Bird feeders

[matt819]

In contrast to many in this group, I'm not a birder. Just a backyard bird fan and feeder.

I have a couple of questions.

Why are bird feeders so darned expensive? And I'm not talking about Droll Yankee. All feeders seem just so expensive, even fairly straightforward platform feeders. I know there are diy plans to make them, but I'm not exactly handy, or inclined. Anyone have sources for decent quality and decently priced feeders? I can appreciate that bird houses are a bit pricey. I've taken down six and cleaned them to get ready for the spring, I can see that there's some work and material in them. But the feeders, not so much.

Suet. How did suet become a feed option for birds. It's not a natural food source in the wild. I get the interest in what's mixed into the suet - nuts, berries, mealworms, insects. But I don't get the idea of the suet itself. Am I doing more harm than good offering suet?

Apart from your basic black oil sunflower seeds, I've had mixed results with seed mixes. Maybe my problem is that I'm not necessarily consistent. In any case, is there any sort of consensus on the "best" tube feeder feed?

I'm in the northeast, and we've had the following throughout the winter: finches, grosbeaks, blue jays, mourning doves, grackles (maybe), starlings (maybe), variety of sparrow-like birds, cardinals. We also have ravens (maybe they're crows) and some hawks, but they're not feeder birds. Heck, we thought the hawk was going to pick up one of our terriers. We've had some redwing blackbirds returning, and we saw an eastern bluebird this morning, though they're earlier than usual and may not stay longer term yet as long as the temps keep going up and down.

Thanks.

[efhmc]

1. Can't help you but I found it interesting to read.

Good luck.

[Fresh_Start]

2. good question

here are some ideas maybe one of them will work for you

https://happyhooligans.ca/32-homemade-bird-feeders/

[GentryDixon]

3. If you are going to give them suet, you need to make your own.

https://watchingbackyardbirds.com/wbbsite/article/suet-dough-in-moderation.php

Because I have suffered from gout myself, I started making my own. I found this recipe on DU:

https://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php/www/harveywasserman.com/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=294x2796

It never was of the consistency to cut in blocks, but I did scoop into flat feeders when the mothers were raising their little ones. They loved it. It smelled good too. 😃

[justhanginon]

4. I have had real good luck with the plastic soda bottle feeders

that screw onto the bottom of soda bottles. You are reusing a soda bottle and all you really have to do is punch a couple of holes,use a coat hanger to make a hanger and the cost is really cheap. You can find them at a lot of hardware stores or places that sell bird seed or do a google search for soda bottle bird feeders.

[eppur_se_muova]

5. Many birds eat insects and caterpillars ... suet is a substitute for those. nt

[Mosby]

6. suet is a cold weather food

I feed the birds a mix of a fruit and nut blend and a waste free mix. The waste free is basically sunflower seed pieces and peanuts. The birds love it.

What they don't like is nyger seed and lots of brown millet. Also safflower seed.