FALL 2014 5

Jacelyn Downey

B

ird watching is a popular activity

with 47 million people (20 per-

cent of the U.S. population) identify-

ing themselves as bird watchers.

Unlike other types of watchable

wildlife, birds can be seen year-round

in every habitat in rural and urban

suet, fruit, and nectar from feeders.

Stack the deck in your favor to see

these birds by simply offering them a

nutritious snack.

Birds will visit feeders during the

Color winter views outside your windows and help sustain

birds with feeders but consider some do’s and don’ts.

spring and fall migrations, and nest-

ing birds utilize feeders during the

summer. Feeders are most beneficial

during the winter when natural food

April unless feeders can be hung 10

feet high and 4 feet from structures.

Raccoons, squirrels, and deer will

also be attracted to feeders, espe-

cially if seeds and other food types

are constantly falling to the ground.

To avoid this, only offer seed-type

favorites of the birds you are trying to

attract, and avoid seed mixes.

What do I Feed the Birds?

mess, unnecessary cost, and unwant-

ed feeder bandits by simply buying

this seed alone. This type is usually

put in a hopper feeder.

Hopper feeders are great be-

cause they hold a large amount of

seed, most birds will feed from them,

and they are easy to fill. The down-

side is that if moisture seeps in, the

seeds can get moldy, which can kill

6 BARNYARDS & BACKYARDS

Jacelyn Downey is an educator with Audubon Rockies and is constantly surprised and amazed with the antics of the

birds outside her windows. She can be reached at (307) 756-3941 or [email protected].

such as squirrels. Putting a cone-like

baffle underneath the feeder and

keeping them away from trees –

since squirrels can jump down onto

them – will increase protection.

be fed in a specially designed tube

feeder or “sock” with small seed

holes that prevent the little seeds

from falling on the ground. Unwanted

larger mob birds like blackbirds and

starlings are discouraged from get-

ting the seed. This is key because

thistle seed is one of the more expen-

sive seed types. Further discourage

mob bird assaults by encasing these

tor the visitors to be sure you aren’t

“feeding” a problem.

The Risks of Feeding

Bird feeders also present risks

to birds, potentially increasing the

chances of window collisions, pre-

dation, and exposure to disease.

According to a recent study, cats kill

an estimated 1.4 to 3.7 billion birds

each year. Avoid feeding birds if your

mold infestations.

Finally, suet and mashed nut-

butters are great for chickadees,

nuthatches, and woodpeckers. Suet is

simply animal fat – usually from beef,

but hunters can use wild game fat as

well. Suet is fed in small square cages

designed especially for suet cakes,

woodpeckers can easily hang from the

mesh or wire. Another way to discour-

age moochers is to hang the feeder

from a board so the arms of squirrels

and raccoons can’t reach it.

Some Birds are Picky Eaters

Some birds call for specialized

food types.

Hummingbirds require nectar that

can be supplemented by making a

The best way to provide hum-

mingbird food, however, is by plant-

ing nectar-rich flowers such as

penstemon and other native plants.

“Plants with Altitude,” a guide for

Wyoming gardeners, is available to

help select plants or go to http://bit.

ly/wyomingwildscapes for ideas.

To see cedar waxwings and ori-

oles, put out orange halves or dried