A Guide To Choose The Right Bird Feeder and Other Bird Accessories

Every bird lover would be happy with the knowledge that the bird feeders that they keep are keeping many a bird happy. But this is only possible if you have the right kind of bird feeder. The ideal bird feeder to use would differ greatly depending on the area that you live in. This is because each area has a different habitat which attracts different types of birds. And each type of bird has different preferences such as the bird seed that they like and even the correct placing of the feeder. If you follow a few simple rules, you could have many birds flocking to your bird feeders.

The first step is to determine the type of birds that frequent your area the most or the birds that you would want to cater to. Once that decision is made it becomes much simpler to decide on a bird feeder. For example if you live in eastern North America you would have the ruby throated hummingbird as a frequent visitor. They love open woodlands, forest edges, meadows, grasslands, parks, gardens and backyards. They are often seen visiting hummingbird feeders and tube-shaped flowers. So if you have a backyard or a garden and you would like these fast little birds to frequent it, a hummingbird feeder which is regularly filled would be ideal. The setback here is that these birds are migratory and they would fly away to Central America by early fall.

But there are many birds that are not migratory, like the Cardinals. These beautiful little birds are difficult to take your eyes off – even the duller looking females with their warm red accents and crest. They are usually seen in pairs and are very wary of being exposed, so they tend to not like open spaces. They inhabit areas like backyards, parks, woodlots, and shrubby forest edges and nest in dense tangles of shrubs and vines. Due to their fear of exposure, it is best if you place the bird feeder near bushes or trees so that they can hide in them if the need occurs. These birds also love to bathe by fluttering their wings to throw water over themselves, so it is a good idea to place a bird bath near by the bird feeder.

A Suet cake is a protein rich molded cake made from animal or vegetable fat, filled with bird seed, nuts, fruit pieces, peanut butter and other things that birds love to eat which are also very nutritious. The Downy woodpecker is particularly attracted to Suet cakes due to their high nutritional value and of course also their taste. And this is exactly what downy woodpeckers depend on during the cold winter months when they need all the energy that they can get. The fat content in the suet keeps the woodpeckers warm till the spring arrives. Suet Bird Feeders come in both reusable and one time use holders, and to attract these birds you would be advised to place a Suet bird feeder in your backyard or event a vacant lot. They are known to be found in open woodlands – particularly among deciduous trees and brushy or weedy edges. The also feel at home in orchards and city parks. The Downy woodpecker is another bird that does not migrate so you will see them all year round. They are the most widespread of North American woodpeckers.

Before you invest in a bird feeder, do a bit of research to determine the type of feeder you will need to get. There are a variety of bird feeders, depending on the type of bird and the type of feed. From hanging bird feeders to window bird feeders and from squirrel proof bird feeders to tube bird feeders, you have plenty to choose from.

When choosing the feed, you need to decide between nectar, different types of seeds and seed mixes and different Suet cake mixes. Apart from the above, you could also choose to install a bird bath for your garden or backyard. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes - like bird bath fountains or bird bath bowls. These will not only be very refreshing for birds but also look very elegant.

Having birds visit your garden everyday is a very rewarding feeling - not only because of the beauty of birds, but also because of the knowledge that you are helping these beloved creatures.