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Never really thought about owning a bird feeder, until we recently bought a decent sized property which is 1/2 wooded. Even in the cold and snow, I can see my neighbors bird feeder is the happening place in town... always 1/2 dozen birds darting around it. A lot of nice red cardinals.
So I go to Home Depot to get a bird feeder and seed.
And was slightly overwhelmed! Apparently this is a big deal, based on the variety of feeder options and the pallets of bird seed varieties. The bird feeders have multiple segments too? What the heck does taht mean?
Anyone have advice for a general purpose bird feeder, and feed type.. for a South Jersey (Philadelphia) region?
As I said.. I see cardinals. I think we have hummingbirds? Also have big hawks flying around.
And Wild Turkeys. hah.
Of course I am focusing on the cardinal, hummingbird, small bird size..
For a basic, starter bird feeder I'd recommend using a wild bird seed mix which will have a variety of smaller seeds and grains. That will attract a number of smaller birds and you can just pick a feeder which will hold those types of seeds.
If you want to try a bit more, I'd recommend black oiler sunflower seeds. These are a favorite of a number of birds including chickadees and cardinals (although cardinals will eat the smaller seeds, too). These are more expensive than a typical seed mix, but sunflower seeds usually turn out to be very popular. Beware: you may find yourself filling your feeders more often than you thought! I really don't think that the birds care whether you have a fancy bird feeder or something simple. As long as they can get to the seed they seem to be happy. If you have squirrels in the area, though, they will also dine. I probably wouldn't start out with one, but you might want to consider getting a squirrel-proof bird feeder, perhaps one with a balance bar that closes a lid when it is weighted down by a squirrel. But "squirrel-proof" bird feeders are oftentimes in name only. They have a knack for figuring things out. The way in which you hang a feeder is your first deterrent.
If you eventually decide to go all out, you could get some thistle seed which will attract birds like goldfinches, other finches and pine siskins. Thistle seed is the most expensive, plus it's best if you use a special tube feeder. Suet is also favored by some birds, including woodpeckers. If you have orioles in the area, you could try a few orange slices in the spring--but most people don't go that far.
You'll come to realize that some birds will use the feeders and some birds will primarily feed on the ground. You usually don't need to spread seed on the ground as some seed will be scattered to the ground by birds at the feeder. But, especially now while juncos may still be around, it doesn't hurt to scatter some seed on the ground.
Of course, hummingbirds feed on nectar so they won't be attracted by a feeder with bird seed. There are special hummingbird feeders if you care to go that route.
Finally, if you have Cooper's Hawks around you may find out that you have a dual purpose "bird feeder". You will probably be surprised by the number of bird species you attract. If you need help identifying some of them, I'd recommend getting a copy of Peterson's Eastern Birds.
As for placement, put your feeder(s) a few feet off the ground. Put it in a place where you can see it, but also make sure it is located near a tree or bush so that birds have an easy escape route--or just a place to land before they come to your feeder. You can use one of those large metal hooks (a Shepard's crook), hang it from a line, or use whatever works best in your location. If you mount it on a larger pole or landscape timber, a metal sleeve, such as 3" duct work, will serve to deter squirrels. An upside-down saucer near the top of the pole gives added protection.
A general wild bird mix will attract most birds. You'll probably get a lot of house sparrows, which aren't that exciting, but they need to eat, too.
Cardinals, jays, nuthatches and chickadees will be attracted by black oil sunflower seed and safflower seed. I buy a seed mix that has those two seeds as well as peanuts, dried fruit, and millet. I've seen woodpeckers, catbirds and cowbirds at my feeders as well (I live NW of Philadelphia). The larger birds prefer the lantern-style feeder I have, while the smaller birds use the tube feeder.
Goldfinches like nyjer seed, a tiny seed from a thistle. I buy the seed in nylon sacks, and it's not uncommon to see seven or eight finches hanging off it at once.
Suet is good, especially in the winter when birds need extra energy. You can buy suet cakes and a hanging holder.
And yes, the hawks will prey on birds at a feeder. I don't mind as long as they take the whole bird with them.
If you want to plant flowers that attract birds, try coneflowers, sunflowers, black eyed susans and other rudbeckia, and asters. A bird bath helps attract birds as well.
I would put out a tube feeder with nyjer seed in it.
I would also put out a seed feeder for cardinals and other birds. My guess is you have squirrels there - try a Squirrel Buster standard feeder. I think Brome makes them? You can find them on Amazon or at a local specialty bird feeder store - but not at Lowe's or Home Depot.
I NEVER feed mixed seed. I feed the nyjer for the clinging birds - and juncos and mourning doves will eat a lot of the spilled seed from that - and I feed some variety of sunflower seed. They put too much junk in most of the seed mixes. With nyjer and sunflower seeds you will attract a very wide variety of birds. When you get into it and learn more as time passes, then you can try to attract specific species with specific types of seed and other feed. But sunflower seeds and nyjer will feed most every bird most folks want to attract, especially in winter.
