Comments on: Feeding Birds Mealworms http://www.loudounwildlife.org/blog/2010/02/feeding-birds-mealworms/ People and Wildlife Living in Harmony Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:44:40 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Jim http://www.loudounwildlife.org/blog/2010/02/feeding-birds-mealworms/comment-page-1/#comment-2204 Jim Fri, 05 Feb 2010 13:25:50 +0000 http://www.loudounwildlife.org/blog/?p=3214#comment-2204 I used mealworms last year for the first time. I was quite pleased how easily the Bluebirds were attracted to the feeder. However, I became quite discouraged when "other" birds would show up and the mealworms were gone quickly, and I could not keep the feeder filled. I soon stopped the mealworms since I only wanted to feed the Bluebirds. THANKS Nicole for pointing out the number of birds that will feed on them. I need to realize (just like my many other feeders), that all birds need to eat, and will eat (I am amazed how many Bluebirds I currently have attracted to my suet feeders). I will try the mealworms again this year. And THANKS for the links to the online companies selling them. I purchased mine over EBay, but your links seems a bit more reputable. I used mealworms last year for the first time. I was quite pleased how easily the Bluebirds were attracted to the feeder. However, I became quite discouraged when “other” birds would show up and the mealworms were gone quickly, and I could not keep the feeder filled. I soon stopped the mealworms since I only wanted to feed the Bluebirds. THANKS Nicole for pointing out the number of birds that will feed on them. I need to realize (just like my many other feeders), that all birds need to eat, and will eat (I am amazed how many Bluebirds I currently have attracted to my suet feeders). I will try the mealworms again this year. And THANKS for the links to the online companies selling them. I purchased mine over EBay, but your links seems a bit more reputable.

]]> By: Nicole http://www.loudounwildlife.org/blog/2010/02/feeding-birds-mealworms/comment-page-1/#comment-2178 Nicole Thu, 04 Feb 2010 10:08:10 +0000 http://www.loudounwildlife.org/blog/?p=3214#comment-2178 Also, in response to Bruni's question about the feeder I used in 2 of the photos - yes indeed, they're hummingbird feeders without the lids. The acrylic feeder with the roof wasn't working out for the picture taking as the birds seemed blocked by the roof so I went to plan B so I could get a couple of shots :) The birds liked it just fine! Also, in response to Bruni’s question about the feeder I used in 2 of the photos – yes indeed, they’re hummingbird feeders without the lids. The acrylic feeder with the roof wasn’t working out for the picture taking as the birds seemed blocked by the roof so I went to plan B so I could get a couple of shots :) The birds liked it just fine!

]]> By: Nicole http://www.loudounwildlife.org/blog/2010/02/feeding-birds-mealworms/comment-page-1/#comment-2177 Nicole Thu, 04 Feb 2010 10:05:27 +0000 http://www.loudounwildlife.org/blog/?p=3214#comment-2177 Received a nice email from Bruni H regarding this post that I wanted to share: Good story on mealworms. I’ve been raising them year round for quite a while. Sure helps keep the high cost of bird food down a bit. In the beginning I was squeamish and would pick them out of the container with tweezers, soon realizing this was ridiculous. Now of course I handle them without a second thought. As you probably have found out by now, you have to put them in a glass dish if temperatures are mild, otherwise they will just crawl away. In winter that is not an issue. It is also fun to see how different birds eat them. Wrens, Bluebirds and others swallow them whole. Cardinals tenderize and flatten them before eating. Titmice usually clamp them between their feet and eat them in pieces. I have a tray feeder right outside my kitchen window so I can study their behavior. I particularly enjoy seeing Bluebird parents stacking 3-4 mealworms in their bill before flying to their nestlings. In summer I often see toads on my sidewalk or patio and they too enjoy these mealworms. Amazing to see that long tongue coming out to snatch one. The feeder on two of your photos look like the bottom part of a hummingbird feeder that I have. I’ll give that a try and see if it will do double duty. I have one of the enclosed feeders with a hole in each end that you mentioned and have never had any luck with it. Like you, I don’t like the idea of a bird feeling trapped in there. Received a nice email from Bruni H regarding this post that I wanted to share:

Good story on mealworms. I’ve been raising them year round for quite a while. Sure helps keep the high cost of bird food down a bit. In the beginning I was squeamish and would pick them out of the container with tweezers, soon realizing this was ridiculous. Now of course I handle them without a second thought. As you probably have found out by now, you have to put them in a glass dish if temperatures are mild, otherwise they will just crawl away. In winter that is not an issue. It is also fun to see how different birds eat them. Wrens, Bluebirds and others swallow them whole. Cardinals tenderize and flatten them before eating. Titmice usually clamp them between their feet and eat them in pieces. I have a tray feeder right outside my kitchen window so I can study their behavior.

I particularly enjoy seeing Bluebird parents stacking 3-4 mealworms in their bill before flying to their nestlings. In summer I often see toads on my sidewalk or patio and they too enjoy these mealworms. Amazing to see that long tongue coming out to snatch one.

The feeder on two of your photos look like the bottom part of a hummingbird feeder that I have. I’ll give that a try and see if it will do double duty. I have one of the enclosed feeders with a hole in each end that you mentioned and have never had any luck with it. Like you, I don’t like the idea of a bird feeling trapped in there.

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