Hummingbird Migration

Millions of hummingbirds are preparing to fly back to their winter ranges. A high-calorie diet is important to build fat reserves for their trip, so be sure to have your hummingbird feeders ready. Studies show that most of the hummingbirds visiting your feeders on a day toward the end of migration season are replaced by a new wave of migrants within 24 hours.

American Goldfinches

Once they've fledged, young goldfinches still depend on their parents for food. Watch for these juveniles at your feeders as they beg for food from their parents. Due to their almost exclusive diet of seeds, goldfinches drink frequently and will stay close to reliable sources of water during dry periods. Use a bird bath and keep the water clean and fresh.

Blackbirds, Grackles, & Starlings

While late summer continues to be a wonderful time to feed the birds, unwanted feeder visitors can be troublesome. Offer safflower, and keep starlings and grackles from eating all your bird food, crowding your feeders and chasing away the birds you want to see. Safflower is a small, white seed that is high in protein and fat. Most song birds eat safflower, however, starlings, grackles and squirrels typically do not.