Among the friendliest birds in my yard, or perhaps I should say the least-spookiest, are my catbirds. I can approach within a few feet and they pay me little mind. For years, I have had a pair, one single pair of catbirds. They have nested behind my house in the hedges, raised their young, then took off around September.
This year has been different. For starters, three catbirds showed up this spring. I have to assume one was a sibling from the previous year. They fussed among one another and then paired off. The two adults built a nest in my neighbor’s yard among the thickets. But now there are four catbirds that make regular visits and they have me well-trained.
I began buying a bird treat called a Peanut Log from Wal-Mart. They were just $2.95 and looked like they would last a little longer than suet, and now the catbirds are hooked. It’s like opioids for birds. They land on top of the logs and peck away, taking as few as two days to finish their treat, For several weeks, they would peck a beak-full and fly back to their nests. I suppose the peanut mixture is easy for the nestlings to digest and packed full of protein as well.
But the young ones are now out of the nest and everybody is showing up for a bite of the Peanut Log. If there isn’t one swinging from the bar, they fuss at me, “Marroww”, like a cat. So I get up, go get another log and hang it. I ended up buying a carton of 8 online because Wal-Mart often ran out.
Not only are catbirds attracted to this hanging bird treat, downy woodpeckers, nuthatches, chickadees, red bellied. Woodpeckers, titmice, cardinals and – of course black birds – flock to the goody bar. Birds love peanuts and suet and these treats are actually rendered beef suet, roasted peanuts, corn and oats compressed into a solid log. I think it will especially attract birds come winter. Maybe my catbirds will stick around and find out.
If you really want to attract birds, try a couple of these Peanut Logs.