Tips for Attracting More Birds to Your Feeder

Ever wonder why some backyards seem to naturally attract more colorful birds to the feeder?

Chances are that it didn't just happen.

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Ever wonder why some backyards seem to naturally attract more colorful birds to the feeder?

Chances are that it didn't just happen. The homeowner probably followed a few basic steps to make sure the birds weren't attracted to the feeder just once, but again and again.

Selecting the right food* Be sure to read package labels carefully to determine the exact ingredients of the bird food you purchase. Mixes that are high in fillers and less expensive cereal grains, such as red milo and wheat, may attract more common birds, but are unlikely to appeal to more colorful birds like finches, grosbeaks, woodpeckers, chickadees, buntings or cardinals. Premium wild bird feed, such as Lyric Supreme Wild Bird Food, attracts a wider assortment of colorful songbirds because it contains no fillers. Only gourmet ingredients, including safflower, black oil sunflower, peanuts, tree nut pieces, sunflower kernels, niger, white proso millet, small golden millet, cracked corn, canary seed and striped sunflower are used. Not only does this attract more birds, but it also means less mess and waste around the feeder and a better value for the money.

* If you want to attract specific birds try mixes created with them in mind. Lyric Cardinal, Chickadee, Finch and Woodpecker mixes are perfect examples.

* Mixes that are mess free, weed free and waste free, like Lyric Delite, appeal to gardeners who hate weeds growing in their beds. Since all of the ingredients are shell free, they will not germinate if they fall to the ground and there are no shells to cause a mess. Even better, all the ingredients are 100 percent edible.

* In addition to the actual ingredients, the product package is an important consideration since it protects product quality and taste. Lyric's new cube packaging was designed to maintain product freshness, and it also deters pests and insects.

Selection and Care of the Feeder

* Choose a feeder that offers smooth food flow with adequate openings so larger ingredients don't jam up food openings. The Lyric Supreme Salt Box Feeder is designed for this purpose and is compatible with many bird species. If you're interested in attracting a particular species of bird, look for a feeder that is designed specifically for it such as the Lyric Chickadee, Finch or Woodpecker feeders.

* Keep bird food fresh and clump-free. Always shake a feeder before refilling to ensure there are no clumps of spoiled food at the bottom. Pouring good food on top of bad increases bacteria growth.

* Keep the feeder and surrounding area clean to minimize disease and improve the food's taste. Clean the feeders on a regular basis - at least once a season.

Soak tube feeders in a bucket of hot water and a 10 percent bleach solution, then brush them clean and allow to dry before refilling. Wooden feeders should be scrubbed with soap and water and then allowed to dry for at least half a day to be completely free of any moisture, which can spoil food.

* Keep feeders filled year-round for maximum activity. Late spring and early summer are especially critical times since young ones are hatching, which increases the nutritional needs of birds. If you're hoping to watch baby birds being hatched, be certain that suet is included in your seed, such as that found in Lyric's Supreme Suet 'n Seed mix. Not only is suet one of the first foods that can be digested by baby birds, but it also provides a fast, high-energy meal for tired parents.

Don't Forget the Other Essentials

* Maintain a fresh supply of water near your feeder. Just like humans, birds like a little something to drink with their meal. Keep in mind that the sound of water is what really attracts them, so consider adding a mister, dripper or re-circulating device to your baths for the greatest success.

* Provide adequate housing. The best way to attract migratory birds and keep them coming back is to provide housing. There is a serious housing shortage for cavity-nesting birds. You can help by putting out birdhouses. Lyric's Custom Nest Box is the ideal solution and makes a wonderful gift for bird lovers.

For more information on attracting birds to your yard, visit www.lyricbirdfood.com.

Courtesy of ARA Content

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