Feeding wild birds

[kmetzger]

I've had a bird feeder in my garden in Ajijic for about 6 months but have had no takers. It's filled with sunflower seeds, cracked corn and canary seed. I have plenty of hummingbirds who visit for the nectar but no other birds. Any advice?

[virgogirl]

Maybe the wild birds prefer to eat in the wild.....

That's a good thing.

[exHawaiian]

Wild birds would never eat what I put out for them, only the pesky doves which I can't stand with all their incessant coo-coo-coo-coo but the hummingbirds do love their nectar. Maybe the wild birds are insectavores.

[kmetzger]

Maybe the wild birds are insectavores.

That's what I was thinking, too, but a couple of hours ago I spotted a seed-eater, a grosbeak with reddish coloring.

[hkrause]

I've read other threads about people trying to feed the birds here without much luck. I'm guessing they haven't been adequately "trained" since it hasn't been a national tradition here like in other countries? Just a guess. Might also be why we haven't seen much wild bird food for sale.

Anyway, as I vaguely recall from past discussions, some people had more luck by trying different feeder locations and different feed. Maybe try a platform feeder, or ground feeder, in addition to more typical hanging feeders? Let us know what you find since we'd also love to have bird feeders here like we did up north. Hummers are great, but we're so used to having a large variety of birds.

Heather

[bdmowers]

kmetzger, get the seed at the pet hospital in Riberas, 12 pesos. The sparrows will come, including the rusty-crowned ground sparrow.