Bird Feeders Article - Plow & Hearth

Empty

Home : Article

• Feeder Types

• Feeder Placement

• Feeder Care

Feeder Types

The ideal bird feeder is sturdy enough to withstand winter weather, tight enough to keep seeds dry, large enough so you don�t have to refill it constantly, and easy to assemble and clean. For these reasons, plastic or metal feeders usually work better than wooden ones. In general, seed-feeders fall into three categories: tray feeders, hopper feeders, and tube feeders. Each type attracts different kinds of birds, and each type offers certain advantages or suffers particular limitations. Read the overview of feeder types, features, and birds attracted by each.

Feeder Placement

Place your feeder in a quiet area where it is easy to see and convenient to refill. To attract a variety of birds, the feeder should be close to natural cover (shelter) such as trees or shrubs, which offer refuge to birds as they wait their turn to feed. Evergreens are ideal, as they provide thick foliage that hides birds from predators and buffers winter winds. Be careful that you don�t place your feeder too close to cover, however, as nearby branches can provide good jump-off points for squirrels that may be eyeing the seeds, and cats that may be eyeing the birds. A distance of about 10 feet seems to be a good compromise. You can provide resting and escape cover for ground-dwelling birds, such as Song Sparrows, by placing loosely stacked brush piles near your feeders.

If no birds are visiting your feeder within a few days of setting it up, try sprinkling seeds on the ground nearby to make the feeding site more obvious. If the seed in the feeder is blowing out or getting wet, your birds are probably getting the same treatment. Try moving the feeder to a calmer, more sheltered spot.

Feeder Care

Birds can become ill from leftover bits of seeds and hulls that become moldy, as well as from bird droppings that accumulate on feeder trays. Therefore, you should clean your feeders about once every two weeks, more often during times of heavy use. For best results wash your feeder thoroughly in soapy water, then soak or rinse it in a solution of one part bleach to nine parts water. Dry the feeder thoroughly before refilling. Hummingbird feeders should be cleaned at least once each week.

Also remember to clean the ground below your feeder to prevent accumulation of waste. Moldy or spoiled food is unhealthy not only for birds but for your outside pets. Bird food scattered on the ground also can attract rodents.

We thank the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's Project FeederWatch for providing this material. Project FeederWatch relies upon the observations of bird-feeding enthusiasts, like you, to help them learn more about feeder birds. We encourage you to join Project FeederWatch by calling the Lab at (800) 843-2473. Or click on the button to learn more.

Shop For:

Specialty Collections

Shop For:

Specialty Collections

Shop For:

Specialty Collections

Shop For:

Specialty Collections

Shop For:

Specialty Collections