QA

Question: Where To Put Bird Feeders

What is the best location for a bird feeder?

Bird feeders are best hung in a place where your visiting birds feel safe from predators. Most important: Avoid open and noisy areas and hang your bird feeders at eye level or a little above. Do not hang feeders too close to any place where squirrels can jump on them, or too low they are within a cat’s reach.

Should bird feeders be in the sun or shade?

A sheltered southeastern exposure is best for hanging a bird feeder since birds like to feed in the sun and out of the wind. Birds also prefer to have a clear view over their feeding area so they can see any predators.

Where should I hang my bird feeder without trees?

Conclusion. So, if you don’t have a tree or simply don’t want to hang the feeder on trees, you’d better consider purchasing one of these tools: bird feeder poles, hanging brackets, deck hangers, and window bird feeders. They work the same as trees and even better.

Why won’t birds come to my feeder?

Try moving the feeder to a new part of the yard. Sometimes the bird would like a better escape route. Sometimes there is simply enough natural food available in the area that the birds won’t visit your feeder. Be patient — as the seasons change and food sources diminish, they should return.

How far from the house should a bird feeder be?

How do I prevent window collisions? Place your feeder at least 30 feet away from windows or be sure they are within 3 feet (this is why window feeders are okay to use).

Can bird feeders be in the sun?

Placing feeders in a sunny, open area makes them more visible to passing birds. This placement also gives feeding birds a good field of view to stay on the lookout for predators and other threats.

How high should a bird feeder be from the ground?

Pole-mounted feeders should be about five feet off the ground and protected by a cone-shaped baffle (at least 17 inches diameter) or similar obstacle below the feeder. Locate pole-mounted feeders at least 10 feet from the nearest shrub, tree, or other tall structure.

How do birds find seeds in a feeder?

Birds primarily use vision, their sense of sight, to locate food. Birds may see seeds that they recognize as food in your feeder. So to attract birds to a new feeder, you may spread some seed on the ground. They have a better chance of spotting the seed, then.

How long does it take for birds to start using a bird feeder?

Birds will often go to a new bird feeder within a day or two but it is most common for birds to take anywhere up to several weeks before they start to feed at a new place. The general rule is anything from two to four weeks.

How long does it take for birds to come to a new bird feeder?

If you have not yet been feeding birds in your backyard, it may take from one day to several months before the birds in your area discover your new feeder. Be patient and consider the following: It is important that you use a seed type or seed blend based on the birds in your area.

How do you hang a bird feeder on a house?

If you’re tight on garden space, wall brackets offer a great solution for hanging bird feeders to a solid structural wall. These are ideal to position on a brick wall of a house, walled shed or outhouse. Simply place the wall bracket up high for the bird feeder, so it’s still within easy reach to clean.

What colors attract birds to feeders?

Red and pink tend to be the most common feeder colors for hummingbirds. Bird houses and bird feeders for goldfinches are often yellow, while blue is a common color for bluebird products. Because of their love for oranges, oriole bird houses and bird feeders are often colored orange.

What time of day do birds feed?

Typically birds like to eat early in the morning so that is when they will be looking for food. Your bird feeder should be full at dawn so the birds will find it first thing when they are searching. If you don’t want to get up before dawn to fill your bird feeder you can fill it the night before.

Which bird feeder attracts most birds?

Hopper or “House” Feeders Hopper feeders are attractive to most feeder birds, including finches, jays, cardinals, buntings, grosbeaks, sparrows, chickadees, and titmice; they’re also squirrel magnets.

Where should I hang my birdhouse?

Birdhouses should be from 5 to 30 feet above the ground and placed where it will be inaccessible to enemies. The sides of the houses and fence rails are also suitable sites depending on the species to be attracted. Regardless of where they are located, birdhouses should be placed at least 25 feet apart.

Can you put a bird feeder near a birdhouse?

In most cases, place the birdhouse 5 feet or more off the ground and at least 20 feet from feeders or birdbaths.

Should I put a bird feeder near a bird house?

Keeping Bird Feeders too Close to your House Birds also need space to fly in from above to land on feeders. Keeping feeders too close to windows and the sides of a house could cause harm if birds fly into windows. Birds might also avoid feeders if they are too close to people in fear of predators.