National Bird-Feeding Society facts for kids
The National Bird-Feeding Society (NBFS) is an organization in the United States. Its main goal is to make bird feeding better for everyone. This means helping both people who feed wild birds and the birds themselves. The NBFS does this by doing research and teaching people about feeding wild birds.
Since it started in 1989, the NBFS has helped people learn. They share information on the best ways to feed birds. They also show how to enjoy bird feeding even beyond your own backyard. The NBFS gives tips on different bird seed and bird feeder types. They also offer a guide to help you become a better bird feeder.
What Birds Like to Eat: Seed Preferences
In 2008, a big study about bird seed and feeder choices finished. This study lasted three years and cost one million dollars. It was called Project Wildbird. Dr. David Horn and Stacey Johansen at Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois, led the study. The Wild Bird Feeding Industry Research Foundation paid for it.
The study looked at ten common types of bird seeds. It found that five types were the most popular with birds:
- Black-oil sunflower
- Nyjer (also called thistle)
- Fine and medium sunflower chips (hulled sunflower)
- White proso millet
Birds showed three main patterns in what seeds they liked:
- Small finches, like American goldfinch and pine siskin, love nyjer and sunflower hearts.
- Birds that grab a seed and fly off to eat it, like black-capped chickadee, Carolina chickadee, tufted titmouse, and white-breasted nuthatch, prefer black-oil sunflower seed. Larger finches, such as house finch and purple finch, and the northern cardinal, also like black-oil sunflower.
- Ground-feeding birds, like chipping sparrow, dark-eyed junco, and mourning dove, prefer white proso millet.
Some bird seeds are not very popular with birds. Red milo, for example, is a seed that few birds want to eat. So, if a bird seed mix has a lot of red milo, birds might not eat it. This can make bird feeding less fun.
Choosing the Best Bird Feeder
There are many kinds of bird feeders, but they usually fit into three main groups: tube, hopper, and platform feeders.
- Tube feeders are long and thin, often made of plastic.
- Hopper feeders look like small houses. They are made from metal, wood, and plastic.
- Platform feeders are large trays. They often have a cover and are usually made of wood or plastic.
All three types of feeders can hold different kinds of bird seeds. However, some special feeders are made just for nyjer, sunflower hearts, or whole peanuts (peanuts without shells, split in half).
- Tube feeders usually attract small birds. Larger birds often cannot perch on them.
- Hopper and platform feeders attract birds of all sizes.
Choosing the right bird feeder is as important as choosing the right seed.
- If you want to attract many small songbirds, a tube feeder is a great choice.
- Hopper feeders attract many different bird species. They can also store a lot of bird seed.
- Platform feeders attract the most types of birds. But, the seed in them can get wet or blow away in the wind more easily.
You can also find special feeders to attract even more types of birds.
- Some feeders hold suet, which attracts woodpeckers.
- Nectar feeders attract hummingbirds and orioles.
- Fruit feeders attract robins.
- Insect feeders attract bluebirds.
- There are also feeders made specifically for whole peanuts, sunflower hearts, and nyjer.
History of the NBFS
The NBFS started in 1989. The Wild Bird Feeding Industry, a group for bird feeding businesses, helped create it. In its early years, the NBFS sent out newsletters and offered learning materials for teachers. They also held fun photo contests.
For almost 15 years, the NBFS sent a newsletter called "The Bird’s-Eye reView" to its members every two months. This newsletter had tips, stories, and ways to attract wild birds. The society also made a "Kit for Kids" with materials for teachers. They also published two booklets: "The Story of Bird Feeding" and "The Dynamics of Bird Feeding." In its first years, the NBFS also had photo contests. People would send in pictures of birds at feeders or unusual visitors to their feeders.
Today, the NBFS continues to teach people about bird feeding. They also work to protect wild birds. They want people to know how to help birds at home and in other places. The NBFS also sponsors National Bird-Feeding Month, which happens every February. This month helps promote the fun hobby of feeding birds.
