Bird watching is a popular hobby for people of all ages. It allows you to connect with nature and observe beautiful birds up close. To attract birds to your backyard or garden, one of the best things you can do is set up a bird feeder. Bird feeders provide birds with a reliable source of food and give you a front-row seat to all the avian action.
What are the benefits of having a bird feeder?
There are many advantages to having a bird feeder in your outdoor space:
- It attracts a variety of colorful bird species to your yard.
- You can observe birds up-close in their natural environment.
- It provides birds with a supplemental food source.
- Feeders encourage birds to take up residence in your yard.
- They allow you to have fun birdwatching from home.
- Kids love watching the bird activity and learning about different species.
The activity and songs of all the birds drawn to your feeder will liven up your yard and give you some entertaining nature viewing.
What types of foods do wild birds eat?
There are several common foods that attract wild birds to feeders:
- Seeds – All types of seeds, including blends, sunflower seeds, millet, thistle, safflower, etc.
- Suet – High energy suet cakes or suet nuggets are loved by insect-eating birds.
- Fruit – Slices of apples, oranges, bananas, berries, etc.
- Nuts – Whole or pieces of peanuts, almonds, pecans, walnuts, etc.
- Mealworms – Dried or live mealworms are relished by birds.
- Nectar – Sugar/nectar mixes attract hummingbirds and orioles.
- Corn – Dried, cracked corn is preferred by some birds.
Providing a variety of different food types will help attract the largest number of species to your bird feeder.
What are the different types of bird feeders?
There are several basic styles of bird feeders, each suited for different food types or bird species:
Feeder Type | Best For |
---|---|
Hopper or house feeder | All-purpose feeder for seeds, nuts, blends |
Tube feeder | Holding thistle seed or small seeds/finches |
Suet feeders | Suet cakes or nuggets |
Fruit feeders | Slices of fruit |
Nectar feeders | Liquid nectar mixes |
Platform feeders | All types of seeds, larger birds |
Ground feeders | Seeds accessible right on the ground |
Select a feeder designed for the types of food and birds you want to attract. Many feeders are adaptable for multiple food types.
Where should I place the bird feeder?
Here are some tips on where to locate your bird feeder:
- Place it in a somewhat open and visible location so birds can easily find it.
- Near trees or shrubs that birds can perch on before and after visiting.
- Close enough to your house so you can observe the activity.
- Not right next to a window, to prevent collisions.
- Preferably sheltered from strong wind and rain.
- Above the ground high enough so cats cannot jump up and reach it.
- Avoid areas near potential predators like hawks and cats.
Placing your feeder in the optimal spot will ensure lots of busy and safe bird traffic.
What is the easiest homemade bird feeder?
The simplest bird feeder to make at home uses supplies you likely already have:
- A used plastic bottle, milk jug or carton.
- Scissors or a craft knife.
- String, twine or wire.
- Bird seed, nut pieces or other food.
Follow these steps:
- Thoroughly clean and dry the plastic container.
- Using the scissors or knife, cut some large holes or windows on the sides for the birds to reach the food.
- Punch a small hole near the top to insert hanging string or wire.
- Thread and knot the string or wire through the hole.
- Fill the container with bird food.
- Hang it outdoors in a good spot and wait for your first visitors!
This simple homemade feeder can be created in minutes. Feel free to get creative with differently shaped containers, multiple feeding holes, and various hanger designs.
What are some other easy bird feeder ideas?
If you want to try making a slightly more advanced bird feeder, here are some other easy options:
Pinecone Feeder
Collect pinecones, coat them peanut butter, roll them in birdseed, and hang upside down.
Fruit Kebab
Skewer chunks of fruit like apples, oranges, grapes onto a stick and hang or stick into the ground.
Yogurt Cup Feeder
Punch holes in empty single-serve yogurt cups, fill with seed, hang with string.
Milk Carton Feeder
Cut doorways in all sides of a milk or juice carton, fill with seed, hang with wire or string.
Suet Basket
Make mesh suet holders by shaping chicken wire into a cage or basket shape. Fill with suet cakes.
What bird feed and food should I use?
The best foods to fill your bird feeder depend on what species you want to attract. Here are some recommendations:
For cardinals, woodpeckers, chickadees, nuthatches, doves:
- Black oil sunflower seeds
- Safflower seeds
- Peanuts, shelled nut pieces
- Suet cakes or nuggets
For finches, sparrows, buntings:
- Nyjer thistle seed
- Cracked corn
- Millet
- Fine sunflower chips
For jays, crows, grosbeaks:
- Whole peanuts
- Black oil sunflower
- Whole corn
- Mixed nuts
For orioles and hummingbirds:
- Specialty nectar mixes
- Orange slices
- Grape jelly
It’s best to buy bird food in small quantities and replace it frequently to ensure freshness. Try different types of foods to see what draws in your feathered friends.
How do I care for and clean the bird feeder?
To keep your bird feeder clean and prevent disease:
- Empty out old seed and clean the feeder every 2-4 weeks.
- Wash with a dilute bleach solution and scrub inside.
- Rinse thoroughly and let dry completely before refilling.
- Wear gloves when cleaning.
- Sweep or rake debris from under the feeder periodically.
- Disinfect and clean humingbird feeders every 3-5 days.
Clean feeders will help keep the birds visiting your yard healthy. Be sure to refill promptly so your feathered pals have a continuous food supply.
What are some troubleshooting tips for bird feeders?
Here are some troubleshooting tips if your bird feeder is not attracting any visitors:
- Fill the feeder with fresh seed often as birds dislike stale food.
- Use foods preferred by birds in your area.
- Adjust feeder placement to an optimal location.
- Clean dirty feeders birds find unappetizing.
- Wait patiently as it may take a few days for birds to find it.
- Try moving the feeder a few feet to increase visibility.
- Add peripheral perches for timid birds to land before feeding.
- Reduce squirrel access by installing baffles or moving higher.
Don’t get discouraged if your feeder isn’t an immediate success. It can take some experimenting to figure out what brings the birds to your yard. The reward of seeing your feeder flocked with beautiful birds will make it worth it!
Conclusion
Attracting lovely birds to your outdoor space for up-close viewing is simple with a DIY bird feeder. You can easily make one from recyclable materials in just minutes. Strategically place your feeder near trees and filled with desired food to bring in the largest variety of avian species. Be sure to regularly clean and fill the feeder to keep birds satisfied and healthy. Watching the colorful parade of finches, sparrows, chickadees, and more gather at your feeder will quickly become a treasured part of your daily routine.