Comments on: Here’s What to Feed Your Summer Bird Feeder Visitors

By: Lana Brennan

Lana Brennan — Fri, 21 Aug 2015 22:50:00 +0000

I just put up a bird feeder filled it once. I several birds and now one side is empty the other isn’t. When I checked there little black round bugs. Will the birds eat them. What should I do

By: Lynn Anderson

Lynn Anderson — Mon, 10 Aug 2015 22:43:43 +0000

My orioles love grape jelly. One brand has corn syrup as main ingredient other has grape juice as first ingredient and sugar as sweetener instead of corn syrup. Is one better for the birds than the other. The prices are very different.

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By: Marcia

Marcia — Mon, 10 Aug 2015 22:20:55 +0000

I hang all my bird feeders from a shepherd hook,the kind you are supose to hang plants from.The squirrels can’t get to then. Also wrapped a tree cut down,but left it about 7′ tall in tin, also the post we put in, then hung the blue bird houses. Works great!!

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By: Ed Bryan

Ed Bryan — Mon, 10 Aug 2015 22:02:14 +0000

I understand that spicy suet doesn’t affect birds’ taste buds, but I also know how I feel after eating spicy food. Are we sure this doesn’t take a toll on birds? And what about the babies? If mom flies home with a stomach full of sri racha sauce, are the babies she feeds affected badly?

I have downy and hairy woodpeckers as well as flickers. All of them love suet and recently the gray squirrels have taken a liking to it as well. They can eat an entire cake in about 10 minutes! I want to spice things up around here but I worry about the baby birds this time of year.

Thanks for your help.

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By: Sue

Sue — Tue, 14 Apr 2015 11:34:57 +0000

In reply to Tim Hurley. Hi Tim, Would it be possible to try a kiddie wading pool under the feeder? Maybe they wouldn't bother it.

By: Johnny Shi

Johnny Shi — Wed, 11 Mar 2015 22:33:24 +0000

Its so cool for me to think about the history behind why orioles love fruit. When I was living in Asia my taste and diet changed a lot, it makes sense that birds diets could also change by traveling to different areas. Oranges are one of my favorite fruit so that also plays a role in my love for the photo you posted. Birds are amazing creatures, thanks for a wonderful post. http://www.calicollections.com

By: Brian

Brian — Sat, 07 Feb 2015 14:54:59 +0000

I live in southern Maryland, and all I feed birds is Black Oil Sunflower seeds. It’s crack cocaine for birds. I’ve tried the bird seed mix bags and the birds always pick out the other seeds and go for the black oil seeds. For few years now, I buy only the Wagner 20 lb. black oil bags at Home Depot for about $16/bag, and all kinds of birds flock to my yard. I have families of chickadees, robin, cardinal, blue jay, small bright yellow/black birds, grey birds, little black birds, and about 3 different woodpecker types, to include the larger red/black woody wood pecker type. Some birds are ground feeders and others use primarily my one suspended bird feeder, so I throw seeds on my yard as well to keep everyone happy and full. Yes, the squirrels love the sunflower seeds as well. You can also buy the Wagner bags from Amazon on a subscription basis for about the same price and, with the Prime membership, have them delivered free to your door each week/month, etc., however you choose. This saves making the trip to Home Depot. However, sometimes Amazon cannot keep the seeds in stock for extended periods.

By: eve

eve — Sun, 18 Jan 2015 20:23:50 +0000

And also, do you know if one can buy birdfood w/GMO-free corn?
thanks

By: eve

eve — Sun, 18 Jan 2015 20:22:44 +0000

As sugar made from sugar beets is now GMO, I believe using sugar made from sugar cane is important for the health of the birds. What do you think?
Also, what about the unprocessed brown sugars or palm sugar?
thanks, eve

By: Hugh

Hugh — Mon, 27 Oct 2014 19:22:35 +0000

In reply to Trysha r Hillman.

Hi Trysha – Good question, but no need to worry. Birds will not become dependent on your feeder. They actually get a surprisingly small amount of their food from bird feeders—it’s more of a supplement than a major supply. You can read a little more in our FAQ here: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/faq#q-i-have-been-1 and on our Project FeederWatch site: http://feederwatch.org/learn/feeding-birds-faqs/#can-birds-become-dependent-on-bird-feeders Thanks for asking – Hugh