Useful Stuff to Know About Feeding Birds

Black-capped Chickadee: courtesy of Aspen Song

Northern Cardinal: courtesy of Aspen Song

Location. Location. Location. Hang your feeder in the quiet place near trees and shrubs that provide protective cover. Cats are cute, but not to birds, so don’t hang your feeder too close to the ground. On the other hand, don’t hang the feeder 15 feet high or higher - birds natural feeding habits are about eye-level (5-8 feet) similar to a shrub height or small tree height. Finally, don’t place the feeder too close to windows – birds can easily be scared away by your indoor movements.

Avoid cheap seed mixes. They’re inexpensive because they’re packed with a high percentage of millet, cracked corn, and other fillers that native songbirds do not like. Worse yet, cheap seed attracts those infuriating invasive sparrows that overwhelm your feeding area. Millet also attracts large nuisance birds like blackbirds, grackles and starlings.

Dirty feeders can still make birds sick. Empty your feeder and wash the inside in a light (9:1) water-bleach solution. Rinse thoroughly and allow to air dry. Remember to do it every month or so. If you have NEVER done this, do it today. Also keep in mind that seed, like any other food, goes bad. Last year’s seed is probably not healthy. If your seed is full of cobwebs, flour moths have invaded it. Yuck!

Go easy on the stale bread. Birds may seem to love it, but bread to a hungry bird is like popcorn is to a hungry human: Loads of filler, but no nutritional value. Bread also attracts mostly starlings and house sparrows.

Provide suet. It replenishes energy and nutrients, and helps birds survive the long, cold winter. In the spring, suet meets the increased energy demands of nesting birds. In the summer months, it provides a good substitute for insect-eating birds, especially in years when insects are not very plentiful. In fall, suet helps wild birds store fat to prepare for migration or the coming winter.

New feeders may require patience. Depending on your environment it can take birds days, weeks, and in some cases months to start to use a new feeder. If the feeder is a replacement from an older feeder, it may still take time for them to use the new feeder.

Give them a drink. A heated birdbath in winter provides a reliable source of water, and gives birds more reason to stay in your location. Sporadic visits. Birds generally feed 3 times per day: morning, midday, and early evening. Don’t be surprised if the rest of the day your feeder is quiet. Birds can also be highly active one day and vanish the next. Don’t be alarmed, chances are they will return.

Place the feeder where you can watch. Use binoculars and keep a bird guide handy. Watching birds is not only fun, you’ll be reminded when the feeder is empty. Best of all watching birds lowers your blood pressure. (OK we made that last bit up – but who knows, it might.)