Birds Feeding on the Ground
If you are interested in feeding birds on the ground level should use a seed
blend high in millet, which is designed to attract ground-feeding birds such as
doves, sparrows and juncos.
Birds Feeding at the Feeder
If you are interested in feeding birds at elevated levels, use a blend that
contains little or no millet, and contain seeds such as oil sunflower, striped
sunflower, and safflower and is designed to attract birds such as chickadees,
nuthatches and titmice that feed at high levels.
Birds Feeding at the Feeder and on the Ground
If you are interested in feeding birds at both ground and elevated levels,
use a blend designed to attract a variety of birds that feed at both levels and
contains a moderate amount of millet and other seeds attractive to birds. This
blend should attract the greatest variety of birds to any one feeding station
including cardinals, chickadees, finches and juncos.
Things to remember when getting started
If you have not yet been feeding birds in your backyard, it may take from one
day to several months before the birds in your area discover your new feeder. Be
patient and consider the following:
-
 It
is important that you use a seed type or seed blend based on the birds in
your area.
- Birds generally find their food by sight.
Placing your feeder where it will be visible to them should decrease the
time it takes for birds to start feeding.
- Sometimes sprinkling some seed on the ground
or on top of the feeder will let the birds know that you are open for
business.
- Remember to keep your feeders clean and
change the seed at least once per month if the birds have not begun eating.
- Birds tend to choose their food by
preference.
It is good to understand what kind of backyard habitat you have and what
birds you might attract depending on the season. There are also situations that
exist (squirrels, starlings, sparrows, pigeons etc.) that may increase or
decrease the enjoyment you receive from bird watching. Birds may be challenged
by problems (house cats and birds of prey) while trying to feed at feeders.
Call or stop by your local Wild Birds Unlimited store to get answers to these
and other issues from our Certified Birdfeeding Specialists. Good luck and enjoy
your birds! |
