If you’ve ever watched a bird feeder, you know that it’s one of the most relaxing ways to spend your time.
Watching birds fly around and swoop down for food is fun for kids and adults alike. This guide will help you set up a great bird feeder so that you can start enjoying watching them in your yard!
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Bird feeding can be a fun and rewarding activity for all ages. |
| Understanding the dietary needs of birds in your area is essential for their overall health and happiness. |
| Choosing the right bird feeder and bird food can make a big difference in attracting a variety of bird species to your backyard. |
| Keeping your bird feeders clean and well-maintained can prevent the spread of disease among birds. |
| Learning more about the natural behavior of birds, including migration and adaptive abilities, can help deepen your appreciation for these amazing creatures. |
The Secret to a Great Bird Feeder
The secret to a great bird feeder? Make it easy for the birds.
Reduce your workload and stress by choosing a feeder that is:
- Made of material that can be eaten out of by birds, such as plastic or metal, not wood
- Easy to clean and refill (no tiny seed ports or awkward lids)
- Durable enough to withstand weather conditions (snow, rain, sun etc.)
- Easy to fill with little mess made by humans
- Easy for humans (or children) to hang
Interested in attracting more birds to your garden? Check out our guide on 10 must-have bird feeding products to help get you started.
Place Your Feeder in the Right Location
Now that you know what to feed your birds, it’s time to find the right location for your bird feeder.
Place the feeder in a location where you can easily see it. If it’s not visible from inside your home, consider moving the feeder closer or pairing it with another nearby one so that both are within view.
Consider placing the bird feeder at least 20 feet away from windows, doors and other potential hazards like barbed wire fences or electrical wires (and make sure there are no cats nearby!).
Make sure that when you hang your new bird feeder outdoors, it is protected from wind and rain; this will help keep seeds dry so they don’t spoil as quickly.
Feeder Location Guide
| Location | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| Window | Great view from indoors, easy to refill | Birds may be scared by loud noises or sudden movements inside |
| In a Tree | Natural environment for birds, less accessible to predators | Can be difficult to refill and maintain |
| On a Pole | Safe from predators, easy to refill and maintain | May require special equipment or installation |
| Ground Level | Attracts ground-feeding birds, easy to refill | Attracts squirrels and other animals that may eat birdseed |
| Near Shelter | Provides birds with protection from the elements and predators | May be difficult to access for maintenance and cleaning |
Note: The table above provides some advantages and disadvantages to consider when placing your bird feeder in different locations. Keep in mind the types of birds in your area and their feeding habits when selecting a location for your feeder.
Place Your Feeder at the Right Height
You want to attract a variety of birds to your feeder, not just the ones that are already comfortable with humans.
You can do this by placing your bird feeder at eye level. Birds will also be more likely to come and stay if they feel safe from predators in their environment.
This means that your bird feeder should be at least 3 feet off the ground, or higher if possible. Feeders should not be placed in direct sunlight; there is no need for them to sit directly in it all day long!
Finally, birds are not fond of windy locations—so make sure you place your feeder somewhere where it won’t get blown over by strong gusts (a pole might help).
Make Sure You Have Enough Room for Birds to Land
This is a big one. The number one cause of bird fatalities, according to the National Audubon Society, is flying into windows and other hard surfaces. So make sure your bird feeder isn’t located near anything that would hurt a bird if it flew into it (like your house!).
Make sure you can see all angles of your yard from inside your home so you can keep tabs on all of the birds coming and going.
If you have a large enough backyard for this purpose, try positioning yourself at several different vantage points throughout the day and night the best way to get an accurate count is by observing flight patterns from multiple perspectives and recording them over time.
Bird feeding mistakes can be harmful to our feathered friends. Learn about the most common ones to avoid in our guide on the top 10 mistakes people make when bird feeding.
Avoid Installation Near Windows That Birds Could Fly Into
You may be tempted to install bird feeders in your windows, but you should think twice. This can be an attractive option for people who live in apartments or condominiums and want to attract birds without having them around all day.
However, if a bird flies into a window and injures itself, it will spread disease and possibly infect other birds. It’s also possible for them to fly into windows and die—obviously not great for their health or yours!
