The joy of attracting birds is open to everyone at any age, and it is easy and relatively inexpensive. It is a great hobby for an individual or the

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Mariah Scott
5 years ago
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1 Feathered Friend

Just like people birds need food, water, shelter from predators, and places to raise their young.

2 The joy of attracting birds is open to everyone at any age, and it is easy and relatively inexpensive. It is a great hobby for an individual or the whole family. It is fun and relaxing. Just like people birds need food, water, shelter from predators, and places to raise their young. If you provide the food they love and an attractive habitat, birds will flock to your feeders. Common questions asked by birders: A) How do I know what bird food to use and when do I feed them? B) How do I offer the food? C) Which bird feeder is best?

mixtures specifically formulated to appeal to particular bird species.

Oil to a premium mix like Flyers Choice (which will attract just about any

Chickadees rave over Chickadee mix and woodpeckers are crazy over the

3 What Kind Of Foods Are There? There are many varieties of bird food to choose from, with seed types and mixtures specifically formulated to appeal to particular bird species. Agway has a wonderful assortment of Feathered Friend bird food from Black Oil to a premium mix like Flyers Choice (which will attract just about any bird) to special mixes like Cardinal and Finch mixes. Chickadees rave over Chickadee mix and woodpeckers are crazy over the Woodpecker mix. Agway also carries a full line of suet. Types of food and how it is offered will influence the species of birds at feeding stations.

When Do I Feed The Birds? For best results feed all year long.

unoccupied feeder one week can be busy the next.

4 When Do I Feed The Birds? For best results feed all year long. This provides the enjoyment of seeing them court, breed, and bring their babies to the feeder. Migration patterns of various species can affect the bird activity at your feeder. An unoccupied feeder one week can be busy the next. Patience is very important especially for the first time feeders, it may take 2-3 weeks for the birds to find a new feeder. Birds won t become dependent on you feeding them and won t starve if you re no longer putting feed out.

use the food you supply, as seeds and berries are not abundant.

yard or relaxing on the patio when you can hear and see the birds in their

5 When Do I Feed The Birds? Spring is the time when birds are nesting and need lots of energy and can use the food you supply, as seeds and berries are not abundant. Summer feeding can be the most enjoyable time, as you are outside in the yard or relaxing on the patio when you can hear and see the birds in their full plumage. Winter feeding provides a great source of energy for birds to fight the weather elements to stay warm, especially in icy conditions.

How Should Bird Food Be Offered? 1. We recommend offering bird food in a feeder rather than broadcasting on ground. 2. Select a feeder for the types of birds you want to attract. 3.

6 How Should Bird Food Be Offered? 1. We recommend offering bird food in a feeder rather than broadcasting on ground. 2. Select a feeder for the types of birds you want to attract. 3. If you want finches, start with a finch or thistle feeder which has very small openings for Nyjer Seed or Finch Mix. 4. Attract Cardinals and Grosbeaks with a stationary platform or hopper feeder. Cardinals prefer not to sway as they are feeding.

Inexpensive suet feeders are widely available. 6.

This will welcome a variety of birds to your yard. 7.

7 How Should Bird Food Be Offered? 5. Nuthatches & woodpeckers love suet. Inexpensive suet feeders are widely available. 6. Offer different food mixes at several feeding stations. This will welcome a variety of birds to your yard. 7. The more feeders you have, the less competition and aggressiveness among the birds. 8. Always store bird food in a cool, dry, and rodent proof metal can. Many a mouse have enjoyed a feast on bags of birdseed left unprotected.

8 What Is The Ideal Feeder? To Begin with. 1) Sturdy enough to withstand winter weather 2) Tight to keep seed dry 3) Large enough so you re not refilling constantly 4) Easy to clean 5) Squirrel proof if it is not a squirrel feeder

9 What Type Of Feeders Are There? 1. Tray or platform feeders 1. Attracts most species. 2. Doesn t offer protection against squirrels, chipmunks, or harsh weather. 3. With the platform feeder be sure the feeder has drainage holes.

