W e all enjoy the gentle chirping of birds in the morning right after dawn – the sound is so relaxing, inspiring and wonderful, some people even suggest listening to it to help lighten moods and improve mental health. However, we can also give back to the creatures that provide this relaxation in the form of food – whether it is for pet birds or for birds that thrive in your backyard. Bird food is made up of a variety of things, and there are various types of food, most of which are better suited to one species of birds over the other. If you have pets that are birds, or even if you are feeding outdoor birds, you can either purchase commercial bird food or make some at home using some of the recipes online. To better understand what bird food contains, read on below for information on the types of bird food.
When it comes to pet birds, most caregivers tend to go for commercial food types. Unlike the wild birds, your pet shouldn’t just be picking up scraps. It is best to maintain a balanced diet type, where you can provide the bird with all of the essential nutrients.
Most commercial bird foods have been specifically created in a way that they can cater to the nutritional needs of your pet, but also give them all of the energy they need to not just survive, but to thrive in your care. When placing feeders outside for wild birds, there are some things you should consider especially in regards to where they physically are – can the bird reach them, for example? You should also think about how easy it is for you to access the feeder.
Remember, it isn’t just enough to leave a feeder out there. You should consider keeping it in a place that is reachable for you so that you can clean it regularly. Another thing to remember – keeping the feeder away from glasses, so your birds don’t accidentally bump into your windows as they attempt to fly away.
One thing to remember – you and the animals around you exist in a thriving ecosystem. This means that the birds definitely have predators around them that will think of the feeder as a good place to attack birds for lunch, primarily animals like cats. To take care of this, keep pet cats inside, and place the feeders where predators cannot reach or find it too difficult to.
Want to cater to a large population and diverse species of birds? A variety of seeds will be helpful in this regard as most of the birds will have their own preferences. If you put out different foods in different feeders, more bird types will be encouraged to stop by on their way for a little nip. If you are placing specific seed types, do remember to consider what season it is. Some birds migrate during the winters, and won’t be around to enjoy the food you’ve left them, which could easily start rotting or attracting some competing animals like squirrels.
Also if you really want to make a difference in the diet of the birds nearby, don’t just put a bird feeder out there and consider your work done. Not only do you have to regularly fill the feeder with food (the birds will easily be discouraged by a feeder that is often empty and as a result will return less often), but remember to clean out the feeder too. Birds tend to be messy eaters, so you’ll have to clean the feeder out every now and then. Get rid of the excessive clogged and rotten seeds, and replace them with fresher ones. Over time, you can figure out exactly how much is needed by the birds and avoid spoilage. And if you see a series of dead birds near the feeder, it may be that the feeder is becoming a site of contamination for the birds that are coming to eat. In this case, stop putting out food for some time, and then clean up the area. Wait some time for the contamination to end, and then you can resume putting out the food again.
A great way to get birds interested in your feeder, especially during the summers, is to leave out water as well. Not only will they play in it, they will also get their fill of water during their visits. Remember though, as mentioned above, the birds may end up making a mess in the water basin, so don’t forget to clean it out regularly.Keeping all these tips in mind, you can make sure that your pets or even the wild birds outside your home are getting access to the best food throughout the year.
