Bird Feeding 101
Expert Tips to Help You Begin Your Bird Feeding Journey
If you’re new to bird feeding, it may seem intimidating. No worries, we’ve got you covered. We’ve compiled some common bird feeding questions and answers to help you get started on your bird feeding journey!
What types of bird seed should I use during the cold winter months?
During the winter months, we recommend a wild bird food blend with a high fat content because it helps provide birds with warmth. We recommend energy-rich wild bird food products like Audubon Park® suet or shell-free blends by COOL BIRDS®.
What ingredients should I look for in my bird food?
Choose a blend that features sunflower seeds, nuts, or millet at the top of the ingredient listing. All seed-eating songbirds love black oil sunflower seeds and shell-free sunflower hearts, which are loaded with protein and healthy fat for energy. A wide variety of birds enjoy nuts, particularly shell-free nuts. Nuts are a great source of healthy fat and protein for wild birds and attract Jays, Chickadees, Nuthatches, and more. Millet is popular among a wide variety of wild birds, including ground feeding birds like Cardinals, Juncos, Buntings, Doves, and more.
Do I need to provide water near my feeders even if I live near a lake or river?
No matter where you live it’s always a good idea to provide fresh, clean water for wild birds. Plus, having water in your backyard may attract birds that you would not normally see at a bird feeder. During the winter, make sure your birdbath is heated so that the water doesn’t freeze.
Is there any benefit to using a bird seed mix over plain seeds (like sunflower seeds)?
A nutritious bird seed mix is a great way to attract the widest variety of bird species to your bird feeder. Additionally, some species, like Towhees and Juncos, prefer the seed mix buffet to a single seed type. If you are already using a seed mix and want to attract an even bigger variety of birds to your feeder, try a mix that includes peanuts and fruit. Both Audubon Park and COOL BIRDS have excellent Nut & Fruit blends to help you attract the biggest variety of backyard birds.
I have a squirrel eating from my feeder. How can I make it stop?
If you’re not a fan of squirrels and other furry critters, they can quickly become a nuisance at a bird feeder. To help keep them off your bird feeder, try hanging it on a pole that is at least eight feet away from anything the squirrel could use as an access point ─ roof lines, power lines, or trees. Add a squirrel baffle for extra security or try a caged feeder.
You can also try filling your feeders with spicy bird food. Squirrels are just like us (kind of), and they are sensitive to foods seasoned with red chili pepper (capsicum). However, it has no effect on birds ─ in fact, they can’t sense it at all. We recommend No Mess Sad Squirrels or Hearts on Fire by COOL BIRDS.
If you like squirrels but don’t want them eating all of your bird food, set up a squirrel feeder a distance away from your bird feeder and fill it with some squirrel food like Audubon Park’s Critter Crunch.
How can I help keep wild birds safe when they’re at my feeder?
Cover is essential when it comes to keeping birds safe. Make sure you are placing your feeder near trees or shrubs to offer protection. You can also provide brush piles for cover – just compost your shrub and flower clippings in a pile. This kind of ground coverage provides birds with hiding places from hawks and cats, and birds can also use it as a nesting place.
How often should you wash your bird feeder?
We recommend that you wash your feeder every 2-3 weeks or as often as needed. You can use a solution of water and a little bleach. Make sure it is thoroughly rinsed and then let it fully air dry before refilling with fresh wild bird food.
Any tips for attracting specific bird species to my yard?
Yes! Feed them their favorite foods. For example, goldfinches love Nyjer® seed, which is rich in healthy fat and a great source of energy. Cardinals love safflower seeds, a high-energy seed that squirrels tend to avoid. Or fill your bird feeders with a specialty blend created for your favorite species, like Audubon Park’s Wild Finch Blend or COOL BIRDS’ Cardinal & Crew.
Have any questions you’d like us to answer? Just pop on over to our Contact Us page and send us a message!
