Bird feeders are an excellent way to attract birds to your yard or garden. They provide birds with a reliable source of food and give bird enthusiasts an up-close view of their feathered friends. But beyond being visually appealing, bird feeders serve several useful purposes.
Provides Food for Birds
One of the main reasons bird feeders are so useful is that they provide birds with a consistent source of food. Bird feeders allow you to offer different types of birdseed, suet, nectar, and fruit that attract various bird species. This is particularly helpful during winter when natural food sources are scarce. Providing food via feeders helps birds survive the lean months and maintain healthy populations.
| Bird Type | Recommended Food |
|---|---|
| Songbirds | Black oil sunflower seeds, nyjer thistle, safflower seeds, cracked corn, millet |
| Woodpeckers | Suet, shelled peanuts, shelled sunflower seeds |
| Hummingbirds | Nectar, sugar water |
| Orioles | Orange halves, grape jelly, nectar |
As seen in the table above, different birds have unique food preferences. Stocking a bird feeder with a variety of food covers all the bases to attract a diverse range of species.
Provides Water for Birds
Bird feeders equipped with water reservoirs offer birds a place to drink and bathe. Clean, fresh water is just as critical for birds as food. Hydration allows birds to maintain organ function, regulate body temperature, and digest food. Water also keeps their feathers in good condition for insulation and flight. Having a readily available water source from a bird feeder is invaluable for birds in hot, dry weather or winter when natural sources freeze over.
Offers Shelter and Safety
Certain bird feeder designs provide small shelters where birds can take temporary cover from poor weather or rest in between feedings. Feeders placed in strategic locations give birds a safe spot to retreat away from predators. The presence of humans near bird feeders also serves to deter predators like outdoor cats and hawks. Birds may even breed and nest in leafy branches or brush piles near their favorite feeders.
Allows Close Observation of Birds
One of the joys of feeding birds is being able to watch them up close. The activity provides mental relaxation for many people while allowing them to connect with nature right in their yards. Observing bird feeders gives you the chance to identify different species, study bird behavior, and track migratory patterns. Setting up a bird cam or nature camera at your feeder enables even better bird watching.
Benefits Ecosystems
Supplementing food and shelter for backyard birds has positive ripple effects across local ecosystems. Healthy and abundant bird populations help control insect pests and pollinate plants as part of natural food webs. Numerous bird species are also key seed dispersers that regenerate native vegetation through their droppings. Attracting a variety of birds to your yard promotes overall biodiversity.
Types of Bird Feeders
There are many types of bird feeders available to meet different functions and feed different birds. Below are some of the most common styles.
Hopper or House Feeders
These enclosed feeders protect seeds and nuts from getting wet.Their large capacity means less frequent refilling. Hopper feeders accommodate various bird sizes.
Tube Feeders
Long, hollow tubes dispense small seeds like nyjer thistle and sunflower chips. Perches and feeding ports are sized for tiny birds. Tube guards prevent bigger birds from accessing the feeder.
Suet Feeders
Suet feeders provide high-fat suet cakes or nuggets for insect-eating birds like woodpeckers. Tail prop suet feeders offer a place for cling-feeding birds to balance.
Oriole Feeders
Designed like an open bowl or basket, these feeders cater to orioles with fruit, jelly,nectar, and mealworms. Orange halves can be skewered in place.
Hummingbird Feeders
Long, narrow tubes containing nectar solution attract hummingbirds. Bright colors like red draw the birds. Some feeders are accessible only by hummers.
Platform Feeders
Simple, open trays or platforms spill-proof mixed seed for ground feeding birds like juncos,doves, and sparrows. Some platform feeders are raised or have a shelter roof.
Choosing a Bird Feeder
Here are some tips for selecting the right feeder:
Match the Feeder to the Birds You Want to Attract
Research your local bird species and their food preferences before choosing a feeder. Select feeder styles and food that coincide with the types of birds you hope to attract. For example, tube feeders with nyjer appeal to finches.
Consider the Location
Place feeders in optimal spots like near trees or brush for quick escape but not right up against cover for ambush by cats. Have a water source nearby. Avoid areas near reflective windows.
Choose Durable Materials
Look for high quality feeders made of chew-proof, water-resistant materials like vinyl, plastic, glass, and steel that will hold up in all weather. Avoid wood feeders which deteriorate.
Include Protection Features
Feeders with rain guards, squirrel baffles, and seed deflectors prevent water damage and limit access by squirrels and large pest birds. Use feeders with weight- or perch-activated covers to keep seeds dry.
Go for the Right Size
Select feeders big enough to accommodate the expected number of birds without overcrowding or leaving a mess of spilled seeds on the ground. Have a few smaller ports for songbirds and one or two larger ports for bigger birds.
Allow for Easy Cleaning
Tube feeders and hopper feeders with removable tops or doors make cleaning and refilling simple. Quickly cleaning feeders regularly prevents mold and disease.
Tips for Feeding Birds
Follow these guidelines to make your bird feeder setup as effective and healthy as possible:
Offer a Variety of Foods
Provide several feeder styles with different foods to attract many bird species. Rotate offerings to find favorites. Stick with premium birdseed mixes.
Use Fresh Food and Discard Old
Always use dry, fresh food without bugs, mold, fungus, or moisture. Toss out any uneaten food that gets wet or soiled.
Clean Feeders Regularly
Thoroughly clean and disinfect feeders at least every two weeks with soap and a diluted bleach solution. Rinse well and let dry completely before refilling.
Prevent Contamination
Use feeders with drainage ports or trays to keep seed from sitting in water or droppings. Clean the ground below feeders to limit disease spread.
Discourage Rodents
Use feeders with weight mechanisms or perches too large for squirrels. Install squirrel baffles above pole feeders. Take feeders down at night when rodents are active.
Avoid Overcrowding
Limit the number of birds at a feeder by using multiple feeders spread widely apart. Overcrowding stresses birds and risks disease transmission.
Maintain Year-Round
Feed birds continuously, not just in winter. Migrating and nesting birds rely on feeders in spring and summer too when natural food is limited.
Conclusion
Bird feeders are invaluable devices that provide food, water, shelter, and enjoyment of nature’s beauty to birds while benefiting local environments. With so many styles to choose from, you can find the perfect feeder to meet your needs. Place feeders in optimal spots and maintain them properly to ensure happy, healthy birds will flock to your yard. The usefulness of bird feeders lies in their ability to sustain bird populations and connect us to wildlife.
