How To Safely Feed Jelly To Your Feathered Friends

Feeding jelly to birds is very popular in the springtime. While jelly is a source of energy for orioles, tanagers and other birds, it can also pose threats to birds so care should be taken in the selection of the jelly and how you offer it to your birds.
Birdberry Jelly: tinyurl.com/yev5cvrn
Jelly Feeders: tinyurl.com/zhkw8hd4
Mark McKellar is a wildlife biologist with over 35 years of bird study experience. He has a degree in Fish and Wildlife Sciences from North Carolina State University and has worked for the Department of the Army, the Wildlife Departments of North Carolina and Missouri. He ran nature centers for many years in Missouri and Pennsylvania before buying the Backyard Bird Center in the Northland area of Kansas City. Mark has led hundreds of bird hikes both locally and abroad. He has taught classes about birds and other wildlife to groups of all ages and brings that knowledge to the customers of his retail business every day. More information about Mark at backyardbirdcenter.com/about-...
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Cover photo by
Baltimore Oriole male by Bruce Weekes
Baltimore Oriole feeding Black Locust tree by Teresa Havens
Baltimore Oriole eating an orange by Jena Garr
Baltimore Oriole on feeder by Mary Nemecek
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[@shirleywilhelm1495]

I have friend that rescued a hummingbird that got jelly all over its self, she was there to help it, rinsed off jelly and set it free outside. Thank you for pointing this out.

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

I’m glad she was there.

[@angels12a]

We got our first Baltimore oriole of the year today, April 29th, in Michigan.

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

Jealous, still waiting for our first.

[@charmoo46962]

I live in Indiana and I set out my oriole feeders Saturday and Sunday morning I had my two male Baltimore orioles showed up and now Monday a pair of male and female orchard orioles showed up I usually start having them show up around this time depending on weather so I'm happy camper now that they started coming back hopefully now I will start seeing the catbirds next...

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

Excellent

[@syrpentina]

Thanks, Mark! ❤
What I do (and im not sure why this isn't standard on jelly feeders) is cut a small round of wire mesh (about 23 gauge) that fits snugly in the dish just above the jelly.
The birds can easily get their beaks down into the jelly, but theres no chance of even a tiny bird getting in the jelly if they accidentally fall

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

That is an excellent idea.

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

Would please send me a picture? I would love to promote this idea.

[@syrpentina]

@MarksBackyardBirds sure thing. I'll try to remember to get a picture when I get home today👍

[@LoveofAnimals]

Thank you for the tips. I get wasps eating the jelly. I will try the meal worms.

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

Good plan

[@infallibleblue]

I live in the city and I now have finches by my apartment. Your channel is very helpful

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

Thank you for watching. Glad to help!

[@AndrewJames66]

Great video ❤

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

Thank you!!

[@CorandoEG]

Love your channel. How far apart should i have an oriole feeder to regular bird seed feeder?

[@gusthebrahman1066]

A Gray Catbird ate all the jelly I put out, the first day it was out.

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

For me, it is the House Finches. I keep putting it out. Hopefully the orioles will find it.

[@JADEDed.]

yummy jelly time 🦑🐦‍⬛

[@pestbrook]

thanks! i was wondering, any tricks for introducing a new feeder or platform? sometimes they are complete flops and the birds avoid them.

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

Birds are creatures of habit and they are generally leery of anything new. It typically just takes time for them to get used to to the new feeders. Placing the new feeder close to cover can help. Chickadees are the bravest and tend to figure it out first, then others join it.

[@janeenpfeiffer3465]

❤❤❤❤

[@sherry2836]

When you say mealworms, do you mean fresh or dried? Or does it matter?

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

Live are far more nutritious, especially for the young. Dried are an option but you need to have a water source for the birds.

[@lenoresmathers339]

What are the dangers of HFC for birds?

[@syrpentina]

A study done on chickens and HFCS ("Effect of Dietary Fructose on Broiler Chick Performance") showed that, as with other animals, HFCS causes an increase in liver size and liver morphology, an increase in kidney size (hyperplasia likely caused by adapting to this uncommon nutrient source), and increased levels of uric acid in the plasma.

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

I like syrpentina's answer. 20+ years ago, I read an article that felt there was a link between HFCS and a condition called bumblefoot in bird. I cannot find that article anymore so I don't know if the science was sound or just someone's fear. I search for the topic every so often.

[@1FriendlyFace1]

✔️❤️🐤🐦‍⬛

[@RichardFerstandig]

Does a birds eyesight adjust to light?

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

Yes

[@kathysparks6338]

Put out grape jelly and orange halls here in greenwood. Indiana, hope to see some Orioles

[@kathysparks6338]

Orange halfs

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

@@kathysparks6338 and now we wait!