Wild Bird Q & A
How can I attract more Cardinals?
The specific seed requirements of a Cardinal are Sunflowers and Safflower seeds. Purchasing mixes that include these grains will produce the desired results. Cardinals do not venture far from woodlots. Continued feeding will keep them returning.
We Recommend: Classics™ Premium Mix, Royal Jubilee™ Birder's Choice, Easy Pickens™ Safflower and Classics™ Oilseed Sunflower.
How can I attract more Blue Jays?
Blue Jays enjoy the shelter of woodlots close by and the presentation of specific seeds will draw them back. Birders may wish to feed only for Blue Jays in a separate feeder to avoid waste at other feeders.
We Recommend: Royal Jubilee™ Blue Jay Blend, Easy Pickens™ Peanut Halves and Peanuts in Shell, Classics™ Oilseed Sunflowers or Classics™ Striped Sunflowers.
How can I get rid of squirrels from my feeder?
Squirrels can be a nuisance but also can be entertaining at the same time. Recommend that feeding squirrels separately will reduce the intrusion to the bird feeder.
We Recommend: Easy Pickens™ Peanuts in Shell and Crit’r Cob will be excellent products to feed squirrels in an area away from the feeder.
How can I attract a wider variety of birds?
Attracting birds is proportionate to having the correct seeds and mixture of seeds in the feeder. The use of filler grains such as cut corn, wheat, barley and oats will deter birds to your feeder.
We Recommend: Classics™ Premium Mix, Classics™ Ultra Blend,Classics™ Oilseed Sunflowers or Classics™ Striped Sunflowers.
What’s the best way to store birdseed?
It is recommended that birdseed be placed into feeders almost immediately getting it home. Should storage be required the seed should be placed in a plastic container and placed in a cool dark area away from sunlight. A working refrigerator or freezer would be recommended for extended period of time. Exposure to humidity and heat will cause the grain to germinate or even hatch any number of insect eggs that were deposited on the seeds prior to harvest.
I have moths in my house or garage, how do I get rid of them?
First one must find the source of the infestation and remove it from the building. Once the source has been removed a number of applications of a pyrethrum-based insecticide in the evening will eradicate the moth from the area. Provided that the seeds are in good state the source product can still be put in the feeder or disposed of if required. It is always recommended that birdseed be stored in a cool, dark and dry location. A working refrigerator or freezer is always best for an extended period of time.
How can I attract finches to my yard and feeder?
To attract finches birders need to install a bird feeder that is specifically designed for finches. Finches are attracted to specific smaller seeds and these seeds work well in this type of feeder.
We Recommend: Royal Jubilee™ Nyjer Bird Bell
What feeders are the best to use?
Feeders are designed differently due to the various feeding habits of birds. Depending on the birds you wish to attract, a platform or finch feeder may be more attractive than the hanging or the pole feeder to some birds. Seed choice is not necessarily a consideration when using these feeders with exception of the finch feeder.
Birds spilling seeds on the ground is a problem at my feeder, how can I control it?
All birds wild or domesticated and some more than others tend to scratch during their search for food. Birds like the Blue Jay are notorious at this because of their preference for specific seeds is great. They will pull less desired seeds from the feeder to get the ones they prefer. Purchasing feeders and or accessories that deter this, is one option. Another option for the avid birder is bird specific feeding, this will minimize the problem. Avoid the use of mixes that contain large amounts of grains such as wheat, cut corn, barley, oats and canary seeds. Birds like Morning Doves feed from the ground and tend to eat these seeds but they are unlikely to consume all.
Occasionally, I find a dead bird in my yard, is it the feed?
Not likely!. This is a question that should be answered with a question! When was the last time the feeder was cleaned out? Seed when it gets wet will begin to degrade, this causes molds to grow and can be deadly to birds. When seed is discovered to be wet especially after heavy wind and rains, it should be removed and disposed of. Once the feeder is dried then fresh seed should be used and the feeder can then be put back in the yard so that interruption of the feeding pattern of the birds is minimal.
Why Mineral Oil in birdseed?
In the bird seed industry mineral oil is used to reduce the dust levels in whole and processed grains, Mineral Oil provides the grain it comes in contact with a shiny coat and provides some protection against atmospheric moisture. Mineral oil has many uses and is safe to use, it has also not demonstrated to be harmful to birds or other wildlife. Mineral oil is commonly used as an oral laxative, lubricant in food processing plants and in beauty products.
How do I keep the blackbirds, grackles and starlings away from the feeder?
There are a number of ways to deter these birds from your feeder. Refrain from using a platform feeder for about a week, the birds may move on. You might try offering safflower seeds instead of sunflower seeds in your tube feeders. Put a cage or screen around your seed feeders so only smaller birds can get to the food.We Recommend: Easy Pickens™ Safflower. Mixes that have little or no Milo
Why do birds fly into windows?