Avoid Placing Feeder Too Close to Other Interfering Features
Avoid placing the bird feeder near windows. This can interfere with a birds’ ability to see predators and cause them to stress out more than they would otherwise.
Avoid putting the bird feeder close to other bird feeders in your yard, especially if they are also hung from trees. If you want to keep your yard as natural as possible, get it all at once—no need for multiple feeders!
When placing your new feeder outside of your home, avoid putting it near trees or shrubs that have lots of branches extending outward from them because these obstructions will block the view from many angles (including from above) which makes it harder for birds to know when threats are nearby or coming their way.
Put some distance between your outdoor pets and any outdoor food sources such as plants or water bowls outside; this will help prevent cat fights over territory claimed by smaller animals like mice who may live in these areas but don’t always stay away from humans either… especially if they think there might be something delicious lurking nearby!
Ever wondered how birds migrate? Our guide on the science behind bird migration explains the fascinating process in detail.
Avoid Placing Your Bird Feeder at Ground Level
When placing your bird feeder, it’s important to remember that birds don’t eat from a feeder at ground level.
As you may already have guessed, this is because of all the dangers associated with putting your feeder at ground level.
Ground-level Feeders Are An Invitation To Predators
If you place your bird feeder at ground level, it becomes much easier for predators like cats and raccoons to get access to the food source and make off with some of it.
Cats will jump on top of the feeder and knock it over in order to get to their prey—you can prevent this by mounting your hopper-style squirrel proof metal or plastic tube birdfeeders 6–10 feet off of the ground (or higher) in trees or other sturdy posts.
If you’re planning on feeding wild birds in an area where there are rodents, snakes or other predators roaming around (such as near riverside parks), keep in mind that putting out seed or suet cakes can act as an invitation for these pests too!
Ground level feeding stations also attract cats who love nothing better than hunting birds while they’re sitting still waiting for food to be served up fresh on a silver platter (no pun intended).
Bird Feeder Placement Guide
| Feeder Placement | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| Hanging | Keeps birds at a safe distance from predators and other animals | Can be difficult to refill |
| Above Ground | Reduces the amount of birdseed spilled and prevents unwanted animals from eating it | May not be accessible for every bird species |
| Near Natural Cover | Provides a natural environment for birds and protects them from the elements | Can be harder to maintain and clean |
| Away from Windows | Prevents birds from accidentally flying into windows and getting hurt or killed | May be inconvenient for viewing |
| Not at Ground Level | Reduces the risk of disease and keeps birdseed out of reach of unwanted animals | Birds do not typically feed from a feeder at ground level |
Note: The table above provides some advantages and disadvantages to consider when placing your bird feeder in different locations. Keep in mind the types of birds in your area and their feeding habits when selecting a location for your feeder. Remember to avoid placing your bird feeder at ground level since birds typically do not eat from feeders located there.
Get the Correct Food For Your Birds
When it comes to bird food, there are several things that you need to keep in mind. First, you will want to choose a quality seed mixture for your birds.
Birdseed provides the most basic form of nutrition for birds and also contains many different types of seeds, fruits and nuts which can provide them with all the nutrients they need.
Suet is another great option for feeding birds because it gives them energy during their winter hibernation period.
Suet can be purchased in blocks or cakes and should be placed inside a cage feeder with holes on the bottom so that it stays fresh and doesn’t melt into mush over time.
Fruit is another great option if you don’t want your birds eating only seeds throughout their whole life!
Fruits like apples are high in Vitamin C so they are great during cold weather when they may not get enough sunlight outside (which helps produce Vitamin C).
Birds are truly amazing creatures, and their adaptive abilities continue to surprise us. Learn more in our guide on the amazing adaptability of birds.
Make Sure You Have a Clean Bird Feeder and Use Fresh Food
Clean the feeder regularly. It’s best to clean your bird feeder before refilling it, so that the food doesn’t get moldy and mold spores don’t spread over all of your bird food.
You should also clean it after refilling it, as this will prevent insects from getting into your bird feeder (and potentially spreading disease).
Make sure the food is fresh and appealing to birds. Fresh food is preferred by most wild birds over stale or spoiled foods, but there are some exceptions like finches and hummingbirds, who prefer fermented nectar (nectar left for several days).
