Providing water

Like all living creatures, birds need water. While some moisture can be extracted from food, most birds need to drink every day in summer. As we know, birds also bathe in water every day. Birds use water to clean feathers of dust and parasites. After splashing around in the water, the bird will flutter to a branch, fluff out its feathers and dry out. Then it will carefully preen each feather, adding a protective coat of oil secreted by a gland at the base of the tail.

For these reasons, a dependable source of water is attractive to most birds. In fact, you may see birds at the bath that don't eat seed and would not visit a feeder. Providing water improves your backyard habitat and provides you with great fun to watch bird behavior.

A good bird bath mimics shallow puddles. Most birds provide to bathe in water up to their thighs so look for a bath that is not too deep. Style does not mean much to the birds. They are just looking for the water. We, however, want a bath that will look good in our gardening scheme, as well as attract birds. Ideally the bath should be one that is easily cleaned. Cleaning the bath daily also discourages mosquitoes. Baths that are dirty are of no benefit to the birds.

Baths should slope gently to allow the birds to wade into the water to the depth they prefer. You can imitate a natural puddle by placing a low bath at ground level, but be wary of cats. A bath with a pedestal of a hanging bath 2 or 3 feet off the ground gives birds a fighting chance to get away. The wet bird must be able to flutter to a limb where it can preen and dry off. The bath should not be so close to shrubbery so as to conceal a crouching predator.

A good way to make the bath even more attractive to birds is to provide some sort of gentle motion on the water's surface. Water dripping or circulating in the basin watches the bird's attention. Well offer "Water Wigglers" that create motion, run on batteries and are silent, with does not disturb the birds. One battery usually lasts most of the summer.

The key to attracting large numbers of birds is to keep the bath filled with fresh water. If you are trying to make your backyard a better place for birdlife, few things are more attractive than a well-maintained bath.

Summer birding

Why feed birds in summer?

There is plenty of insects. Wisdom seems to suggest that we should feed only when natural foods are scarce. But birds will visit feeders all year long. And in summer, for you the backyard birder, the rewards are great. 

Some of the best moments can occur when overworked parent birds bring their fledglings to feeders and baths. Summer is the best time to spot birds, not during the bitter cold of winter. In the summer you'll also see the most vivid plumage.

For a majority of species in the summer, natural food found in backyards is important. Seed from feeders is a supplement. During breeding season, insects are the main source of food. Numbers and diversity of caterpillars (a top food source for chickadees and warblers) decline when non-native plants replace native plants—ones that are meant as the best food for birds.

Don't forget to provide water during summer for both drinking and bathing.

Keeping feeders and baths clean during the summer is very important. Wet seed easily can become moldy in hot summer days. Mold can make birds sick. Throw out suspect seed and replace with fresh seed.

Change water in baths daily. This practice provides clean water for the birds and discourages mosquitoes from hatching.

Naturalist George H. Harrison puts it this way: "Perhaps the greatest advantage of summer bird feeding is that warmer temperatures encourage up-close feeding. Birds become accustomed to your presence and will eat and bathe only a few feet away while you enjoy the calls and songs. … To me there is no better way to enjoy a summer day."

Summer is feeding time

Male American Goldfinch in summer plumage

Summer can be a rewarding season for backyard birding. Here are a few tips to entice a variety of birds.

First, it is a myth that feeding birds in the summer will make them dependent on feeders and cause them to ignore natural foods. Study show that wild birds eat no more than 25 percent of their daily intake from feeders once natural food is available. Birds that migrate fly south based on changes in the reduced summer sun.

Summer is a great time to observe feeders because …

Parents of nestlings do not need to forage far from the next to find food. The nestlings are not left alone for long periods of time and therefore they are safer from predators.

Birds being raised in the backyard give us an opportunity to watch the nestlings as they mature and learn to visit feeders.

Birds are in striking or colorful breeding plumage, making it easier to identify and enjoy.

There is a greater variety of birds in our area during the summer months; by offering food only in winter, you miss seeing many species.

Hummingbirds benefit from nectar to fuel their high metabolism. Late-breeding goldfinches benefit from Nyjer seed until natural thistle, coneflower and rudbeckia go to seed later in the summer.

Hungry stomachs need lots of food

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Winter may be prime feedings for birds when food is in short supply, but birds flock to feeders in summer especially when they have young mouths to feed.

With a feeder located near the nest, the parents don't have to leave the nestlings alone for long periods of time while they search for food. This reduces the chance of predators attacking the chicks.

Summer feeding can bring migrants that we don't see during winter. It is also fun to try different types of food.

Slice an orange in half (through the "equator") and place it on a platform feeder or the feeder pole and see who eats from it. You might be lucky to see a Baltimore Oriole.

Try striped sunflower seeds which are bigger and have a harder shell to crack. Grosbeaks love them. Grosbeaks have thick, sturdy beaches to crush seed hulls. They also are good at crushing insects and grasshoppers.

Mealworms are a favorite of bluebirds but other birds that are insectivores eat them too. Live or dried, mealworms are a great source of protein.

