A window feeder offers a unique chance to observe local wildlife, transforming a simple window into a viewing station for birds. These specialized feeders typically attach to the glass via suction cups, bringing birds closer than traditional setups allow. Successfully attracting feathered visitors requires a focused strategy, combining mindful placement, high-quality food choices, and consistent maintenance.
Strategic Placement for Visibility and Safety
The physical location of your window feeder is the single most important factor for both bird attraction and safety. An improperly placed feeder can cause fatal window strikes, which are a major cause of bird mortality. You must position the feeder either very close to the glass or far away to mitigate this danger.
The safest distance is within three feet of the window, ideally mounted directly onto the glass. When a bird leaves a feeder this close, it cannot build up enough speed to cause a serious, damaging impact if it flies into the pane. Alternatively, place the feeder more than 30 feet away, which gives the birds enough distance to recognize the window as a barrier and adjust their flight path. The intermediate zone, between four and 30 feet, is considered the most dangerous for collisions.
To encourage initial visits, place the feeder on a window that is not subject to sudden movement or loud noises from inside, ensuring the birds feel secure. You can temporarily lure birds to a new window feeder by scattering a few seeds directly on the window sill or tray. If you have an existing yard feeder, gradually move it closer to the window over several days until the birds become accustomed to the new location.
Selecting the Right Menu Items
The contents of your window feeder must be highly appealing, as birds will only return if the food source provides reliable, high-energy nutrition. The most universally popular and beneficial option is the black oil sunflower seed. These seeds have a high fat content—up to 40% oil—and thin shells, making them easy for a wide variety of birds, including cardinals, chickadees, and finches, to crack open.
For specific species, you can offer specialized foods. Nyjer seed, often called thistle, is particularly attractive to small finches like American Goldfinches. Shelled peanuts or peanut pieces are excellent high-energy sources, favored by woodpeckers, jays, and nuthatches.
Avoid seed mixes that contain large amounts of red millet, oats, or milo. Birds often ignore these filler seeds, kicking them out of the feeder and onto the ground, which results in waste and potential spoilage.
Essential Maintenance for Consistent Use
Maintaining a clean and hygienic environment is non-negotiable for the long-term success and health of your visiting birds. Dirty feeders can harbor bacteria and mold, leading to the spread of diseases like Salmonellosis, which deters birds from returning. You should clean a seed feeder at least once every two weeks, increasing the frequency during periods of heavy use or wet weather.
The most effective cleaning method is to scrub the feeder with hot, soapy water, followed by a disinfectant rinse using a solution of one part bleach to nine parts water. After disinfecting, rinse the feeder thoroughly with clean water to remove all chemical residue, and allow it to air dry completely before refilling with fresh seed.
To manage spoilage, only fill the feeder with a quantity of seed that birds can consume within a few days. This prevents the seed from sitting for too long, especially during hot or humid conditions. Consistency in refilling is important; keeping the feeder stocked reinforces its reliability as birds rely on established food sources. Discouraging non-target visitors, such as squirrels, can be managed by using safflower seed, which many birds enjoy but squirrels generally find unappetizing.