Bird feeders - Which is the Best?

Many people wonder what kind of bird feeder is the best one to purchase. Other than liquid feeders, there are seven types of feeders. These include: wood hopper feeders, tube feeders, thistle feeders, platform feeders, ground feeders, suet feeders, and peanut feeders.

Wood hopper feeders are usually made out of cedar. One side of the roof lifts up to poor the seeds into. The long sides are made out of plastic with a slight opening between the plastic and the base of the feeder for the food to come out. One advantage to this type of feeder is that they hold alot of bird seed.

Tube feeders are tube shaped with intermitten holes for the seed to come out with a perch. One advatage to this feeder is that there is no where for squirrels to sit while stealing food. Another advantage of these types of feeders is that some are divided into three sections so you can hold different types of seeds. Thus, it may encourage more of a variety of bird to frequent the feeder. Usually small woodland birds like chickadees, nuthatches, titmouses, and woodpeckers frequent this type of feeder. A disadvantage is unless it is a big unit, if you have alot of birds, you have to fill the feeder frequently. Furthermore,as the amount of seed becomes less and less, the birds no longer have access to the food at the top ports and perches. If there is not a dish at the bottom of the feeder, larger birds will not be able to utilize the feeder. However, if there is a dish at the bottom, since it is open to the elements, you will have to clean out it frequently.

Thistle feeders are usually a tube-shaped feeder designed to hold a very small seed called thistle. Finches, chickadees, siskins, and sparrows like thistle.

A platform feeder is usually a square frame with a screen base. It has several advantages. First, you could put down a variety of food for the birds including fresh fruit. Secondly, birds in a variety of sizes can use the feeder. A disadvantage is there is usually not a roof so the food can become easily ruined by rain or snow. It also gives squirrels easy access to the food. Bluebirds, cardinals, cedar waxwings, chickadees, doves, finches, jays, mockingbirds, orioles, siskins, sparrows, starlings, tanagers, titmice, woodpeckers, and yellow-breasted chats all like platform feeders.

Like the name implies, ground feeders sit on the ground. Unlike most birds, some birds are ground feeders. Like the platform feeder, ground feeders usually don't have a roof so they encounter the same problems as a platform feeder. Furthermore, it is even easier for the squirrels to steal food from. Doves, juncos, and sparrows are attracted to these kind of feeders.

Suet feeders are a small wire cage designed to hold a block of suet. They are usually hanging. Woodpeckers, wrens, titmice, mockingbirds, finches, chickadees, and bluebirds enjoy suet.

Peanut feeders are made out of a wire grid that is tubular shape. The opening in the wire grid are big enough for the birds to pick out the peanuts. Cardinals, woodpeckers, chickadees, doves, fiches, jays, sparrows, starlings, and titmice are attracted peanuts.

The type of feeder you purchase will be dependent upon which kind of birds you have the area, what kind of birds you want to attract, and how much of a problem you have with squirrels. You might want to buy several different kinds of feeders so you have a variety of birds.

The Right Way to Feed Backyard Birds

When feeding birds, besides feeding them the right foods, one of the most important things to remeumber is never let your feeder go empty for very long. In some ways, birds are like people, birds need to eat on a regular basis. Although they prefer to eat three times a day: morning, midday, and before dark. They should eat a minimum of two times per day. After a night of going without food, breakfast is very important to replenish their energy needs for the day. Likewise, for the same reasons, supper is equally important. Birds will not eat after nightfall.

Some people have wondered if feeding the birds deters them from migrating. However, researchers believe it doesn't harm the birds. In fact, if a sudden storm occurs before migration, it can help them to survive. Just remember, if you start feeding the birds, especially during the winter, they become dependent on you, and you need to continue to feed them.

When Should I Stop Feeding the Birds?

Many backyard bird lovers are under the mistaken impression birds only need to be fed during the winter. If bird lovers stop feeding them too soon in the spring, between incubating their eggs and defending their territory, they do not have as much time to search for food. While a female is producing eggs, she can use half of her daily food intake. On the other hand, a male burns alot of energy defending his territory. After raising their young, many birds will moult too. Since the feathers and sheaths are 90% protien, it is an energy-intensive process. Furthermore, if you stop feeding too soon, the ground may still be frozen. When the ground is frozen, the insects are still inactive. As the temperatures get warmer and you see less birds flocking to your feeders, you can probably stop feeding them then. During the summer is when a bird's food least needs to be supplemented, but it still doesn't mean it isn't important. By feeding throughout the summer, it reduces the competition for food, and for those birds that migrate, it helps build up fat reserves for the long trip ahead. If you do decide to stop feeding the birds, wait until the end of May or beginning June to discontinue feeding them. However, the best policy is to continue feeding them throughout the year. In addition to food, it is important to remember birds need water. Water is crucial for food digestion. Some birds can suffer more from the lack of water than the lack of food. If you dont provide water for them, they will either have to fly to another water source or get their water from snow. Either way, it takes away energy they could use for other functions. The temperature should be approximately 80 degrees. You will probably need to purchase a heater for your birdbath.