All About Birds

How to Attract Monk Parakeets

allaboutbirds — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 14:21:33 +0000

Quaker or Monk Parakeets originated from S. America. They live in communal nests and recently have been found eating from backyard feeders. Currently, we have 2-3 dozen parakeets visiting our feeders. How did I attract so many parakeets to my backyard? The following steps are from my experiences and research about Monk Parakeets.

Monk (Quaker) parakeets eat legumes, grains, seeds (safflower, sunflower), leaf buds, fruits, berries, nuts, blossoms, and insects.

Often Monk parakeets live near the coast. The moderate temperatures of coastal areas may be a factor. We live in South Florida in Broward County, approximately 7 miles from the coast and 1/2 mile from a stream.

Monk Parakeets usually leave their nest in small foraging parties of 2-14 soon after sunrise. Monk Parakeets are often seen sitting in the tops of trees eating leaf buds or fruit.

What has made the parrots particularly noticeable over the past few years is their increasing presence at bird feeders especially where sunflower and safflower seeds are offered.

Based on my observations and research, I noticed that the parakeets would first stay near the top of our Mango tree and other tall trees. Gradually, they would drop down to lower branches. Eventually, they would fly to one of the tube feeders near our tree.

I noticed that these parakeets were acrobatics and had no trouble hanging on small perches or feeding almost upside down. Feeders with a platform or round base also invited pigeons and doves. I removed the platform feeders. I purchased plastic tube feeders AND shortened the perches to approximately 1″ by carefully cutting them.

I purchased several plastic tube feeders (7), shortened the perches, and placed the feeders closer to the Mango tree. In the feeders, we added Safflower Seeds, Black Oil Sunflower Seeds, and a mix of Nuts & Fruit pieces.

I also added a few small hanging containers of water for drinking and bathing + two small fountains. Within a few weeks, more parakeets began to visit our backyard feeders. Soon I will take pictures to add to my tutorials and share with other bird lovers.

Summary: Monk Parakeets are partial to Safflower and Black Oil Sunflower Seeds. They need to be near a tall tree for safety. Place plastic tube feeders near a tall tree. Remember to cut the plastic perches to about 1″. This will allow the acrobatic parakeets to eat and reduce the number of pigeons. Provide water for drinking and bathing.

How Do You Attract Wild Birds to Your Backyard Feeders?

allaboutbirds — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 19:23:40 +0000

Provide Shelter, Nesting, Food, Water, and Flowers

Shelter: Birds need protection from predators and inclement weather.

Nesting: Birds need safe areas for their eggs and young.

Food: Seeds, insects, fruits, nuts, berries, legumes

Water: Birds need water for drinking and bathing.

Flowers and Plants: Create a backyard habitat by selecting plants that produce seeds, berries, or nectar.

American Goldfinch

allaboutbirds — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 18:08:58 +0000

American Goldfinch

Adult males in spring and early summer are bright yellow with black forehead, black wings with white markings, and white patches both above and beneath the tail. Adult females are duller yellow beneath, olive above.

Most small finches such as goldfinches, redpolls and purple finches are agile clinging birds that can feed in almost any position even upside down. They are active and very acrobatic. They sometimes mill about in large numbers at feeders or on the ground beneath them. Goldfinches fly with a bouncy, undulating pattern and often call in flight, drawing attention to themselves.

To encourage goldfinches into your yard, plant native thistles and other composite plants, as well as native milkweed. Almost any kind of bird feeder may attract American Goldfinches, including hopper, platform, and hanging feeders, and these birds don’t mind feeders that sway in the wind.

You’ll also find American Goldfinches are happy to feed on the ground below feeders, eating spilled seeds. They’re most attracted to sunflower seed and nyjer seed, sometimes called thistle� seed. Finches have strong, conical bills for cracking seeds, which make up the majority of their diet. And they are valuable in your yard because they destroy many weed seeds. .

Wild Bird Feeders

allaboutbirds — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 17:57:27 +0000

Wild Bird Feeders

There are many types of bird feeders including:

Tube feeders

Platform feeders

Hopper feeders

Domed feeders

Caged feeders

Squirrel Proof Feeders

Hummingbird feeders

Decorative feeders

Suet and Block feeders

The type of feeder you decide to buy will depend on the type of birds that live in your area and which birds you would like to attract. Generally, platform feeders may invite pigeons and doves. Pigeons and doves prefer to eat from the ground or a platform. They are not fond of hanging from tube feeders. How do I reduce the number of pigeons and doves eating from my feeders?

My suggestion: Purchase plastic tube feeders and shorten the perches. Caged bird feeders (small entry openings for small birds only) and hopper feeders (weight activated spring system) will also prevent larger birds (pigeons, doves) and squirrels from eating from your feeders.

Small and medium sized songbirds have no problems hanging from hanging feeders. Neither do blackbirds. Blackbirds love to eat! They tend to discourage smaller songbirds from visiting your feeders. Blackbirds can flock by the dozens at a backyard bird feeder. How do I reduce the quantity of blackbirds at my backyard feeders?

My suggestion: Shorten perches on plastic tube feeders, purchase caged bird feeders for small birds. I have heard people suggest safflower seeds instead of mixed seeds (millet, milo, etc.) however, most types of blackbirds eat almost anything! Generally, blackbirds are not totally comfortable eating from short perch feeders for very long. Depending on where you live … by attracting more desirable birds to overpopulate your backyard may help to reduce the quantity of blackbirds. Otherwise, do not refill the feeders for a couple of weeks. Hopefully, they will look for another fast food restaurant.

