Nesting and breeding season is one of the most exciting times of the year for birdwatchers. When the days lengthen and the weather warms, birds become more active–they prepare nests, lay eggs, and rear young. Observing these activities in real-time is the highlight of the year for many, and is both enjoyable and educational. Smart bird feeder cams like the Feathersnap make observing these activities is easier than ever. Step one in attracting birds to your Wi-Fi bird feeder cam is getting the right food in the hopper–this blog provides an intro to the best bird foods to set out during nesting and breeding season and gives insight on what you can expect to see when using a smart bird feeder cam.
Why Is the Right Food Important During Nesting and Breeding Season?
Nesting and breeding season is a crucial time for birds, and food fuels all their activities. They need extra energy to build nests, lay eggs, and care for their chicks. Providing high-quality food during this time helps adult birds stay strong and healthy, and gives them the nutrients they need to feed their young.
Just like humans, some bird species are choosy about what they eat when they’re rearing their young, which makes the right food selection vital. Additionally, different birds will be attracted to different types of feeders and foods, so understanding which foods are best suited for nesting and breeding birds can greatly increase your chances of attracting a variety of species to your yard.
Best Bird Foods for Nesting and Breeding Season
1. Suet Cakes and Suet Balls
Suet is a great choice for birds during nesting season because it’s packed with high-energy fats and protein–just what breeding birds need. Suet cakes or suet balls will really bring in woodpeckers, nuthatches, chickadees, and other cavity-nesting birds. Suet provides birds with the energy they need to keep going as they build nests and feed their young. Think of it as a protein bar for hard-working birds.
2. Mealworms
Mealworms are another protein-packed snack that birds love during the breeding season when they require extra protein for egg production and chick development. Mealworms are a sought-after snack for insect-eating birds like bluebirds, wrens, robins, and chickadees.
3. Black Oil Sunflower Seeds
A perennial staple, black oil sunflower seeds are a universal favorite among many bird species. They’re rich in fat and protein, and are smaller and easier for smaller birds to crack open. Cardinals, finches, chickadees, and nuthatches will flock to feeders offering this nutritious seed. This seed is widely available and affordable.
4. Nyjer (Thistle) Seed
Nyjer seed is a favorite for finches like American goldfinches and pine siskins, who are often busy during the nesting season. Packed with oil and nutrients, nyjer seeds help birds build the energy reserves needed for breeding.
5. Peanut Pieces
Peanuts provide a protein-rich snack that’s healthy for both adult birds and growing chicks. Keep in mind that peanuts should be offered in small pieces or shelled to prevent any potential choking hazards. Pieces or shelled peanuts are generally easier to find; while it is possible for birds to choke on peanuts, there is little evidence of choking on whole peanuts. Note that raw is best, and they should always be unsalted. Whole peanuts, in shells, can be used for crows, jays, and magpies, but are generally fed from platform feeders. Woodpeckers, titmice, jays, and chickadees all enjoy peanut pieces. Providing this food during the nesting season helps keep birds healthy and nourished.
6. Cracked Corn
Cracked corn is an inexpensive option that’s especially attractive to ground-feeding birds like doves, sparrows, and quails. While it isn’t as nutrient-dense as some other foods, it’s still a good source of carbohydrates. Keep in mind that spreading corn on the ground may attract all sorts of animals besides birds.
7. Fruit
Many birds are attracted to fruit, particularly during breeding season when they need extra hydration and vitamins. Options include pieces of apple, oranges, grapes, bananas, or berries–these will help draw in fruit-loving species like robins, orioles, tanagers, and mockingbirds. Fruits like berries are also a good food choice for young chicks that are being fed by their parents. Dried fruit is a good option when fresh fruit is not available, but it won’t help the birds stay hydrated.
8. Seed Mixes with Insects
While less common, some seed blends include dried insects, and this can be especially appealing to birds that eat insects. These mixes often include seeds like sunflower, millet, and oats, and have mealworms or crickets thrown in. Insect/seed blends will be favored wrens, robins, and warblers, who need additional protein to nurture their young.
What You Can See During Nesting and Breeding Season Using a Smart Bird Feeder Cam
Now that you have the right seed mix, it’s time to put it in your smart bird feeder cam to observe bird behavior during breeding and nesting season. Cameras like the FeatherSnap are equipped with high-definition video, motion detection, and real-time notifications, making it easier than ever to track bird activity.
1. Courtship and Mating Behaviors
During the breeding season, you may witness courtship rituals. For example, male birds often perform elaborate displays to attract mates, which can include singing, puffing up feathers, and even offering food to females. With a smart feeder cam, you can capture these moments as they occur, with pictures that you can share.
2. Nest Building and Egg Laying
As the birds begin to build nests, you might observe them collecting twigs, leaves, and other materials. With a bird feeder cam pointed in the right direction, you may also see them coming and going from their nests, collecting food to sustain themselves or bring back to their chicks once the eggs are laid.
3. Feeding the Young
Once the eggs hatch, parent birds become very busy feeding their chicks. You may catch a glimpse of this as parents return to the nest with food, feeding their young beak-to-beak. You'll especially notice this as young chicks turn to fledglings—birds that have left the nest but aren't quite ready to be on their own. You can often see parent birds feeding fledglings on your feeder.
4. Interactions Between Species
During the nesting season, you might also notice different bird species interacting with each other around the feeder. Some species may aggressively guard food. Bird feeder cams may show these interactions play out.
Birds are hungry during the nesting and breeding season, and are often looking for specific foods as they build nests and rear young. Suet cakes, mealworms, sunflower seeds, and fruit pieces are just a few of the many foods you can put into your FeatherSnap to support birds. Using a smart bird feeder cam is a rewarding way to connect with nature and witness the wonders of the bird world up close.