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So you enjoy bird watching, and you wish more birds would eat the treats you leave in your garden. But hold on a minute - what do birds eat, exactly?
The rule of thumb is that birds eat all-natural foods such as worms and insects; fruits like berries; nuts, seeds, and flower nectar; tree sap, shrubs, and tree buds; and fish.
To get a clue precisely what a certain bird eats, check out its bill or beak.
1. A bill that is thick and cone-shaped is perfect for cracking seeds. So, if you find birds with this bill (think Grosbeaks, Cardinals, and Finches) hanging about your garden, serve it seeds. They'll be happy to eat seeds every day of the year!
2. Birds with thin and short beaks will most likely eat insects.
3. A pouch - such as that of a Pelican's - is built for scooping fish.
4. Slender and curbed bills are for probing for insects, so forget about enticing Thrashers and Wrens with flowers. It won't work. These birds won't be lured by the promise of nectar.
5. Hummingbirds will feed where flowers are. Their thin, long beaks are designed to get nectar.
There are many fascinating answers to the question, "What do birds eat?" Sometimes, the changing seasons also change birds' diets. To keep it simple and so you won't be puzzled what to serve your winged friends, put a birdbath in your garden. Birds frequently make trips to water sources. The best place for your birdbath is anywhere near trees or shrubs. Many birds prefer drinking water that lies close to a protective cover so they can duck or dive whenever humans get too close. |
