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Garden Gardening
Bird Feeders: Look Who's Coming to Dinner
Bird
Feeders: Look Who's Coming to Dinner
by Allen Shaw
Birds, birds, birds. They come in all shapes and sizes. They range in type
from carnivores to herbivores. Birds have been the stars of their own
movies. Birds have taught children the importance of personality over
looks. Some are even the leaders of nations. Is it any wonder that bird
watching is one of the world's most practiced hobbies.
People from all walks of life enjoy bird watching. Anyone can do it. All
it requires is patience, a pair of binoculars and most importantly, a bird
feeder. And there are many types. Depending what birds you want to attract
will determine what kind of feeder to get.
Hummingbird feeders are the most popular and come in two styles; inverted
and basin style. The feeder usually has a small receptacle in which a
sugar solution is placed. It has an opening just big enough for the
hummingbird to put its long beak. But the solution is really just an
energy boost for the hummingbird. A hummingbird's main diet is gnats and
other small bugs. Here's a hint when choosing a hummingbird feeder. Choose
one that can be taken apart easily. Your feeder needs to be cleaned every
three-to-four days due to the unfortunate clotting habit of the sugar and
water solution.
If you are a Woody fan, you might consider a peanut feeder. Woodpeckers,
starlings and titmice are big fans of peanuts. But be sure you purchase
the peanuts from a dealer that supplies aflatoxin-free peanuts. Aflatoxin
fungus can cause disease and death for some birds. Also, make sure the
peanut feeder is built to keep out squirrels. Squirrels are the biggest
enemy to the peanut feeder.
Hopper feeders are the type of feeder most people picture in their mind
when they think of a bird feeder. Most look like a small house and have a
tray at the bottom. Tray feeders attract chickadees, sparrows and blue
jays. Sunflower seeds are the most popular feed for tray feeders. The
bigger the feeder, the easier they are to clean.
Next on the agenda, tube feeders. Most tube feeders are made of a clear
plastic and have holes drilled in the side with a small perch beside each
hole to make the seed accessible to the bird. Tube feeders attract a large
variety of smaller birds like finches, titmice and grosbeaks. When buying
a tube feeder, look for ones with a large storage capacity. Also look for
feeders with metal reinforcing to help keep out squirrels and larger
birds. A tube feeder with a tray at the bottom will help catch the seeds
that fall when the messy birds come to dinner.
Tray feeders are the simplest and least expensive types of feeders. They
can be as simple as a plate from your kitchen cupboard. Because they hold
less seed than other types of feeders, the ones made close to the ground
are usually best. Tray feeders attract sparrows, doves, cardinals and
other birds that prefer eating close to mother earth. When purchasing a
tray feeder, look for ones that allow for drainage in case it rains.
But the number one thing you should look for when purchasing a feeder of
any kind is convenience. Make sure they are easy to clean, easy to refill
and durable. From personal experience, I have learned that once the birds
get used to being fed in the same place at the same time every day, you
can't get rid of the little buggers.
About the Author
Allen Shaw provides information on birds and bird feeders for For the
Birds, also visit our
bird forums. |
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