Science has created a better bird food blend

(NC) – The latest technology is now attracting more colourful birds to your feeder. If you want to see a greater number of goldfinches, grosbeaks, cardinals, and blue jays – but far fewer scavengers like blackbirds, grackles, and cowbirds – then it’s essential to use the right bird food in your feeder. The latest seed blends, tested extensively by ornithologists, are proving to be very successful in attracting colourful birds.

“Bird behaviour is an on–going study for researchers keen to know why certain birds prefer certain foods,” says Mark Weisz at Scotts Canada, a leading name in lawn and garden products and more recently, bird food. “Our ornithologists apply this science to develop a blend of seeds, then spend countless hours conducting field experiments.

“Now, after analyzing as many as 46,000 feeder visits, Scotts has created two of the most innovative bird food products to date: the Wild Finch & Small Songbird Blend and the Colourful Bird Blend. Not only will these seeds attract up to twice as many colourful birds to your yard, the bird food is also effective for keeping bigger, more aggressive birds away.”

So how is bird food able to do this?

“We just followed the course of nature,” Weisz continued. “In order to retain vibrant feathers for attracting a mate, colourful birds instinctively seek food that contains carotenoids. These are naturally occurring pigments important for feather colouring and protection from sunlight. We recommend, therefore, a seed blend rich in carotenoids for your feeder.”

Science has also provided the answer for keeping blackbirds, grackles, cowbirds, and other nuisance birds away, since they tend to scare the attractive birds while quickly emptying out your feeder.

“We blended seeds that are difficult for those scavengers to see,” Weisz explained. “Armed with the knowledge that part of a bird’s eye produces a distorted image, the food is skilfully formulated so aggressive birds can’t identify the desirable seeds, but the little colourful birds can.”

See this science at work: fill the feeder, create a backyard habitat and get ready to record all the colourful sightings with your bird book and binoculars.

More information is available online at www.scotts.ca.

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