Remember, keep your feeders dry. Hot, humid weather can create mold in damp feeders which can be fatal to birds. Also put suet in the shade. Clean the feeders every two weeks.

Move feeders occasionally to keep concentrations of seed hulls and bird droppings low.

End-of-summer tips

One female and three male goldfinches

Labor Day is upon us, kids are going back to school, summer vacations are ending. Here are a few tips to consider as you enjoy your backyard birding at this time of year:

Lots of goldfinches may be at your Nyjer feeders. Provide only fresh Nyjer as the seed is high in oil. When the weather is hot, the seed can spoil in two months. Keep the seed cool and dry when you store it. One solution is to funnel the seed into one-gallon plastic jugs. Make sure the jugs have a lid. Store them in the air-conditioning or in a dry basement.

Hummingbirds are very active. Those in our area are preparing for the flight south and will be eating a lot. Migrants from up north will be stopping by to "fuel up" before continuing south. Be sure your feeders are clean. Replenish nectar frequently. Hummingbird migration should end (for us) by the end of September.

Most birds have finished nesting by now. However you may still see some young sparrows.

Keep bird baths clean and the water fresh. You'll see more activity if you do.

Use a seed mix that is mostly black oil sunflower along with white millet or safflower seed.

Leave seed heads on plants after the flowers fade. Many birds will eat the seed. Do you grow coneflowers in your garden? The seed heads are highly valued by goldfinches. They'll even hang upside down from a stem to grab a seed!

Pick an area of your yard to go natural. Overgrown is good. Those areas are prized for food and for shelter from rain. Leaf litter attracts invertebrates that birds eat. Nobody rakes the forest!

Listen for different sounds in your yard. Some birds are beginning to migrate south and may be stopping in your yard. Keep watching!

Camping tips to help both people and birds

If you're heading to the woods for a camping trip, consider these tips from the National Audubon Society. They'll make your stay enjoyable and help woodland birds too.

Get rid of all shells and crumbs. This prevents scavenging animals from crashing your site and also protects subsequent campers.

Dispose of waste water in locations indicated by the site management. Keep garbage and recycling in tightly lidded containers.

Extinguish all matches, cigarettes and fires before you go to sleep or depart. Never set off fireworks in the woods. (Fireworks are prohibited in national forests.)

Limit the use of glass. Broken shards are dangerous to humans and animals.

Try not to damage any plants while setting up camp. Don't cut down live trees for firewood. You may be disturbing nesting birds.

Use local firewood only. Transporting firewood can spread insects and other pests that could harm the campsite's environment.

Avoid feeding bread and crackers to birds. It fills them without providing essential nutrients.

Don't bring bird feeders with you. The seed or suet can attract bears, and that's not much fun!

Why aren't birds visiting my feeder?

It's disappointing when birds suddenly disappear from your feeding station. There may be several good explanations for their departure.

KEEP THE FOOD FRESH. Is the seed still fresh? Bird seed doesn't stay fresh forever, you know. All seed eventually will dry out, losing its nutritional value. Most seed has a high oil content. If you store your seed in a sunny shed or a sunny metal container, the heat and humidity can taint the oil. The seed may even become rancid. Birds will avoid seed that is no longer desirable.

Black oil sunflower seed—either straight up or in seed blends—should have a sheen. The same is true with Nyjer seed (commonly known as thistle). At this season, birds seek out the fattiest foods because they are raising hungry chicks or fledglings right now. If your feeder isn't giving them what they want, they will visit feeders elsewhere.

One solution is to store seed in a metal container, a shed or an indoor garage that is protected from the brunt of the summer sun. Is a shady location possible? Another alternative would be to keep seed in the basement where it will be cooler. However make sure the basement is not overly humid. Humidity can produce mold. Yet another option is to buy seed in smaller quantities. Long before the troubles begin, the birds will have happily consumed the entire bag.

Suet or suet dough should be tossed in the garbage if it is moldy. Seed cylinders or large suet blocks should be discarded if they are mushy. If you buy multiple cakes of suet, keep them in the refrigerator—even the freezer compartment is suitable—until you're ready to place them in the feeder. That will maximize freshness.

Hummingbird nectar should be changed every few days. If it looks cloudy, get rid of it immediately, clean the feeder thoroughly and replace with fresh nectar. Hummingbirds always will seek out flowers instead of nasty nectar.

KEEP YOUR FEEDERS CLEAN. Are your seed and suet feeders clean? Birds don't like to eat out of dirty feeders anymore than you'd eat off dirty dishes. Be prepared to clean your tube feeder several times during the course of the summer. The frequency can depend on weather conditions and the amount of use the feeder gets.

When cleaning the feeder, use a brush to dislodge moldy shells and other debris. Rinse the feeder thoroughly in a mild bleach solution (1 part bleach to 10 parts water). That should kill the bacteria. Then rinse completely with clean water and let the feeder air-dry before refilling with seed or suet.