If you want to attract specific species such as finches or hummingbirds, make sure you have a mix of high sugar content fruits/seeds in addition to sugary nectar that they can feed on directly from the feeder instead of having them eat dry seeds first before going after higher quality food sources like fermented nectar!
Make Sure You Know What Supplies Are Available in Your Area Before Buying
When you’re ready to purchase the supplies, make sure you know what is available in your area first. Bird seed, bird feeders and water fountains are just a few of the items that can be found locally or online.
If you are new to the area or live somewhere with a limited selection of gardening stores (like me), it might be worth asking around your local birding club for suggestions on where to find these items.
The best thing about clubs is that they usually have members who are willing to help other members out with finding this information!
Another option is starting out small: buy one basic feeder and one water fountain and see how it goes before investing in more elaborate options such as hummingbird feeders.
Discover the surprising intelligence of birds in our guide on how intelligent birds can be, and be amazed at their incredible abilities.
Impose Time Limits on Feeding to Keep Everyone Happy and Healthy
It’s important to have enough food for your birds if you want them to stick around. It’s also important that you don’t feed them too much, because this can lead to health problems for both you and your feathered friends.
If a bird consumes too much food, it can be dangerous for their digestive system and cause them to become overweight or obese.
This will make it difficult for the bird to fly properly, which can lead to accidents like falling out of trees or getting hit by cars when they try escaping predators or other threats like humans who are trying crowdsource data on whether they’re having good sex lives while they’re at work (the answer is yes).
So how do we keep from overfeeding our avian friends? Here are some tips:
Provide Plenty of Water for Drinking and Bathing
If you want to attract birds, the first thing you should consider is providing them with a source of clean water.
- Clean: Make sure the water is free of contaminants like bird droppings or chemicals. Birds can get very sick if they drink contaminated water, so make sure your source is clean!
- Deep enough: The water should be at least 2 inches deep so that birds can bathe in it and not worry about falling in accidentally.
- Away from food sources: You may want to keep your birdbath away from other areas where food is served because otherwise it might become contaminated by seed husks and other debris from feeders nearby.
Conclusion
There you have it! The best way to feed your birds is to make sure they are healthy, happy and safe.
This can be done by providing them with the right food and water supply. You also want to make sure that there aren’t any harmful chemicals or pesticides on their feathers, so when cleaning off dirt from around the house look for natural products that won’t harm them.
Further Reading
If you’re interested in more information about bird feeding, check out the following resources:
Backyard Bird Feeding Tips: A comprehensive guide to feeding birds in your backyard, with practical tips and advice from experts.
A Beginner’s Guide to Backyard Bird Feeding: A helpful introduction to bird feeding for beginners, with tips on how to get started and what you need.
Bird Feeders: The Complete Guide to Food & How to Make Them: A detailed guide to bird feeders, including information on food, how to make your own feeder, and where to buy them.
FAQs
What types of food should I feed to birds?
Birds enjoy a variety of foods, including birdseed, nuts, dried fruit, and suet. It’s important to research the types of birds in your area and their specific dietary needs to ensure you’re providing them with the right food.
What kind of bird feeder is best?
The best type of bird feeder depends on the species of birds in your area and their feeding habits. Common feeder types include tube feeders, hopper feeders, and suet feeders.
How do I prevent squirrels and other animals from eating all the birdseed?
To prevent squirrels and other animals from accessing the birdseed, try using a squirrel-proof feeder or placing the feeder in an area that’s difficult for animals to reach. You can also try using spicy or bitter birdseed to deter animals from eating it.
How often should I clean my bird feeder?
Bird feeders should be cleaned regularly to prevent mold growth and the spread of disease among birds. Clean them at least once a month using soap and water, and make sure to rinse them thoroughly before refilling with fresh food.
How can I attract a wider variety of birds to my feeder?
To attract a wider variety of birds, try offering different types of food and changing up the placement and design of your bird feeder. You can also try providing nesting boxes, bird baths, and other features that birds will find attractive.
Hello! I’m Hellen James, and I’m a birdwatcher and birder. I have a personal interest in bird behavior and classifications and have been following the latest research on the topic for years.