In times of extreme cold, it is more difficult for birds to find food, especially when the natural food sources are covered with heavy snow.
Black oil sunflower seeds are at the top of the list because they are high in fat, easy to break, and provide birds with the energy they need to keep them warm. For birds that feed on the ground, you should add white millet or red milo. Safflower is a cardinal's favorite, and split corn is popular with blackbirds, finches, and sparrows.
Nijer or thistle seeds are a delicacy for bullfinches, tars and red sizerines. It is better to serve it in special feeding troughs with small openings that prevent the seeds from spreading.
Winter Notes Bird Notes recommends mixing a 25-pound bag of sunflower seeds with black oil, a 10-pound bag of white millet, and a bag of broken 10-pound corn in its own barrel. The seeds can be mixed with a broomstick and the Container must have an airtight and airtight lid. Metal containers are the best way to prevent rodents from accessing food.
The feeding troughs must be strong enough to withstand winter, firm enough to keep the seeds dry, large enough not to be constantly filled, and easy to clean. Plastic or metal conveyors generally work better than wood conveyors.
There are three types of seed distributors: bowl distributors, funnel distributors and pipe distributors. Tray feeders are usually placed near the ground and attract birds that feed on the ground, such as reeds, sparrows and firs. They can also be mounted on bridge railings, stumps or posts. Funnels are very common and are often hung on trees, bridges and piles. These feeding troughs are particularly suitable for larger species such as cardinals, jays and large beaks.
Pipe feeders usually hang on trees or poles and are ideal for finches, ducks and ducks. The feed troughs should be close to the natural shell, e.g. B. trees or shrubs. Conifers are ideal because they protect birds from winter winds. Loose scrubbing piles near the feed troughs provide additional protection for the birds.
Bird Notes recommends cleaning the feed troughs with soap and water every two weeks and then immersing them in a solution of one part of chlorine and nine parts of water. Rinse thoroughly and let dry completely before filling in the seeds. Poorly maintained feed can contribute to the spread of infectious diseases in birds.
Avoid overfilling the feeders by placing the feeders several meters apart. Reduce slowly before leaving. If they are absent for a week or two in winter, the birds in the feed adapt and look elsewhere for food. Studies show that even birds with full access to feed consume three quarters of their food from natural food sources that are available in their habitat.
Available on most supermarket meat shelves, sebum is an excellent high-energy food that is highly valued by miners, nuthatches and woodpeckers. Offer tallow in a wire basket or stand. Pre-made tallow cakes are also available in most stores that sell bird feed. These cakes often contain a mix of bird feed.
Mixing peanut butter with corn or oatmeal is also an excellent source of energy for birds. Blue birds and cedar wings also appreciate fruits like raisins or soft raisins or sliced fresh fruits that are placed on a platform or on the floor.
Birds need water to drink and bathe because clean feathers provide the best insulation. A reliable fresh water supply attracts more birds in winter.
A immersion heater keeps a bird bath frozen in winter. The bird bath should be cleaned regularly and filled with fresh water. Further information can be found in the bird notes "Water supply for birds".
The information for this article comes from "Bird Notes from Sapsucker Woods", a Cornell Ornithology Laboratory publication that provides advice on the best types of seeds and feed, as well as many other useful tips. The full article is available online, along with many other pointers on various bird related topics.
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