorite of many backyard birds.
  • Attract a wide range of species, including cardinals, chickadees, finches, and woodpeckers.

2. Nyjer Seeds:

  • Also known as thistle seeds, nyjer seeds are favored by finches, sparrows, and other small songbirds.
  • Rich in oils and nutrients, nyjer seeds are an excellent energy source for birds, especially during the winter months.

3. Safflower Seeds:

  • Safflower seeds have a thick, hard shell that deters squirrels and larger birds.
  • Attract cardinals, chickadees, nuthatches, and other seed-eating birds.

4. Peanuts:

  • Whole peanuts or peanut kernels are a favorite treat for many backyard birds.
  • Loved by woodpeckers, jays, nuthatches, and titmice, peanuts provide essential fats and proteins for birds’ diets.

5. Suet:

  • Suet is a high-energy food made from animal fat mixed with seeds, nuts, fruit, or insects.
  • Attracts woodpeckers, nuthatches, chickadees, and other insect-eating birds, especially during the colder months.

6. Fruit:

  • Fresh or dried fruit, such as apples, oranges, grapes, and raisins, can be offered to attract a variety of birds, including orioles, tanagers, and thrushes.

Conclusion

By providing a variety of bird feeders stocked with nutritious foods, you can create a welcoming habitat for a wide range of bird species in your backyard. Experiment with different feeder types and food offerings to attract a diverse array of feathered visitors throughout the year.

Stay tuned to Birdwatching Guru for more tips, guides, and birdwatching adventures. Happy bird feeding!