Are you interested in feeding wild birds the right food and in the right way? Without a doubt, this task can be quite challenging, especially since wild birds don’t stay put like caged birds do. But with the right knowledge, you can do it – effectively, at that. Here are some helpful tips.
1. Remember the rule of “location, location, location.”
What’s an ideal location when feeding wild birds? Firstly, you’ll want the feeder to be visible from indoors. There is no point in having a feeder that you cannot see. Next, it’s crucial that the feeder be easily accessible, so you can fill it up even when the weather becomes super brutal in the wintertime. And lastly, make sure that the location allows you to easily clean up spilled food and droppings.
2. Replace old food before adding new food.
Just like any human food you buy at the grocery store, birdseed has an expiration date. So before you fill up a birdfeeder with new food, make sure to take out the old food. Make sure you have the right tool for the job, too. Choose your weapon: spoon, spatula, or special birdfeeder mop. Sometimes you can simply give the birdfeeder a strong shake to free any clomps of seeds in the feeders.
3. Feed nectar to migrating hummingbirds.
Did you know that the Bee Hummingbird – at about 2.6 inches long – is the smallest bird in the world? A couple of weeks after seeing your last hummingbird in autumn, use nectar to fill up your feeders for hummingbirds. The nectar will help migrating hummingbirds to resupply their energy as they fly southward. Think of their migration as a marathon of sorts, and the nectar as an energy drink that will keep them going.
Many birders are daunted by the idea of feeding wild birds. But have no fear! These tips can help to turn the expression “eating like a bird” into a good thing.