If the tube feeder is so crusted with seed residue, mold, seed sprouts or bird poop that it cannot be cleaned thoroughly, discard the feeder and buy a new one. 

A starling gobbles an insect—instead of your seed!

THE OPTIONS BIRDS HAVE. During the summer, natural food sources are plentiful. Activity at feeders may decline as natural food sources become widely available. During the summer, insects and other invertebrates provide a rich protein diet. Birds depend on this protein to feed chicks in the nest. They also have sources of fat besides bird feeders. Nuts, buds and berries are coming into season. When these are plentiful and easy to find, many birds will choose them.

Look in your neighborhood. Do you see swarms of gnats or mosquitoes? Are crawling bugs—anything from ants and spiders to millipedes—readily visible? Have blueberries or other fruit begun ripening? Birds may find these food sources easier to find than a bird feeder. 

Do not give up. Eventually food will become scarcer. Birds will find it more convenient to return to your feeder for sustenance.

At this time of year, birds are raising and feeding chicks. You can make the job easier for them by offering suet that is rich in fat. Chicks need to put on a lot of weight before they can leave the nest on their own.

PREDATORS. Is there a new predator in the area? Are you seeing cats around your bird feeder? Do you see scatterings of feathers on the ground? Feral cats kill approximately 480 million birds annually in the United States, according to researchers at the University of Nebraska. There are an estimated 60 million feral cats nationwide. Feral cats can produce up to five litters per year, with two to 10 kittens per litter. In addition, house cats that are allowed to roam outdoors kill additional numbers of birds.

If you see cats hanging around your feeder, don't expect ground-feeding birds such as Mourning Doves or sparrows to remain in your backyard. If they aren't killed outright, they'll soon learn to avoid your feeding station.

Cooper's Hawk

Don't take it out on the cat. Cats are trained by instinct to kill birds. He is being the predator that nature designed him to be. But you do have some control over the situation. If you have a house cat, keep it indoors. Your cat will live longer and remain healthier. If you see "stray" cats roaming in the neighborhood, get a trap to catch them. Take them to a veterinarian to have them spayed or neutered. At least that will end the cycle of reproduction.

If cats aren't the problem, perhaps it might be another predator—a Sharp-shinned or Cooper's hawk. These raptors are part of the cycle of nature. They must feed too. If you notice that birds suddenly vanished from your feeding station, that may be the reason. The birds will move on to other territories where they will feel safer. Eventually the hawk will move elsewhere to find his meal. After a couple of weeks or so, birds will return to your feeders.

CHANGING TIMES. Nature constantly changes. Birds move on to other areas. They establish new territories. Families develop then dissipate. Birds migrate. They die. That is the cycle of life.

You do have the ability, however, to make your environment more enticing to birds. Create a habitat that invites them to stay. Consider your backyard or your neighborhood. Is there a source of clean water? Are there plenty of trees or dense shrubs that offer protection from heat, rain, wind or predators? Are there enough nesting sites? 

Serviceberry, a favorite of waxwings

To provide water, get a bird bath. Birds need water for drinking and bathing. And keep in mind, an attractive bird bath can be make your backyard aesthetically pleasing even when the birds are away. If you're really ambitious, you might wish to build a small pond or recirculating stream. 

You might wish to add trees or shrubs to your backyard, especially if most of the yard is nothing but lawn. For the perspective of many types of birds, lawns are vacant spaces. Fill in those gaps with vegetation for protection, nesting and eating. Try adding berry-producing plants such as dogwood, holly, juniper, serviceberry, viburnum, cherry or crabapple. Some birds prefer fruit and berries rather than seed. By expanding the types of food in your backyard, you may see more species such as catbirds, mockingbirds, Cedar Waxwings or Baltimore Orioles.

BE PATIENT. It may take a week or two (or even longer) for birds to return to your feeder. In the meantime, fill your feeder only partway until the activity resumes. If you have a tray feeder, you might wish to offer a few blueberries or sliced strawberries. The new food may bring birds back a little sooner.

Birds love peanuts

Birds love peanuts! In fact, Blue Jays and Tufted Titmice prefer peanuts over sunflower seeds. They will grab them even with the shell on.
Woodpeckers, siskin and chickadees eagerly devour shelled peanuts. Cardinals and sparrows will break the peanut into smaller pieces and eat those pieces.

Actually there are few seed-eating birds that don't like peanuts. One simple reason is nutritional value: Peanuts are very high in protein, oil and fat, making them especially ideal food when raising chicks or surviving winter.

You can serve peanuts in a variety of ways. I put a handful of peanuts on the platform feeder each morning and it does not take long for the jays to "announce" that breakfast is served.

There are wire mesh feeders specifically for peanuts. The birds, such as the nuthatch, cling on the feeder and peck off pieces of a peanut. It is a great way to lure such birds as Downy Woodpeckers, Red-bellied Woodpeckers, wrens, chickadees and titmice to a specific feeder.

Many seed mixes have split peanuts in them and work very well with most feeders such as tube, hopper or platform.