Black oil sunflower seeds are my preference, but any sunflower seed is OK.
Think about getting involved in the Feeder Watch program - it runs from October through February. You can get a kit for next fall at:
What I put out:
Cracked corn
Black oil sunflower
Safflower
Nyger
General mix
Suet, both bought and homemade. The birds go crazy with the homemade, it will be gone in a couple hours.
The purpose of having a segmented feeder is that you can have different foods at one station.
For a basic, starter bird feeder I'd recommend using a wild bird seed mix which will have a variety of smaller seeds and grains.
I like the "start simple" and build from there plan!
Quote:
Originally Posted by jackmichigan
If you want to try a bit more, I'd recommend black oiler sunflower seeds. These are a favorite of a number of birds including chickadees and cardinals (although cardinals will eat the smaller seeds, too).
We do have a lot of cardinals. I think my neighbor's feeder is bringing them in.
I'd like to continue that plan, so I'll probably account for them too.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jackmichigan
If you eventually decide to go all out, you could get some thistle seed which will attract birds like goldfinches, other finches and pine siskins. Thistle seed is the most expensive, plus it's best if you use a special tube feeder. Suet is also favored by some birds, including woodpeckers.
Woodpeckers... we have them too! I can hear them up in the trees.
Maybe I let them fend for themselves for now.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jackmichigan
Of course, hummingbirds feed on nectar so they won't be attracted by a feeder with bird seed. There are special hummingbird feeders if you care to go that route.
Maybe I'll throw a small feeder in
Quote:
Originally Posted by jackmichigan
Finally, if you have Cooper's Hawks around you may find..
Enjoy!
So far I've primarily seen Red-tailed hawks. We have tall trees and they were circling around up into December (when we officially bought the house). Neighbor says he has seen them going after small rodents, and he is very worried about is small toy sized dog!
Quote:
Originally Posted by jackmichigan
As for placement, put your feeder(s) a few feet off the ground. Put it in a place where you can see it, but also make sure it is located near a tree or bush so that birds have an easy escape route--or just a place to land before they come to your feeder. You can use one of those large metal hooks (a Shepard's crook), hang it from a line, or use whatever works best in your location. If you mount it on a larger pole or landscape timber, a metal sleeve, such as 3" duct work, will serve to deter squirrels. An upside-down saucer near the top of the pole gives added protection.
A general wild bird mix will attract most birds. You'll probably get a lot of house sparrows, which aren't that exciting, but they need to eat, too.
Cardinals, jays, nuthatches and chickadees will be attracted by black oil sunflower seed and safflower seed. I buy a seed mix that has those two seeds as well as peanuts, dried fruit, and millet. I've seen woodpeckers, catbirds and cowbirds at my feeders as well (I live NW of Philadelphia). The larger birds prefer the lantern-style feeder I have, while the smaller birds use the tube feeder.
Goldfinches like nyjer seed, a tiny seed from a thistle. I buy the seed in nylon sacks, and it's not uncommon to see seven or eight finches hanging off it at once.
Suet is good, especially in the winter when birds need extra energy. You can buy suet cakes and a hanging holder.
And yes, the hawks will prey on birds at a feeder. I don't mind as long as they take the whole bird with them.
If you want to plant flowers that attract birds, try coneflowers, sunflowers, black eyed susans and other rudbeckia, and asters. A bird bath helps attract birds as well.
I would put out a tube feeder with nyjer seed in it.
I would also put out a seed feeder for cardinals and other birds. My guess is you have squirrels there - try a Squirrel Buster standard feeder. I think Brome makes them? You can find them on Amazon or at a local specialty bird feeder store - but not at Lowe's or Home Depot.
I NEVER feed mixed seed. I feed the nyjer for the clinging birds - and juncos and mourning doves will eat a lot of the spilled seed from that - and I feed some variety of sunflower seed. They put too much junk in most of the seed mixes. With nyjer and sunflower seeds you will attract a very wide variety of birds. When you get into it and learn more as time passes, then you can try to attract specific species with specific types of seed and other feed. But sunflower seeds and nyjer will feed most every bird most folks want to attract, especially in winter.
Black oil sunflower seeds are my preference, but any sunflower seed is OK.
Think about getting involved in the Feeder Watch program - it runs from October through February. You can get a kit for next fall at:
Thank you! Great advice. I'll definitely shop Amazon.. i keep them in business.
Definitely have squirrels, and I'll look into that Squirrel Buster.
Quote:
Originally Posted by North Beach Person
What I put out:
Cracked corn
Black oil sunflower
Safflower
Nyger
General mix
Suet, both bought and homemade. The birds go crazy with the homemade, it will be gone in a couple hours.
The purpose of having a segmented feeder is that you can have different foods at one station.
Thank you!!
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