| Louisville Audubon Society 3745 Illinois Avenue Louisville, KY 40213 |
Feeding Birds
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This page
last updated
on 10 Mar 08.
last updated
on 10 Mar 08.
Want to help birds to thrive in this altered environment
that we share? LAS offers how-to tips below. Start out
simply, and expand as you like.
Think in terms of birds' priorities, in order of importance:
that we share? LAS offers how-to tips below. Start out
simply, and expand as you like.
Think in terms of birds' priorities, in order of importance:
| 1. Water |
Set out a shallow bird bath or upside-down
garbage-can lid. If cats visit your yard, be sure to
place the pool on a pedestal. Clean it frequently
with a stiff brush to prevent algae. Replace the
water every few days to prevent mosquitoes.
garbage-can lid. If cats visit your yard, be sure to
place the pool on a pedestal. Clean it frequently
with a stiff brush to prevent algae. Replace the
water every few days to prevent mosquitoes.
Platform feeders work well for seed mixtures,
such as Louisville Audubon's Original Mix and
Louisville Audubon's Gourmet Mix, available at
Feeders Supply.
such as Louisville Audubon's Original Mix and
Louisville Audubon's Gourmet Mix, available at
Feeders Supply.
| 2. Food |
Use a special, cylindrical feeder for the smaller thistle
seed that attracts different birds. Fill it in winter, but
only halfway in warmer weather. Rotate uneaten seed
when you refill to ensure that old seed doesn't get a
chance to mold.
seed that attracts different birds. Fill it in winter, but
only halfway in warmer weather. Rotate uneaten seed
when you refill to ensure that old seed doesn't get a
chance to mold.
Suet cakes are especially
helpful to birds' diets in
winter, and require a special,
yet inexpensive feeder.
helpful to birds' diets in
winter, and require a special,
yet inexpensive feeder.
Spread some sand under the feeder to add grit to the diet.
Periodically, rake up old seed from beneath feeders to prevent the spread of
disease among the birds. Compost or include in your yard-waste pick-up.
disease among the birds. Compost or include in your yard-waste pick-up.
Place a small amount of seed mixture directly
on the ground for ground- feeding species.
on the ground for ground- feeding species.
Clean feeders regularly, using 1 part non-chlorine bleach to 9 parts
water. Let them air dry before refilling with fresh seeds.
water. Let them air dry before refilling with fresh seeds.
Locate feeders where you can see and enjoy watching the birds, yet with
these other concerns in mind: Choose a spot open enough to allow birds to
monitor for predators. And not too close to windows, because birds can
misinterpret and fly into them when scattering after a predator arrives.
these other concerns in mind: Choose a spot open enough to allow birds to
monitor for predators. And not too close to windows, because birds can
misinterpret and fly into them when scattering after a predator arrives.
FAQ: Why do seed mixes contain so much corn? Which birds eat corn?
Louisville Audubon's seed mixes have fewer inexpensive seeds than most.
And our mixes do not contain milo, the cheap, filler seed found in many
mixes. Our mixes contain some cracked corn, plus red and white millets.
Our mixtures are not designed for hanging feeders. (The birds that come
to hanging feeders prefer Sunflower or Niger seeds.) This feed is best
scattered on the ground. Most ground-feeding species, such as(doves,
sparrows, towhees and juncos, prefer millet and cracked corn. If you
prefer to use a hanging feeder, use a mix with a high % of sunflower seeds;
the cracked corn and millet in it will be tossed aside and made available
to the ground-feed species.
FAQ: Should I be concerned that my birds take longer to eat Louisville
Audubon's seed mixes? Does it mean they don't like it?
On the contrary, just as humans can quickly eats lots of junk food and get
little nutrition, birds go through cheaper seed mixes with lots of milo than
the better mixes or simply sunflower seeds.
Louisville Audubon's seed mixes have fewer inexpensive seeds than most.
And our mixes do not contain milo, the cheap, filler seed found in many
mixes. Our mixes contain some cracked corn, plus red and white millets.
Our mixtures are not designed for hanging feeders. (The birds that come
to hanging feeders prefer Sunflower or Niger seeds.) This feed is best
scattered on the ground. Most ground-feeding species, such as(doves,
sparrows, towhees and juncos, prefer millet and cracked corn. If you
prefer to use a hanging feeder, use a mix with a high % of sunflower seeds;
the cracked corn and millet in it will be tossed aside and made available
to the ground-feed species.
FAQ: Should I be concerned that my birds take longer to eat Louisville
Audubon's seed mixes? Does it mean they don't like it?
On the contrary, just as humans can quickly eats lots of junk food and get
little nutrition, birds go through cheaper seed mixes with lots of milo than
the better mixes or simply sunflower seeds.
For information on which seeds most appeal to -- and attract --
which birds, see the Seed Selection Guide.
which birds, see the Seed Selection Guide.
| For more information on feeding and hosting birds, consult Project Feederwatch and the titles listed in Louisville Audubon's Recommended Bird Book Bibliography |
| 3. Habitat |