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For the Love of Birds

Category: Garden Resource | Posted by: Nancy Coons
For the Love of Birds

Birds rely heavily on feeders when their natural food source is scarce.

Help a bird out by keeping your feeder full. And we will help you out. Join our Frequent Flyer Program and when you purchase 9 bags of seed your 10th is on us.

Is it good to feed the birds?

While it is not necessary to feed birds, it is helpful at times when natural resources have been depleted. Birds need more energy during the temperature extremes of late winter and early spring and will appreciate the access to the fats and nutrients a good bird seed will provide.

What should I feed my backyard birds?

Black oil sunflower seed appeals to the greatest number of birds and is the mainstay for most backyard feeders. If you are only feeding one type of food, this is the one to choose.

Nyjer (thistle) seeds are a favorite of goldfinches. Hang a specific Nyjer feeder in addition to your other feeders

Safflower seed is high in protein and fat, making it a great choice for winter feeders. And as a bonus, the variety that we carry has no shell, reducing the waste left on the ground.

Hull-less Mix is a no waste mix of sunflower, white millet and safflower without the hulls. Feed the birds without the waste!


What type of bird feeder should I use?

Different species of birds prefer different feeders. Provide options and you will be rewarded with a variety of birds.

  • Trays and perches attract a large variety of birds, including the northern cardinal
  • Suet feeders will bring in woodpeckers
  • Mesh socks or thistle feeders are a favorite of gold finches

How often do I have to feed or fill the feeders?

Birds will accept that a feeder is occasionally empty, but will generally not return to a feeder that is consistently left empty. Full feeder means Happy Birds.

Cheap seed means less birds and more mess

Cheap seed is oftentimes full of fillers (red millet, oats and flax) that most birds won’t eat. Birds are adept at tossing these filler seeds aside which end up sprouting in your lawn and landscape beds. Choose a mix that is full of seeds the birds prefer and very little will go to waste.

Natural food sources

Plant a garden and landscape that will attract birds to your yard all year-round including sunflower, coneflower, black-eyed susan, milkweed, viburnum, holly and crab apple.

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