As many of you have noticed, birds have been attacking the feeders like there is no tomorrow. And there won't be if they don't bulk up now to prepare for a harsh Michigan winter or a long journey south. Birds change into a “superbird” state when their internal clock is triggered by shorter days and cooler weather at the end of summer. Right now a bird needs to increase its fat reserves by as much as 1-10% per day. This feeding frenzy is called hyperphagia. In human terms, this would mean I would have to gain 12 pounds per day. That gives "eats like a bird" a whole new meaning. But remember that their fat increase is vital for the extreme energy required to survive the coming months.
Keeping your feeders filled with high energy, high fat foods can provide your birds with the critical nutrition they need to survive. High on the list of best choices to meet this nutritional need is suet.
Seeds also provide fats, but in varying degrees. High on the list are peanuts, which provide 412 fat calories per 100 grams. Other high fat seeds include sunflower chips (429 fat calories per 100 grams), black oil sunflower (354 calories) and niger seed (342 fat calories).
Wild Birds Unlimited is dedicated to offering fresh, top-quality seed. Our no-waste bird seed blends are made from 100% edible seed and have been exclusively formulated for the feeding preferences of our local birds. No cereal fillers—just fresh, high-quality seed your birds will love.
Our most popular Wild Birds Unlimited seed blends are No Mess and Choice Blend because they are filled with many of these high fat seeds and nuts making them ideal foods, along with suet, to offer your birds this fall.
Seeds also provide fats, but in varying degrees. High on the list are peanuts, which provide 412 fat calories per 100 grams. Other high fat seeds include sunflower chips (429 fat calories per 100 grams), black oil sunflower (354 calories) and niger seed (342 fat calories).Our most popular Wild Birds Unlimited seed blends are No Mess and Choice Blend because they are filled with many of these high fat seeds and nuts making them ideal foods, along with suet, to offer your birds this fall.
Zoological Society of Milwaukee Bird Migration Facts by Kerry Scanlan, Vicki Piaskowski, Michelle Jacobi and Steve Mahler
I was wondering why I've been visiting your store more often.
ReplyDeleteThe doves and sparrows are so ravenous this winter-they are attacking my feeders and I am refilling them daily. What's the deal this winter? Is it due to the warm late fall?
ReplyDeleteYour question is exactly the reason everyone should participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) the second week in February each year. The data collected can be invaluable. Canada’s natural seed crops were horrible this year and lots of birds that usually like to winter further north are going to have venture south to Michigan to find food. Based on reports from a few years ago, you can see that when we had a similar influx of birds from Canada and the UP looking for food in our area, feeder activity was up.
ReplyDeleteMore birds from up north, mild fall weather, and fewer natural resources available means more birds are looking for alternate sources of food. When it’s especially bad outside, seed eating birds flock to feeders no matter where you live to build up their energy reserves.
Your habitat may also be changing. More evergreens may mean more sparrows and doves are roosting nearby. Or look at the food you are offering. Sunflower is the favorite of most seed eating birds, but seed blends with more millet will attract more sparrows and doves. Suets and peanuts will attract more bug eating birds like the jays, woodpeckers, chickadees, titmice and nuthatches.
Wild Birds Unlimited has regionally formulated seed blends to provide the most nutritious food for your birds. The first ingredient in our top 4 seed blends is sunflower seed. And our top two blends have peanuts in the mix. Make sure cheap filler grains like oats, wheat and milo are not in the seed blend you choose because you will end up with a lot of waste on the ground.
Food is an essential element, providing birds with the energy, stamina and nutrition they need. An ample supply of high-calorie foods such as black oil sunflower, nuts and suet can be crucial to a bird's survival.
Water is also important. My birdbath is always busy in the winter with a variety of birds. To maintain their metabolism during cold weather, birds like a reliable source of open water to conserve energy. Clean feathers help birds stay warm, and a bird bath is often the only way for some birds to drink and keep their feathers in top condition when it’s cold.
Clean down feathers can be adjusted to create air pockets, like a down jacket. While the outer body feathers lie on top of each other, to create an airtight windbreaker. Research has shown that a chickadee with well-maintained feathers can create a 70° (F) layer of insulation between the outside air and its skin.