It’s probably one of the oldest idioms about feeding birds, “I don’t feed the birds in summer because they don’t need it!”
Well, if they don’t “need it”…they sure do seem to love it!
Maybe we should ask the birds if they want us to stop feeding them this summer.
They’d probably tell us that summer is actually the most heavily bird populated season in most of North America, and contrary to the old idiom, recent research shows summer to be the most abundant season for birds to visit feeders. And they would be sure to mention that feeding birds in the summer actually provides numerous perks for them…and for you, too.
If they could read the research, birds would share that having access to a reliable source of supplemental bird foods, rich in protein, fats and calcium has been documented to facilitate higher nesting success rates. And yes, many birds nest well into late summer…think bluebirds, goldfinches, cardinals, robins and others.
Who would really want to miss out on summer’s spectacular display of beautiful hummingbirds, colorful orioles, brilliant goldfinches, musical wrens, cheerful bluebirds, robust woodpeckers and the always entertaining antics of baby birds as they try to master our feeders!
Summer bird feeding brings a wealth of new birds to your yard, with interesting behaviors for you to observe and enjoy. This large cast of avian characters at your summer feeders will be dressed in their finest breeding plumage, ready to provide you with hours of bird feeding fun.
So, let’s put the old idiom to bed!
Keep your birds happy and healthy by keeping your feeders full this summer! In fact, consider upping your game with foods such as our Wild Birds Unlimited Nesting SuperBlend™ as a Seed Blend or Seed Cylinder. Both are specifically formulated to provide all the protein, fat and calcium needed to support your birds’ nesting and molting activities.
Fun Facts About Young Birds Nutritional Needs
Young birds need calcium, protein and fat among other nutrients while growing.
Most dietary calcium in young birds is used for the formation of skeletal (bone) production.
Calcium is the most prevalent mineral in the body and is required in the diet in greater amounts than any other mineral.
Calcium is the most challenging mineral because of the extreme changes in periods of demand and because many foods are likely to be deficient in calcium.
If given a choice between two foods that are identical in every respect except calcium level, young birds and laying females will select a calcium-adequate food more frequently than a deficient one.
Birds find calcium in their natural foods like seeds, snail shells and other exoskeletons of insects, egg shells (e.g. from other earlier-nesting birds), mortar picked off of buildings, bones (e.g. often fish bones), ashes, soil (if it is rich in calcium) and other sources.
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