During hot, damp weather, peanuts can go rancid due to the high oil content. Check peanuts occasionally for signs of black mold or darkening in color. Fill the feeder with fresh peanuts if the they look funny or you see a bird fly away from a feeder without eating any.

Summertime feeding tips

Summer has arrived. Here are some ideas to keep in mind when spending time in your backyard:

Give your hanging feeders (especially tube and Nyjer feeders) a shake before you refill them to dislodge any compacted seed. Dump out old, damp seed.

Clean hulls off platform feeders and trays daily.

Use old spatulas or brushes for cleaning feeding stations.

Disinfect feeders by scrubbing with a weak bleach solution (one-quarter cup of bleach to 2 gallons of warm water) every few weeks. Rinse thoroughly and let dry in the sun.

Move the feeding station when the ground underneath becomes covered with hulls or droppings. Rake well to let the grass recover.

If raccoons and deer are feeding at night, put out only enough seed that the birds will eat in a day.

Store seed in clean, dry containers such as galvanized cans.

To protect the suet feeder from invaders, hang a dome-shaped baffle over the suet basket to prevent starlings from landing.

Set up a diversion for larger birds. Place an open platform feeder away from feeders for small birds. Fill with a mixture that includes corn and millet.

In hot weather, change hummingbird nectar and thoroughly wash the feeder every four days. 

Bugged by bugs?

Birds love to eat Japanese beetles

In August, we see more insects in the yard. Some are beneficial to the garden; some aren't. Most backyard birds eat insects, which are high in protein in easy to feed nestlings. But who eats what?

Cardinal: beetles, crickets, katydids, leaf hoppers, cicadas, flies, centipedes, spiders, butterflies, moths.

Chickadee: insects and spiders.

Tufted Titmouse: caterpillars, beetles, ants, wasps, stinkbugs, tree hoppers, spiders and snails.

Mockingbird: beetles, earthworms, moths, butterflies, ants, bees, wasps and grasshoppers.

Catbird: Japanese beetles, midges, grasshoppers, caterpillars and moths.

Common Grackle: beetles, spiders, grasshoppers and caterpillars.

Starling: grasshoppers, beetles, flies, caterpillars, millipedes, spiders, and the adult and grub of Japanese beetles.

Downy Woodpecker: beetle larvae that live in tree bark or wood, ants, caterpillars, bark beetles and apple borers.

Carolina Wren: caterpillars, moths, stinkbugs, beetles, crickets, grasshoppers and cockroaches.

House Wren: beetles, caterpillars, earwigs, daddy longlegs and flies.

Northern Flicker: ants, beetles (gathered from the ground or "cow patties"), flies, butterflies, moths and snails.

White-breasted Nuthatch: weevil larvae; wood-boring beetle larvae, click beetles, tree hoppers, scale insects, ants, gall fly larvae, tent caterpillars, gypsy moths, stinkbugs and spiders.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird: mosquitoes, gnats, fruit flies and spiders. (Ruby-throats catch insects in mid-air or they pluck them from spider webs.)

So you see, songbirds are another natural benefit when you entice birds into your backyard.

August's to-do list

Goldfinches will hang upside down to reach seed

As the final month of summer begins, here are some reminders that will make your backyard birding experience more memorable.

Fill feeders the same time of day if you can. Birds will get to know your routine. Even odd sounds can become the birds' dinner bell. Our back door sticks and makes a loud noise when opened. It takes but a few moments for the robins and catbirds to arrive to feed on the new offering of raisins.

A good summer seed mix has a high percentage of black oil sunflower seeds, with a lesser percentage of while millet and the rest safflower, striped sunflower and shelled peanuts. That will give nearly every seed-eating songbird something to enjoy. Don't forget Nyjer seed. It's the favorite for goldfinches.

Clean hulls beneath feeders and replace with mulch.

Move suet feeders to the shade if possible to slow melting. Another option is to use "No-Melt" varieties. Most of the suet cakes we offer at The Bird House are of the summertime "No-Melt" variety. We switch back to regular suet once the cooler months arrive.

Give nectar feeders a weekly cleaning, especially around feeding ports. Refill anti-ant moats.

Blueberries still are in season and affordable. Freeze them (and other small fruits) for wintertime feeding. The birds will appreciate the treats when berries become scarcer.

Robins and a Flicker enjoy a drink

Bird baths are a good idea in August, an unpredictable month for rain. If you already have a bath, you can attract more birds if the bath is kept clean. Be sure to scrub the it free of algae. Use "Bird Bath Protector" to slow the growth of algae and other organic growths. Use a "Water Wiggler" to keep water moving. Birds will notice moving water and mosquito eggs won't hatch.

Purple coneflowers are past their prime. Soon they will shed their petals and the plants will turn to seed. Let the plants stand through the autumn and into winter. The seeds are a favorite of goldfinches. You'll enjoy seeing goldfinches perching to reach the seed.

Visit your local garden center. Many perennials are past their prime and are marked down for quick sale. They may look a little ragged now but they'll bounce back next spring. Don't be afraid of placing perennials and shrubs close together. The tight growth mimics nature. Birds will welcome shrubs in winter. They use them as shelter from winter winds and as roosting sites.

