How to Introduce Your Kids to Feeding the Birds

It's a great opportunity to teach kids about nature when you get them interested in feeding the birds in their own yard. Here are some suggestions to help you get them used to feeding local feathered friends.

Steps

1
Spend a little time observing the birds. Help the kids learn the names of the birds that stop by your wonderful garden so that they are aware of the birds that are around.
- Consider visiting the library to borrow books on local birds. This will help your kids learn more about the birds' habits and eating preferences. You will probably learn a lot too.
2
Choose or make bird feeders. You will need to decide whether you'll target all the birds or only some, as some birds will be ground feeders, some nectar feeders, and some will be happiest perching high. The time spent observing will help you to make the best choice.
- If you have cats, it might not be wise to encourage ground feeding.
- If the kids want to make their own, here are some ideas: How to make a cardboard bird feeder, How to make a bird feeder, and How to make a milk carton bird feeder.
3
Set up the bird feeder together. Get your kids to as much of the siting and preparing as possible. The basic rules are:
- Site the bird feeder at least one metre from windows in the house or shed. This will help to prevent bird flight collisions.
- Avoid hanging the feeder near shrubs, trees, walls, or low roofs that cats, possums, squirrels, or other seed eaters or hunters can leap from.
4
Have the kids prepare the seed mixes for the bird feeder.
- Mixed seed will attract a variety of birds.
- Black oil sunflower seeds and suet make many birds happy.
- Use your learning from the books to prepare any specialist food needs for the birds in your locale.
5
Teach the children how to keep the bird feeder clean on a regular basis. Explain to them how important cleanliness is, just as it is for them to eat off clean plates, so too for the birds.
- Scrub the feeder with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts water solution, with gloves on. Rinse thoroughly and air dry before adding seeds in again. Supervise children doing any cleaning with bleach, or do it with them watching until they're ready.
- Encourage the kids to collect and dispose of any feed that falls out of the feeder. This will prevent fungal growth and removes an attractant for mice and rats.

Tips

Explain to children that human food like bread and cake provides no nutrition for birds and shouldn't be fed to them. Explain the importance of the birds proper diet for their functioning.
Take a visit to a zoo or nature park where they let kids feed the birds. This will give them a chance to know what it's like feeding different types of birds. Keepers will often give talks on the conservation issues surrounding the birds too.
Some food ideas for birds:
- How to feed hummingbirds
- How to make peanut butter bird feed
- How to make homemade bird food
- How to make peanut butter bird food on the cob
- How to make baby bird rescue food.

Warnings

The birds might become dependent on your food instead of their own diet.
Teach your kids the importance of keeping dogs and cats in at night to help the birds survive.

Things You'll Need

Bird feeder
Appropriate seed or other food
Cleaning gear
Keen kids

Article Info

Categories: Feeding Birds