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Need some pointers for feeding wild birds

CrazyBirdChick

Biking along the boulevard
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Chicago , Illinois
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Diane
I've been wanting to start feeding the wild birds for a while now but I haven't got around to it yet cause I want to go about it as correctly as possible.

You see, I have a slight problem with over feeding wild animals. Years ago, I would go through 10lb bags of seed almost daily for "my" flock of 100's of pigeons, and was forced by law enforcement to stop (which broke my heart)

I want to feed just enough to keep them satisfied but not so much that there will be any issues.

I also worry about attracting rodents.

Aaannd...I really worry about this feral cat that seems to think my yard is his oasis. I don't want him to have access to an all you can eat feathered buffet.

So...does anyone have any tips?
What's the best bird feeder, that's not too too expensive? I saw some for over $100!

How about seeds? Which ones are the best? I was thinking about getting shelled sunflower so there's less mess. Would that be okay?

I read suet attracts birds too. Is that any good?

I'm not picky about which types of birds I want to attract. Any and all are welcome!

I would LOVE to have some crow friends too so I may move on to meal worms and dog food on a pole at some point.

Please tell me what you've had success with!
 

Birdbabe

Ripping up the road
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We go through about 20 lbs a week here, the feral cats are a problem Too. But thankfully,,,not being mean here,,,Two of them just disappeared in the past week or so.. I like cats, but don't like them maiming and killing my baby Quails and Bunnies. We just throw it around the yard, and everyone dives in.
 

Sarahmoluccan

Biking along the boulevard
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Its been awhile since I had a birdfeeder up. I moved and I couldn't but I've move again and now I can! I love it. Anyway what I can remember is niger seed is good finches and smaller birds. If you are having problems with squirrels, sulfer seeds I think I'll have double check that. I don't that's the right name. But there is a seed that birds like but squirrels don't. I have a local independent bird store that's great resource. Trying checking to see if you have near you :)
 

schnitzle

Walking the driveway
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Schnitzle
I love my wild birds, but I was having problems with rats and squirrels. My solution was to get seed cylinders and a holder like the one in the attached photo.The cylinder is a compressed log of seeds that the birds peck at. It's been VERY popular. Even birds that are normally ground feeders will come up to eat from it.

The best part is that there is little to no mess to fall on the ground and attract rodents. Beside small birds like wrens, chickadees and juncos, I've had big wood peckers and even banded pigeons come to have a peck.

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Diesel13

Jogging around the block
Avenue Veteran
Joined
7/20/13
Messages
986
Location
Florida
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Miranda
Wildlife Biologist here :)

Besides bird feed and trying to produce less mess, there are some other important factors to consider when feeding our wild birds.
infographic-bird-feeder-placement-lg.png
Squirrels love nuts so keep your bird seed nut free!

A few other things to consider include migration and window strikes. If you're placing a bird feeder less than 8 m from a window, consider moving it even closer to less than 5 m away. This prevents birds from building up speed and striking windows. An even better option is to bird proof the window using "line treatment".
BirdSaverHome10.jpg
It's simple and doesn't impair one's view horribly.

In terms of migration, it's best to not put bird seed out during the last migration period if you live up north (end of Sept~beginning of Oct). Younger birds may choose not to migrate due to a steady source of food the feeder provides. If they stay, most do not survive the winter. Putting the feeder back out mid/end of Oct is best because then you're mostly just feeding the resident birds for the winter.

Also, consider putting a bird bath up! Birds absolutely love bird baths and often need sources of water during the hotter months. Just be sure to maintain and clean it regularly.
 

schnitzle

Walking the driveway
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Schnitzle
Wow Miranda, that's such great info! Thanks for sharing :D I'm going to get one of those window line treatments. Birds strike a window we have that is close to a bunch of ivy where they nest.
 

Appolosmom

Jogging around the block
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896
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Toledo oh
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Bev
squirrels also love sunflower seeds I put a wreath of whole peanuts out and they leave the bird seed alone
 
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