| Millions of people feed wild birds throughout the United States in what has become a multi-billion dollar industry. Typically in North Carolina, most birds can find plenty of natural food except during very cold periods in winter, especially if ice or snow is covering vegetation or the ground. Feeding birds requires responsibility on the part of the bird feeder, and by following a few simple rules you can insure a healthy option for native songbirds in your backyard.
Basic Rules of Feeding Birds (problem elimination is the key to success)
1-Put the best bird seed you can afford in your feeders. High quality bird food contains less “fillers” that birds just discard. The better the quality of food offered in feeders, the more diverse bird community present at your feeders. The best seed for the dollar you can offer to attract the highest number of different birds is black oil sunflower seed. Suet or suet cakes provide important high energy food in winter that will attract other birds that don’t typically eat seeds to your backyard.
2-Keep feeders clean! It is best to clean them at least weekly during summer and periods of high use by birds. Use a weak bleach solution (2-3 ounces per gallon of water) and be sure to let feeders thoroughly air dry before re-filling. Some people even use hair blow dryers to help dry feeders quicker. Always store your bird seed in a dry secure place, like in plastic trash bins with a secured lid.
3-Take feeders in for a few days if you experience consistent damage (or loss of bird seed) by nocturnal animals like raccoons or opossums. The best way to avoid this problem is to mount feeders on poles and install a baffle underneath the feeder(s). Try not to hang feeders from decks or trees (or directly under trees) where squirrels and other animals can reach them. Black bears (can be common at the coast and mountains) love bird seed, suet, etc. and you may have to adjust your feeding habits if they begin to damage/visit your feeders. It may become necessary to bring feeders in at night if problems with wildlife raiding your feeders become problematic.
4-If a hawk is taking songbirds at your feeders you may have to take them in a few days until the bird of prey moves on. Also remember that by concentrating birds at feeding stations you are at times encouraging this to happen, and that these birds of prey are just “doing what they do”. Keep feeders at least 15 feet from ambush cover (bushes, etc.) that predators (like cats) might use.
5-Immediately clean feeders if you see sick or weak birds at your feeders. Consider taking the feeders in for a few days. Report excessive numbers of dead or sick birds.
6-Always provide abundant water sources for birds for drinking and bathing. Keep these temporary bird water sources clean (weekly at least) especially during times of heavy use by birds. Some people like to use heated water sources during very cold weather. You can also just refill water sources if the water freezes in very cold weather a few times each day.
7-By providing a variety of bird food types (and feeder types) throughout your backyard landscape, you can expect better songbird diversity at your feeders. Be consistent with keeping feeders full. Also consider using native plants that provide seeds and fruits, as well as cover (and nesting/roosting sites) for birds.
Why am I not seeing birds at my feeders? (Points to discuss)
1-Keep feeders full consistently to expect maximum use, especially in colder weather.
2-Keep feeders clean, supply high quality bird foods and provide water sources. Supply clean, mold-free seed.
3-Mount feeders on poles and with baffles to discourage feeder disturbance and damage.
4-Don’t place feeders to close to ambush cover that can be used by predators. Put feeders at least 15 feet from shrubs that might hide cats or small hawks.
5-Don’t mount feeders too close to picture windows. Birds could fly off and hit the window. Break up the outline of large windows with stick-on’s, posters, hanging objects or even post it notes to discourage birds from flying into them or attacking what they think is another bird. However, if you mount feeders extremely close (1-2 feet) to windows birds typically can’t build up the speed needed to cause injury.
6-Keep pet cats indoors and encourage neighbors to do the same. No matter how well fed they are, cats can and will kill songbirds near feeders. Their presence around feeders will discourage bird use in your yard, and you may not even know the cats are around. Some dogs will also chase birds and squirrels may chase birds at feeders. Squirrel “feeding station(s)” will dried corn may help. Putting feeders on poles with baffles works best.
7-During much of the year in North Carolina there is plenty of natural foods to eat and birds may not need to visit your feeders as often. Severe winters are when birds will visit feeders most consistently.
8-Don’t use pesticides anymore than needed in your yard and encourage your neighbors to do the same. Sometimes excessive or incorrect pesticide applications in local areas can impact songbird feeding patterns or the health of the birds themselves.
9-Local habitat changes or alterations in your neighborhood can alter bird feeding habits for at least short periods of time.
10-More feeders throughout your backyard landscape of different types with a variety of food types will attract the highest numbers and types of birds. Clean water sources are also important. Providing a variety of native plants of varying heights for additional food (seeds and fruits), cover and nesting opportunities in your backyard will increase your songbird visitations.
Visit the NC Partners in Flight web site (a link to this site is also on the NC Wildlife Resources Commission web site at www.ncwildlife.org) for further information on “what can I do to help birds?” at: http://faculty.ncwc.edu/mbrooks/pif/. |
