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Yard birds

Feeders provide food for birds, enjoyment to people

Mourning doves take a break on a branch. The birds frequently will feed on what drops from a feeder.

Cold weather makes it difficult to get outside, but a well-placed bird feeder can bring nature to a front door.

While a few feeders in a yard provide sustenance to a variety of bird species, they also provide hours of viewing pleasure.

“Feeding birds is great entertainment and it doesn’t cost much. There have been studies that have demonstrated the health benefits of feeding birds, especially for elderly people who might be housebound,” said Bill Thompson, editor of “Bird Watcher’s Digest” published in Marietta, and a lifelong birder. “For most of us it’s nearly free, all-natural entertainment and a great way to connect with nature.”

To attract a variety of birds, include a variety of different feeders, each of which has advantages and disadvantages.

Tray feeders give a wide platform from which birds can feed, but the seed is subject to the effects of rain and other weather conditions.

A tufted titmouse prepares to leave a feeder.

Hopper feeders offering protection from the weather are great for attracting birds like finches, cardinals, chickadees and titmice.

Window feeders usually hold less food than hopper feeders, but allow the birdwatcher to get a closer view of the birds.

Nyjer seed, or thistle feeders made of either a metal tube or a sock-like feeder, are great for attracting the American goldfinch, the color of which gets a little less vibrant in the winter months.

Suet feeders are a popular and inexpensive choice to attract birds like woodpeckers and nut hatches. Blocks of feed come in a variety of options and sizes and generally cost less than a dollar.

Whatever feeder is chosen, it is important to remember a few basics, according to Thompson.

A bird sits on a branch between two feeders.

“Keep your feeders and bird baths healthy and clean for the birds,” said Thompson. “Keep your cats indoors so they don’t kill birds, and stop feeding if sick or diseased birds appear at your feeders.”

To prevent the spread of illnesses, Thompson recommends washing feeders in a 9:1 water-to-bleach solution before returning them outside.

Keep a keen watch on a feeder and it may produce a few surprises, Thompson said.

“We’ve had a lot of one-time visitors to our feeders and bird baths,” said Thompson. “I love it when the northern finches show up about once every 10 years or so. We get evening grosbeaks and common redpolls, two species that live in the far north.”

Story and photos by Art Smith

A Carolina chickadee gets a good view from the top of an evergreen.

At the feeder

Birds common in the Mid-Ohio Valley include:

Black capped chickadee. They are easy to attract and enjoy suet, sunflowers and peanuts and will visit a variety of feeder types.

Tufted titmouse. The tufted titmouse can be found at a variety of feeder types and enjoy sunflower, mealworms, nyjer, peanuts and suet.

Dark eyed junco. Juncos favor hopper and tray feeders and enjoy eating sunflower seeds, cracked corn, millet, oats and other feeds.

American Goldfinch. This small bird can be found at a wide range of feeder types and eats sunflower seeds and nyjer.

Blue Jay. The blue jay is larger than most feeder birds and will eat a wide variety of feed including fruit, corn, peanuts and suet.

Downy woodpecker. This bird is a common visitor to suet feeders, but will also feed on sunflowers, mealworms and other foods in different feeders.

Red-bellied woodpecker. Larger than the downy, this woodpecker feeds on a wide variety of feed and can be found at hopper, platform, suet and even nectar feeders.

Northern cardinal. Male and female pairs are frequent visitors to area feeders and enjoy a variety of seeds. The bird is the state bird of both Ohio and West Virginia.

More on birds

More information is available from “Bird Watcher’s Digest,” which is published in Marietta. The magazine and website offer a number of resources for bird lovers at birdwatchersdigest.com.

To learn more about feeders:

– Go to feederwatch.org/learn/common-feeder-birds/

– Go to Cornell University at birds.cornell.edu

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