how to attract birds to your feeder

There's just something magical about a bird fluttering around your yard, chirping away, and snatching up a snack from your bird feeder. Not only does it bring nature right to your doorstep, but it also aids local bird populations by feeding them, especially during those colder months when the birds may have very meager natural resources. But if you are one of those who have recently set up a bird feeder and find yourself wondering how no feathered friends drop by, the probable question being asked by you would be, How to attract birds to your feeder?

Don't worry; you're not alone. Drawing birds into your feeder takes a little patience, some know-how, and a bit of strategy. Here is a step-by-step guide through all you need to know to make your yard a bird haven.

Choosing the right bird feeder

Before we get into ways to attract birds, let's talk a little about the feeders themselves. Not all bird feeders are created equally, and which type you buy can make a huge difference in what kind of birds you will attract or how many.

Which bird feeder attracts the most birds? That is a common question but does have an answer that has much to do with the types of birds one wishes to attract. Here's a quick breakdown:

• Tube Feeders: These can be good feeders for small birds like finches, chickadees, and sparrows. Many feeding ports distinguish them and are usually capable of holding a variety of seeds.

• Hopper Feeders: These are house-shaped feeders; thus, they will be universal and will bear a variety of birds that range from small songbirds to bigger ones such as cardinals and bluejays.

• Platform Feeders: Also known as tray feeders, these are open and flat, making them accessible to all kinds of birds, even ground feeders like mourning doves.

• Suet Feeders: These are designed to hold suet cakes and are exceptionally appealing to woodpeckers, nuthatches, and wrens.

• Nectar Feeders: Specifically designed for hummingbirds, nectar feeders contain a sugar-water solution that mimics the nectar present in flowers.

For a feeder that attracts the most birds, one can often get by with nothing better than simply using a hopper feeder with a tube feeder. This combination contains something for everybody and maximizes your chances of seeing a mixed flock.

Choosing the right bird food

With your feeder in hand, the next step is to choose the appropriate food. Different birds have different tastes, so offering a variety of seeds and foods will certainly attract a greater number of bird species. Here's a run-through of some of the most popular bird food options:

• Black Oil Sunflower Seeds: This is the best seed for most birds. It has a thin hull, and its high oil content makes it uncommon for them to crack. It is really loved by cardinals, chickadees, and finches of all descriptions.

• Nyjer (Thistle) Seeds: These tiny black seeds are irresistible to the finches, especially goldfinches—but also appeal to siskins and redpolls.

• Suet Cakes: These are also made up of pure animal fat and can include seeds, berries, or insects. They are high-energy foods for woodpeckers, nuthatches, and wrens.

• Mealworms: whether live or dried, are irresistible to insect-eating birds like robins, bluebirds, and wrens.

• Mixed Seed: A general mix would be millet, cracked corn, and sunflower seeds. This would attract several ground-feeder birds, such as sparrows, doves, and juncos.

• Nectar: A homemade sugar-water solution approximation of four parts water to one part sugar is ideal to attract hummingbirds to your nectar feeder.

For better success, place different kinds of food in different feeders. Now you can accommodate more bird species and reduce bird competition and bullying.

How long does it take for birds to find a feeder?

You set up your feeder, anxiously watch, and wait, only to be disappointed when no birds appear on cue. How long does it take them to find a feeder? The answer is variable. Some birds may find a new feeder in a few hours, but most take days or even weeks.

Most birds rely heavily on sight and sound to locate food. If your feeder is visible from the sky or if it's surrounded by trees and shrubs where birds perch a lot, then they are most likely to find the feeding station relatively fast. But if you don't already have birds coming into your yard, it can take just a little time for the local bird community to learn.

Here are a few tips to help accelerate the process:

• Be Predictable: Once you start feeding birds, do so on a somewhat regular basis. Birds are creatures of habit and will visit your spot more often when they know there is at least one reliable food source available.

• Add a water source: Birds require water for drinking and bathing. Adding a birdbath or a small fountain near your feeder will make your yard even more attractive to birds.

• Use a feeder with bright colors: Some birds, especially hummingbirds, are particularly attracted to bright colors. The bright color of the feeder stands out from a distance, catching the bird's eye.

