
Wild Birds
Do you enjoy watching and feeding the wild birds in your area? Bird feeders provide a great opportunity to view our feathered
friends from the comfort of your home.
Drew’s Garden stocks an amazing variety of seeds and feeds to specifically attract beautiful Michigan songbirds.
There are a wide variety of feeders to choose from. When food supplies are scarce, such as in the very early spring or
during bouts of severe weather, birds will rely more on your feeders. The available habitat and quality of available food will
help attract and keep songbirds at your backyard feeders. Pick a location that can be seen from your house, where the seed
hulls and bird droppings won’t be a problem, and that you can easily access for filling and cleaning. Avoid placing the
feeders in an area that has a lot of ground cover as this provides good places for predators to hide.
Placing bird feeders on a metal pole rather than on a tree limb will help to deter squirrel problems. Locating feeding stations in several areas in the yard can reduce crowding and fighting. Try placing different foods in each feeder to attract the largest variety of birds. If you are able to provide a water source in addition to feeders, this will also help attract birds to an area. Birds find water that is dripping or splashing especially attractive. There is no best time to start feeding birds. Once food is presented and the birds find it, they will visit year–round.
Drew’s Garden stocks an amazing variety of seeds and feeds to specifically attract beautiful Michigan songbirds.




Placing bird feeders on a metal pole rather than on a tree limb will help to deter squirrel problems. Locating feeding stations in several areas in the yard can reduce crowding and fighting. Try placing different foods in each feeder to attract the largest variety of birds. If you are able to provide a water source in addition to feeders, this will also help attract birds to an area. Birds find water that is dripping or splashing especially attractive. There is no best time to start feeding birds. Once food is presented and the birds find it, they will visit year–round.
Tube Feeders


Tray Or Platform Feeders


Suet Feeders


Nectar Feeders


Fruit
Many birds will feed on fruit, such as an orange half, if it is simply placed out on a ledge or speared on a tree limb. Birds
that are attracted to fruit are orioles, tanagers, mockingbirds, thrashers, bluebirds, cardinals, woodpeckers, jays, starlings,
thrushes, cedar waxwings, and yellow–breasted chats. These birds may also eat grape jelly if it is placed out on small
trays. Feeding with fruit is usually done in the summer.To help avoid the spread of avian diseases, feeders should be properly maintained to prevent bacteria buildup. Help your birds remain healthy by keeping the feeders clean of waste and food droppings, and cleaning them once a month with a mixture of warm, soapy water and a capful or two of household bleach. Clean more often during humid summer months and cool, wet weather to avoid food spoilage.
*Information courtesy of: Sargent, M.S and Carter, K.S., ed. 1999. Managing Michigan Wildlife: A Landowners Guide. Michigan United Conservation Clubs, East Lansing, MI. 297pp.