How To Get Birds To Come To Feeder
How To Get Birds To Come To Feeder: Your Ultimate Guide
There is nothing quite as rewarding as sipping your morning coffee while watching a flurry of colorful birds enjoying a meal right outside your window. If you've recently set up a feeder but your little feathered friends haven't found the party yet, don't worry—you are not alone. Getting birds to trust a new feeding station takes time, strategy, and patience.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through the proven methods and secrets on How To Get Birds To Come To Feeder quickly, safely, and consistently. We will cover everything from site selection to the best types of seeds, ensuring your backyard becomes the hottest dining spot in the neighborhood.
Laying the Groundwork: Site Selection and Safety
The location of your feeder is perhaps the most critical factor in attracting birds. Birds prioritize safety above all else. If they feel exposed or vulnerable, they simply won't visit, no matter how delicious the food is.
Choosing the Perfect Location
Birds need easy access to the feeder but also quick escape routes. Placing your feeder too far out in the open leaves them vulnerable to aerial predators. However, placing it too close to dense bushes can hide predators like cats.
A good rule of thumb is to place the feeder about 10 to 12 feet away from natural cover, such as trees or dense shrubs. This distance allows birds to scope out the area before landing and provides a safe spot to retreat if danger approaches. Furthermore, consider its proximity to windows.
To prevent window collisions, either place the feeder less than three feet from the window (so birds cannot gain enough speed to injure themselves) or more than 30 feet away.
Keeping Predators Away
The two main pests you will deal with are squirrels and house cats. Squirrels are often inevitable, but their activity can deter timid birds. Cats, on the other hand, pose a direct threat to bird safety.
If you have cats, ensure your feeder is mounted on a pole with a baffle—a specialized guard that prevents climbing. Avoid placing feeders on the ground or within easy jumping distance of fences, patios, or large tree limbs.
The Menu Matters: What to Feed Them
If your feeder is ignored, the most common reason is that the food inside isn't appealing. Birds are picky eaters, and cheap seed mixes often contain filler grains like milo and oats that most desirable songbirds simply toss aside. To effectively learn How To Get Birds To Come To Feeder, you must offer high-quality, high-energy food.
Seed Selection 101
Focus on seeds that are nutrient-dense and beloved by a wide variety of birds. Starting with the basics is the best way to gain initial interest.
- Black Oil Sunflower Seed (BOSS): Often called the "King of Seeds." This is the best all-around seed. It has a high oil content, providing maximum energy, and the shells are thin, making them easy for smaller birds to crack.
- Safflower Seed: A great choice if you have issues with squirrels or starlings, as they generally dislike the bitter taste. Cardinals, chickadees, and finches love it.
- Nyjer (Thistle) Seed: Essential for attracting finches (Goldfinches, House Finches). It must be served in a specialized feeder designed to hold the small, fine seeds.
- Shelled Peanuts: Highly desired by nuthatches, woodpeckers, and jays. Offer them shelled, as whole peanuts can pose a choking hazard to some smaller species.
Offering Variety: Beyond Just Seeds
Different birds prefer different food sources. Expanding your menu can significantly increase the diversity of visitors to your yard. Consider supplementing your seed feeders with other high-value options.
Suet cakes, especially those with added nuts or fruit, are irresistible to woodpeckers, flickers, and insect-eating birds during cold weather. Hummingbirds require nectar feeders, while orioles are often attracted by halved oranges or jelly offered on a platform feeder in the spring.
Feeder Types and Maintenance
The type of feeder you use dictates which birds you will attract. Furthermore, the cleanliness of the feeder impacts bird health and can be a reason why birds avoid the station altogether.
Matching Feeder Type to Bird Type
If you primarily want Cardinals and Grosbeaks, a large platform feeder works best because they prefer to land and eat. If you want small clinging birds like Chickadees and Titmice, a tube feeder is ideal. A mix of feeder styles ensures you cater to a wider audience.
A basic combination for maximum effectiveness includes:
- A Tube Feeder (for BOSS or safflower).
- A Platform Feeder (for seed mixes, peanuts, or fruit).
- A Suet Cage (for high-fat suet cakes).
Maintaining Hygiene: The Key to Success
Molds, bacteria, and spoiled seed spread disease, which can be fatal to birds. If birds see spoiled food or sick birds at a feeder, they will quickly stop visiting. Cleanliness is non-negotiable.
- Replace seed frequently, especially during wet or hot weather, to prevent spoilage.
- Brush out old hulls and droppings from the feeder daily.
- Clean tube and platform feeders with a solution of nine parts water to one part bleach (or specialized bird feeder cleaner) at least every two weeks.
- Rinse thoroughly with clean water and allow the feeder to dry completely before refilling.
Patience and Persistence: Dealing with Delays
Sometimes, even after following all the rules, the birds take their sweet time showing up. This is normal. Birds rely on established feeding patterns and may be hesitant to approach a strange new object. The crucial step now is persistence.
It can take anywhere from a few days to several months for birds to fully discover and trust your new feeder, especially if you live in a location where backyard bird feeding is not common. Keep the feeder full, keep it clean, and wait.
First Impressions: Making Your Feeder Noticeable
To speed up the discovery process, try these helpful tricks. Scatter a small amount of seed lightly on the ground or on top of nearby railings or porches. This draws ground feeders and often grabs the attention of birds flying overhead, signaling that the area is a food source.
Also, remember that water is just as attractive as food. Adding a bird bath or a small moving fountain near your feeder is one of the quickest ways to encourage initial visits. Once they stop for a drink, they are much more likely to check out the food source nearby.
Conclusion
Learning How To Get Birds To Come To Feeder boils down to four main pillars: strategic placement, high-quality food, rigorous cleanliness, and unwavering patience. By ensuring your feeder is a safe, reliable, and delicious resource, you are setting yourself up for success.
Don't be discouraged if the feeder is empty for the first few weeks. Keep offering the best food, maintain a sparkling clean environment, and soon, you will find your backyard teeming with colorful and chirping visitors. Enjoy the show!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- What time of year is best to start feeding birds?
- You can start feeding birds any time of year. However, birds are often most reliant on feeders during late fall and winter when natural food sources are scarce. Starting in the fall can help birds discover your feeder before the harsh weather hits.
- Why are only sparrows and doves visiting my feeder?
- Sparrows and doves are often the first to arrive, especially if you are using a cheap seed mix containing millet or cracked corn. To attract more variety (like cardinals or finches), switch to high-value foods like black oil sunflower seeds and safflower.
- Do I need to leave the feeder out all year?
- While birds may rely less on feeders during the summer when insects and berries are abundant, leaving the feeder out year-round ensures a consistent food source. Consistency is key to maintaining a regular bird population in your yard.
- How high should my feeder be?
- Most feeders should be mounted 5 to 7 feet off the ground. This height is generally safe from ground predators like cats and provides good visibility for the birds.
How To Get Birds To Come To Feeder
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