Why feed birds in summer?

That question is often asked. There is plenty of seed and insects during the summer months. Conventional wisdom has it that we should feed birds when natural food is scarce.

But keep in mind that birds will visit feeders all year long, and summertime is the best season to watch their antics from your deck or patio as you sip a beverage or relax in comfort.

Some of the best moments can occur when overworked parent birds bring their fledglings to feeders and baths. Summer is the best time to spot birds not seen here during the winter. It's also the time to see brilliant breeding plumage such as those of bright yellow male goldfinches (Their feathers turn a dull olive color in the winter.) 

And who hasn't thrilled as chickadees and Downy Woodpeckers let you come so close—within a few feet—as they feed on seed or suet.

During breeding season, insects are a main food source. Many gardens today contain non-native species that lack the numbers and diversity of caterpillars—which makes it harder for parent birds to locate food for their chicks. Suet and mealworms provide a handy substitutes.

Summer is a great time to offer birds a place to drink or bath. You'll see a variety of birds, including those that don't usually come to feeders. It's a delight watching robins run along the ground, their heads cocked, looking for earthworms and grubs. After they eat, they'll head to your bath to drink or splash around.

Keeping feeders and baths clean during the summer is very important. Wet seed can easily get moldy in hot summer days. The mold can sicken birds. Throw out contaminated seed and replace with fresh seed.

Change the water in baths daily to provide fresh water for the birds and prevent mosquito larvae from hatching.

Naturalist George H. Harrison says it best: "Perhaps the greatest advantage of summer bird feeding is that the warmer temperatures encourage up-close feeding. Birds become accustomed to your presence and will eat and bathe only a few feet way while your enjoy the calls and songs ... To me there is no better way to enjoy a summer day."

Hints on hummingbirds

Many people who feed birds really, really want to include hummingbirds in their backyards. The most frequent question I get asked in the spring is, "Seen any hummingbirds yet?"

The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is sole breeding hummingbird in the Lehigh Valley. Feeders and flowers are a great way to attract them. They can fly straight and fast but also can stop instantly, hover, adjust their position up or down, or even fly backwards. They live in open woodlands, meadows, forest edges, grasslands, parks, gardens and backyards.

Males can be distinguished by an iridescent ruby-red patch on their throats (hence the name). Females or juveniles lack this patch and have a white throat; their back is a duller green.

A male allows two females to feed

USE SEVERAL FEEDERS. Hummingbirds are very territorial. One reason is that they  must feed every 20 to 30 minutes during waking hours. That daily quantity of food is huge. They can eat double their weight in nectar every day. If we put that in human terms, a 150-pound individual would have to eat 2,900 Oreo cookies every day! 

A hummingbird protects a patch of flowers or a feeder that will supply the quantity of food required. They are especially hungry in the morning after not eating all night. Flowers produce most of their nectar at night to there is plenty of food when the hummingbird is hungriest.

With one feeder, a dominant bird will guard and chase other hummingbirds away. However, by hanging a few feeders in your backyard, one bird cannot guard them all. It gives several birds an opportunity to feed at the same time. Place a feeder 10 to 15 feet from the nearest bush in an open area that receives partial sun. During hot days, change the nectar about every three days. Feeders should be washed every time the nectar is changed.A variety of hummingbird feeders are available at The Bird House.

 


SELECT THE RIGHT FLOWERS. Plant flowers that are red, orange or pink. Select flowers that bloom at different times so the birds will stay for the full season. They have good color vision and even can see ultraviolet light, which humans cannot see. Hummingbirds have no sense of smell. Many of the flowers that they feast on likewise have little or no fragrance.

Among the flowers that hummingbirds welcome are:

• Shrubs and trees such as azalea, butterfly bush, flowering quince, red buckeye (Aesculus pavia), rhododendron (only the red Catawba variety), rose of sharon and weigela. 
• Vines such as trumpet creeper, coral honeysuckle (avoid the yellow invasive Japanese variety), scarlet runner bean (grown in this area as an annual) and red morning glory (also an annual). 
• Perennials such as anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum, sometimes called "hummingbird mint"), bee balm (Monarda), canna, cardinal flower, columbine (red varieties), coral bells, foxglove, lantana, lupine, digitalis (a variety of Penstemon) and yucca (even though it's usually not reddish). 
• Annuals such as beard tongue (another variety of Penstemon), fuchsia, hummingbird flower (Zauschneria), impatiens and red salvia.

Hummingbirds need nectar for energy but they also need protein to thrive. They eat small flying insects such as fruit flies or gnats. You can attract hummingbirds by draping a banana peel in a partly sunny area, away from your patio or deck. The tiny flies will gather and so will the hummingbirds! Another option is to hang an orange half from a tree branch using twine.

OTHER TIPS. Make your backyard more hospitable to hummingbirds. They need places to perch. Most of the time (especially during nighttime) they sit on twigs, stems and clothes lines. They cannot hop or walk. You can add perching locations by offering special perching. These are available at The Bird House.

