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Feeding
Bluebirds


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Feeding Bluebirds
When insects are not available, bluebirds will eat other foods including suet, berries, mealworms, and soft cracked seeds such as sunflower chips. The fruits eaten in the fall provide the bluebirds with insulative winter fat.  Feeders containing mealworms or currants often attract bluebirds. Planting berry-bearing trees and shrubs is an excellent means of providing bluebirds with food.
   

Bluebird feeders usually have clear plastic or glass sides with 1 1/2" inch diameter entrance holes at either end. The sides may need to be left open at first to attract the bluebirds to the feeding station. In many areas, dogwood berries and mealworms can be purchased locally.  They can also be purchased via the Internet.

Bluebird Feeder
Bluebird feeders such as this one may be purchased or made.

 

Winter Pudding Recipe

You may want to try this "Winter Pudding" recipe for your bluebird feeder!

2 quarts water
1 cup margarine
4 cups grits (not instant)
1 cup peanut butter
raisins and peanut hearts (optional)

In a large saucepan, bring water and margarine to a boil. Slowly add grits, stirring and cooking until mixture begins to thicken. Remove from heat and add peanut butter, raisins and peanut hearts. Mix together well, then place in feeders. Freeze the balance in low plastic or foil containers for future use.

Other Backyard Bird Recipes
These recipes are reprinted and edited from Bluebird, Journal of the North American Bluebird Society (Vol. 21, No.1.)
Marvel Meal

1 cup peanut butter
1 cup vegetable shortening
melted beef suet or bacon drippings
4 cups yellow corn meal
1 cup white flour

Mix ingredients together to make a soft doughy mix. Can be offered in suet mesh bags, or rolled into balls and offered in an open dish.

Miracle Meal

4 cups yellow cornmeal
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup lard, melted suet, or grease
1 teaspoon corn oil
sunflower hearts, peanut hearts, chopped soaked raisins

Melt lard and stir in sunflower hearts, peanut hearts and raisins. Mix in corn oil, cornmeal, and flour. Let this set up and then cut into chunks. Serve in a suet feeder or in an open dish.

Bluebird Meal

5 parts old-fashioned oatmeal
1 part corn syrup
1 part peanut butter
1 part bacon grease, melted suet, or lard

Mix well and smear into 1-inch holes drilled into a suspended log suet feeder. All birds like this recipe!

 

 
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