Maximize backyard traffic with tried-and-true tips from the pros.
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A bird feeder is like a window to the natural world. It gives you a chance to delight in the antics and beauty of birds for hours of joy and learning. Best of all, feeding backyard fliers is simple—anyone can do it. Follow these tips to make the experience even better for you and for the birds.
Keep Up with Cleaning
A clean feeder is essential, and it’s definitely something to keep in mind when you’re buying or building a new one. In addition to how attractive it looks, how sturdy it is, and how much seed it holds, consider how easy it will be to clean a particular feeder. And then it’s important to follow up by cleaning them thoroughly—once every few weeks for seed or suet feeders, once every few days for hummingbird feeders, and even more often in hot and humid weather.
Skip the Red Dye
Experts agree that red dye in hummingbird food is not only unnecessary, it could actually harm hummingbirds. The safest, most inexpensive way to provide hummingbird food (aside from adding native plants) is making your own: Stir four parts water with one part pure cane sugar. Bring to a boil, cool completely and fill your feeders.
Go Beyond Seed
Bird feeding is rewarding even if you offer only one or two kinds of food. But adding variety to the menu attracts more kinds of birds. Black oil sunflower, thistle (Nyjer) seed and white millet are three of the staples. Add oranges and apples to attract orioles and catbirds, suet to lure woodpeckers and peanuts to entice titmice, chickadees and nuthatches.
Say No to Grease
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der April/May 2019-Ausgabe von Birds & Blooms.
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Diese Geschichte stammt aus der April/May 2019-Ausgabe von Birds & Blooms.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
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Rainbow of Colors
Summer ts prime time for picturesque hummingbird sightings
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Climbing On Up
Color your garden with these flowering vines
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Beauties of the Southwest
Learn how and where to find North America’s showiest hummingbird
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Cooling Off
Here’s how to help hummingbirds during extreme temperatures
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Ask the Experts
Pros offer gardening advice and insightful info on birds
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flower power!
These extraordinary Photo Contest entries showcase the subtle and diverse beauty of backyard blooms
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SMALL BIRDS, BIG THRILLS
Costa Rica is full of dazzling hummingbirds-here are eight to add to your international bird bucket list
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Backyard Berry Patch
Follow this guide for growing a bumper crop of strawberries at home
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Clever Cowbirds
Learn more about these birds that are infamous for letting others raise their young
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Ask the Experts
Pros offer spring plant care tips and tough IDs