Never use red dye to color the nectar. Some of the dyes actually are harmful to the birds. Red hummingbird feeders are sufficient. The Bird House has hummingbird nectar in powder form. All you do is add water. Alternatively you could use white sugar in a ratio of 1 part sugar:4 parts boiling water. Once cooled you fill the feeder; any left over nectar can be stored in the refrigerator.

If bees descend on your feeder, try using a feeder with a bee guard. The hummingbird can reach its beak into the guard but bees cannot. They eventually leave.

If ants are a problem, a nectar protector hung above the feeder will block the ants from getting to the feeder. Simply fill the protector with water. You can add a tablespoon of vegetable oil. That should keep the water from evaporating quickly.

Female feeds her chick

You can attract even more hummingbirds to your hanging flower basket by adding a hummingbird feeder designed to hang in the basket.

NESTING. After mating, the male Ruby-throated Hummingbird doesn't participate in rearing the young. The female does all the work. She selects the nesting site, which usually is the top of a branch 10 to 40 feet above the ground. She uses thistle and dandelion seed, and bits of fiber such as cotton, and then adds stands of spider silk to hold everything together. She sometimes will decorate it with bits of lichen and moss, possibly as camouflage.

Hummingbirds have one or two broods, each with one to three eggs. The size of the egg is no more than that of a pea. The female incubates the eggs for 12 to 14 days, longer if the weather is cooler than usual. She then raises the chicks.

Bugged by bugs?

Male cardinal with a caterpillar

Bugs of all types are at their peak in the backyard: everything from destructive pests such as weevils and scale insects to beneficial insects such as katydids and butterflies.

Many of the backyard birds that we attract to our feeders actually require a healthy diet of insects as well. Birds that we think of as seed-eaters, such as the Northern Cardinal, actually prefers insects during the summer.

Other common birds—Barn Swallows and Purple Martins, for instance—eat insects almost exclusively.

Insects are high in protein and easy to feed to nestlings.

But who is eating what right now?

Cardinal. Beetles, crickets, katydids, leafhoppers, cicadas, flies, centipedes, spiders, butterflies and moths.

Chickadee. Moths, caterpillars, flies, beetles, plant lice, scale, leafhoppers, tree hoppers, aphids, leaf miners and spiders.

Tufted Titmouse. Caterpillars, beetles, ants, wasps, stinkbugs, tree hoppers, spiders, and snails.

Mockingbird. Beetles, earthworms, moths, butterflies, ants, bees, wasps and grasshoppers.

Catbird. Ants, Japanese beetles, midges, grasshoppers, caterpillars and moths.

Common Grackle. Beetles, spiders, grasshoppers and caterpillars.

Starling. Grasshoppers, beetles, flies, caterpillars, millipedes, spiders and Japanese beetles (the adult and the grub).

Downy Woodpecker. Beetles, larvae that live in wood or tree bark, ants, caterpillars, bark beetles and apple borers.

Carolina Wren. Caterpillars, moths, stinkbugs, beetles, crickets, grasshoppers and cockroaches.

Female Ruby-throated Hummingbird snags a fly

House Wren. Beetles, caterpillars, earwigs, daddy longlegs and flies.

Northern Flicker. Ants, beetles (gathered from the ground or from "cow paddies"), flies, butterflies, moths and snails.

White-breasted Nuthatch. Weevil larvae, wood-boring beetle larvae, click beetles, most other beetles, tree hoppers, scale insects, ants, gall fly larvae, tent caterpillars, gypsy moths, stinkbugs and spiders.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird. Mosquitoes, gnats, fruit flies and spiders. They catch insects in mid-air or pluck them from spider webs. (Hummingbirds need protein to thrive; the nectar furnishes them with the fuel to help them find the protein sources.)

Robin. Grasshoppers, beetle grubs, caterpillars, cutworms and (of course) earthworms.

Eastern Bluebird. Caterpillars, grasshoppers, beetles, crickets, weevils, crickets and an occasional ant, fly, centipede, sowbug or snail. They also love mealworms. Mealworms are available at The Bird House in either live or in dried form.

Baltimore Oriole. Beetles, crickets, grasshoppers, moths, flies, spiders, snails, tent caterpillars, gypsy moth caterpillars, fall webworms, spiny elm caterpillars and the larvae within plant galls.

Summertime reminders

Here is a quick "to-do" list for the month of August:

BIRDBATHS. Don't let algae—that green gunk that accumulates on the side of bird baths—remain. It's not pleasant to look at but more importantly it's not good for the birds. It can spread disease. 

Tip the bath over to get rid of all dirty water or use an old cup or scoop to remove the water.

Use a strong brush or strong garden hose to remove any remaining debris or algae. Clean the bath with one part bleach and 10 parts water. Heavy-duty brushes are available at The Bird House. Rinse the bath very well before refilling. Don't forget to rinse your hands thoroughly when you're done.

