Released November 13, 2009
SEARCY, Ark. - Having a full bird feeder with no birds around may seem like preparing a home-cooked meal but having no one around to eat it. Simply putting out birdseed is only one facet of creating a backyard bird habitat, said Sherri Sanders, county extension agent-agriculture with the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.
"Attracting birds to your yard usually takes more than simply putting out seed in a feeder," she said. "Birds hang out in those areas that fulfill their basic needs: food, shelter, and water." Backyard enthusiasts should try to fulfill these needs.
Food and water
Garden variety seed may not always be the answer. Some birds are picky.
For example, goldfinches love thistle seed, blue jays will eat anything, and almost all birds love sunflower seeds. "If you want a particular kind of bird to come to your feeder, read up on what they like best, and then provide it," said Sanders.
Still other birds require different sources of food.
"Hummingbirds feed on nectar and insects - they are not seed eaters," said Becky McPeake, an associate professor of wildlife with the Arkansas Forest Resource Center at the U of A Division of Agriculture.
In Arkansas, hummingbird winter migration generally ends in October, with hummingbirds returning in March. People may wonder whether or not to take their feeders down. "The concern is that the birds are staying near the feeders and not migrating to warmer climates," said McPeake.
Hummingbirds know when to migrate, so keep feeders up in case of stragglers. "There may be some late migrations of hummingbirds passing through Arkansas, and those birds could appreciate the feeder."
Birds have other needs, such as water.
"Birds love water, both to bathe in and to drink," said Sanders. A classic birdbath fills the bill perfectly. Small fountains or water gardens that have splashing water, however, will attract even more birds. Install a birdbath heater to keep feathered friends coming back year round.
Shelter
Creating shelter for birds gives them a habitat they’ll return to again and again.
"Birdhouses are nice additions to the yard and will attract a family of birds," said Sanders. "However, to attract larger numbers of birds, plant trees and large, bushy shrubs." Consider including trees and shrubs with small fruits, such as mulberries, which birds love to eat.
Food supply and feeders
Remember to keep food supplies steady. "Some birds will come to rely on your supply and will suffer if you stop providing it - or they will stop coming," said Sanders. For best results, set up most feeders in the fall, when overwintering birds will begin seeking out food sources.
Some believe bird-feeding should be stopped, said McPeake.
A literature review conducted by The Wildlife Society, an association of wildlife professionals, indicates supplemental feeding can be harmful to birds by concentrating them unnaturally, leading to increased risk of disease transmission and predation.
According to McPeake, clean your seed feeders periodically with a mild bleach solution. Trees and bushes within 15 to 20 feet will give birds escape cover from predators. Having bushes and other hiding places too close to feeders benefits cats and other predators, she warns.
Building a natural habitat at home can be a sort of compromise - it attracts birds around the home while providing a complex ecosystem for them to thrive in.
"Mother Nature is smarter than any gardener," said Sanders.
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http://www.uaex.edu/news/november2009/1113birds_in_winter.htm
Editor: Elizabeth Fortune, (501) 671-2120, efortune@uaex.edu
