What is an alternative to a bird feeder?<\/strong><\/p>\nThe best alternative to a bird feeder for you depends on your goals and situation. Here are some options to consider:<\/p>\n
Attract birds naturally:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- Plant native trees and shrubs:<\/strong> These provide natural food sources like berries, seeds, and insects, encouraging a wider variety of birds.<\/li>\n
- Create a water feature:<\/strong> A birdbath or small pond adds beauty and hydration for birds, who may also use it for bathing.<\/li>\n
- Leave some fallen leaves and brush piles:<\/strong> These create shelter and attract ground-feeding birds and insects, which in turn attract insectivorous birds.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
What is the easiest homemade bird feeder?<\/strong><\/p>\nThere are several contenders for the title of “easiest homemade bird feeder,” each with its own level of simplicity and appeal. Here are three top contenders:<\/p>\n
1. The Pine Cone Paradise:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- Materials:<\/strong> Pine cone, peanut butter, birdseed.<\/li>\n
- Instructions:<\/strong> Spread peanut butter on the pine cone scales, then roll it in birdseed. Hang it with twine or string.<\/li>\n
- Pros:<\/strong> Super fast, fun for kids, attracts a variety of birds, biodegradable.<\/li>\n
- Cons:<\/strong> Not weatherproof, needs frequent refilling.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
2. The Recycled Can Cafe:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- Materials:<\/strong> Empty tin can (coffee cans work well), awl or hammer and nail, twine, birdseed.<\/li>\n
- Instructions:<\/strong> Poke holes in the bottom of the can for drainage. Attach twine for hanging. Fill with birdseed.<\/li>\n
- Pros:<\/strong> Reusable, sturdy, easy to find materials, good for larger seeds.<\/li>\n
- Cons:<\/strong> Requires some tools, can be hot for birds in direct sun.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
3. The Citrus Surprise:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- Materials:<\/strong> Half an orange or grapefruit, peanut butter, birdseed.<\/li>\n
- Instructions:<\/strong> Scoop out the fruit, leaving a thick rind. Spread peanut butter inside and roll in birdseed. Hang with a stick or skewer.<\/li>\n
- Pros:<\/strong> Eye-catching, biodegradable, attracts variety of birds, uses recycled materials.<\/li>\n
- Cons:<\/strong> Not weatherproof, needs quick assembly and replacement.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
What are the benefits of feeding birds?<\/strong><\/p>\nThere are many benefits to feeding birds, for both the birds themselves and for you as a backyard birdwatcher! Here are some of the key advantages:<\/p>\n
Benefits for birds:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- Supplemental food:<\/strong> Bird feeders provide an additional source of food, especially during challenging times like harsh winters or periods of food scarcity. This can help birds maintain their energy levels, improve their breeding success, and ultimately increase their survival rates.<\/li>\n
- Improved health:<\/strong> A diverse diet that includes both natural food sources and supplemental feeders can lead to healthier birds with stronger immune systems. This can make them more resistant to diseases and parasites.<\/li>\n
- Stress reduction:<\/strong> By providing reliable food sources, you can help birds spend less time foraging and more time resting, socializing, and caring for their young. This can reduce stress and improve their overall well-being.<\/li>\n
- Habitat enhancement:<\/strong> Bird feeders can attract a variety of bird species, creating a more diverse and vibrant ecosystem in your backyard. This can benefit other wildlife like insects and small mammals that rely on birds for food or pollination.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Benefits for you:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- Connecting with nature:<\/strong> Observing birds at your feeder is a fantastic way to connect with nature and appreciate the beauty and diversity of the avian world. It can be a relaxing and therapeutic activity, improving your mood and reducing stress.<\/li>\n
- Learning opportunities:<\/strong> Birdwatching can be a fascinating hobby that teaches you about different bird species, their behaviors, and their ecological roles. It can be a great learning experience for both adults and children.<\/li>\n
- Entertainment:<\/strong> Watching birds can be incredibly entertaining! Their colorful plumage, lively antics, and melodious songs can bring joy and wonder to your day.<\/li>\n
- Pest control:<\/strong> Some birds, like chickadees and nuthatches, are excellent insect eaters. By attracting these birds to your feeder, you can help control unwanted pests in your garden or yard naturally.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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Bird seeds that birds like best!<\/b><\/a><\/p>\nQUICKLY attract birds to your feeders<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"What types of bird feeders do birds like? How do you choose a bird feeder that birds will…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":901,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"no","csco_singular_sidebar":"","csco_page_header_type":"","csco_page_load_nextpost":"","csco_post_video_location":[],"csco_post_video_url":"","csco_post_video_bg_start_time":0,"csco_post_video_bg_end_time":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[12,6],"tags":[],"modified_by":"Imogen Warren","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/whatbirdsareinmybackyard.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/230"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/whatbirdsareinmybackyard.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/whatbirdsareinmybackyard.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/whatbirdsareinmybackyard.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/whatbirdsareinmybackyard.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=230"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/whatbirdsareinmybackyard.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/230\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1098,"href":"https:\/\/whatbirdsareinmybackyard.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/230\/revisions\/1098"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/whatbirdsareinmybackyard.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/901"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/whatbirdsareinmybackyard.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=230"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/whatbirdsareinmybackyard.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=230"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/whatbirdsareinmybackyard.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=230"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
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