Birds bring enjoyment year-round to a gardener, but wintertime can be a particularly trying time for birds. Gardeners and bird-lovers alike can make life a little easier for our feathered friends this winter by providing them some of their basic needs. Anyone who enjoys bird-watching knows a feeder will attract birds to your garden faster than you can say Rufus-sided Towhee.

The bird-lovers at GardenArtisans.com offer the following guidance on selecting bird feeders and tips on selecting seeds to attract specific bird species to your feeders.

Different types of seed or feed will attract different types of birds, and the type of feed determines the type of feeder you will select. For instance, if your desire is to attract finches, you will want to offer thistle. Niger seed, or thistle as it is more commonly known, is a seed that resembles small grains of wild rice and requires a feeder with very small feeder ports.

Feeders fall into three basic categories: tray feeders, hopper feeders and tube feeders.

Tray or Platform Feeders

• Tray or platform feeders are any flat, raised surface in which birdseed is spread. These feeders will attract a wide array for birds but oftentimes do not offer protection against other seed eating creatures such as squirrels, nor do they offer protection to the seed against the elements. So when shopping for a platform or tray feeder, look for one with a roof and drainage. It is important to keep the seed dry. When you place a tray or platform feeder up off the ground, you will attract traditional feeder birds such as cardinals, chickadees, titmice and finches. But when placed near the ground on short poles you will attract birds that prefer to eat on the ground such as juncos, doves and sparrows.

House or Hopper Feeders

• A hopper feeder is basically a platform feeder with walls and a roof. The seed is generally fed into the tray by gravity and hopper feeders are capable of holding large quantities of seed. Hooper feeders will attract most feeder birds.

Tube Feeders

• Tube feeders are generally made from plastic and are a hollow tube with multiple feeding ports. Many times it is quite easy for squirrels to chew through these feeders and destroy your feeder in short order. Metal reinforced feeding ports can help. This type feeder is generally very good at keeping your seed dry. The types of birds that will visit this feeder depend on the size of the perch under the feeding port. The shorter the perch, the smaller the bird. Longer perches will attract both large and small birds.
• Available also are tube feeders that are enclosed by a metal cage to discourage squirrels. These really are quite effective and come both as seed tubes and nut tubes.

Thistle Feeders

• A thistle feeder is a specialized tube feeder. The feeding ports are extra small to dispense thistle seed, also known as niger seed.

Suet Feeders

• Suet is animal fat which is a high energy source for birds. Wintertime is a good time to provide birds with this high-energy source of feed. Suet feeders are generally wire mesh cages that are vinyl coated to prevent rusting.

Hummingbird Feeders

• Hummingbird feeders provide a food source for the non-seed eating hummingbirds. The nectar is a liquid mixture made up of sugar and water. When shopping for a hummingbird feeder make sure it is easy to take apart and clean. Hummingbird feeders should be cleaned at least once a week and more often during warm summer days.

Peanut Feeders

• Peanut feeders are built to hold peanuts for the peanut-loving birds such as jays, nuthatches and woodpeckers. They are usually wire-mesh cylinders. Again, squirrels can be a problem, so the caged feeder is often an answer to this dilemma.

Mealworm Feeder

• A mealworm feeder is basically a small tray that will hold mealworms. Mealworms are a particular favorite of the bluebirds and robins.

For an easy-to-read chart that includes seed type, feeder type and the kinds of birds attracted to each, visit Garden Artisans and click on the link Seed and Feeder Preference Chart.

Bird Feeding Tips

• Once you start to provide food for birds, continue throughout the cold season.
• Do not feed birds spoiled leftovers, salty snack foods or sugary cereals and definitely nothing with chocolate.
• Unless your feeder is a mixed seed feeder, try keeping your seed segregated to individual feeders. Birds feeding at feeders with mixed seed discard the seeds they do not want while selecting their favorites.
• Place your feeders where you can view them but also where the birds will have a quick get-away in case of a predator (house cat).
• Try varying the heights of your feeders and spread them out so more birds can use them.
• Never just put out peanut butter for the birds. They can choke on it. Always mix with seed.
• Keep your feeders clean. Clean them at least once a year with a solution of 10 percent bleach. Use gloves and wear a mask.
• Learn about what plants attract birds and butterflies to your garden, obtain suet recipes or shop on-line for a large variety of bird houses and bird feeders by visiting www.GardenArtisans.com.