How Do You Get Humming Birds to Feed From Your Hand
There's nothing better than watching an array of wildlife enjoying the garden as much as we do - so don't give up on the birds throughout the colder months. Follow these tips to keep them well fed...
What's appropriate when feeding birds?
As the nights draw in and we retreat indoors, spare a thought for our feathered friends outside. Much as we are inclined to do, birds must fatten up in winter to ensure a reserve toasty enough to survive the frostiest of nights. Now more than ever, your local and visiting birds will appreciate any food you can offer but as with all wildlife, it's important to know the right things to provide and what to avoid.
Replenish food supplies regularly, cleaning dishes and seed holders as often as you can to avoid germs or disease spreading. Keep a constant supply of water on offer both for drinking and bathing. Avoid the water freezing by placing a small, floating ball in the container. Never resort to antifreeze or chemicals that could poison the birds or coat their feathers, stopping them from being waterproof.
Types of bird food vary and some aren't suitable for certain breeds. For example, if you notice any green or pink lumps in the food these are most likely dog biscuits, which are only edible to birds when soaked so should be avoided. Instead, opt for high-quality bird seed that contains plenty of flaked maize, sunflower seeds and peanut granules.
Essential fat sources
Fat is essential for birds in winter but be careful what you put out. The leftover fat from your cooking or the margarine or vegetable oil you eat yourself isn't any good for birds. Opt instead for fat balls, fat-based bars and food produced especially for birds. They will provide excellent nutrition and essential warmth. It's more eco-friendly to choose the balls that come without netting bags, but if you do buy ones in nets be sure to remove them before you put the balls out.
Peanuts are a great food for birds but in spring and summer, when the young are around, it's best to stick to ground peanuts to avoid the risk of choking. Whole peanuts can be put out in winter but there are differing standards of nuts on the market so make sure you buy fresh, quality varieties that are suitable for human consumption. They're a favourite of tits, greenfinches, house sparrows, nuthatches and siskins.
If you're lucky, great spotted woodpeckers (above) might also be attracted to your garden. And remember, as tasty as dry-roasted and salted versions may be to us, they're not suitable for our avian visitors.
Raid your own storecupboard carefully when feeding birds
Apples, pears and other soft fruits prove popular and can be put out whole for the birds to enjoy. Some dried fruits such as raisins and sultanas are also suitable but be sure to use naturally dried, sweetened and preserved ones as some artificial preservatives and sweeteners are poisonous, not only birds but also to dogs and other pets.
As with hedgehogs, birds should never be given milk. However, a mild cheese grated finely is another perfect fat source and will be particularly popular with robins, wrens and dunnocks. Although uncooked rice won't harm birds, it's only likely to attract the larger species such as pigeons, doves and even pheasants. Cooked rice, however, without adding any salt is suitable to give and will tend to be accepted by all species, especially during the cold weather.
All types of cereal are also safe to feed to birds, although they're more likely to prefer muesli, granola and oat-based types. Put out small quantities at a time and remember that it will quickly turn to a messy, unpalatable pulp in wet weather.
According to the British Trust of Ornithology (BTO), you can expect to see the following birds in your during autumn and winter. How many do you have living on your land?
- Robin (top)
- Blue tit
- Blackbird
- Great tit
- Chaffinch
- Greenfinch
- Dunnock
- Collared dove
- Coal tit (above)
- House sparrow
For further information and advice on feeding birds see RSPB and BTO.
Source: https://www.countryliving.com/uk/wildlife/countryside/how-to/a54/top-tips-for-feeding-birds-in-winter/
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