You can take either of two steps to slow the growth of algae. You can replace water every day or so. Or you can use  "Bird Bath Protector," which contains a nontoxic, biodegradable enzyme that slows the growth of algae. It's safe for birds. You'll spend less time scrubbing, and it's a great preventive measure if you're going to be away on vacation. Bird Bath Protector is available at The Bird House.

HUMMINGBIRD FEEDERS. Clean hummingbird feeders every time you fill them, which in the hot weather should be every 4-5 days. High sugar content can cause mold to build up. Use soap and hot water and brushes to get into small spots. Rinse very well before refilling with nectar. The Bird House has small brushes specifically meant for hummingbird feeders. Make sure to thoroughly rinse the yellow bee guards. Some hummingbird feeders can be cleaned in the dishwasher. Check the label on the product.

SEED FEEDERS. Clean seed feeders, too. Wet seed that sits on the bottom can get moldy or sprout. This is especially true with Nyjer seed or any small seed that can become waterlogged from the rain. Not good for birds! Shake or brush out the debris. Then submerge the feeder in a bucket of soapy water and scrub with a bottle brush. Rinse and dry in the sun before refilling.

For hopper or ground feeders, shake out the leftover seed or shells. Empty the debris into the trash. Use a hose to clean the mesh screen that holds the seed. Let the feeder dry in the sun before refilling.

If you keep your baths and feeders clean, you're more likely to attract more birds to your backyard!

Which birds are the best insect eaters?

An immature female Purple Martin snags an insect in midair

Different birds have different food needs. But many love eating insects.

Purple Martins, for instance, eat almost nothing but airborne insects. These members of the swallow family nest in houses made of many "apartments." They do their eating on the fly, preferring to feed at insect havens such as ponds and wetlands.

Red-eyed Vireos forage in trees looking for crawling insects and caterpillars.

Chipping Sparrows eat insects on the ground and in shrubs and trees. They also eat seed and will visit feeders.

Downy Woodpeckers love insects, as well as sap, berries, seed and suet.
Yellow Warblers have wonderful songs and a preference for caterpillars. They'll also indulge in moths, mosquitoes and beetles.

Eastern Bluebirds eat a variety of insects but can be tempted to remain in a specific area if fed mealworms. They also eat berries to supplement their diet.

Eastern Bluebird chows down on mealworms

Eastern Phoebes, which are members of the flycatcher family, are frequently found near water. They enjoy many kinds of insects, plus invertebrates, serviceberry fruit, hackberry and the berries of poison ivy and sumac.

Baltimore Orioles are colorful migrants who sometimes are seen in backyards. They eat a variety of insects, including tent worms. You can entice them to your backyard by offering nectar or fruit, especially oranges.

House Wrens are regulars in backyards. They eat mostly insects and spiders, as well as seed. They're not fussy where they nest. They love nest boxes, but they'll even try mailboxes or even pockets of hanging laundry.

A White-breasted Nuthatch seeks grubs on tree

Nuthatches and Brown Creepers climb up and down trees seeking bugs in the bark of the tree.

Song Sparrows, Lincoln's Sparrows and other native sparrows hop, front, scratch and back up to loosen soil to find insects. They'll also rustle through fallen leaves.

The Common Nighthawk, which actually is not a hawk, consumes a variety of flying insects. They nest on flat areas such as the ground or even industrial rooftops!

One note of caution: Do you have a lawn service that sprays for bugs and grubs? You may cause birds to move on to other areas. They won't stay if there aren't insects available for them to eat. Use restraint with pesticides. Pesticides are generally non-selective and will kill any insect that comes into contact with the chemicals. The pesticides may kill the mites and aphids that are harming your plants, but they'll also kill the butterflies, ladybugs, lightning bugs, praying mantids and damsel flies that form part of the diet of various types of birds. If you have a problem with an insect infestation, try using eco-friendly solutions to deal with the specific problem, rather than kill every insect willy-nilly.

How do I attract hummingbirds to my yard?

Providing nectar for hungry hummingbirds isn't difficult, but it's too easy to make a mistake or overlook an important detail. You might wish to review these tips to ensure that you are offering your birds the safest and most nutritious food possible.

Don't overdo the sugar content.
The classic recipe for hummingbird nectar is one part of white granulated table sugar to four parts of water. Overly weak nectar may not attract hummingbirds. Overly strong nectar may ferment quicker and clog feeders more easily. 

Boil or no boil?
If you make nectar using white table sugar, you must boil the water. Bring the water to a rolling boil, then add the sugar. Let the mixture cool to room temperature before placing it in the feeder. The Bird House has packets of pure, powdered sucrose that do not require boiling. You may find them more convenient to use.

Make only as nectar as you'll need.

Safe and no boiling required

If you make lots of nectar all at once, you'll may find the last portion is going bad. Don't use more nectar than you'll need within one week. Refrigerate any leftover nectar so it doesn't spoil.

