Tips for Attracting Birds

March 1, 2011


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    Chipper and cheerful, birds are sure to flock to your backyard with the help of our handmade, spiral bird feeder. Bird watching is not only a great garden activity; birds are known to drive away pests and are as helpful as they are charming. Once you’ve created your bird feeder, turn to our basic bird food guide for perfect menu ideas that will attract your favorite feathered friends.

Creating Your Spiral Bird Feederbirds next builder inset

Supplies
12 or 10 gauge wire (aluminum, copper or nickel)
Rolling pin or can
Pliers
Wire clipper

Instructions
  1. Start by wrapping the wire around your rolling pin or can about 10 times.
  2. Using your wire clippers, cut the wire from its spool, then pull the spiral off the rolling pin or can. Hold each end of the spiral and pull to loosen.
  3. Grip one end of the wire with pliers and hold the center of the spiral in your free hand. Start spinning the spiral so that the end you’re clamping becomes tighter than the middle. Repeat this process for the opposite end.
  4. To create the hanger, cut a 10” piece of wire and use your pliers to bend both ends into hooks. Loop the two hooks underneath opposite sides of the top of the spiral, then use your pliers to fully clamp the loops in place.
Filling your Feeder

  • orange bird feeder insetFruit: Orange halves, apples, grapes and melons all attract a variety of birds. Simply pull both ends of your feeder to create an opening and slip the sugary snacks inside. To maintain your feeder, clean it out as food spoils.
  • Seed-Covered Pinecones: Peanut butter covered pinecones can be rolled in seeds and then placed in your spiral feeder.
  • Nesting Materials: Fill your feeder with nesting materials and birds will flock from afar. Items like yarn, grass clippings (free of chemicals), twigs, yarn and cloth (cut into 4-6” strips) can all be used to piece together a nest. Even pet hair makes a soft lining for nests. To give birds a hand with making a home, craft our gorgeous gourd bird houses.
Basic Types of Bird Seed
Reference our basic birdseed breakdown to determine which foods will attract your favorite feathered friends.
    Fruit: Goldfinches, House Finches, Orioles, Mockingbirds, Bluebirds, Cardinals, Woodpeckers, Jays, Starlings, Robins, Thrushes, Grosbeaks, Buntings

    Cracked Corn: Red Winged Blackbirds, Starlings, Doves, Ravens, Grosbeaks, House Sparrows, Crows, Cardinals, Nuthatches, Jays, Juncos

    Sunflower Seeds (Black Oil or Striped): Goldfinches, House Finches, Purple Finches, Grosbeaks, Chickadees, Titmice, Nuthatches, Cardinals, Jays, Doves, Sparrows, Juncos, Buntings, Red Winged Blackbirds, Mockingbirds, Bluebirds

    Thistle Seed: Goldfinches, House Finches, Purple Finches, Juncos, Doves

    Millet: Goldfinches, Doves, Buntings, Cardinals, Sparrows, Juncos, Grosbeaks, Red Winged Blackbirds

    Suet: Nuthatches, Woodpeckers, Titmice, Crows, Wrens, House Finches, Grosbeaks, Chickadees, Jays, Red Winged Blackbirds, Starlings, Juncos, Buntings, Sparrows, Mockingbirds, Bluebirds

    Nectar or Sugar Water: Hummingbirds, Orioles, Woodpeckers, Finches

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