BLUEBIRD FEEDER DOWNLOAD

Commercially made suet cakes are easy and relatively inexpensive. But as the weather gets cold and insects are scarce or non-existent, they will really eat up the nutritious and energy-filled suet that you provide for them.

Since insects are plentiful in the summer, it will be difficult to get them to eat suet at that time of year. If the birds don't eat them within a day or two, remove them from the area so they don't go bad or attract unwanted predators.īluebirds will sometimes feed on suet. The eggs should be cooked as normal, scrambled, let cool, and then put out in a tray type of birdfeeder not far from the nest. Kurt Hagemeister of the Michigan Bluebird Society reports that this tactic saved a nest of young bluebirds several years ago in his yard. They will readily accept them and feed them to their young. Online sources for meal worms: RainbowĪs previously stated, under severe conditions of cold and wet weather, bluebirds can be fed scrambled eggs. Check with your favorite pet supply stores and garden centers.

BLUEBIRD FEEDER DOWNLOAD

Bluebirds are hungry then, other insects may not be active yet, and competition from other birds is less.įor more information on feeding meal worms, Click Here to download the North American Bluebird Society's factsheet on Meal worms.īelow are a few online sources for meal worms, but they are likely available in your area. Our experience has shown that early morning is the best time. The Bluebirds will figure this out quickly, and be waiting for you each day when you bring the worms out. This will discourage non-cavity nesting birds that are larger than bluebirds from eating up all the worms - after all, insects are popular with most birds!Īnother meal worm feeding tip is to 'train' the birds to find the meal worms in the same place, at the same time every day. Some feeders have entrance holes which require birds to enter the feeder to get at the meal worms. Meal worm feeders can be purchased at many bird supply stores. The problem is once other birds find the mealies (e.g. The feeding dish MUST BE made of either glass, plastic, metal, or ceramic because meal worms can crawl out of anything with rough sides (like wood).

Meal worms can be served up in any type of shallow dish or container with smooth sides, so the meal worms can't escape. If you have a large amount of meal worms that you won't use right away, put the container in the refrigerator to keep them dormant so they don't turn into adult beetles.

Add a piece of apple, carrot or potato for moisture. Put a bedding of cornmeal or wheat bran into a plastic rectangular container with holes drilled or punched in the top for ventilation. Meal worms are the larval stage of darkling beetles. To order larger quantities, it is usually more economical to purchase meal worms online. Meal worms can be purchased at some bait shops, pet stores or bird supply stores. So, you can help Bluebirds survive by feeding meal worms and even scrambled eggs. If this happens, adults will stop feeding their young and focus on their own survival.

Bluebirds will have a hard time feeding their young when cool, wet conditions persist. NOTE: supplemental feeding can make a HUGE difference to Bluebirds and their young during periods in the Spring when rain and cool weather persists over multiple days. Basically, it acts as a supplement to the natural insect diet bluebirds feed their young. During the breeding season, it is nice to feed meal worms because the harried parents will gratefully accept them to help feed their ravenous young. But, meal worms are the best food to feed bluebirds and they will readily eat them year-round. Most of these will be accepted during the cold weather months if bluebirds have wintered over. Meal worms, suet, sunflower hearts, softened fruits, and cornmeal muffins can all be fed to bluebirds. However, under harsh conditions such as prolonged period of chilly, wet weather, or snow & cold, or when ice coats most of the wild berries, bluebirds will benefit from receiving feeder food. During the warmer months of the year (May through October), Bluebirds can usually find enough food to survive without any problems.

Bluebird feeder