Bluebird Feeder Review

Fill A Bluebird Feeder With Mealworms & Watch

Bluebird Feeding Mealworm To Youth
by Ginger Wertz-Justis
2018 Contest

1. Bluebird Feeder Review

The wriggly morsels that are placed in Bluebird feeders do have charming ways, not only for Bluebirds but many other species too.

Many species which are not normally attracted to seed feeders provide a special bird watching treat for us at this type of wild bird feeder.

To attract these species of wild birds it is best to put mealworm feeders out during nesting season.

It is easier to attract them at this needy time when the parent birds are engaged in a furious race to feed their baby birds.

Bluebird Feeder

(see other Bluebird Feeders below)

They will be far more willing to accept this offering when they are so busy and need energy. Then continue to keep the feeder full all summer to keep the birds coming.

If you have Bluebirds for the winter months, then mealworms are a big help to them at this time of year as well.

Where To Place A Bluebird Feeder?

Feeders will have to be placed where they will be noticed and where the birds “hang out”.

Many of the birds you will want to attract with this type of feeder do not associate bird feeders supplied by humans as a source of food, such as Orioles, Bluebirds, Robins.

It may take some coaxing and patience.

It is best to put just a few mealworms out in the bluebird feeder to
start.

Pick a time of day that will work for you every day when you can place mealworms in your feeder the same time of day, every day, and sometimes whistling or making some other pleasant noise (not an alarming sound) when you put them into
the feeder.

Eventually, the birds will associate that time of day and sound with mealworms being made available.

2. List of Features

• Clear acrylic Bluebird or mealworm feeders are available for purchase. A clear container is important to hold the mealworms so they will be easily visible to the birds. This is not an absolute must but may yield faster results than the feeder which is pictured above.
• The container needs to have sides if using live mealworms as they are active.
• Mealworms along with a “selection” of other bugs can be purchased in suet.

3. Will a Special Bird Food be Needed in a Bluebird Feeder?

Live or dried mealworms. → Mealworms are really not worms at all, they are beetle larvae. They are easy to keep. (For some people!)

They do not smell and are not slimy like earthworms. They are quite active though, so they will need to be kept in a secure container that breaths.

Most backyard bird watchers will likely want to purchase freeze-dried mealworms.

4. What are the Positives of Hanging a Meal Worm Feeder?

• A mealworm feeder is an opportunity for attracting backyard birds which normally would not come to a regular seed feeder.

• Mealworms are very easy to maintain when you buy them live.

• Cultivating your own supply of mealworms after you have purchased them, can provide very inexpensive bird food.

• If buying them live does not appeal to you then dried mealworms are available for purchase and well accepted by many birds too.
• Mealworms are often available at local pet stores and birding supply stores. Live and dried mealworms can also be mail ordered.

5. What are the Problems?

• It may be unpleasant for some people to deal with live mealworms! They can be quite active.

• It is important to acquire the proper type of mealworm as some are too
  large for the birds that they are intended to attract in your backyard
  and a little nippy!

If you think you would like to raise your own mealworms then try this site.

6. User Opinions

A mealworm feeder is becoming a very popular type of backyard bird feeder and many of our customers found this type of wild bird feeder irresistible.

A few customers to our store were a little turned off by the thought of caring for these wriggly guys and keeping them in the refrigerator!

These customers I steered towards the freeze-dried type.

But most people couldn’t wait to give it a try!

7. List of Birds Attracted to a Bluebird Feeder

All About Bird Feeders

• How to Clean Seed Feeders When we make the decision to draw wild birds to our backyards with feeders, baths or houses we also, whether we first realize it or not, must be committed to keeping them clean.

• Where To Place Bird Feeders? It will take some experimenting on your part to find the best location for your feeder in your own backyard. Here are some tips.
• When To Take Down? Many people are concerned if they leave their feeders up in the autumn that wild birds will not migrate. Find out the truth.