• Scatter Some Seeds on the Ground: Sprinkling a few seeds on the ground around the feeder may make birds note the food. It will make ground feeders, such as doves and sparrows, aware of the location.

• Be patient: Sometimes, birds may just need some time. Birds tend to feel safe before committing themselves to a new feeding spot.

Creating a bird-friendly yard

Anything that makes the birds feel at ease and comfortable at the feeder will attract many birds. How do you attract birds into your yard? It's all about habitat.

• Plant Native Vegetation: Native plants are more likely to offer seeds, berries, and insects with which the local birds will be familiar. They also provide shelter and natural nesting spots. Consider planting trees, shrubs, and flowering plants for layers of vegetation that cater to different bird species.

• Provide Cover: Birds require safe locations to hide from predators, rest, and nest. These can include thick shrubs, hedges, and trees. If you are so inclined, you may even add birdhouses or nesting boxes to encourage birds to stick around.

• Adding a Source of Water: A birdbath, or small pond, is an excellent attraction for birds that may not visit the feeder. Keep the water clean and fresh, and during the winter months, add a heater to prevent freezing.

• Go Easy on Pesticides: Besides killing the insects that birds feed on, pesticides can poison birds upon being ingested. Most of the natural means to do pest control will help keep birds safe from your yard.

• Keep Your Pets Indoors: Cats and dogs either run off birds or, worse, catch them. If you want to see birds, then you should keep your pets indoors or out, but under close supervision.

This would reduce noise and other disturbances that may startle birds. The birds will not visit quite often if the area surrounding your feeders is filled with loud noises and human frequenting activities.

attracting birds to a window feeder

If you live in an apartment or simply want to bird-watch from inside your home, you might wonder how you attract birds to the window feeder. Window feeders are ideal to bring birds right up close, but they do take a little more maintenance.

Here's how you can make the window feeder successful:

• Choosing the Right Feeder: First, select a window feeder that attaches securely to the glass with strong suction cups. The feeder should be simple to clean and refill without having to remove it from the window.

• Use Small, Friendly Birds to Begin: Small birds, such as chickadees, titmice, and finches, tend to be the first arrivals at a window feeder. Curiosity overcomes their skittish nature, and once they begin to visit, other species are more likely to follow.

• Use High-Quality Seed: Take and use that same high-quality seed you would place in another kind of feeder. Black oil sunflower seeds are particularly beneficial because most small bird species just love them.

• Place the Feeder on a Quiet Window: Place the feeder at a window with a minimal number of people passing by either from inside the house or outside. A quieter place would make the birds feel more secure.

• Reduce Window Collisions: Sometimes birds fly into the window because they can't see the glass. To prevent this, consider decals or stickers that might be placed on the window to make it more visible to birds.

• Being patient: Like any feeder, birds may need time to find and use your window feeder. So, be patient and make sure to keep the feeder clean and full.

Common Challenges and Solutions

Not even the best setup guarantees absolutely smooth sailing when it comes to attracting birds onto your feeder. Following are some common problems and how to surmount them:

• Squirrels: along with other pests, are likely to invade birds at your feeder. Consider using a squirrel-proof feeder or placing your feeder on a pole with a baffle that squirrels can't climb.

• Undesirable Birds: Sometimes, a few larger birds, like starlings or grackles, will take over and run all the little birds off. To discourage them, offer only a feeder that smaller birds can use, or seeds, like Nyjer seeds, that the larger ones mostly avoid.

• Filthy Feeders: A shit-covered feeder will not only repulse the birds but also keep contagious diseases within the bird communities. Clean your feeders often by using hot, soapy water and rinsing thoroughly. In the summer, you may need to clean them more often to prevent mold and bacteria growth.

• Moldy or Stale Seed: Birds won't eat moldy or stale seed, and if ingested, it can be very harmful to them. Always store your seed in a cool, dry place, and put only enough in your feeder that the birds can consume in a few days.

So the next time you are out there standing, wondering "how to attract birds to your feeder," take a step back, make a few adjustments, and enjoy the process. Happy birding!