Imagine seeing your own reflection and the reflection of the trees behind you, birds see that reflection of the outdoors in the window and do not realize they are flying into a solid object. They may also be defending their territory from the “other” bird they see reflected in the window and may also fly at the other bird.
We Recommend: To solve this problem, we need to tell the birds that there is a solid object in their path. This can be done from the inside or from the outside. You may want to put bird decals on the window or even move the feeder to another location further from the house.
I have a Hawk attacking and killing birds around my feeder! What can be done to stop this?
This is the way Mother Nature works. The fittest birds will usually survive. One can allow your feeder to become empty and stop feeding for a short time or if possible take down your feeders for a few days. Once the Hawk has moved on to another location, you can begin feeding again.
Aside from seed, what else will attract birds to my property?
Most birds enjoy eating various type of seeds. They also like suet, seed bells and other similar treats. Try hanging a half an orange out to attract an Oriole. Spread peanut butter on a pinecone and hang it outside your window. Plant a cherry tree in your side yard. install a fish pond or a bird bath.
Sometimes I find what looks like gravel in my feeder when I clean it, why is that?
As part of the birdseed mixes some mixes may include a small portion of gravel for good reason. Gravel is a requirement of bird to assist in the digestion of seeds they eat. Because birds cannot chew, the digestive system of birds requires the gravel grind the seeds small enough so that it can be digested easily. Making the gravel available at the feeder is much safer for the birds than the alternative of looking on shoulders of roads for gravel and where the possibility of getting hit by cars is almost a certainty.
Which birds are more attracted to bird seeds?
Birds eat almost every kind of food, but not all birds eat the same things. Your best clue as to what a bird eats is its bill. Bills are dining utensils. They work like hammers, chisels, pincers, nutcrackers, hooks, spears, or strainers. Birds that eat seeds tend to have heavy, thick bills for cracking seed kernels. Cardinals and Finches are good examples of seed-eating birds.
I have noticed that certain seeds disappear faster than other seeds, why?
This phenomenon is due to the seeds attractiveness and the bird species types. Studies have found the most popular seed with most birds is the Black Oilseed Sunflower and White Proso Millet coming a close second.
The birdseed I purchased last week was dusty when I got it home. What causes the dust?
Unfortunately, Grain is a natural producer of dust over time. Most packers of birdseed attempt to clean the seed before packing but from the time the seed is packed and until the time it ends up in the feeder the grains tend to break down. For example if the mix purchased was cut corn based and this may be the extreme, the corn particles would continue breaking apart as the package is handled thus leaving a corn meal floating in the bag. Other birdseed grains will also break down over time because of handling and if left long enough certain infestation may cause the same effect.
What happens to the birds when if my feeder runs out or I quit feeding them in the winter?
Birds cover and look for food over large areas and will return to looking in these area once a food source has been exploited such as your feeder.
I want to put up a few bird houses this spring, do you have any suggestions on where and how to place it?
Bird houses should be placed 8-10 feet high and in the open, the house entrance should be faced away from the prevailing winds. There are a variety of house types available and depending on the birds you are trying to attract it is important you choose the correct entrance or hole size.
We Recommend: For the average wren the hole size for the house should be 1 ¼ -1 ½ inches in diameter.
I have enjoyed watching birds for a number of years now, do you have a suggestions on a binocular type that I may purchase?
Binoculars are a great way of identifying, getting closer and personal with the birds that visit your yard. Binoculars come in various sizes and prices, some research is required and depending on your involvement, It is best to purchase the best and at the best price. Binoculars can range in price from $20.00 to $1000.00. Binoculars also come with built in digital camera’s that now make the experience much more exciting.
We Recommend: The binocular of choice would have a wide field of vision, be light to handle and fit in your hands comfortably.
I have cats hanging out in my back yard. How do I keep them away from my feeder?
Cats can be nuisance predator of wild birds, however difficult there are a number of ways to deter them from your yard.
We Recommend: Position the feeds away from likely ambush spots. Spray water on the cat(s) to chase it away.Ensure the cat has a collar and a small bell attached to give birds warning. The use of any commercial animal repellant on the market is also recommended.
I heard a myth that bird’s feet will become frozen to metal feeders in the winter. Is this true?
All birds’ feet are dry and scaly and will not freeze to metal, this however does not mean that birds prefer steel to wooden or plastic perches.
Are there other bird accessories that will attract birds to my yard?
Depending on the birds in your area some other items that would work can be a roosting platform for Robins, Doves and perching boxes that will give shelter during cold nights or during bad weather. Providing a dust bath will also provide entertainment as well as providing birds some protection against mites and other insects.
What is the difference between “Peanuts in Shell” I can purchase in a super market verses a bird seed supply store?
“Peanuts in the Shell” can be different in many ways from the country of origin to the package in which it’s packed. But the primary difference is the preparation to the super market product; this product has been selected for human consumption. When selected for human use the peanut is commonly roasted to make it palatable. On the other hand Peanuts set aside for bird seed are raw and are in its natural state thus providing maximum nutrition available.
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