Released: February 15, 2002

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Feeders Attract Birds for Watching

MANHATTAN, Kan. – While some birdwatching enthusiasts enjoy the thrill of a distant sighting through high-powered binoculars, birding hobbyists can attract feathered friends by appealing to their natural instincts through winter feeding, said Kansas State University Research and Extension agent Chuck Otte.

"A good way to bring birds up close to your home is to feed them," said Otte, Geary County agriculture Extension agent. "The type of birds you attract will depend on the type of feed you put out, the type of feeder you use and the location of the feeder."

With variations and combinations from the central designs, there are several different structured types of feeders ranging from platform feeders to tube feeders and from suet feeders to hanging feeders.

Functional feeders are constructed from durable materials to help keep the seed clean and dry. They also provide easy access for the birds. The designs should be simple to fill and keep clean, he said.

"Location, high or low, as well as surrounding cover seems to have as much to do with usage of the feeder by birds as does the type of feeder," Otte said.

Feeders should be located out of the wind, on the east or southeast side of a house or near a row of trees. Perching spots, such as a nearby bush or tree, allow birds to survey the feeding area and provide sufficient cover for safe refuge from predators, he said. While feeders should be positioned near cover, open areas are needed for birds to watch for danger.

In order to determine the best feeder system, Otte encourages bird watchers to think of the desired feed and location for the birds. Feeds, for the birds likely to be attracted in Kansas, are listed in order of preference:

American Goldfinch (year-round resident) - Raised or hanging feeders - black oil sunflower, Niger thistle, hulled sunflower.

American Tree Sparrow and Harris Sparrow (primarily a winter resident) - Ground feeders or low raised feeders - white proso millet and golden millet, Niger thistle, hulled sunflower, fine cracked corn.

Black-capped Chickadee (year-round resident) - Ground feeder, low raised or hanging feeder - black oil sunflower, black striped sunflower, peanut kernels, safflower, suet.

Blue Jay (year-round resident) - Raised feeder - peanut kernels, black striped sunflower, suet.

Common Grackle (year-round resident) - Ground feeder or low raised feeder - sunflower of any kind, peanut kernels, peanut hearts, fine cracked corn.

Dark-eyed Junco (primarily a winter resident) - Ground feeder or low raised feeder - white proso millet, golden millet, hulled sunflower, Niger thistle, cracked corn.

Downy, Hairy and Red-bellied Woodpecker, Northern Flicker (primarily a winter resident) - Hanging feeder - suet, sunflower.

Evening Grosbeak (primarily a winter resident) - High hanging feeder - black oil sunflower, black striped sunflower, hulled sunflower.

House Finch (year-round resident) - Low raised feeder or hanging feeder - Niger thistle, sunflower of any kind, peanut kernels and peanut hearts, white proso millet, safflower.

House Sparrow (year-round resident) - Ground feeder or low raised feeder - white proso millet and golden millet, sunflower of any kind, peanut hearts, red proso millet, fine cracked corn.

Mourning Dove (year-round resident) - Ground feeder - black oil sunflower, white proso millet, red proso millet, golden millet, Niger thistle, other sunflower, peanut hearts, fine cracked corn, safflower.

Northern Cardinal (year-round resident) - Low raised feeder - black oil sunflower, black striped sunflower, hulled sunflower, peanut kernels, peanut hearts, white proso millet, safflower.

Pine Siskin (primarily a winter resident) - Raised feeders - Niger thistle, hulled sunflower, white proso millet, golden millet.

Purple Finch (primarily a winter resident) - High raised feeder or hanging feeder - black oil sunflower, black striped sunflower, Niger thistle, hulled sunflower.

White (year-round resident) or Red Breasted Nuthatches (primarily winter) - Ground feeders, low raised feeders, suet feeders - suet, black oil sunflower, black striped sunflower, hulled sunflower.

Red-winged Blackbird (year-round resident) - Ground feeder, low raised feeder - hulled sunflower, white proso millet, golden millet, fine cracked corn.

Starling (year-round resident) - Ground feeder, low raised feeder, hanging feeder - suet, hulled sunflower, fine cracked corn.

Tufted Titmouse (year-round resident) - Low raised feeder, hanging feeder - peanut kernels, black oil sunflower, black striped sunflower, hulled sunflower.

For more information, interested persons can visit the Website http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/geary/NRWM.htm.

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K-State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well-being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K-State campus, Manhattan.

Story by:
Lucas Shivers, Communications Assistant, Communications Assistant
lshivers@oznet.ksu.edu
K-State Research& Extension News