Want to attract many different types of birds that may not be coming to your seed or suet feeders? Try putting out some mealworms. Birds think they are candy! Mealworms are a great source of protein. For example, insects are about 85% of a bluebirds diet so giving them this extra nutritious food while nesting, gives the baby birds a good start on life, and may save a bird's life during winter or cold snaps in the spring. Early arriving migrants may not find many insects in your backyard so give them a helping hand with the mealworms.
Many types of birds enjoy devouring these delicious worms -- some of which are Robins, Finches, Carolina Wrens, Brown Thrashers, Blue Jays, Chickadees, Downy Woodpeckers, Hairy Woodpeckers, Red-bellied Woodpeckers, Indigo Buntings, Juncos, Kinglets, Mockingbirds, Nuthatches, Orioles, Song Sparrows, Tanagers, Vireos, Warblers, and many more.
After the birds become aware of this treat, they will flock to the feeder -- just a Tupperware bowl or tuna can will work. Since live mealworms are wiggly, straight edged cans, such as tuna cans, can double as feeders when placed on a platform feeder or on a picnic table.
Holes can be punched in both sides, attach a wire or string and hang the tuna can feeder in a tree. It is very important the sides are high enough and slick enough to keep the mealworms from escaping over the edge -- they are great crawlers.
Hope you find this tidbit interesting and helpful for your continued bird enjoyment.
June
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4 comments:
Your information about the mealworms is very interesting and informative. Keep sending out this kind of blog.
This blog is very informative. It is great information to know.
This blog is very informative. It is great information to know.
What keeps mealworms from reproducing in the garden or getting into the house?
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