Bird Seed

Aspen Song September Tips

As the days of early fall shorten and nighttime temperatures drop, the specie mix and activity levels at many backyard bird feeders change as well. It is an important time of year to keep a steady supply of seed available to your avian visitors. Some of the feeder visits you are observing may not be about today's nutritional requirements. Many of the seedeaters of the northeast are known food hoarders.

Woodpeckers, nuthatches, titmice, chickadees, and jays will gather seeds and hide them for later, winter consumption. The storage site is referred to as a cache. Seeds "saved for a wintery day" may be hidden under leaves, wedged into the cracks of tree bark, or tucked in the junctions of tree boughs and branches. Studies have shown that these species have an amazing ability to remember where the caches are located. Aspen Song Woodpecker and Chickadee mixes make ideal offerings for the food hoarders. Both mixes are rich in black oil and black stripe sunflowers, peanuts, and tree nuts. These seeds all keep well and provide important nutrition in later times of high energy requirements. They are also favorite seeds of these species. Aspen Song Chickadee food works well in a ball-type feeder, such as a Cling-A-Wing Feeder, that has no perches. The acrobatic members of the arboreal family of birds will have no problem clinging to such a feeder as they gather seeds for wintertime. An ideal feeder for Aspen Song Woodpecker food is Aspects' Peanut Silo with its stainless steel wire mesh. Woodpeckers readily cling to the tube and easily extract nuts and sunflowers from the feeder. Remember to keep the feeders filled at this important time of year and you will be assisting some very resourceful species in anticipating the coming winter months.

Wild Delight Frequently Asked Questions

Will birds’ feet stick to metal perches in the winter?
No. Birds have no sweat glands in their feet, so there is no moisture to freeze onto the metal surface.

Why aren’t birds eating?

1. Replace the seed and clean the feeder. The high oil content in many seeds and mixes can become rancid. Make sure the store from which you purchase your food keeps fresh inventory.
2. Check your seed mixture. It may be the wrong mix for the birds you want to attract.
3. Make sure you have the correct feeder.
4. Make sure the feeder’s holes are open and not plugged. Many inexpensive wild bird food products contain high levels of sticks and other debris that will clog holes and ports.

How do I clean feeders?
Thoroughly wash with soap and warm water. Sterilize with a solution of one part bleach to four parts water. Rinse thoroughly.

How do I stop attracting starlings and grackles?
Use a wild bird food that these birds do not like. Foods with corn and milo will attract these birds.

Why do I see only sparrows?
Many people like to feed sparrows. Others prefer not to have sparrows. To avoid sparrows, use foods that do not contain millet, milo or corn.

Will suet get rancid in the summer?
Newly formulated suet and suet dough products will not melt under normal conditions or go rancid. Read the label carefully.

When should I feed birds?
It is best to provide food sources all year long. February through August, birds are nesting and need extra food for breeding and rearing baby birds. September through March are difficult times for birds, as many natural sources of food disappear in the winter months.

What about water?
Clean, fresh water should be made available at all times. During the summer, drinking and bathing are important for birds. In the winter months, in many areas, natural water sources freeze.

Should I provide a constant food source?
Keep feeders full at all times. Without a constant food source, birds will leave.

How much do birds eat?
Birds have a high metabolic rate and an average body temperature of 100 degrees (F). They need to eat constantly to store up energy for the winter months and to burn off excess heat during the summer months. Birds will eat their own body weight daily.

Do I need trees, shrubs and flowers?
Birds prefer to live and eat in areas where cover in trees and shrubs is readily available.

What do I do about squirrels?
No matter what you do, squirrels will find your feeders. Make sure to supply squirrels with foods they prefer (Wild Delight® Squirrel Food, Corn On The Cob or Peanuts) somewhere away from your bird feeders. If you purchase inexpensive plastic bird feeders, the squirrels will damage or destroy them. Use well-made feeders with metal bindings and squirrel-proof guarantees.

What about moths and other insects in my bird seed?
Seed is a natural product. Often, various types of insects and meal moths are present in seeds. These are harmless natural creatures, and many birds thrive on these insects. To avoid this problem, buy seed in smaller quantities or packages so that it is used quicker. Also, make sure your supplier is keeping seed fresh and that you do not see insects or moths in the store. You can also freeze your wild bird food to eliminate the problem.

Why do birds come to my feeder, take a seed or two and fly away?
Some birds, like jays and nuthatches, take a seed or two and then fly to a perch to crack open the hull. They will then hide these seeds in trees and other places for later use.

Why is all the seed on the ground?
Many birds do not like certain seeds and grains used in lesser-quality mixes. They will “throw” this unwanted seed out while searching for more desirable seeds and grains. The higher the content of millet, milo, corn, wheat, oats, etc., the more uneaten seed you will see on the ground.

Why did my goldfinches disappear?
These beautiful yellow birds change colors in their home range and also migrate. During the breeding season, the males’ feathers change to a bright yellow either at home or as they migrate.

Why aren’t any birds coming to my feeder?

1. Make sure you are using the right seed mix for the birds in your area.
2. Make sure the seed is fresh.
3. Make sure you have the correct feeder. For example, it is difficult to get cardinals to come to a tube feeder.
4. Make sure that cats are not close to your feeder.
5. Make sure there are no birds of prey (hawks, owls, eagles, etc.) nesting or roosting close by.
6. Make sure your feeder is close to natural cover (trees and shrubs).
7. Be patient. Sometimes, it takes a week or two for birds to find your feeder.
8. Tie a small piece of tinfoil on your feeder so it glints in the sun. The birds will have an easier time spotting the feeder.

Why are weeds growing under my feeders?
When seeds are “thrown” out of feeders, many will sprout. The solution is to use outdoor pet foods that contain more of what the birds want to eat, so less ends up on the ground.

Why is my “no-waste” product not working?
Many so-called “no-waste” or “waste-free” products are simply made with hulled seeds and grains that many birds don’t like. The birds “throw” those seeds and grains out, and so, in fact, the products are wasted. A true “no-waste” product should contain only desirable ingredients, such as sunflower hearts or chips, nuts, nut meats and fruit.