Feeding wild birds

To the responsible person, the decision to feed wild birds is not a casual one. Additionally, several times each week the food needs to be replenished, which over several months and years amounts to a substantial investment of time. Such a commitment carries with it the expectation of attracting a handsome, interesting variety of birds.
Hanging, tube-type feeders attract American goldfinches, chickadees, and a variety of other species. Tube feeders permit goldfinches to avoid competition with blue jays and grackles which take over platform feeders. Tube feeders will also attract pine siskins and red polls when they are in the area.
Always have water, & fill it daily. You can use large narrow saucers found in garden supplies, but it can't be deep. When cleaning is necessary for it gets slimy, use white vinegar with H20. Bring the saucer inside and soak for awhile, for you don't want them drinking vinegar.
Put a tray of black sunflower out & add allot of safflower. Cardinals, Grosbeaks, chickadees, Blue jays, (not nice birds but pretty to look at) and other songbirds like sunflower. Doves love safflower also, they are very peaceful birds.
Safflower: This little white seed can be the answer to some bird-feeding problems. It has a bitter taste that helps discourage unwanted visitors, both feathered & furred.
A finch feeder holds thistle seed.
Woodpeckers, nuthatches use a nut feeder. Woodpeckers are especially fond of peanut butter suet.
Orioles: Cut orange in 1/2. Place on a tray style feeder (has a roof over it).
Set out grape JELLY. Put into sturdy bowl (about 1 inch thick). Welch's jelly is preferred. Look at the ingredient’s in Welch's vs generic & other's. BIG DIFFERENCE. It cost a little more than others do, but it's worth it when you consider that the price paid for it is a small price for the well-being of the Orioles.
Purple finches (really reddish) also love the grape jelly.
Hummers: Never use red food coloring or honey. It's toxic. To keep ants at bay, apply Vicks vapor rub around the hole with a Q-tip. Don't get it into hole.
Facts: Hummers can reach speeds of 60 MI per hour. They consume half its weight in nectar each day. Can fly forward, backward, shift sideways & stop in midair they are the world's smallest bird. Locate their food by sight. They take a long journey, so feed them well.
American goldfinch hulled sunflower seeds, niger seeds, and oil-type sunflower seeds.
Blue Jay peanut kernels, black-stripe, gray-stripe, and oil-type sunflower seeds.
Brown-headed cowbird white proso, red proso, German millet, and canary seed.
Cardinal sunflower seeds of all types.
Chickadees oil-type and black-striped sunflower seeds, peanut kernels.
Dark-eyed junco red proso, white proso millet, canary seed, and fine-cracked corn.
Common grackle hulled sunflower seeds and cracked corn.
Evening grosbeak sunflower seeds and cracked corn.
House finch In Maryland, oil-type and black-striped sunflower seeds, sunflower kernels and pieces, and niger. In California, white prove millet and flax also readily taken.
House sparrow white proso millet, canary seed, and German ("golden") millet.
Mourning dove oil-type sunflower seeds, white prove millet, niger, and German ("golden") millet.
Purple finch sunflower seeds and kernels.
Starling peanut hearts and hulled oats.
Song sparrow white and red prove millet.
Tufted titmouse peanut kernels, black-striped and oil-type sunflower seeds.
White-crowned sparrow oil-type sunflower seed, sunflower kernels and pieces, white and red prove millet, peanut kernels and hearts, niger seed.
White-throated sparrow oil and black-striped sunflower seeds, sunflower kernels and pieces, white and red prove millet, and peanut kernels.
Homemade recipes:
Put the suet into a pan and turn on low heat (overheated fat can catch fire). If possible use an electric skillet. If you are using your stovetop it is best to use an oversized pan.After the suet melts, pour it through fine cheesecloth into a heatproof container. Then discard the pieces that did not melt. Allow the melted suet to re-harden, either in the fridge or on the counter top. The suet needs to be melted and hardened 2 –3 times before it is ready to use. If you don’t do this, the suet will not cake properly.
Sweet Cherry Treat: 2 cups of rendered suet, 1 1/2 cups of chunky peanut butter, 1 cup of dried cherries, 1 cup of sunflower seed hearts, 1 cup of crushed graham crackers, 1 1/2 cups of oatmeal.
In a large bowl, add the chunky peanut butter to the rendered suet while it is still warm. Once the peanut butter is melted, add the cherries and the sunflower seed hearts. Then stir in the crushed graham crackers and oatmeal. After all of the ingredients are thoroughly mixed, put the mixture into molds or on a cookie sheet to cool.
Berries Berries Berries: 3 cups of rendered suet, 1 1/2 cups of chunky peanut butter, 1 cup of mixed, dried berries. Strawberries, blueberries, cherries and cranberries. 1 cup of sunflower seed hearts. 1 cup of oatmeal, 1/2 cup of corn muffin mix.
In a large bowl, add the chunky peanut butter to the rendered suet while it is still warm. Once the peanut butter is melted, add the dried berries and the sunflower seed hearts. Then stir in the oatmeal and corn muffin mix. After all of the ingredients are thoroughly mixed, put the mixture into molds or on a cookie sheet to cool.
Oriole: 1 part sugar/6 parts water.Bring the water to a boil and then add the sugar. Boil until the sugar has dissolved. 1 part sugar to 6 parts water means that if you boil 2 cups of water you will need 1/3 cup of sugar.Let the mix cool before filling your feeder. Store any excess food in your refrigerator until ready to use. There is no need to add food coloring.
Hummingbird: 1 part sugar, 4 parts water. First, bring the water to a boil and then slowly add the sugar. Let it boil for a few minutes, and then remove from the burner to cool. Store any excess nectar in the refrigerator.
Wild Bird Shish kabob: Ingredients: apples, oranges, pears, grapes, prunes, dried fruit, berries, summer squash or any other fresh fruits that you have around your kitchen or garden.Slice the larger items into manageable sizes and poke a hole in the center of each piece. Then tie a large knot in one end of a 3 to 4 foot piece of twine. Run the twine through your fruits and vegetables. Then simply hang your stringed treats over a tree branch and watch as your feathered friends feast on your new offering.
Peanut Butter Cakes: Wild Birds love peanut butter and suet. This recipe combines both. 1 cup of rendered suet, cup of chunky peanut butter, 6 cups of cornmeal, 1 muffin tin with paper liners. Put the suet into a pan and turn on low heat (overheated fat can catch fire). If possible use an electric skillet. If you are using your stovetop it is best to use an oversized pan.After the suet melts, pour it through fine cheesecloth into a heatproof container. Then discard the pieces that did not melt. Allow the melted suet to re-harden, either in the fridge or on the counter top. The suet needs to be melted and hardened 2 to 3 times before it is ready to use. If you do not do this, the suet will not cake properly.While the suet is still warm, add the chunky peanut butter and stir until melted. Then stir in the cornmeal.Spoon the mixture into the paper-lined muffin tins. Allow them to cool at room temperature or place them in the refrigerator. They can even be frozen until needed.You can add any combination of sunflower seeds, raisins, chopped fruit or nuts to spice up your mixture of homemade wild bird food.
I hope you enjoyed these homemade wild bird food recipes.