2
usually is hinged for easy filling
of sunflower or seed mixes.
Metal hoppers sometimes
have a counter-balanced
platform which closes access
to the seed when heavier birds
or squirrels attempt to feed.
s
Suet Feeders – may be a
mesh potato or onion bag, or
made of metal like hardware
cloth. You can make one of
wood by drilling 1-1/2" holes in
thick pieces of wood (such as
a 2x4) and push the suet into
the holes. If a metal feeder is
used, a bird’s tongue can
freeze to the metal while
feeding. You can buy suet
cakes which can be put out at
any time or you can get
unrendered fat from most
grocery stores to use when it
is cold outside (in warm
temperatures, the fat can
become rancid).
s
Hummingbird Feeders –
usually are made from glass or
plastic. They are red in color to
resemble flowers where
hummingbirds harvest nectar.
It is best to scatter several
feeders in your habitat as the
tiny birds are combative and
will spend lots of time driving
off other hummingbirds. The
feeders must be keep filled
with room temperature sugar
water (four parts of boiling
water to one part cane
sugar) and cleaned with a
dilute solution of chlorine
bleach (soak for an hour and
rinse) several times a week in
hot weather. Red food
coloring is not necessary.
s
Squirrel Feeders – can be
made by mounting ears of
corn on long spikes that are
fastened to decks or trees
away from your bird feeders.
Squirrels can damage nearly
any type of feeder that is not
“squirrel proof." The Institute
sells a heavy-duty PVC Bird
Postª feeder that is
guaranteed squirrel-proof.
s
Fruit Feeders – can be made
by forcing a large nail through
half of an orange or apple and
nailing it to a tree or post.
The fruit will attract
Baltimore orioles, red-bellied
woodpeckers, catbirds, and
red squirrels.
Dust and Grit
Dust and grit are important to
birds. Pheasants, wild turkeys,
and some species of songbirds will
take a dust “bath" to control
external parasites.
You can easily provide dust in
your backyard habitat by adding
finely pulverized soil to an area no
more than 2 ft. in diameter.
Feeders
The Institute recommends that you photocopy the components chart and put it
up where you can see it from time to time. Then youÕll be able to channel your
thoughts toward coming up with really creative and exciting enhancement
projects for your wildlife habitat or others. The chart is also a great tool to use
when a neighbor, friend, or relative asks you how they can attract more wildlife
to their property.
Sixteen Components of Wildlife Habitat
– Landscaping for Wildlife
Structural
Components
Plant
Components
