Feeding Feathered Friends
October 2, 2020
Ashley Hall, Marketing Coordinator
While some view the end of summer as a sad time, nature lovers rejoice. As the cold begins to set in and the trees become bare, it's an ideal time for bird watching, as many birds are beginning their fall migration. While the leafless branches provide a clearer view of our cold-weather friends, we must keep in mind that many food sources, along with the leaves, have disappeared.
Image: Project Feederwatch
For avid bird watchers, it may be routine to get prepped for our feathered friends this year but for the novice, now is a time to learn about what types of feed will attract birds this winter. Different bird species have different food preferences. If you are new to bird feeding, start with a basic mix or black oil sunflower seeds to attract a wide variety of birds. Add more specialized food choices and feeders as your experience and interest grows. Here are some common foods offered and found in mixes and the types of birds that like to eat them.
Deluxe Blend
Black Oil Sunflower, Millet, Striped Sunflower, Safflower — attractive to a wide variety of birds.
Supreme Blend
Black Oil Sunflower, Striped Sunflower, Safflower and Sunflower Chips — attractive to a wide variety of birds.
Black Oil Sunflower Seed
Blue jays, chickadees, titmice, nuthatches, mockingbirds, juncos,
cardinals, grosbeaks, sparrows, blackbirds and finches.
Sunflower Chips
A variety of birds, including mockingbirds.
Thistle/Nyjer
Small finches, sparrows and juncos.
Safflower
Cardinals, chickadees, titmice, nuthatches, finches and grosbeaks.
Raw Peanuts, no shell
Chickadees, titmice, blue jays and nuthatches.
Suet cakes
Woodpeckers, chickadees, titmice, nuthatches and wrens.
When you order from the Wild Birds Unlimited fundraiser from October 5-30, you are helping to support the Nature Center and your fine, feathered friends all season long! Visit shakerlakes.org/annual-bird-seed-sale to shop!
How to Pick the Right Kind of Feeder - Audubon Society
Food and Feeder Preference of Common Feeder Birds - Project FeederWatch
Get to Know These 15 Common Feeder Birds - Audubon Society
Top 10 Feeding Mistakes - The Spruce
Wild Birds Unlimited
