Do you think putting up a bird feeder is enough to attract birds? Think again! The *optimal* place to hang your bird feeder will help to raise interest, and create the most *fascinating* bird-watching opportunities! Be sure to stick around to the end for some of the top secrets and answers to the most asked bird-feeding questions!
Bring Hummingbirds Right To Your Window!
Check Price1. Dense Shrubs (Where Cats Can't Pounce)
Birds can't just be fed anywhere. Birds need to be fed in a place where they can eat in peace. Dense bushes and shrubs provide birds protection from predators like cats and hawks. The leafy cover that is present helps birds feel at peace while they eat.
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2. The Lower Branches of Your Old Pine Tree
Pine trees with their low branches act as an umbrella, shielding the seeds from the rain/snow, and the pine needles on the ground also help conceal the seeds from searching squirrels. Ground feeding birds such as sparrows and cardinals also enjoy the cover and safety here.
3. Close to the steady drip of your garden spigot
A drippy faucet is a bird magnet! Water attracts insects and softens seeds, providing a water source and a food source. Birds quickly learn to come back to spots where food and water are available.
4. Vergelijken van Garage en Tuinhuis
Small spaces between your garage and shed may seem empty, but they are actually a dining room for birds! The walls provide wind protection and create quick escape routes if they get scared. It's a good location for birds that are jittery and need a quick way out.
5. Besides the Old Barb Wire Fence
Wire fences offer an ideal place for birds to sit, survey, and scan the area to see what is available for their next meal. After spotting a free meal on the ground, they will hop down to grab it, and then quickly jump back up to keep watch again. This "eat and retreat" style bird buffet makes them popular in many yards.
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6. Situé juste à côté de votre tas de compost inactif
A compost heap is an excellent resource for feeding birds, even if it is still composting. The warmth and shelter of winter compost heaps, and the copious amounts of decaying insects, attract birds. The addition of bird seed will give them protein, and the decaying compost adds and carbs making it an “all you can eat” buffet for your backyard visitors.
7. Unter deinem Hinterhof-Vordach
The area below the overhang of your porch is kind of like a drive-thru for birds. It is sheltered from the rain, snow, and wind, so they can dine in ease — especially during winter storms or summer downpours.
8. Near Natural Ground Cover
Wild violets and creeping charley are very good plants for ground-feeding birds like juncos and towhees. While they eat, the low plants give the birds food and cover, and help them feel safe and concealed.
9. About the Sunny Side of Your Privacy Fence
When the fencing faces the sun, the warm up quickly on cool days. The birds will have their breakfast in the morning in these warm spots in order to get the energy to start the day.
10. By Those Volunteer Saplings
You might not think much of those small maple or oak saplings but they serve a great purpose. Their skinny branches help provide shelter and a lookout perch for birds that want to stay vigilant while snacking on seeds that are located below.
Bonus: Bird-Feeding FAQ
What seeds are the most popular with birds? Many different types of birds including chickadees, cardinals, and finches love black oil sunflower seeds. Peanut butter attracts jays and woodpeckers, Millet seeds attract doves and sparrows, and beef suet attracts wren and nuthatch wood.
How do I stop squirrels and racoons from coming to my feeders? Use feeders that are designed to be racoon-proof. Hang feeders that have baffles on poles. Try not to put food near fences and treees as these are areas that animals can easily jump from. Make sure you clean up the seed that has been spilled.
How often should I clear my bird feeders? To help clear feeders of diseases that birds may have and stop them from getting other diseases, clean feeders every 2 weeks using hot water and soap (in wet weather clean them more often or if you see mold).
Should I feed birds year-round? Yes! Birds appreciate extra food in winter and spring, but they will come to feeders any time of year. Just avoid offering spoiled or moldy food and always provide fresh water.
Successful Bird Feeding Tips
- Place feeders at different heights to attract more species.
- If you have numerous raccoons or squirrels, it is best to keep food out of reach.
- Provide a shallow bird bath or dish of water nearby.
- Provide food and cover by planting native shrubs and flowers.
- If you see that food is being neglected in one area, switch around where you put food.
Try out some of these ideas, along with the bird feeders and birdhouses you might build, and soon you’ll have a backyard full of bird activity, and maybe, you’ll even have some uncommon feathered visitors!
