Back then, feeding birds wasn’t just a hobby – it was a way to connect with nature in our backyards. These days, with all the fancy feeders and specialty seeds available, it can be hard to know if you’re doing it right.

But let me tell you, after decades of watching our feathered friends, there are some clear signs that show you’re on the right track.

1. Your Feeders Are Never Empty

You may be wondering, why should I clean the feeders before they’re totally empty? Well, the birds still get to eat the food, so you’re not really wasting it, but there’s a more important factor to consider: empty feeders aren’t popular!

The good news is that it’s not terribly difficult to clean your feeders. Make it a habit to keep your feeders clean and you will end up providing safe, reliable food to your neighborhood birds.

2. You See a Variety of Species

Generally, the best option for feeding wild birds is to offer them a variety of healthy foods, including seeds, nuts, fruits, and vegetables. By offering a variety of foods, you can be sure that your feathered friends are getting all the nutrients they need.

Backyard birding is so much more fun when you get to see a variety of birds, and one of the best ways to see different kinds of birds is to offer plenty of different kinds of treats and foods!

3. Your Feeders Stay Clean

Bird feeders are also a common place where diseases spread, so it’s important to clean your bird feeders regularly. According to Colorado Parks & Wildlife, diseases like salmonellosis, trichomoniasis, pigeon paramyxovirus, and avian pox can often be spread at feeders.

There’s also the potential for disease to spread between people and birds. The potential for disease to spread between birds is significant, even at feeders, as it is an area frequented by lots of birds and can be a hotbed for bacteria.

This is why it’s important to clean feeders frequently. Cleaning the bird feeder is vital to prevent the spread of disease.

However, some feeders are more difficult to clean than others. If you don’t want to spend hours cleaning your dirty bird feeder, you’ll want to choose one that’s easy to clean.

4. Birds Visit Even When It’s Not Peak Season

Yes, feeding birds year-round is ideal. With varying seasonal needs, your backyard birds will appreciate the constant source of food.

Bear in mind, however, that different seasons may require different types of food. This suet mix can be stored in the fridge and will last for several weeks.

Replenish your bird feeding station with this mixture often, and the birds will keep coming back for more.

5. There’s Limited Ground Waste

Ground birds like doves and quails might take to it, but songbirds will usually pass on it in favor of more desirable seeds. There are plenty of seed mixes that don’t include milo, so be sure to read the ingredients list before purchasing seeds to prevent waste.

Install a squirrel baffle and clean up the ground around your bird feeders. If you’ve baffled the squirrels successfully to keep them away from feeders, you’ll want to make sure the ground is clean as well.

Rodents like mice and rats can be attracted to this buildup of food as messy birds toss seeds and expel waste. It’s also important to clean up the ground under your bird feeders in the winter by scraping away the snow that has discarded shells and waste on it.

This will help to prevent the spread of disease in the birds.

6. You Have Regular “Customers”

You’ve achieved something special when you start recognizing individual birds by their markings or behaviors. Like the regulars at the corner store where I worked in my youth, these faithful visitors show that your yard has become part of their daily routine.

They might even start showing up at specific times, just like clockwork.

7. Predators Don’t Dominate

Make sure your bird feeders are placed far enough from dense cover like shrubs so that birds can escape predators such as cats. 10 feet is a good distance.

The main reason to discourage large birds from feeders is that they can dominate the feeding area and scare away smaller birds. This can be frustrating for bird enthusiasts who are trying to watch and photograph small birds.

Finches and other smaller varieties of birds like chickadees, towhees, and buntings love thistle. Still, it’s not a favorite of the larger birds that can dominate a feeder.

Therefore, a thistle feeder can provide finches with their own safe space.

8. Birds Use Your Water Sources

Providing a fresh water source is another overlooked component of a bird’s habitat. A birdbath with fresh, cool water in the summer and unfrozen water in the winter is always appreciated.

Make sure to wash your bird baths regularly to avoid bacteria buildup and reduce disease spread. Changing the water in your birdbath every few days is a good idea to keep it clean and fresh.

If you live in an area with hard water, you may need to change the water more often to prevent mineral buildup.

9. You Notice Natural Feeding Too

However, feeding pizza to birds more than very occasionally is not a good idea. Remember that garden birds should get most of what they need from the natural environment and garden plants, not from supplemental feeding.

If you are lucky enough to have a garden, then you can make sure you are feeding garden birds in more natural ways by planting things that provide the foods they like to eat. However, feeders can be beneficial when fewer natural resources are available and can supplement (though not replace) natural feeding during the breeding season and as birds prepare for migration.

10. Seasonal Visitors Return Year After Year

if you put feeders out year after year, your hummingbird visitors will return year after year. Be sure to place feeders in the same spot so that the returning birds will look for them in the exact location as last year.

When a hummingbird regularly visits a feeder or yard, it indicates they are getting the food they need and feel safe there. They return to reliable food sources from day to day and even year to year.

Hummingbirds have extraordinary memories. Their brains take up 5% of their bodies: twice the relative volume of a human brain!

These brilliant birds remember food sources and return to them year after year.

11. Your Neighbors Ask for Advice

Do you have neighbors near or far that also feed birds? They may be experiencing the same thing.

Talking to them may shed some light on your situation.

Signs the feeding station is working

Spec	What our writers say
Fill habit	Empty feeders are not popular; keep them clean and stocked
Menu	A variety of seeds, nuts, fruits, and vegetables
Disease risk	Salmonella, trichomoniasis, avian pox and others spread at dirty feeders
Season	Year-round feeding is ideal; foods can change with the season
Ground waste	Skip milo-heavy mixes; baffle squirrels and clean under the poles
Cat cover	About 10 feet from dense shrubs
Bully birds	Large birds can dominate; thistle gives small birds their own space
Water	Fresh, cool water in summer and unfrozen water in winter
Loyalty	Put feeders in the same spot year after year

Keep reading

• 10 Winter Bird Feeding Plants That Work Better Than Expensive Feeders
• 11 Things Your Mother Was Right About Feeding Birds
• 20 Common Garden Myths That Are Hurting Your Birds