Providing Food For Your Birds
The final step in birdscaping your yard is to provide your feathered friends with a source of food, either provided by a bird feeder and commercial bird food or through your own landscaping. Keep in mind that variety is the key to a successful backyard habitat.
Materials Checklist:
- Squirrel Be Gone Tube Feeder
Blain # 388885
View Detail - Wild Bird Mix, 50lb.
Blain # 138357
View Detail
Instructions:
Selecting a feeder. Feeders come in some basic shapes, however, there are many variations on styles and size. It is a personal preference which ones you place in your yard. By placing several different types of feeders throughout your yard, you will attract many different types of birds. Platform feeders, Hopper feeders, Tube feeders and Suet feeders will each attract a different type of bird. For complete details, download the attached PDF file.
Regardless of the type of feeder you select, regular care and cleaning will be required.
Selecting the food. As with selecting the right type of feeder, putting out the proper type of food will help you attract the specific types of birds you want in your yard. Some birds are opportunists and will eat a variety of foods; others are picky eaters. Oil sunflower, Striped sunflower, Nyjer®, Safflower, Millet, Peanuts, Cracked corn, Wild bird mix, Sunflower hearts will all attract different birds so it is extremely important to know what the type of bird you want to attract likes to eat. For complete details download the attached PDF file.
Adding Landscaping. In addition to commercial feeders and food, a well landscaped yard will provide numerous dining opportunities for your birds as well. You can use deciduous and nut bearing trees, butterfly, bee and moth plantings, fruit trees, berry bushes, dead trees and brush piles as well as dust, grit and salt to attract a wide variety of birds. For a detailed list, please view the attached PDF file.
Now that you have learned the basics of providing food, water and shelter for your birds, you should try to make a long term plan so that you can build your habitat slowly over the years. Blain’s Farm & Fleet Nature Centers and Garden Centers have everything you need to create your very own backyard wild. Our specialists will be happy to help you find feeders, food and plants that will help transform your yard into an attractive and inviting place for a wide variety of birds.
Selecting a feeder. Feeders come in some basic shapes, however, there are many variations on styles and size. It is a personal preference which ones you place in your yard. By placing several different types of feeders throughout your yard, you will attract many different types of birds. Platform feeders, Hopper feeders, Tube feeders and Suet feeders will each attract a different type of bird. For complete details, download the attached PDF file.
Regardless of the type of feeder you select, regular care and cleaning will be required.
Selecting the food. As with selecting the right type of feeder, putting out the proper type of food will help you attract the specific types of birds you want in your yard. Some birds are opportunists and will eat a variety of foods; others are picky eaters. Oil sunflower, Striped sunflower, Nyjer®, Safflower, Millet, Peanuts, Cracked corn, Wild bird mix, Sunflower hearts will all attract different birds so it is extremely important to know what the type of bird you want to attract likes to eat. For complete details download the attached PDF file.
Adding Landscaping. In addition to commercial feeders and food, a well landscaped yard will provide numerous dining opportunities for your birds as well. You can use deciduous and nut bearing trees, butterfly, bee and moth plantings, fruit trees, berry bushes, dead trees and brush piles as well as dust, grit and salt to attract a wide variety of birds. For a detailed list, please view the attached PDF file.
Now that you have learned the basics of providing food, water and shelter for your birds, you should try to make a long term plan so that you can build your habitat slowly over the years. Blain’s Farm & Fleet Nature Centers and Garden Centers have everything you need to create your very own backyard wild. Our specialists will be happy to help you find feeders, food and plants that will help transform your yard into an attractive and inviting place for a wide variety of birds.