Feasting with Our Feathered Friends
How do we define feasting?
Its basic meaning describes the consumption of an elaborate meal, often accompanied by entertainment, which takes place to mark a special event.
Sure sounds like Thanksgiving, right?
Thanksgiving, for many of us, is a day when we settle down at an impeccable table, often decked out with the “special” china, to partake in a feast of the best and most abundant food of the season, all while sharing it with our closest friends and family members.
The entertainment side of the definition may include engaging in games, puzzles, going for a hike, or watching football and movies together. For some, the family entertainment may include watching and sharing the activity at their backyard bird feeders.
If this is part of your day, why not treat your birds like family and include them as part of your feast?
Needless to say, their “table” should be impeccable, too…clean feeders, fresh water, and the best food offerings available.
The menu might begin with your foundational offering of a quality seed blend, suet, and Nyjer® seed. To add to the feast, consider including peanuts, Bark Butter® products and specialty seed blends such as our Winter SuperBlend®. With a feast like this…your birds are sure to provide some of the best entertainment of the day.
Oh, and don’t forget to include a cup of shade-grown, bird-friendly coffee as you indulge in that wonderful piece of pumpkin or apple pie. It’s a great way to say thank you to your birds, as shade-grown coffee farms preserve the forest canopy, which helps more than 42 species of North American migratory songbirds survive their winter in the tropics.
Helping your birds and feasting, too. It just doesn’t get much better than that!
For some additional ways to thank your birds, here are 7 Simple Actions you can take to help.
For more information, be sure to check out the WBU Nature Centered Podcast episode, “Feasting with Feathered Friends.” Our entertaining and informative experts, John and Brian, will share how to have even more joy by attracting the widest cast of characters to your own backyard.
Nyjer® is a registered trademark of the Wild Bird Feeding Institute.
November birds to watch in your Central Illinois backyard
As the days grow shorter and frost starts to sparkle, our backyards shift into their winter rhythm. Many migratory species have moved south, but plenty of hardy favorites keep the landscape lively!
Keep an eye out for Dark-eyed Juncos, those cheerful “snowbirds” that return just in time for Thanksgiving. You’ll also spot Northern Cardinals, Black-capped Chickadees, White-breasted Nuthatches, and Downy Woodpeckers frequenting feeders. American Goldfinches stay through winter, trading their bright yellow summer feathers for soft olive tones. And if you’re lucky, you might catch a glimpse of a Red-breasted Nuthatch or Purple Finch visiting from farther north.
This is a great month to offer suet, high-fat blends, and sunflower seeds — energy-packed favorites that help birds stay cozy through chilly days.
🍂 P.S. It’s the perfect time to stock up, too! From October 10–26, enjoy 15% off all bird food. Daily Savings Club members save an extra 5% on top of that. Your birds will thank you! Take a look at our Monthly Specials page to find the deal!
Live Raptor Series
The Illinois Raptor Center of Decatur will present every other month starting February 22. Our February program kicks off at 9 a.m. and features a live Red-Tailed Hawk. Seating is limited, so please call or visit the store to reserve your spot. If you’re unable to attend after reserving, we kindly ask that you let us know so others can take advantage of the opportunity.
Dates and raptors for the year are:
April 26 Barn Owl
June 28 Ferruginous Hawk
August 30 Great Horned owl
October 25 Snowy Owl
Red Tailed Hawk
The Perfect Gift for Every Nature Lover
Every nature lover is different, so finding the ideal gift for them can be difficult. That's why our gift cards are the perfect gift for every occasion. They allow your friend or loved one to choose what part of nature he or she wants to enjoy. The best part: our gift cards are redeemable at every Wild Birds Unlimited location.