The presence of a snake near a backyard bird feeder is a common occurrence, often leading people to wonder if the reptiles are consuming the bird seed itself. Snakes are frequently observed in these areas, but their appearance near the seed source is not because they are interested in the grain. Understanding the true reason for their presence requires looking beyond the feeder to the entire ecosystem it creates.
The Carnivorous Diet of Snakes
Snakes do not consume bird seed or any form of plant matter. Every species of snake is classified as an obligate carnivore, meaning their diet must consist exclusively of animal tissue to obtain necessary nutrients for survival. Their digestive systems are not adapted to break down the cellulose and complex carbohydrates found in seeds or grains. A snake’s physiology requires a prey-based diet, which provides concentrated protein and fat that their short intestinal tract can efficiently process. While a snake may accidentally ingest seeds present in the stomach contents of its prey, these items pass through undigested.
The Real Reason Snakes Are Drawn to Feeders
The attraction snakes feel toward a bird feeder is purely a response to a reliable, concentrated food source of their own. Bird feeders are messy, scattering seeds and hulls onto the ground below. This spillage attracts small mammals, primarily mice, voles, and rats, which feed on the dropped grain. These rodents thrive on the easy access to food, establishing concentrated populations that represent an ideal hunting opportunity for a snake.
The reliable presence of these rodents and small squirrels turns the bird feeder area into an efficient hunting ground. Snakes are drawn to the concentration of prey, using ground cover or the feeder pole itself for ambush. Furthermore, snakes like Rat Snakes and Kingsnakes actively seek out nests, and the feeder area often encourages birds to nest nearby.
Common Snake Species Found Near Bird Seed
The species most likely to be found near a bird feeder are those with a diet that includes rodents and a proficiency for climbing. Rat Snakes, such as the Black Rat Snake or Corn Snake, are exceptional climbers known to scale vertical surfaces like trees, brick, and wooden poles. They are often found high on a feeder pole searching for a nest or a rodent that has climbed up.
Kingsnakes, including the Eastern and Speckled Kingsnake, are common terrestrial visitors. They actively hunt the mice and rats feeding on the spilled seed at ground level.
Garter Snakes, while less likely to climb a pole, may be drawn to the area by insects, earthworms, or small amphibians that congregate in the moist, cluttered environment beneath a feeder. In regions where venomous species reside, like Timber Rattlesnakes or Copperheads, their presence is due to the dense population of rodents attracted by the spilled food. These snakes view the feeder area as a consistent spot to ambush their primary mammalian prey.
Making Your Feeder Area Snake-Unattractive
The most effective way to deter snakes is to eliminate the secondary food sources that attract them. Daily cleaning of spilled seed is necessary to remove the primary food source for rodents. Using a feeder design with a seed-catching tray or skirt can significantly reduce the amount of spillage reaching the ground.
Physical modifications to the pole can prevent climbing snakes from reaching the feeder or nest box. Installing a stovepipe baffle, which is a wide metal cylinder mounted four to five feet off the ground, creates a barrier that snakes and other predators cannot bypass. The baffle should be able to wobble slightly to prevent a climbing snake from gaining purchase on the slick, wide surface.
Storing all bird seed in a sealed metal container and removing ground clutter, such as wood piles or thick overgrown shrubbery, also eliminates the hiding spots that snakes and rodents rely on.