| Butterfly and bird feeders provide a service to | | | | washing it with hot, soapy water and rinsing it |
| wild creatures by offering them a steady food | | | | with boiling water. Prepare a fresh batch of sugar |
| source. Food sources are important both for birds | | | | water and refill the feeder. Using old sugar water |
| who nest in your area, and for those who | | | | can harm the birds. If you find they aren't drinking |
| migrate through on their way somewhere else. A | | | | much, don't fill the feeders as high. |
| benefit for you, of course, is watching beautiful | | | | For songbirds, tube feeders and platform feeders |
| creatures right in your own yard. Your primary | | | | work well. Place bird feeders a few feet away |
| ways of supplying food are with flowers, the | | | | from shrubbery or trees, as they give birds a |
| natural feeders, and with man-made bird feeders. | | | | place to hide from predators. Cats and squirrels |
| Flowers can attract both butterflies and | | | | can scare birds away from a feeding area. Also, |
| hummingbirds. If you want to try planting a | | | | pay attention to the winds. Whatever direction |
| butterfly and hummingbird garden, check into | | | | the winds typically come from, place the bird |
| some of the following plants: sage, thyme, | | | | feeders on the opposite side of the building. Your |
| lavender, butterfly bush, bee balm, phlox, purple | | | | home will help to break the wind. Birds enjoy a |
| coneflower, and sedum. These are only a few of | | | | calmer area for feeding. |
| numerous good choices. Depending on the area | | | | Popular choices for bird feed include millet, mixed |
| you want to commit to this flower garden, you | | | | seed, sunflower seed, corn, and suet. You can |
| may wish to check into even more varieties of | | | | attract different species, depending on which food |
| flowering plants. Check with your local plant | | | | you place in your bird feeders. If you prefer to |
| nursery to see which flowers they suggest. | | | | keep things simple, black-oil sunflower seeds |
| In addition to flowers, hummingbirds also like | | | | attract the largest variety of birds. You might see |
| hummingbird feeders. These are special feeders | | | | chickadees, finches, woodpeckers, blue jays, |
| designed so that the birds can drink sugar water | | | | cardinals, sparrows, and more. Another popular |
| from it. Preparing the sugar water is simple. Mix | | | | feed is mixed seed. Sprinkle it on the ground, or |
| one part sugar to four parts water. Boil the | | | | use it to fill a platform feeder. Fruits such as |
| mixture and cool it completely before filling the | | | | apples, bananas, and raisins can also attract |
| feeder. Some people add red food coloring | | | | several varieties of songbirds. |
| because they think it will attract the hummingbirds | | | | Plant appropriate flowers and use bird feeders. |
| more strongly. But the coloring is not necessary, | | | | Place the feeders in locations that will attract |
| and some experts actually discourage it. Most | | | | birds, and choose your feed based on the types |
| hummingbird feeders have red parts anyway. | | | | of birds you would like to attract. Clean the |
| Regular cleaning is very important, at least once | | | | feeders regularly to keep them safe and sanitary. |
| every week. Clean a hummingbird feeder by | | | | |