My Good Deed Yesterday...

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Farmhouse "Drive Thru" Bird Feeder

This is my "non-hummingbird" feeder, located in my kitchen garden. I fill it with birdseed blocks that fit two-up, and are a mixture of seeds and grubs, which appeal to multiple bird species. I first put it up during our late spring snowstorm, and have kept it filled ever since.

Lately the birds have been emptying it quickly. I also have a chipmunk who climbs up the raccoon carving right under it, and then jumps into the feeder to fill his cheeks before running off. They'll surely have the feeder empty again late today, and I'll refill it for them. I love watching them when they visit.

Bird Feeder Opening

I went outside today, and heard a fluttering in the garden. When I turned around, a sparrow was stuck in the feeder. In an effort to get closer to the seeds, he (or she) flew into the diamond opening that's usually closed off by the seed block.

With this lesser amount in the feeder, the little bird could fly into the diamond opening and stand on the seed block while it ate. However, when it wanted to fly out, it turned around and got stuck in the wire.

How The Bird Got Stuck

It's tiny head was where my middle finger is, and a wing came through the openings on each side of that. He couldn't fly out, and because of the angle of his wings (with the wires in his "armpits"), there was also no way he could have backed out alone.

I calmly walked up to the feeder, and as he was fighting against the wires, I put my hand in behind him through the diamond opening. I supported his body to calm him, and slowly finessed each wing back through the wire. I spoke quietly to him as I did this, being careful not to damage his wings.

I continued to hold on to him as I brought him back through the diamond. I cupped his sweet body in my hands and petted his head before I opened my palms. He immediately flew away, so I knew he hadn't been hurt.

I must not have frightened him too much either, because it wasn't long before he was right back at the feeder, sitting inside that opening again! The only thing different was that he didn't stray far from that opening, and he kept reaching out through it to keep his bearings. After that, he flew in and out many times.

The little sparrow wasn't harmed, and I didn't have to cut the wires on my feeder either (although I would have had it been necessary to free the bird). I'd say that was a good day with a happy outcome. It was pretty wonderful holding such a lovely creature in my hands, too.