Feeder Frenzy

Feeder Frenzy

It’s true that while many kind souls feed birds year round, most eagerly await that first frost when it seems that helping birds to stoke up their fat reserves is no longer an extravagance but an obligation. 

Please, Sir, may I have some more?

Photo of a hungry Blue Jay courtesy of Flickr.  Feeding birds in the winter is akin to leaving lights on all around the house and decorating with Poinsettias.  The short days and long nights are brightened knowing that life and nature continue to flourish and we marvel at the hardiness of these creatures that stay out all night with nothing but a tiny down comforter to keep them warm.  Seeing them return each morning and evening to the freshly stocked feeder is comforting.

Yankee Flipper in Action

Battling with squirrels is another fun component of this hobby.

Selecting the ideal bird feeder is just a question of knowing what the local birds enjoy eating and are capable of eating and then ensuring the feeder can provide appropriate perches as well as deliver the food.  Bird beaks come in many sizes and shapes but most backyard birds have beaks that can easily crack open a sunflower seed or a millet seed, or a Nyjer seed.   

Nyjer Feeder

Nyjer seed is used mostly to attract goldfinches and because the seed is very small and flows easily, the ideal Nyjer feeder has several perches and tiny holes.  

Sunflower Seed Feeder

Sunflower and mixed seed feeders are the most common.  

Suet Feeder

The suet feeder is not often used but because it delivers a high calorie diet, most birds will be drawn to it throughout the winter. 

When asked, I recommend that backyard birders always have at least one feeder to deliver sunflower seeds and another for suet.  The diversity of feeders and feed will dictate the diversity of the birds that are drawn to the yard, from common to sometimes the rare and unusual.



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