By Charlie Frisk
Correspondent
Many of you that read this column already feed birds, some of you are probably considering it and some of you are staunchly opposed to bird-feeding.
If you decide to take up bird feeding here are some tips that will make you more successful at drawing birds and avoiding problems.
Your feeders need to be squirrel-proof.
Not only will the squirrels eat you out of house and home, they will tear your feeders apart.
If installed properly, squirrel baffles are 100% successful at keeping squirrels out of your feeders.
The top of the baffle needs to be at least 5 feet above the ground to prevent squirrels from jumping to the top of it.
I use a one-inch pipe, at least 10 feet long, so I can bury it 3 feet in the ground, and still have 7 feet left.
With one bag of pre-mixed concrete at the bottom and the dirt tightly packed, the pole will be very strong.
The pipe should be pre-threaded at one end, so your feeding platform can be attached using an iron-threaded floor flange, which can be purchased at the same hardware store that you buy your pipe from.
Bird seed
I only use two types of bird seed – Nyjer, also spelled Niger and called thistle, and black oil sunflower seed.
Nyjer primarily attracts finches, and the sunflower is eaten by all seed-eating birds.
Avoid the cheap mixes – they mostly contain seeds that birds don’t really care for.
Some of the worst mixes even squirrels won’t eat.
You will have much better success if you buy your seed at a reputable bird feeding supply store rather than the big box stores.
You will notice less dust and debris in your seed, and you won’t have to throw away the seed, because it was already stale when you bought it.
Staff at these types of stores have a wealth of information on the best seed to buy, best feeders to use, how to set up your feeding system and how to deal with any problems that might arise.
To attract woodpeckers and nuthatches, you will need some type of suet.
You can either buy pre-packaged suet blocks or purchase a large chunk of beef fat from a butcher shop.
Live mealworms are great for attracting bluebirds and robins.
Hesitant about feeders
Some of the hesitancy behind not feeding birds is based on old wives tales, but which of those have validity?
If you feed the birds, they won’t leave when winter comes.
There is little truth to this one.
Birds rely on a number of triggers that send them on their way south, and your bird feeder will not override those triggers.
Birds will develop a dependency on your feeders, and if you stop feeding, they will starve to death.
Many studies have been done on this, and it has been found that the birds at your feeder still get most of their food from wild sources.
Plus, if you live in an urban area and have to stop feeding, the birds will just travel to one of your neighbors’ feeders.
Bird feeders concentrate birds, and make it easier for predatory birds to pick them off.
There is some truth to this one.
There are more Cooper’s hawks, a raptor that feeds primarily on birds, in urban areas than out in the woods, and that is because of the excellent hunting around bird feeders.
You can reduce the predator kill by placing your feeders close to good escape cover, but if the thought of a raptor taking one of your birds is overly stressful, you probably should not set up a bird feeder.
Free-roaming domestic cats will catch many birds around feeders.
If you own cats and let them outside, do not set up a feeder.
Feeding birds increases the chance of disease by concentrating the birds.
Also some truth to this one.
The best ways to reduce the risk of disease is to keep your feeders clean, and the seed fresh and dry.
Do not overfill your feeders, if all of the seed is eaten on a regular basis, there is less chance of mold and contamination problems developing.
If rain is in the forecast, or you are going through a slow-bird period, only fill your feeders a third full.
If you notice seeds becoming stuck together or showing mold at the bottom of your feeders, empty them and wash with a 10% bleach solution.
The chaff from the bird feeder is unsightly and kills grass.
Definitely true.
You can reduce this problem by purchasing seed that has the hulls removed, such as sunflower hearts.
At any good bird seed supply store, the salesperson can point you to the seed that will make the least mess.
“The more we learn about birds, the more willing we are to care for and protect them,” Nancy Nabak, president of the Bay Area Bird Club, said. “Because of our joyful feeder experiences, we may make a donation to a conservation organization, get involved with a citizen science project and plant more native-fruiting trees and shrubs in our yard. Viewing birds in our backyards enhances our quality of life. There are risks involved with every decision we make, but finding enjoyment with the wonders of nature is invaluable.”
Bay Area Birds is a monthly column written by local ornithology enthusiast Charlie Frisk.