Woodstream Birds - Page 8 - Recent Questions, Troubleshooting & Support

In the winter months there are no insects for birds to eat, so it is more important that they have an abundance of food in the feeder. As for what kinds of food, it can be the same seeds that you offer the birds in the summer.

1) It is quite possible to have a wild bird come and eat out of your hand. The key is to remain very calm and not make any sudden movements. Have the food (probably seeds are best) in your hand and try to make sure the bird sees you. It helps if you make eye contact with the bird and even speak softly and in a very calm manner to it. Try to let it know that you are not an enemy. Have your hand held out so he can see the food. Finally, if he comes and lands on your hand, don't become scared and pull your hand away!

1) People are often amazed at how much baby parrots can eat. Although they are very small, their appetites seem to be insatiable, and sometimes it will seem like you are overfeeding them. In fact, it is very normal for them to eat a lot- it will help them grow and become healthy.

Yes, they can. You can feed your pet bird pumpkin seeds that you bought from the store, or you can take them out of a pumpkin yourself, clean them, dry them, and lightly cook them in the oven on tin foil. it is healthy and birds do find it tasty, too.

1) Yes, bird food can become rotten. It can clump up, become moldy, become infected with insects or rodents, sprout shoots or roots, and/or smell bad. If the food becomes too old, it loses nutritional value and birds may not find it appetizing.

1) Kitchen scraps are generally fed to larger birds such as ducks and gulls. Because birds who eat from birdfeeders are generally much smaller, you should tear the food scraps into very small pieces so they can fit into very small beaks. Monitor the birdfeeder after a couple of days, and if the food is still there, it means the birds don't like it.

Yes, birds can have food allergies. Usually the symptoms will be itchy skin, or possibly an increase in their drinking and urination habits

1) Different birds like different kinds of seeds. For example, almost all birds enjoy sunflower seeds. Other popular seeds include safflower, corn, Millet, Milo, Nyjer and Suet. If you know of a certain species of bird that lives near you, you can check the chart on this website to see what seeds that bird enjoys.

http://www.birds.cornell.edu/pfw/AboutBirdsandFeeding/BirdFoods.htm

: Most of the bird treat recipes are pretty simple and if they aren't - just don't bother. Here's a YouTube video where a woman shows you step by step how she makes her bird treats:

Yes, bird treats can be used as a helpful way to train your parrot to behave well. Here is a YouTube video which shows a woman training her parrot with treats:

Your neighbor probably meant that you can make your own bird treats really easily and put a hole through them (they can be made very dense and sticky), and then you can string them on to a tree. Take a look at this picture:

Take a look at this wonderful website that has a huge amount of recipes for bird food. I'm sure you'll find some new treats for your birds. http://www.cockatielcottage.net/biscuitsnbones/maincc.html

Yes you can use popcorn as a bird treat. If you want to give the corn kernels unpopped then you should soak them in hot water first to soften them.

I came across this biscotti recipe on the Simply Pets website and my bird can't get enough of it! Here's the link to the recipe. http://www.simplypets.com/pet-recipes/Bird/Treat/277

Yes, birds actually love broccoli. You should make sure that the broccoli is clean first of all, then spread a bit of honey on it and dip it in bird seed. Your birds should love it!

At the Bird Guys website, they have a whole page just for Parakeet treats. I'm sure you will find some good stuff there. http://www.birdguys.com/bird-treats-parakeet-treats.html

The Petsmart website has a good range of bird treats including Millet based ones. Here's a link to their Spray Millet product.

There are recipes for homemade bird seed treats that involve suet or some other sticking agent that keeps it together so you can hang it in a lump. But I came across a very cute web posting with a recipe for a bird seed treat that is heart shaped! Check out this link http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/activities/crafts/wild-bird-treat/

Although there is some overlap, the food you give your pet bird may not be exactly the same as the food eaten by birds in the wild. Here is a link to a recipe for a wild bird treat on the National Geographic site, so you can be sure it's appropriate for wild birds.

There are lots of easy ideas for feeding birds a treat but check out this suggestion on the family corner website that explains how to hang a great bread and peanut butter bird treat and turn it into a fun activity at the same time. Enjoy yourselves!