Feeding the Wild Birds in your Garden - Tips
Feeding wild birds can be a pleasurable experience. The birds after a while will learn that food is put out for them and will gather in your garden. But does it requires more than just putting out bird seed. By using a garden feeder correctly, you’ll ensure locals birds visit regularly and get the nutrients they need while staying safe and healthy. And that's a win for the birds, the bird lovers and the environment.
Hang it out of harm’s way
Hanging feeders are popular in New Zealand gardens because they’re easy to hang and refill. It’s important to remember however, to always hang a bird feeder out of harm’s way. Birds feel safe feeding high up off the ground as they are out of the reach of cats and other predators. Rats, stoats, ferrets and possums — those mortal enemies of New Zealand garden birds — may also enjoy feeding on seeds. Be sure to hang the feeder out on a limb rather than close to the trunk to discourage pests.
Keep it clean
Bird feeders should be cleaned regularly — ideally every couple of days. Clear away droppings and uneaten food (yes, birds have terrible table manners) and rinse the feeder. Dirty leftovers can clog up a feeder as well as transmit diseases to birds in the area. Cleaning a feeder regularly will also prevent wear and tear, giving it a longer lifespan.
Top up regularly
Although winter is when birds most need access to a feeder, it’s important to keep seed topped up all year round. That way birds will know where to find it when they really need it. Plus, birds have trouble accessing food in other seasons too particularly in long, hot summers like the one NZ just experienced.
P.S. If you’re worried that birds will become dependent on a feeder, don’t. Landcare Research studies have proven that “birds with ready access to supplementary food use only a small proportion of this food and survive even when the provision of this food was suddenly stopped.” Whew!
Use quality bird seed
Cheaper brands of bird seed tend to contain cereals, low quality fillers like corn and imported seed. Birds will cast aside the unappealing grains in search of the more nutritious ones, creating unnecessary waste and mess under the feeder. Many products contain imported seed which may come from less fertile soils. It can also be heat-treated which reduces the nutritional value. Feeding a top quality, New Zealand-grown seed mix or fat balls less often is the way to go.
Don’t just feed birds bread
Yes, our grandmothers all did it too. But we now know that bread contains very little nutritional value for birds. It’s junk food! Bread can be scattered as an occasional treat alongside other nutritious offerings but shouldn’t form the main substance of wild bird food.
Use more than one type of feeder
Every species has its own specific diet and food preferences. That’s why it’s important to cater for all types of New Zealand garden birds. An open feeder filled with seed will bring finches, pigeons, doves and other seed feeders. Tauhou (waxeye or silvereye) go crazy for vegetable-suet products like Energy Cakes and Truffles while a nectar feeder will keep tūi and bellbird happy. Putting out fruit or scattering a few mealworms near the feeder will keep most species happy too.