Bird Food .. Sharing Leftovers
Melon, squash and pumpkin seeds – cardinals and others
Corn (even dried and still on cob) – blue jays
Coconut – chickadees
Peanuts, popcorn, potato chips – lots of seed-eating birds
Acorns, hickory nuts, beechnuts, walnuts (smashed a little) – lots of seed-eating birds
Apple, pear, orange halves – orioles and finches (especially orange halves)
Grapes (smashed a little), fresh or frozen blueberries – lots of fruit-eating birds
Raisins and currants (soaked to plump them up) – robins, bluebirds, catbirds, mockingbirds
Cheerios, oatmeal (raw or cooked) – lots of birds
Jam or jelly – warblers and orioles
Yellow cornmeal mixed with peanut butter – lots of birds
Eggshells (crushed) – put out in spring for egg-laying mother birds
Learn where particular birds like to eat. Some like their food placed on elevated platforms, some eat on the ground, some prefer tube feeders, and some like their food held in little cages nailed to a tree trunk. All need a perch or a safe (from cats and other predators) place to stand while eating. All need fresh, not moldy food so be sure to keep your bird feeders and feeding area clean.
Most birds appreciate clean water for drinking and bathing. Standing water attracts mosquitoes so clean your water bath every day!