Winter Protection Yellowjackets Click here for a printer friendly version of this page. A gardener's relationship with birds is one of mutual benefit. The gardener provides for a few of the birds basic needs, and the birds help to keep down the insect population while treating us to an unending source of entertainment.
Birds take their role as insect predator seriously.
A single bird will gulp down 500 to 1,000 insects in an afternoon. As you'll see, these needs are easily met. Food Two types of seeds, white proso millet and black oil sunflower seeds, will attract most common seed-eating birds. These two seeds should be the mainstay in your feeders. Beef suet helps birds maintain their body heat in cold weather.