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Virginia Bluebird Connection
Feeding Bluebirds
Bluebirds are attracted to grassy yards that are kept mowed to make hunting for ground insects
easier. You may also attract them by planting a variety of trees and shrubs that produce fruit and
berries to help feed them. Be sure to plant shrubs that have a winter production of berries when
other sources of food are hard to find.
I have found that when winter comes and natural foods are depleted in my area, bluebirds will
dine on my feeders that offer shelled sunflower seeds. Suet is another good choice and the recipe
below can be enjoyed year around. All of my backyard birds seem to like this suet, and in the
summer it really helps the parents feed their nestlings. Suet is high fat and helps the fledgling to
grow quickly and keep their body temperature warm in the winter.
Mealworms are the bluebird's all time favorite and also help out both in winter as well as when
they have babies in the nest. Mealworms are like candy to a child once your bluebirds discover
them. They are offered 2-3 times per day in a small dish or feeder as they are alive and can crawl
away if not eaten soon. They must be stored in the refrigerator to keep them dormant and in the
larva stage. They may be ordered or purchased at a wildbird store. You may even grow your
own. Raywood Landscape (434-822-1400) sells them in Danville for our area bluebird lovers.
Songbird Suet
2 cups lard
2 cups crunchy peanut butter
4 cups plain cornmeal
4 cups quick oats
2 cups plain flour
2/3 cup sugar
Melt lard in large saucepan, remove from heat, then stir in peanut butter until melted and well
blended. Add remaining dry ingredients mixing well. Pour into 9x13 pan and chill until firm. Cut
in blocks and wrap tightly to store in refrigerator or freezer.
Makes 6 cakes.
Bluebirds are attracted to grassy yards that are kept mowed to make hunting for ground insects
easier. You may also attract them by planting a variety of trees and shrubs that produce fruit and
berries to help feed them. Be sure to plant shrubs that have a winter production of berries when
other sources of food are hard to find.
I have found that when winter comes and natural foods are depleted in my area, bluebirds will
dine on my feeders that offer shelled sunflower seeds. Suet is another good choice and the recipe
below can be enjoyed year around. All of my backyard birds seem to like this suet, and in the
summer it really helps the parents feed their nestlings. Suet is high fat and helps the fledgling to
grow quickly and keep their body temperature warm in the winter.
Mealworms are the bluebird's all time favorite and also help out both in winter as well as when
they have babies in the nest. Mealworms are like candy to a child once your bluebirds discover
them. They are offered 2-3 times per day in a small dish or feeder as they are alive and can crawl
away if not eaten soon. They must be stored in the refrigerator to keep them dormant and in the
larva stage. They may be ordered or purchased at a wildbird store. You may even grow your
own. Raywood Landscape (434-822-1400) sells them in Danville for our area bluebird lovers.
Songbird Suet
2 cups lard
2 cups crunchy peanut butter
4 cups plain cornmeal
4 cups quick oats
2 cups plain flour
2/3 cup sugar
Melt lard in large saucepan, remove from heat, then stir in peanut butter until melted and well
blended. Add remaining dry ingredients mixing well. Pour into 9x13 pan and chill until firm. Cut
in blocks and wrap tightly to store in refrigerator or freezer.
Makes 6 cakes.
Photo by Lexi Meadows