Feeding Wild Birds

By Theresa Robinson

If your hobby is bird watching or even if you just enjoy seeing birds in your back yard, a good bird feeder filled with seed will attract them like a strong magnet. You’ll see tufted titmice, chickadees, woodpeckers, cardinals, and of course sparrows anytime during the year. A good tube feeder, hopper feeder or platform feeder works well with any of these birds. There are so many different designs of feeders to choose from.

If you have problems with squirrels emptying your feeders, I suggest a squirrel proof feeder or a baffle to ward them off or set up their own feeder. They are very entertaining also.

Hang your feeder from a tree, an iron hook, or mount it on a pole. make sure you clean your feeders regularly and avoid using pesticides around them. Also adding a birdbath to your yard is great entertainment, watching them bathe and drink.

Different seed attracts an assortment of species and here at Willis Feeders Supply we carry a large variety of seed, from shell free, nut and berry, and special blends for many different birds. Another way to keep birds in your backyard (or frontyard) is to put up a birdhouse. If you have cats it is a good idea to put a breakaway collar with a bell on them. This gives the birds a heads up when they are around.

It is also a good idea to put up a Purple martin House and attract these birds; they really keep the insects down (especially mosquitoes). Scouts start looking for housing around the first of February so have one ready for them. Make sure your house is on a pole at least 15′ tall, (there are telescoping poles available for them), and put it away from trees and the house. In the long run it will be well worth the rewards you get from attracting beautiful birds that keep the insects down.

Come by Conroe Feeders Supply or Willis Feeders Supply and we can equip you with all your wild bird needs.