Wild Birds & Gardens

Bringing Life to Your Garden

Frequently asked questions:

Hummingbirds

Q: What is the sugar-to-water ratio for making your own hummingbird nectar?
A: Four (4) parts water to one (1) part sugar. Please see the hummingbird info page for more info

Q: Can I leave my hummingbird feeder up all year?
A: YES! While on the west coast, some species of hummers do migrate, the Anna's hummingbird is here all year long.

Q: How often should I clean my feeder?
A: During the summer, especially if your feeder gets lots of direct sun, you should clean it at least every 2-3 days. During the more mild months, you might be able to go every 5-7 days.

Goldfinches

Q: I live in California. Are the American Goldfinches here all year?
A: Yes, according to the Sacramento Audubon Society, they do not migrate out. (though they do thin out during the warmer seasons).

Q: What do Goldfinches eat?
A: While the Goldfinches enjoy both black oil sunflower seed, and sunflower chips, they prefer Nyger/thistle.

Q: Thistle? As in 'star thistle'?
A: No, though they do like star thistle, the Niger/thistle that you can get at Wild Birds and Gardens is actually like a miniature sunflower seed. They 'hull' the shells, to get to the meat inside. Also, the Nyger has been sterilized so it will not sprout!

Bird Seed

Q: The seed I'm getting at the grocery store sprouts!
A: Usually the bird seed you might purchase at most retail locations, is made up of mainly filler - lots of millet/milo/etc. The songbirds (perching birds) that frequent feeders prefer sunflower seed, and will kick out the filler seed to find the sunflower. This filler is what usually causes the weeds. If you are concerned with the sunflowers growing into large sunflower plants, then the hulled, sunflower 'chips' would probably be a perfect solution!

Q: What is the birds favorite seed?
A: Again, most songbirds prefer black-oil sunflower, either in the shell, or already hulled, (chips). Please see the Bird Seed info page for more details.

Q: Can the seed mold? Can I prevent that?
A: Yes, without adequate drainage and/or protection, the seed can indeed mold. Solutions range from feeders that are specifically designed to prevent ANY moisture from spoiling the seed, to squirrel/rain baffles that can usually be placed above a feeder, to simply switching to a seed that is still in its' shell during the winter, which offers more protection against the elements.

Q: Why do the sunflower chips seem to cost so much more then the black oil sunflower?
A: While the sunflower chips DO cost more per pound than the black oil, it generally takes 75 lbs of black oil to equal 25 lbs of the chips, so in the long run, the chips are a better deal!

Q: Who likes millet?
A: Almost all ground-feeding birds. Ducks, geese, sparrows, juncos, doves, towhees, pheasant, and turkeys will happily dine on millet.

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WEST NILE VIRUS info

Wild Birds and Gardens of Sacramento is providing the following truthful information taken directly from the American Center for Disease control in an effort to impart accurate information to our birding community, and to help alleviate the panic promoted by the public news agencies. more...»

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