Plants and Flowers that Will Attract Birds

allaboutbirds — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 13:27:36 +0000

Plants & Flowers that Will Attract Birds
Flowers

Aster
Marigold
Black-eyed Susan
Chrysanthemum
Purple Coneflower
Sunflowers

Wild Bird Seeds

Red-Bellied Woodpecker

allaboutbirds — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 12:34:44 +0000

Red-Bellied Woodpecker

Attract Woodpeckers

Close to twenty species of woodpeckers live in North America. Most woodpeckers live all year in the same area and don’t migrate. Woodpeckers can be found in a variety of habitats including farmlands, open woodlands, orchards, oak and pine woods, parks and gardens.

Woodpeckers are very beneficial to our environment. They eat thousands of wood boring insects and other garden pests. You can usually observe most woodpeckers spiraling around a tree trunk in search of food. Attracting woodpeckers to your own backyard is very enjoyable and these perky birds will reward you by eating insect pests in your garden such as crickets, ants, grasshoppers, flies, spiders, wasps, beetles, and grubs. A single flicker can eat thousands of carpenter ants in one day!
Here’s some great tips on how to get these perky birds to visit your backyard:

Woodpeckers dine mostly on insects, but will also eat acorns, nuts, fruit, sap, berries and pine seeds.

Suet, suet and more suet! Offering suet in your backyard is the best enticement to attract woodpeckers. Smear suet in the bark of a tree, offer suet cakes in wire cages. Suet cakes are available in a variety of peanut, seed, berry and raisin flavors.

Woodpeckers will come to your backyard feeder if you have plenty of perching space and offer their favorite food: black oil sunflower seed. Select a platform feeder or seed feeder with lots of perching space. Some woodpeckers will be attracted to cracked corn or grapes, raisins and apples on a platform feeder.

Create or preserve a snag in your backyard. A snag can be an old dead tree or tree stump. Snags are extremely important for providing food, nest sites and homes for woodpeckers. Many woodpeckers prefer dead or rotting trees for excavating their nest holes.

Baltimore Oriole

allaboutbirds — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 19:02:40 +0000

BALTIMORE ORIOLE

Males are a bright orange with a black head.Females are similar to males but, the head is a more dark brownish olive than black, and the body a paler orange.
The Baltimore Oriole is partial to enjoys Caterpillars, fruits, Insects, spiders, Nectar, and occasionally Orange Halves from backyard feeders.

Blue Jays

allaboutbirds — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 18:51:04 +0000

Blue Jays

Blue Jays are known for their intelligence and complex social systems with tight family bonds.

Blue Jays have a wide variety of vocalizations, with an immense “vocabulary.” Blue Jays are also excellent mimics.

Blue Jays eat Peanuts , insects, Nuts or Seeds , Berries, and Sunflower Seeds in trees, shrubs, on the ground, and from backyard feeders.

Blue Jays often take drinks from Bird Baths.

Blue Jays have a large variety of calls. The most often heard is a loud jeer. Other sounds include whistled notes and gurgling sounds. Blue Jays sometimes mimic hawks, especially Red-shouldered Hawks to warn other Blue Jays of imminent danger.

The Blue Jay song is called the “whisper song,” which is a collection of clicks, chucks, whirrs, whines, notes, and a mix of other calls.

Northern Cardinal

allaboutbirds — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 18:43:27 +0000

NORTHERN CARDINAL (Cardinalis cardinalis)

The Male is beautiful bright red with a black face. Also has a prominent crest and red bill.

The Female is fawn colored (light yellowish brown) with red accents.

The Cardinal is part of the Finch Family.

Cardinals enjoy eating Sunflower Seeds, Insects, and Cracked Corn.
Cardinals will visit Backyard Feeders most often in the early morning and late afternoon hours.

Typically, Cardinals do not migrate.

Both male and female Northern Cardinals sing. Their beautiful whistles and songs are delightful to listen to.

Cardinals will mate for life and remain together throughout the entire year. That’s why you will usually see a male and female together at your feeding station.

Northern Mockingbird

allaboutbirds — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 21:58:55 +0000

Northern Mockingbird

The Mockingbird is best known for its amazing vocal imitations. Besides its own glorious song, the mockingbird’s range has been known to include over 40 different sounds.

The Mockingbird is a very important visitor to your backyard. Not only is it’s song enchanting, but they will help to eat many of your nuisance garden insects!
The song is a mixture of original and imitative phrases, each repeated several times. It will imitate other species’ songs and calls, squeaky gates, pianos, sirens, barking dogs, etc.
During the mating season the male will mark his territory with song.

The Mockingbird’s primary diet is insects (beetles, ants, grasshoppers and spiders),berries and seed.
Mockingbirds will not typically visit your seed feeders. However you can attract them to your backyard by:

Offer apples or pomegranates to mockingbirds on a Mockingbird Apple Feeder

Offer chopped dried fruit grapes or Raisins Suet on a Platform Feeder

Have Drinking Water for Birds

Plant berry bushes such as holly, mulberries, raspberries, Virginia creeper, blackberries, dogwood, elderberries, hackberry, brambles, pyracantha, cotoneaster, grapes or figs.