As birds make their way from Central and South America to their breeding grounds, southeast Texas becomes a vital stopover. To welcome these feathered travelers and enjoy the beauty of birdwatching, it’s time to prepare your backyard with clean, functional bird feeders. Here’s how to get started feeding wild birds in West Houston this spring!
A Springtime Favorite
During spring and fall migrations, Houston experiences a surge in migratory birds, with species like ruby-throated hummingbirds, warblers, and hawks passing through.
Wild birds are the talk of the town these days in my Facebook groups and among local friends. We’re all so excited for the sounds of birds chirping and flowers blooming this time of year. Especially after a surprisingly snowy winter, I love to create an outdoor sanctuary in my yard for humans and other species to enjoy!
Spring Bird Feeder Prep
Migratory birds rely on clean, well-stocked feeders during their journey. Follow these steps to create a safe and inviting space:
- Clean Your Feeders: Regular cleaning is essential to prevent mold, bacteria, and disease. Wash feeders every one to two weeks with warm, soapy water or place them in the dishwasher if safe. Ensure they are thoroughly dry before refilling. Different feeders require different cleaning. Learn more here.
- Choose the Right Location: To reduce collision risks, place feeders away from windows. Aim for a shaded area near trees or shrubs to give birds a sense of security.
- Provide Fresh Food: Use high-quality seed blends tailored to the species you want to attract. Black-oil sunflower seeds, millet, and suet are popular with many migratory birds. Here are some cool bird seed recipes to try!
- Keep the Area Tidy: Clean up spilled seed regularly to prevent attracting rodents and other unwanted pests.
EcoTough® Bird Feeders: A Sustainable Choice
For those new to bird feeding or looking to upgrade their setup, Wild Birds Unlimited’s EcoTough® bird feeders are my top recommendation. These feeders are made from recycled plastic milk jugs, making them an environmentally friendly option. Here are some standout features and why I think they are worth every penny:
- Durability: EcoTough® feeders won’t crack, fade, or rot, ensuring they last for years
- Innovative Design: Features like curved ends allow visibility from both sides, while angled perches help empty seed hulls blow away. Perch drains also let seeds drop for ground-feeding birds
- Easy Maintenance: The removable screen bottom simplifies cleaning and is treated with EcoClean® Product Protection to inhibit microbial growth; the pull system makes it much easier than similar products I’ve tried
- Replaceable Parts & Additions: Trays, hoppers, and damaged parts can be replaced, giving these bird feeders a very long life, saving money, and reducing waste in the long run
Visit Wild Birds Unlimited in Cypress & Memorial
For expert advice and high-quality birding supplies, visit Wild Birds Unlimited at their Cypress (12320 Barker Cypress Rd.) or Memorial (14032 Memorial Dr.) locations. Their amazing staff is knowledgeable, patient, and friendly. They can guide you in selecting the best feeders, seeds, and accessories tailored to Houston’s diverse bird population.
Wild Birds Unlimited has great bird seed blends depending on what birds you want to attract to your home. I usually purchase their Choice Blend and our wild birds love it.
Budget-Friendly Bird Seed Hack
If your bird seed purchases are blowing the budget, consider this budget-friendly hack: pick up standard bird seed at Costco – the West Katy location is where you’ll find me – and add walnuts and pecans. You can get walnuts and pecans in bulk at Costco so it’s easy. And, you can keep some of the walnuts and pecans for snacks for you and your family. My girls love to share to with our wild birds!
The Best Care for West Houston Pets
At Animal Admiration, we are true animal lovers. No matter the species, whether wild or domesticated, we love to see animals thrive. If you have a cat, dog, bird, small mammal, or aquarium animal, we’re here to help keep them happy and healthy while you’re at work or traveling. Count on us for all your pet care needs – indoors and out. (Yes, we’re happy to refill bird feeders and feed the community cats you care for while you’re away – just ask!)
For new clients, please contact us at info@animaladmiration.com or (281) 391-1015 to learn about our in-home pet care services. Our team of outstanding cat care providers offers quality dog sitting, cat sitting, and dog walking in Katy, Fulshear, Richmond, Energy Corridor, Memorial, West Houston, and Cypress.
If you are outside our above-listed areas, please visit Pet Sitters International or the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters to find a professional pet care provider near you.
Existing clients, schedule your pet care visits here.
