Three Weeks for Dreamwidth: Birdfeeders

[ysabetwordsmith]

Three Weeks for Dreamwidth runs April 25-May 15. This year, I'll be posting about birds in honor of birdfeeding. Today's topic is Birdfeeders.




Birdfeeders offer sustenance for birds. They come in many styles. Some will hold almost any food, while others are designed for a specific type of food. There are feeders to suit almost any bird. As for raptors, well, they think the birds on the feeders are food! You can buy or make bird feeders. Bird feeding stations combine multiple types of feeders and often water too.  Because birds compete at feeders, it's best to offer several feeders if possible.

10 of the Best Bird Feeder Poles for the Backyard

The 15 Best Bird Feeders of 2023

20 Best DIY Wooden Bird Feeders Plans and Ideas

41 Really Cute Bird Feeder Ideas

50 Bird Feeder Plans - PlansPin.com

90 Specialty Bird Feeders

Bird Feeder Accessories

Bird Feeder Poles and Accessories (by category)

Bird Feeders by Category - Best Nest

Bird Feeders by Category - Wild Bird Store Online

BIRD FEEDING 101: HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT FEEDER FOR YOUR HOME!

Bird Feeding Stations: How To Design the Perfect Backyard Habitat

Birding Stations and Pole Sets

Free Bird Feeder Plans: Step-By-Step Instructions & Photos

How to Attract Birds to Feeders: 13 Simple Strategies That Work

How to create a bird feeding station

Where to Put Your Bird Feeder - All About Birds

Wild Bird Feeding Stations (UK)


Different birds eat different foods. Many feeder birds are seed-eaters. Some like fruit or nectar. Suet is also popular. Because almost all birds raise their chicks on caterpillars, you can't go wrong with mealworms or similar larvae.  If you want to provide a lot of larvae, it's cheaper to raise your own.

10 Fruits you should be feeding backyard birds

Attract More Wildlife With the Best Bird Seed

About Suet, Mealworms, and Other Bird Foods

Best Bird Seed: Draw the Birds You Want to Your Backyard

Bird Seed 101: The 10 Best Types For Wild Birds

Bluebird / Mealworm Feeders

Feeder Insects (Canada)

Feeding Birds: a Quick Guide to Seed Types

Homemade Bird Food Recipes: Suet, Seeds, and More

How to Breed Silkworms

How to Raise Mealworms

Plant Trees That Support Caterpillars (and Birds)!

What Birds Eat Mealworms? 18 Birds That Love Mealworms!

What Food and Feeder for What Bird: A Complete List According to the Experts (54 species)


Bird feeders come in diverse styles. There are feeders to suit large and small birds, high and low feeding habits, and for different types of feed. Some feeders are designed to solve specific problems. Do you handpick pest caterpillars off your garden plants? Put them in a mealworm feeder! Your birds will quickly learn to check the feeder for life food.

7 best bird feeders to attract the type of birds you want, all under $40

15 Types of Bird Feeders

30 Caged Bird Feeders

The best bird feeders to attract small birds

Best Bird Feeding Stations (UK)

Bird Feeder Problems with Grackles, Blackbirds & Mourning Doves (attracting and repelling)

Bird Feeding Problem Solvers and Deterrents

Finch / Tube Feeders

Fruit, Jelly & Meal Worm Feeders

Hopper Feeders

MEALWORM BIRD FEEDERS

Nectar Feeders

Platform Bird Feeder Selection

Suet Feeders

Thistle Feeders

Top 10 Best Bird Feeding Stations (UK)

Tube Feeders

Types of Bird Feeders & Which Birds Prefer Which Type


You can use various strategies to maximize your success with bird feeding. Choose equipment to meet your goals. It is best to start with one or two feeders and a waterer; you can add more later if desired. Solve problems. Adapt your offerings as conditions change.

* For low maintenance:
-- Choose a feeder with a refill tray.
-- Offer foods like suet that last a long time.
-- Put an autofill gadget in the birdbath.
-- Use an automatic feeder.
-- Use large-capacity feeders.

* Good combinations to attract diverse birds:
-- Add water to any feeding setup.
-- Bird feeding station with diverse feeders and foods.
-- Fruit, jelly, and mealworms.
-- Hopper feeder and any specialty feeder (e.g. suet, thistle).
-- Three feeders with a large (like peanuts), a medium (like sunflower), and a small (like thistle) food spaced far enough apart so large birds don't scare away smaller birds.

* To attract the most birds:
-- Offer mixed seed or sunflower seed.
-- Use large-capacity feeders.
-- Use tray or fly-through feeders to fit all sizes.

* To discourage pests:
-- Install squirrel baffles, ant moats, wire cages, or other feeder accessories to limit access.
-- Offer foods they dislike, such as safflower or thistle seed.
-- Use feeders that resist squirrels and large birds.