Will a bird be your buddy? - how to make a bird feeder and attract birds

Ranger Rick, Jan, 1995

This chickadee is checking out some great grub. To make a feeder like this one, ask an adult to punch two holes near the rim of a plastic tub. Put string or wire through the holes. Attach the tub to a tree trunk as high as your shoulders, and fill it with seeds.

Whenever birds come to your feeder, step outdoors quietly. Stand still and watch them from far away. Refill the feeder every day. Then edge closer and closer--and talk calmly while the birds eat.

When the birds let you stand next to the feeder while they're eating, remove it from the tree. Fill the feeder or a container that looks a lot like it with seeds. Hold it close to the tree near the place where it was attached.

Stand still and be patient. A curious chickadee may come to the feeder. Or you may attract a titmouse pal, as this boy did. If a bird doesn't come after a while, put the feeder back on the tree and try another day. The birds are most likely to come on cold winter days when other food is scarce.

Now pour a bunch of seeds into your hand and hold it near the tree. Before long, you may have a hungry buddy like this nuthatch pecking seeds out of your hand.

Later you can teach the birds other tricks-like eating seeds off your cap or the arm of your jacket. And don't be surprised if your new bird buddies beg for seeds whenever they see you coming!