Food

Even though birds use a variety of foods to replenish their daily energy needs, certain foods are preferred to others. Some species enjoy seeds, others meat and some fruit. So if you want to attract a wide variety of birds to your garden you need to provide a diet that consists of a variety of foods.

Here are some ideas to get you going.

Indigenous bushes, trees and grasses

The natural (trees and bushes) versus artificial foods (foods you provide on a feeder) debate has been raging for years and most probably will continue to do so for many years to come. Although I believe that the responsible use of "artificial" foods will not harm birds, the provision of more natural foods must remain the preferred choice of feeding the birds in your garden.

I am not going to discuss the variety of indigenous bushes and trees that can be planted in your garden. Many books have been written about this subject and I refer you to those. Your nursery will also be able to provide you with more information. Some nurseries now have sections dedicated to indigenous plants and some even have cards indicating what sort of birds will be attracted by the plant in question!

Before going to the nursery to buy your plants, it is important to carefully plan your garden. Decide where you want to have an open area, where your wetland is going to be and where you want to plant that tree that will grow up to a height of 15m during the next 10 years. Always keep in mind the needs of the birds and do not forget to also make provision for nectar, fruit and seed carrying plants as well as those that attract insects.

Two books with food recipes for birds. The book n the left is aimed at South African birds and the other at American birds. Both contain not only interesting recipes, but also plans for feeders.

Despite indigenous plants being the preferred choice to feed your garden birds, providing them with apples, bananas and bonemeal are part of the fun of garden birding. In this way you can also make available food that you could not provide for in a more natural way.

You can keep your feeder very simple or you can decide to build or buy a feeder with lots of gadgets that may fit into the theme of your garden. Which way you want to go, is up to you.

Below is an example of a simple feeder. A dead tree is used by impaling apples and other fruits in the dead branches. Seeds are thrown on the ground or in a container of some sort.

Nurseries, pet shops and many other shops sell all types of bird feeders. Some have a very simple design while others are more complicated. Below is an example of such a feeder.

Special feeders that provide "nectar" for sunbirds are also available. As I have indicated above there is an ongoing debate about providing food artificially for birds and this debate become especially hot when talking about providing sugar water or water with honey in it, for sunbirds. Again rather try to plant plants that have nectar carrying flowers. But it is interesting to see how the sunbirds feed on sugar water and even other birds species might utilize this food source.

Where to place your feeder?

The placement of your feeder is important. Place the feeder within easy reach of the birds and where they will feel secure. If you have cats or dogs try to place the feeder in an area where they cannot attack or chase the birds away. Also make sure that if they do have to flee there is enough hiding place, like a tree, in the vicinity.