Feeding the Birds... (watch, learn, market)

[cstleddy]

Attachment 41077A neighbor gave me this bird feeder (I thought it was a birdhouse at first but learned that it's a feeder because of the perch).

It's pottery by Paul Anthony and is marketed as a feeder for small seed, for little birds like chickadees. It has a hole in the bottom for drainage that's almost 1/4".

What kind of seed can I put in here? Also, when the seed gets low, will the small birds actually go inside to get it?

[tcrackly]

I worked in a pottery for 18 years. That looks like a bird house to me.

[Miborn]

It is a bird house sorry...........
But if you want to put seed in it check it occasionally for mold as with no drain holes water will not be released and will mold the food and that is dangerous for birds.
The problem also with putting seed in this it has only 1 spot to get the seed and will lead to allot of bird fights.

[cstleddy]

Thanks for your feedback. I'm still not definitively convinced as to which of the two it is and it's past birdhouse season (I think), so I'll try using it as a feeder first. If that doesn't work, next year I'll try it as a birdhouse.

[jodyrose]

Originally Posted by cstleddy

Attachment 41077

What kind of seed can I put in here? Also, when the seed gets low, will the small birds actually go inside to get it?

I would only use black oil sunflower seeds. If you put mixed seed in, it will tend to sprout, plus it attracts English sparrows which are VERY destructive to our native bird population. You will probably never get a ton of birds eating from it, but the chickadees and titmice, who are shy will probably like it just fine

[studedude]

The birds here like my dog's Kibbles & Bits. She will lay on the porch and watch the robins eat. She chases all others away.

[At1WithNature]

The kinds of birds that will fit into your birdhouse that you have pictures, such as sparrows, enjoy millet. However, birds love sunflower seeds the most. Blue Jays and Ravens love the kinds of peanuts that elephants enjoy. Diced/Chopped up corn kernels are also a favorite of all kinds of birds including Cardinals.

[South Jersey Styx]

This is a birdhouse not a bird feeder. A feeder would have access on 2- to 4-parts of itself so that birds can alight and depart quickly in case a predator is around.

Birdhouses are usually designed for birds in your local area. So just figure out what birds are around you. Also, the size of the hole is an important factor; i.e., a small bird such as a wren will not nest here because the hole is too big and would endanger the bird(s) and their nest.

[H. Morris]

Originally Posted by cstleddy

Attachment 41077A neighbor gave me this bird feeder (I thought it was a birdhouse at first but learned that it's a feeder because of the perch).

It's pottery by Paul Anthony and is marketed as a feeder for small seed, for little birds like chickadees. It has a hole in the bottom for drainage that's almost 1/4".

What kind of seed can I put in here? Also, when the seed gets low, will the small birds actually go inside to get it?

This is my first time here on this Forum, so forgive me if I violate any rules.
The photo you present appears to be nothing more than a pretty piece of pottery, as you state. But let's assume you are going to try to use it as a bird feeder. It would be helpful for you to know that Millet is about 1.5mm dia., Milo-2.5mm, and black oil sunflower seed is 4.5x 5.0x10.4mm.

Therefore, it would serve you well if you first put a fine mesh screen in the bottom of your "feeder" before you add bird seed.
Good Luck and let us know what happens.
Cheers,
Harry "Gipper" Morris

[H. Morris]

My apologies to the Administrator and to anyone else I may have offended by posting my Website address. I will not post it any longer.
Cheers,
Harry "Gipper" Morris