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Does This Look Like a Finch Feeder To You?
Not even close! Doesn’t look anything like a finch feeder…no tube, no thistle, no perches. It’s really a woodpecker feeder.
Then why is this little goldfinch chowing down here? The dull plumage gives a hint – it’s the dead of winter and the suet sure does taste good. Look at the giant chuck in his mouth! Peanut suet with lots of fat and protein with extra calories to help keep warm.
Funny thing is, the large finch feeder stays in the yard year-round, filled with thistle seed. But when the temperatures really start to drop, suet is the preferred food of many feathered friends. Now that spring has sprung, that large thistle bird feeder gets filled twice a week, and the finches are eating me out of house and home!
Thanks to my friend for this great photo in my yard.
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Fun Squirrel Feeders
Everyone likes squirrels, right?They are cute, funny little animals that seem amazingly intelligent. They can figure out almost any kind of bird feeder, and unless you take extra steps to keep food protected and away from them, all bird feeders have the potential to become squirrel feeders. So, if squirrels are so smart, and we like them so much, why do we try to keep them out of our bird feeders? In a word, cost. Bird food can turn into very expensive squirrel food…and might fast too. The little guys can eat about ten times their weight in just one week!
The answer may be to provide some deterrents in the way of squirrel feeders for your furry friends. There are a variety available, and they can be filled with inexpensive feed such as; corn on the cob, cracked corn, whole peanuts, or wildlife mix that will keep them entertaining you for hours. Squirrels are also grateful for many foods that might otherwise become trash — over-ripened fruit, and stale nuts, for example, are a particular treat. And by directing them to a ready supply of food, you may deter squirrels from searching further (and chewing up things like your trashcans).
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Got Crowds at Your Thistle Bird Feeder?
Because of their sweet nature and very gentle disposition, American Goldfinches will quickly give up, rather than fight at a crowded thistle bird feeder. Larger tube feeders are great, but sometimes seed at the bottom tends to spoil. Multiple thistle feeders are a good idea, but can get pretty costly.An inexpensive and effective way to feed lots more finches is using thistle socks. The Finch Magic Thistle Sack is a heavy duty mesh thistle bird feeder with drawstring and toggle lock. Available in three convenient sizes, the black color is wonderful for viewing vibrant Goldfinches during summer months…the contrast is absolutely stunning! Hanging several of these feeders allows many more finches to feed comfortably than with one traditional tube feeder.
Don’t forget the nesting materials, as these birds are the last ones to breed and nest, waiting until June or July. And as always, a fresh water source will attract and entice more feathered friends to stick around your place.
Birding Tips, Information & News
