Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Who loves homemade bird food?

My birds do, that's who! This is the second winter I have made homemade suet dough for my feeder friends, and they really went to town on it this weekend. The Tufted Titmice were the biggest customers by far, often waiting in line to take their turn at the little dish in which I offer the dough. For a variety of recipes that you can make at home, visit the Bird Watcher's Digest "Do it yourself" page of recipes. I'm feeding the "bird pudding" recipe to my birds.

Here's some more photos of the locals partaking of the dough.


White-breasted Nuthatch: "Down the hatch!"


Carolina Wren does a face plant right into the dish!


Wow, look at that tongue! Not just for grabbing bugs!


Tufted Titmice eye its prospects...


... and decides that standing ON the food is the best option.


The Titmice really are such clowns!


Other visitors to the dough dish were Red-bellied Woodpecker and Northern Cardinal, but I wasn't able to sneak up on those guys to get their pictures. They see me coming through the window and off they go!

8 comments:

Kelly said...

...love all your little puddin'-eating birds. They are so cute. I'm going to give a few recipes a try. I can hear the Blue Jay out on my deck yelling that the peanut feeder is empty. I'm sure he'd like a bit of that birdy pudding too!

KaHolly said...

My birds love their home made goodies! I'll try the bird pudding next. Thanx! ~karen

Erica Houskeeper said...

The birds really seem to love your homemade pudding. That is so wonderful that you took the time to make this for them. You're very good to them! Great photos. The first and last ones are my favorite.

Gabrielle said...

These are great. Love the down the hatch photo - what a shot!

NW Nature Nut said...

Very cute photos! I haven't made any of the suet dough this year...the d**m starlings are too prevelant this winter :(

RuthieJ said...

Great close-ups Heather. Definitely worth the effort of making your own bird treats!

Phyllis said...

Hey Heather!

I wasn't aware of this site, so will now be making some home made food for my feathered friends. Thanks!

Heather said...

Kelly - Yup, I bet the Jays would like this stuff. Better get those feeders filled or you'll be getting the evil eye from ol' Blue!

Karen - Let me know how they like it!

Erica - I love to cook and bake for family and friends, so why not for my feathered friends, too?

Gabrielle - I know, isn't the Nuthatch cute with that big glob right in mid-bite?

Michele - Thanks. Sorry to hear the starlings are too numerous for you to share such goodies. :(

Ruthie - Yes, I agree - very much worth the effort.

Phyllis - Hi there. Glad to introduce you to Bird Watcher's Digest site and the recipes - I'm sure your birds will love them!