Change the nectar regularly.
At a minimum, nectar should be changed every three or four days. Change it more frequently during periods of hot, sunny weather. Direct sunlight ferments nectar quickly. If possible, locate your feeder in the shade or partial shade. Be consistent. An empty feeder will cause hummingbirds to search elsewhere for food and they may not return.

Use the right form of sugar.
White table sugar consists of sucrose, the main form of sugar that hummingbirds seek. No-boil sucrose products work equally well. But other sugars should not be used. NEVER use these products:

• Powered sugar, which contains anti-caking agents. 
• Brown or brownish sugar. It contains iron, which can build up over time to lethal levels in hummingbirds' bodies.
• High-fructose corn syrup or anything containing high-fructose corn syrup (that's sound medical advice for humans, too).
• Synthetic sugar substitutes or sweeteners. The chemicals are dangerous to hummingbirds.
• Honey. It's a natural food, but useful mostly to honeybees. Diluted honey will produce microbes that are harmful to hummingbirds.
• Molasses. Again, iron is a problem.
• Natural flavorings. Some manufactured hummingbird nectars have strawberry flavoring. The flavoring is useless in attracting the birds. Hummingbirds don't use smell in locating nectar. The strawberry taste and scent appeals mainly to humans. 
• Jell-O. It is mostly gelatin, which quickly becomes home to microbes that can kill hummingbirds.
• Kool-Aid, Crystal Light, Gatorade or sports drinks. They contain chemicals harmful to hummingbirds.
• Carbonated or alcoholic beverages of any kind.
• Fruit juices, beet juice or vegetable juice.
• Lemonade. It may seem sweet to humans but actually it is concentrated acid that will harm the hummingbirds.

To underscore: The sweets listed above should never be used in hummingbird feeders.

Never use red dye.
Hummingbirds are attracted to red flowers; the color of the nectar is immaterial. Adding red food coloring to nectar may harm hummingbirds. Research on rats shows the dye causes DNA damage in the colon. By body weight, hummingbirds consume more dye than rats. Also, anecdotal evidence suggests that red dyes cause higher mortality and greater deformity of beaks. The science isn't conclusive, but do you want to take the risk? 

This brush is great for cleaning tight spaces

Don't neglect your feeder.
A dirty feeder with contaminated nectar can be toxic to hummingbirds. Promptly discard cloudy or milky nectar or liquid that shows dark specks. These are signs of toxicity. To prevent a recurrence, clean and sterilize the feeder before refilling it. 

Clean your feeder regularly.
Attracting hummingbirds with feeders brings with it some responsibility on your hart. Even a feeder that draws hummingbirds needs regular cleaning. You can wash the feeder by hand with a solution of diluted vinegar. Rinse thoroughly. To make hand-cleaning easier, use a brush specifically sized for hummingbird feeders. (The brushes are available at The Bird House.) You may be able to sanitize hummingbird feeders by placing them in your dishwasher. Consult your instruction manual first. Never use harsh cleaning products that are meant for the household.

This "moat" blocks ants from reaching the feeder

Don't let ants take over the feeder.
Sugar water is attractive not only to hummingbirds but also to ants. Hummingbirds can feed around them, but a feeder that is crowded with ants becomes contaminated more quickly. You can keep ants away by adding an "ant moat." These are cups that you fill with water. The water blocks the ants from reaching the feeder. (Ant moats are available at The Bird House.)

Use a red ribbon as an attraction.
If you live in an area where hummingbirds have been seen, but they haven't visited your backyard yet, try adding a bright red ribbon to your feeder. Sometimes the color and the movement will get the birds' attention, especially if the feeder is a new one.

Use multiple feeders if necessary.
Hummingbirds sometimes are territorial. You may find that one hummingbird claims the feeder as his own and shooes away all others. You can provide nectar for everybody by adding two or three feeders. Place them far enough apart that the birds don't notice the others feeding.

Avoid using pesticides.
You may enjoy bug-free and weed-free lawns and gardens, but you're not helping nature at all. Hummingbirds are hyperactive creatures whose metabolisms are fueled by naturally concentrated sugar sources, primarily nectar from flowers and feeders. However, the nectar isn't the birds' real food. It merely serves as the fuel that enables hummingbirds to obtain their main nutritional goal: protein. The birds obtain protein by feeding on tiny insects, which the birds catch on the fly. If you spray your yard with pesticides, you'll kill the insects that the hummingbirds need for nutrition. The birds may move elsewhere even if you offer them several feeders.

Fuchsia is an ideal choice for hanging baskets

Consider adding flowers: the natural nectar.
Flowers are a great natural food source that complement feeders. If you have the opportunity, consider planting flowers that attract hummingbirds to your yard or garden. Even a few hanging baskets of plants will work. It's not uncommon to see hummingbirds zipping about fuchsia, lantana and red petunia that are hung from porches or decks. It's a great way to see the birds up close.   In the garden, most any red flower is a dinner bell for hummingbirds. Among their favorites: bee balm, red hot poker, cardinal flower and columbine. Long-blooming flowers include salvia, butterfly bushes, and purple or red coneflower. Check your garden center. These plants probably are still available for sale.