Other than common birdseed in your birdfeeders, what treats do you feed the birds outside?

Question

I'd like to leave something different once in a while as a treat to my feathered friends outside. Other than the common birdseed I put in the feeders, what do you think they would like? Anything in particular for particular birds? If so, what for who? Any people food that they would like that would be good for them?

Answer 1

I feed the birds any left over rice, pasta, bread ends, suet

Answer 2

It varies on the species. For example, the Bluebird family likes mealworms, so occasionally I'll put that out as a treat or if I wanted to snap a picture. Cardinals like Black-oil sunflower seeds, and that is another good bird for photography with their striking plumage. Woodpeckers like suet feeders (the seed that is all stuck together with fat) and Goldfinches (other finches included) like thistle.

I usually just have the normal birdseed, mixed variety out. I also have a thistle feeder for the goldfinches.

Occasionally I put out my pet birds' millet for a treat. Another good thing to ensure the health of your wild outdoor birds is to mix grit (you can buy this at most petstores) in with the seeds. If you live somewhere where it snows, this grit is very important in the winter months. Since birds don't have teeth, they eat small pebbles and stones to help grind up their food. This isn't really a treat, more of a benefit for the birds' health.

Also try some dried fruit. Be sure to check if it is poisonous beforehand, as it might be! (like the avacado, is lethal to most birds)

Answer 3

Suet. you can also take a pine cone spread it with peanut butter and roll it in rape seed, this ifs the little tiny black seed that all birds seem to choose.
Try placing diced fruit and veggies on a flat type bird feeder, those that are kind of like a bird bath and they will flock to it.
Do NOT use rice, it is deadly for them.
Have fun.

Answer 4

Many different breeds of birds LOVE suet. You can purchase it for cheap or check out the multitude of recipes online and make it yourself. (Given that one suet cake is generally less than a buck, I don't even bother making my own any more). I love that it attracts woodpeckers. Unfortunately, it also attracts those pesky squirrels, so keep an eye out.

Answer 5

plant flowers, natures on little treats. I have hosta that when they bloom the humming birds love, you can do any type of daisy, there is also a flower called foxglove that the birds love. during the winter we do the peanut but treats rolled in bird seed, the birds love it! hope this helps some.

Answer 6

I have suet feeders which several different species really like. I also put out pinecones with peanut butter on them..and the jays, nuthatches, and juncos really like it. If you have orioles in your area, you can put out orange slices and grape jelly.

Answer 7

any dried fruit, peanut butter, bananachips
my parrot loves banana chips and so do the blue jays out side
also millet spray

Answer 8

sugar water for hummingbirds, thistle seed for finches

Answer 9

thistle seed, stale bread and old apples