CORVALLIS, Ore. — As winter approaches and natural food dwindles, backyard birds benefit from quality feeders.
“Mixes with red millet, golden millet, flax seed, rape seed and oats are a waste,” said Dana Sanchez, wildlife specialist with the Oregon State University Extension Service. “Birds will just kick those fillers out of the feeder.”
Put black oil sunflower seeds at the top of the list because they attract species such as chickadees, black-headed grosbeaks, house sparrows, northern flickers and song sparrows.
To draw finches, offer nyjer (thistle) seed in a feeder designed to hold the tiny seed. Many birds — waxwings, grosbeaks, chickadees and robins — will also take fruit placed on an elevated platform feeder.
For future bird food, plant native, fruiting trees and shrubs such as elderberry, serviceberry, dogwood and snowberry.
Offer suet in cold weather
People enjoy watching woodpeckers go after suet blocks.
“The fat-and-seed mixtures are best used in fall and winter when birds need the extra energy to keep warm,” Sanchez said.
In warm weather, suet can spoil quickly. If you use it in summer, check it often and remove it when it starts to smell.
Feed hummingbirds correctly
Hummingbirds need a sugar-rich diet.
- Use 4 parts water to 1 part sugar.
- Bring to a gentle boil for 1 minute, cool and fill the feeder.
- Do not add red coloring.
- Make only enough for a few days to prevent mold.
“Colored feeders will attract hummingbirds, and once they find it, they’ll be back,” Sanchez said.
Clean feeders weekly
“Cleaning all bird feeders once a week is essential,” Sanchez said. “Moisture contributes to mold, which can cause disease.”
- Discard leftover feed.
- Scrub inside and out with a long-handled brush.
- Rinse with a solution of 10 parts water to 1 part bleach.
- Let the feeder dry completely before refilling.
Place feeders near cover
“You’ll notice no matter how many ports you have, there will be competitions,” Sanchez said. “It’s a matter of ‘Get off that perch; it’s mine.’”
“Birds at feeders are always on the lookout for danger,” she said. “There are times when you put feeders where humans can see them, but birds won’t use them if there’s not a shrub nearby.”
Provide nearby shrubs or trees so birds can escape wind and predators.
Give birds water
Birds need water, too.
- Use a shallow, flat-bottomed dish with 1/2 to 1 inch of water.
- Place it in sun or shade.
- Clean it often.
- Change the water daily or every other day.
Keep seed off the ground
“To reduce the chance of rats visiting your bird stations, keep seed off the ground,” Sanchez said.
- Choose or adapt feeders with a catch pan.
- If you like ground-feeding birds, elevate a platform feeder slightly and clean underneath.
It may not always stop rats, and some birds may not use the elevated platform.
Dealing with squirrels
“I don’t mind them,” Sanchez said. “But some people find themselves in conflict with squirrels.”
“To thwart them, use baffles,” she said.
- Place feeders on pole hangers away from jump-off points.
- Try feeders with cages that close when a squirrel lands.
- Check bird shops or online sources for squirrel-resistant designs.
Avoid chemicals
“We really need to be thinking about what we’re putting on our gardens,” Sanchez said. “We need to be cautious.”
Do not spray pesticides or use pelletized weed-and-feed or moss killer where birds are feeding.
Previously titled Put out the welcome mat for birds in winter
