What Other Guests Will a Bluebird Feeder Invite?

1. Introduction

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.

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

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 a mealworm feeder do not associate bird feeders supplied by humans as a source of food. It may take some coaxing and patience.

It is best to put just a few mealworms out in the bluebird feeder to start. The same time of day, everyday 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.

• 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 to contain live mealworms as they are active.

• Mealworms along with a "selection" of other bugs can be purchased in suet.

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

They do not smell and are not slimy like earthworms. They are quite active, so keep them in a secure container.

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

• Cultivating your own supply of mealworms can be very inexpensive wild bird food.

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

• Dried mealworms are available and well accepted by the birds.

• Mealworms are often available at local pet stores and birding supply stores. Live and dried mealworms can also be mail ordered.

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

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

A bluebird 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.

Bluebirds

Wrens

Titmice

Chickadees

Warblers

Mockingbirds

Robins

Catbirds

Thrushes

Thrashers

Vireos

Woodpeckers

Cardinals

Want to Learn More?

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Ground Bird Feeder: Preferred by Many

Hummingbird Feeder: Your Own Backyard Gallery of Artistic Delight

You can buy superb Bluebird feeders here from Duncraft. Duncraft is a highly trusted name in the birding industry and they make excellent products. I strongly recommend them.