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For The Birds: Bird Feeders
There are many different types of bird feeders.
Basically there are platform feeders, tube feeders, bins, suet feeders, and liquid feeders. Stores that specialize in birding carry all of these types of feeders, as do hardware, warehouse, and gardening stores. Feeders can also be built if you have that ability. Plans are available on the Internet, at stores and in books, or you can design your own.
Platform feeders may be a mesh type material held in a wood or metal frame, and suspended from above or supported on a pole. These can be either open or covered. While the cover limits exposure to the weather, some birds will not visit covered platforms. Bins are actually a type of covered platform feeder with a bin to hold and dispense extra seed. These are especially good for cardinals, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, mockingbirds and grackles, but will work for most birds that will feed at tube feeders as well. A baffle should be used with all these feeder types to keep squirrels and other critters away. This can be built out of sheet metal or plywood, but it is much easier to purchase one. Special poles can be bought, but galvanized pipe or conduit are much less expensive, and can be spray-painted to be more attractive. They should be designed to include a means of easy removal for cleaning. Of course, the most basic type of platform feeder is your yard itself. By scattering seed around shrubs you may attract birds that may never come to a feeder, such as juncos, Fox Sparrows and White-throated Sparrows.
Tube feeders - which are the most popular, are available in many styles, but most are basically clear plastic tubes with feeding ports and either perches or wire mesh on the outside. The latter type helps to reduce damage by critters such as squirrels. The ports are designed for either larger seeds such as sunflower or safflower, or small seeds like thistle. Some are meant for birds that can feed upside-down, such as goldfinches. Occasionally other birds are attracted to thistle feeders, especially the right side-up variety. (We even had a few chickadees learn to feed upside-down.) Tube feeders can hang from trees, roof edges, or poles. A pole setup can be used for several tube feeders by mounting a wood block at the top and drilling angled holes at 30-45 degrees in 2 or 3 directions for 1/2 to 5/8 inch dowels. The feeders are then suspended from screw eyes at the ends of the dowels. The whole group can be protected by one squirrel baffle. Birds attracted to tube feeders include chickadees, titmice, starlings, Blue Grosbeaks, Indigo Buntings, and several types of finches.
Suet Feeders - are usually formed cages made from coarse wire mesh in which purchased suet cakes are placed. These are hung in the same way as tube feeders. It is also possible to make suet feeders out of a 2 to 3 inch diameter section of a tree branch, cut about 2 feet long. Large holes are drilled partway through from the side, and suet packed in to them. The assembly is hung like a tube feeder. Homemade or purchased suet mixtures, with or without peanut butter, can be used. Several RAS recipes have been published in previous Thrasher issues. Downy, Hairy, and Red-bellied Woodpeckers, Carolina Wrens, Yellow-rumped Warblers, White-breasted Nuthatches, European Starlings, mockingbirds, Blue Jays, and occasionally Pine Warblers will come to suet feeders.
SEE: SUET RECIPE
Liquid Feeders - are mainly hummingbird feeders. The best type is one that contains the liquid below the feeding ports, and includes a built-in ant trap. Otherwise, an ant trap can be purchased or built from a dowel and plastic container. Feeders with a feeding tube coming out at the bottom frequently leak. Don't use pre-prepared liquid with red food coloring - the dye is harmful to the birds, and the red color makes inspection more difficult. Make your own nectar from sugar (1 part) and boiling water (4 parts). Let the nectar cool before adding to the feeder. For best results place the feeder near a tree or other cover, and have access to natural blossoms. Change if the liquid becomes cloudy.
Clean all feeders periodically - to prevent buildup of harmful bacteria or diseases. Choose feeders that are easy to take apart and clean. Leave your feeders up during all weather conditions to see the greatest variety of birds. If your feeders are empty and you are out of seed, don't worry. They derive most of their sustenance from natural sources anyway.
Location - Most backyard feeders will be used more if located near suitable habitat such as trees and shrubs. These provide cover and convenient perches, and the birds tend to use the trees as a staging area. Some birds such as finches will stay at the feeder for long periods, while others such as chickadees and titmice will grab a seed and take it to a nearby tree to eat. Some will tolerate the presence of humans close by, and others will not visit until there is no human presence. A good hidden or non-obtrusive observation point is usually conducive to better viewing, although some birds may become more tolerant if subjected to people frequently. It helps to have a source of water nearby. Sometimes birds that won/t come to feeders will come to drink or bathe.
Non-feeder Birds - Birds that will seldom come to any type of feeder include: shore birds, birds of prey, flycatchers, thrushes, vireos, and most warblers.
Al Warfield
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