Feeding our Feathered Friends

Fact- As a homeowner, it’s always a joy to see the variety of birds that call your backyard home. There are a few things you might want to take in consideration before you feed your feathered friends. Just like us birds gotta eat too! Like many things, having a bird feeder can pose a variety of problems. Here are a few things you should know before you turn your backyard into the neighborhood smorgasbord.

Just like anything else mold can develop on feeders with moldy or rooting bird seed. This is a threat because this can spread disease among birds who drop in for a feeding session. To combat this issue, make sure bird seed remains dry and always clean the feeder. A simple solution anyone can make is diluting a small about of bleach (10 percent) and water, to disinfect the bird feeder. There are also a ton of berry and nut producing plants on the market; you can also place around the yard as a natural food source to feed birds. Besides providing a feeding source, you can also invest in shrubs and bushes with thorns, which make excellent shelter options. Brush piles are another way you can protect birds from predators and stormy weather. In addition, to feed also make sure the birds are well hydrated. Fresh water is highly important, check around there are special heating units to keep bird baths ice-free during the winter months.

Well, we have gotten the three necessities covered food, water and shelter for birds. There are other food options you can place in your feeder, just check your local supermarket or home supply stores. Attract a large diversity of birds through sunflower seeds. A simpler way of eliminating the mess from seeds, you can also invest in sunflower chips which are a little bit more expensive, but they eliminate the mess. Cardinals, chickadees, red –bellied woodpeckers, and mourning doves enjoy the taste of safflower seeds. This white seed also keeps squirrels and blackbirds away also. Worth the money, the thistle seed attracts golden finches, house finches and purple finches. Peanuts without the salt or sugar also make a great meal for jays, woodpeckers, nuthatches, and chickadees.


If you are looking to expand beyond the basic of bird seed and nuts, you can also feed birds beef kidney fat and suet. These high in fat content feed are high energy foods that keep birds warm and are best used in the winter months. Other options included whole kennel and cracked corn, this makes a good meal option for blue jays, woodpeckers and squirrels. Cracked corn will also not mold or rot.

Not only birds will be attracted to your feeder, cats, mice, raccoons and squirrels can also come for a meal. Besides these pests hawks and birds of prey can come to catch a feathered meal, take extra precautions to keep these pests at bay. Happy Bird Watching!