Avoiding bird-feeding mistakes
Winter solstice. Snow on the ground. The season of gift-giving. This is also the time of year when many of us help wild birds survive during the cold, barren months by putting out food for them. And nothing could be simpler; you just hang up a feeder and stock it with seed.
But I’ve noticed that while there’s a lot of information on types of feeders and food, and what species they’ll attract, there’s little attention given to what NOT to do. So, to help you have the best bird-feeding experience possible, I want to share ten bird-feeding mistakes compiled by writer and birding expert Melissa Mayntz for The Spruce. (https://www. thespruce.com/top-bird-feedingmistakes
Using Only One Kind of Bird Feeder
Not only do birds have different diet preferences, they also prefer different feeder styles. “To maximize bird feeding it is essential to use different feeders,” advises Mayntz. “Consider a mesh sock for goldfinches, nectar feeders for hummingbirds, suet feeders for woodpeckers, mealworm dishes for bluebirds, and jelly feeders for orioles.”
Letting Feeders Get Empty
Wild birds get most of their food from natural sources, so leaving a feeder empty for a few days shouldn’t be a problem. But birds are unlikely to return to an unreliable food source. Refilling feeders more promptly will attract a wider variety of birds in every season.
Using Bargain Basement Birdseed
“The cheapest birdseed is often loaded with inexpensive fillers such as cracked corn, milo, oats, or wheat,” Mayntz notes. These seeds and grains appeal to very few species, and they’re likely to toss the seed to the ground instead of eating it. Save money by choosing seeds that the birds prefer, so that none goes to waste.
Feeding Birds Bread
“Processed bread products such as crackers, cookies, donuts, cereals, and all types of baked goods are junk food for wild birds,” says Mayntz. These products fill them up but do not provide adequate nutrition. At the most, use bread as a very rare treat for birds.
Making Bad Hummingbird Nectar
When it comes to hummingbirds, using any sweetener other than plain white sugar to make nectar can be dangerous. Mayntz points out that, “Honey, brown sugar, fruit juices, and artificial sweeteners do not provide the proper sugar concentration for hummingbird food,” and they can produce mold that is deadly to the birds. Instead, always use a proper hummingbird nectar recipe, using plain white sugar.
Ignoring Natural Bird Food Sources
Feeding birds—and watching them—is fun! But, notes Mayntz, “birders who avoid natural foods such as fruit trees or nectar-producing flowers, or who kill insects that birds can feed on, are depriving birds of the most nutritious, easiest, and most economical food sources available.”
Not Feeding Winter Birds
Many bird species migrate to warmer latitudes for the winter. However, as Mayntz notes, “there are dozens of winter backyard birds, many of which aren’t
around in the summer, that will happily visit bird feeders for a healthy winter meal.”
Not Protecting Bird Feeders
Says Mayntz, “Raccoons, deer, squirrels, rats, and even bears will snack at feeders, often depleting the seed supply or even breaking the feeders without letting any birds get a bite. At the same time, unprotected feeders expose birds to predators.” Placing feeders near evergreen shrubs can help.
Not Cleaning Feeders
“A dirty feeder can become clogged, and wet or spoiled seed can transmit diseases to backyard birds, which can then spread to an entire neighborhood flock,” Mayntz cautions. Dirty feeders are also more susceptible to damage and wear.
Storing Seed Carelessly
Birdseed that isn’t stored well can spoil and be invaded by pests such as mice, rats, insect larvae, silverfish, earwigs, or moths. If water gets into the seed, mold can grow that can make birds sick.
Note: Do be prepared. The birds that come to your feeder may end up as food for hungry hawks.
Pam Baxter is an avid organic vegetable gardener who lives in Kimberton. Direct e-mail to pamelacbaxter@gmail.com, or send mail to P.O. Box 80, Kimberton, PA 19442. Share your gardening stories on Facebook at “Chester County Roots.” Pam’s book for children and families, Big Life Lessons from Nature’s Little Secrets, is available on Amazon, along with her companion field journal, Explore Outdoors, at Amazon.com/author/ pamelabaxter.