The Ultimate Guide To Attracting Birds To Your Bird Feeder
We’ve all been there; you hang up a new bird feeder, buy a huge bag of bird seed, and get ready to turn your backyard into a bird watching paradise. But day after day no birds show up— or worse— squirrels eat all the bird seed! You did everything right, so what went wrong?
Not many people know that creating a bird-friendly environment goes beyond just hanging a feeder. It takes understanding bird behavior, offering different bird food options, and creating a welcoming environment. By following the easy expert tips below, you'll get a bunch of winged visitors flocking to your yard in no time!
Switch Up Your Bird Feeder Menu
Birds like different things, so offering a range of foods will attract different species. Stock your feeders with a mix of seeds, suet, fruits, and nuts. Black oil sunflower seeds are a universal favorite, meaning they are a great pick to draw many different backyard birds.
Consider specialized feeders for different food types. Tube feeders work well for seeds, while suet cages are great for attracting woodpeckers and nuthatches. Experiment with different options to see what works best for the birds in your area.
Location, Location, Location!
Where you place your feeders can have a big impact on their popularity among the neighborhood birds. Choose spots that are easy to see but still offer protection. Feeders near trees or shrubs provide quick escape routes from predators.
Keep feeders away from windows to prevent birds from colliding with them. If you can, set up a couple different feeding stations around your yard to cut down on competition and give a bunch of different types of birds a chance to visit.
Add a Bird Bath
Birds need water for drinking and bathing, making a bird bath an excellent addition to any bird watcher’s yard. Choose a shallow basin with gradually sloping sides that makes it easy for birds to access. Keep the water fresh and clean by changing it regularly.
In winter, consider setting up a heated bird bath to give birds a rare source of water when natural options are frozen. This can make your yard an even more popular spot for birds to flock to year-round.
Create Shelters For Birds Near Feeders
Birds feel more comfortable feeding when they know there is a shelter is nearby. Plant native trees, shrubs, and vines around your yard to give the birds cover and places to set up their nests. Evergreen trees and bushes offer year-round protection and are particularly valuable to birds in the winter.
Think about adding birdhouses or nesting boxes to your outdoor space to make your yard even more appealing. Different species like different types of houses, so do a little research on what works best for birds in your area.
Keep It Clean
Regular cleaning of your bird feeders is super important for stopping the spread of diseases. Clean your feeders at least once a month, and more often than that during wet weather. It’s best to clean using a mild bleach solution and make sure you rinse thoroughly.
Take out any old, wet seed from feeders and the ground around them. Moldy seed can make birds sick. By keeping feeding stations clean, you'll make sure you’re creating a healthy environment for your feathered visitors.
Add Some Bird-Friendly Plants To Your Landscape Design
Native plants give local bird species natural food sources and familiar-looking habitats. Berry-producing shrubs, seed-bearing flowers, and nectar-rich blooms can attract a bunch of different types of birds. Research plants that are native to your region and add them into your yard.
You want to create a diverse habitat with layers of plants, from ground cover all the way up to tall trees. This copies natural environments and provides spots for different bird species to hang out in.
Change Your Feeding Approach Throughout the Year
What birds need changes with the seasons, so you need to switch up your feeding strategy too! In spring and summer, put protein-rich foods like mealworms in your feeder to help nesting birds. In fall, increase the amount of seeds in feeders to help birds get ready for winter.
During winter, high-fat foods like suet give birds the energy they need to survive in cold weather. Keep your feeders well-stocked during harsh bouts of weather when birds’ natural food sources are harder to find.
Give Birds Time to Discover Your Feeder
If you're new to bird feeding, don't be discouraged if birds don't flock to your feeders right away. It can take time for birds to actually discover a new food source. Start with small amounts of seed to avoid wasting it, and gradually add more and more as birds begin to visit.
Try sprinkling some seed on the ground near your feeders to attract ground-feeding species of birds. This can help draw more attention to your bird feeder and other birds will follow suit.
Make Your Yard A Year-Round Resources for Birds
To attract a bunch of different kinds of birds throughout the year, you want to create a four-season habitat. This means providing food, water, and shelter for birds in all seasons. Leave some areas of your yard "messy" with fallen leaves and brush piles so birds have a bit of shelter in winter.
Don't deadhead all your flowers in fall; leave some seedheads for birds to use as winter food. By thinking beyond just feeders, you'll create a truly bird-friendly environment that helps your feathered friends year-round.
Learn From The Birds
You can learn a lot by just paying attention to which birds visit your feeders and when. Keep a journal of the birds you see to track patterns over time. This can help you adjust your bird feeder offerings to what your local birds actually want.
Don't be afraid to experiment with different types of feeders and foods. What works in one area may totally fail in another. By taking note of what’s working and making the right changes, you'll create the perfect bird-feeding setup for your location.
Never Have An Empty Bird Feeder Again
By using what you’ve learned here, you'll create a space that a wide variety of birds want to visit. Remember, attracting birds is about more than just putting out food – it's about creating a complete habitat that meets their needs for food, water, shelter, and safety.
As you get started on your bird-feeding journey, be patient and keep watch. Each season will bring new visitors and experiences. With time and a little care, your backyard will become a popular spot for birds to visit, giving you endless entertainment and a great way to learn about the fascinating world of birds!