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Nature Link

With Blake Mann

Bird feeders

Tuesday, October 29, 2002

Many people are now putting up bird feeders. November is the time to start feeding birds, as natural food becomes scarce. Birds will now start looking for places to settle in for the winter. If there is a constant food source available, such as a feeder, they will stay close to it all winter. Birds need a tremendous amount of energy during the cold winter months, and will therefore eat constantly. Although the last few winters have been unseasonably mild, birds still have depended on feeders to some degree.
Once you set out your feeder full of seeds, the birds will rely on it. Therefore, it is important that you provide a constant supply of food in the feeder.
It is obvious some birds stay around feeders. Two years ago I had a flock of Pine Siskins stay the whole winter. Siskins are nomadic birds and tend to stay in one place only for a short time. About four years ago, I had a White-throated Sparrow stay from November to early May. They are uncommon around here in winter.
There are several types of feed available from various stores. Certain birds prefer only a particular type of food, so you may have to experiment. The most common type of feed is a mix of millet, corn and sunflower seeds. A wide variety of common birds are attracted to this type.
Sunflower seeds are available in various grades, and are available at grocery and hardware stores or farm supply depots. Black sunflower (oil seed) is the best with regards to nutrition. They attract larger birds, but some small birds like chickadees and nuthatches will eat these too.
Nyger seed is an excellent finch food. It is rather pricey, but can attract several different members of the finch family (goldfinch, pine siskin, redpoll, purple finch or crossbills). The best way to present nyger is to use specially made cylindrical feeders with small holes.
Last fall there was a major movement of finches down from the north due to lack of a seed crop. Several crossbills were seen, including one White-winged at my feeder (see attached photo). It was quite approachable, and in fact I walked up to it and used the macro setting on my camera to get this photo.
Occasionally rare birds show up at feeders to make things interesting. Last week I mentioned the possibility of a Varied Thrush. Keep yours eyes open!
Several other types of feeders are available. They range widely in shape, style and quality. Even a dish or bowl may be set out as a simple feeder. Suet may be purchased in cakes to set out in wire-mesh feeders. This will attract woodpeckers, chickadees and nuthatches.
Feeders should be kept filled and clean. There is nothing more discouraging than an empty feeder swaying in the winter wind!