Feeding Wild Birds
Feeding the birds is a popular pastime, especially in winter when we're itching for spring. Bringing different bird species into the yard helps us to enjoy the outdoors without actually having to go out!
Our Bird Feeders are always available at a 20% discount. Feed-All Pet Centre carries a large selection of Bird Seed in 15kg bags or you may buy smaller quantities in bulk.
General Tips for Attracting Wild Birds
 Placement
Birds feel vulnerable when out in the open, so try to place your feeder near a bush or a tree. It can take up to a couple of months for birds to adjust to a new feeder. When possible, put your new feeder near an old one, keeping both full of seed until the birds become familiar with the new one.
Food
Black oil sunflower is the most preferred seed. Striped sunflower is the next best. Thistle (niger or nyjer) is popular with finches and disliked by most others. It provides relief for finches when other birds monopolize the sunflower seed. White millet is the preferred millet and is readily eaten by doves, sparrows and juncos. Cardinals, chickadees, titmice and nuthatches like safflower but starlings, sparrows, blackbirds and squirrels don’t like it! Cracked corn is relished by blue jays and large game birds. Offer it in tray feeders. Hulled seed leaves no mess under the feeder, but if using in hot or wet weather, fill your feeder only with what will be eaten in a day. Otherwise, the seed can rot and make the birds sick. Peanuts are big with woodpeckers, titmice, chickadees, nuthatches and jays. Mealworms attract insect eaters like blue birds, thrushes and warblers, while other seed eating birds enjoy them too. Sugar water that you mix yourself is a mainstay for hummingbirds and is taken by as many as fifty other nectar eaters, including orioles and woodpeckers.
Water
Birds need a supply of water year round. In winter a birdbath heater will keep ice from forming in sub freezing temps. Some very enjoyable activity will take place at the birdbath.
When
Year round feeding of wild birds gives year round pleasure. Although winter has always been the traditional time to feed the birds, there are many reasons to continue through all the seasons. The birds also benefit in the spring when food stores are at their lowest and energy is spent nesting and raising young. In summer you’ll watch the young initiated to feeders by parents. You’ll also see plumage changes, like the dramatic transformation of the goldfinch.
Bird Seed Storage
Store seed in a cool dry place in a sealed container that rodents can’t enter. Mice can carry and spread some bird diseases without being affected themselves.
Cleaning
Keeping your feeders clean is a very important part of bird feeding. Bacteria and disease are spread through bird droppings on feeders, seed and on hulls below the feeder. Damp feed and debris can cultivate fungus.
- Sanitize feeders regularly with a 50/50 solution of white vinegar and hot water, more often in hot and humid weather. A bird feeder brush makes cleaning easy. DO NOT USE HARSH CHEMICALS.
- Discard wet or moldy food. Disinfect any containers or scoops used to handle it.
- Rake, shovel or shop-vac seed debris from beneath feeder on a regular basis to prevent the growth of mold and bacteria and to deter rodents.
- Overcrowding at feeders is a key factor in spreading disease. Provide additional feeders if overcrowding occurs.
- Nectar feeders should be cleaned every few days. Replace any nectar that turns cloudy immediately.
Squirrels
These natural acrobats will jump six to eight feet to get on your feeder. Position feeders away from buildings, tree trunks and the ground. Many types of feeders are available that effectively deter squirrels.
Raccoons
Take your feeders in at night to discourage these nocturnal visitors.
Where are all my Finches?
If your thistle feeder is not getting the action it used to get, there could be one of a couple of things happening. The finches have found natural food and it has their attention. Not to worry though, as they'll be back when it is depleted. This second issue is very important. Have you checked the thistle in your feeder lately? Is it all dried up? A visit to your favorite seed store to pick up a fresh supply of thistle will be applauded by your finch friends, and will give them a reason to use your yard as their favorite restaurant. Use one of Droll Yankees, Lifetime Warranted Thistle Feeders and really impress your dinner guests.
How can I learn more about the birds at my feeders and in my yard?
Many sources are available to you. With your own field guide and a pair of binoculars, you can start to identify the birds in your yard. The wide variety of field guides available means you can find one to suit your needs.
Your local Audubon Society can advise you of educational opportunities and bird walks in your area, and wild bird stores often host programs to help their customers learn more about birds. There are also a multitude of resources in the form of books, audio tapes and video tapes as well as television programming.
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