10 What Type Of Feeders Are There? 2. Hopper Feeders 1. A platform with walls and roof that protects seed well from weather. 2. Can be hung or pole mounted 3. Window Feeders 1. Allow you to see birds close, but usually have small capacity. A delight to small children.

The best tube feeders have metal caps and feeding ports. This will deter the squirrels from chewing around the seed port. 5.

11 What Type Of Feeders Are There? 4. Tube Feeder 1. A hollow cylinder often made of Plexiglass with multiple feeding ports and perches. 2. Short perches accommodate small birds like finches. 3. Longer perches can handle cardinals and blue jays. 4. The best tube feeders have metal caps and feeding ports. This will deter the squirrels from chewing around the seed port. 5. There are two types of tube feeders. 1. The sunflower/mixed seed tube. 2. The Nyjer/Finch feeder which provides extra small openings to dispense Nyjer seed or Finch mix.

12 Where Should Bird Feeders Be Positioned? 1. Position the feeder in a spot that is sheltered from wind and is close to natural protective cover. 2. Spread your feeders out. Crowding at feeders especially in the winter months can cause stress for birds. 3. Place the feeder in a location for excellent viewing and easy filling.

Where Should Bird Feeders Be Positioned? 4.

it ten feet from squirrel or cat perches

convenient tree limbs as squirrels can jump

If squirrels are a challenge, use a baffle

To enjoy squirrels antics offer them their

13 Where Should Bird Feeders Be Positioned? 4. If you re using a pole or hook system keep it ten feet from squirrel or cat perches such as trees, railing, and fences. 5. When hanging a feeder from a tree, hang approximately five feet from the ground or convenient tree limbs as squirrels can jump about 4-5 feet high. 6. If squirrels are a challenge, use a baffle above the feeder. 7. To enjoy squirrels antics offer them their own feeder with food like raw peanuts, sunflower seeds, or cob corn. Agway offers a specific squirrel feeder.

droppings that accumulate on seed trays.

14 What Kind Of Care Should I Give My Bird Feeder? 1. Wash every 2-3 weeks, as birds can become ill from moldy food and bird droppings that accumulate on seed trays. 2. If possible, move feeder station around so there is less concentration of bird dropping in one area of your lawn or rake the lawn under the feeder.

What Other Things Are Important To Successful Bird Feeding? A. Water All birds need to drink and bathe.

A birdbath is irresistible to small birds, plus its decorative

You ll attract some birds like robins that don t eat seeds.

15 What Other Things Are Important To Successful Bird Feeding? A. Water All birds need to drink and bathe. Feather maintenance is important to birds. A birdbath is irresistible to small birds, plus its decorative landscaping. You ll attract some birds like robins that don t eat seeds. Position the bird bath about 10 to natural cover. Agway offers bird bath heaters to keep water flowing during icy conditions.

Shelter & Birdscaping Birds need to feel secure a place to hide if predators arrive.

Plant native vegetation a variety of plants will attract the greatest diversity of bird

16 What Other Things Are Important To Successful Bird Feeding? B. Shelter & Birdscaping Birds need to feel secure a place to hide if predators arrive. Shelter provides a place for birds to raise their young. Plant native vegetation a variety of plants will attract the greatest diversity of bird species. Fruit trees like crabapples and dogwoods are prime. Conifers such as pine and spruce to provide cover, seeds, and nesting sites. Offer habitats at various height levels. Offer a mixture of deciduous and evergreen shrubs for hiding.

17 If you follow these steps you are sure to have a very successful experience in feeding the birds.

Migration- A migration is a long distance movement of animals, especially seasonal movement between wintering and breeding grounds.

Migration- A migration is a long distance movement of animals, especially seasonal movement between wintering and breeding grounds. Many types of animals migrate including birds, mammals, fish and some