4 replies to this topic

[Kappie]

Everything I have read so far about putting out fresh fruit says to cut it up first. My question is... why? It's not cut up when it's on the bushes and trees in the wild. It seems like it would stay better longer whole than sliced up. So how important is it to cut first?

[dklucius]

i dice mine up and mix it because different birds like different fruits and i can give them variety in a small space. Cubes of pineapple or whole cherrys or grapes or pieces of watermelon or cantalope. mine don't care for plums but tolerate apricots. so it's a mix of pieces and some small fruits whole. when we eat watermelon or cantlope here i sometimes put out the rinds with some flesh left on them and the birds love that too.

[Kappie]

Thanks, I have some strawberries to put out and was wondering if I should cut them. I know the birds did just fine eating them from my mums garden back in the day!

[zoutedrop]

I cut my oranges and pomegranates in half and impale them on nails. Smaller stuff I put under a mesh. The mesh is only used to keep the birds from carrying off the food. Would much rather have them sit and peck at it rather than pick it up and leave.

[dklucius]

i too like to see them pecking at the fruit but also i love to see the tanagers and orioles spear a grape or cherry and fly around to the other side of the yard where they nest in the oak brush and i can hear the nestlings loud and clear getting a treat