A successful backyard bird feeding station offers a rewarding way to connect with local wildlife and observe avian behavior up close. Attracting a consistent stream of feathered visitors requires a strategic approach beyond simply hanging a feeder and filling it with any seed. Optimizing your setup for safety and hygiene, and understanding the specific needs of different bird species, transforms your outdoor space into a reliable avian habitat.
Matching Food to Desired Species
The most effective way to attract a wide variety of birds is to offer high-quality black oil sunflower seed. These seeds are rich in fat and protein, have a thin shell that is easy for most birds to crack, and are favored by over 40 species, including cardinals, chickadees, finches, and woodpeckers.
To attract smaller species like American Goldfinches, offer tiny Nyjer seed, often called thistle, in a specialized feeder. These seeds are typically ignored by larger birds, allowing the finches to feed undisturbed. For ground-feeding birds such as doves, sparrows, and juncos, white proso millet is a preferred choice, which can be scattered on platform feeders or directly on the ground.
Supplemental foods provide a high-energy boost, especially during colder months or breeding season. Suet, made from rendered beef fat, is calorically dense and attractive to insect-eating birds like woodpeckers, nuthatches, and chickadees. You can also offer safflower seed, which has a slightly bitter taste that squirrels and blackbirds tend to avoid, while still appealing to Northern Cardinals and grosbeaks.
Feeder Design and Material Considerations
Different feeder styles accommodate various bird sizes and natural feeding behaviors.
Feeder Styles
Platform or tray feeders attract the widest array of birds, including larger species like Blue Jays and ground feeders like Mourning Doves, as they allow birds to stand and walk while feeding. However, this open design leaves the seed exposed to weather and is accessible to squirrels and other unwanted visitors.
Tube feeders, with their multiple small feeding ports and short perches, are excellent for attracting smaller, clinging birds like finches, chickadees, and titmice, while discouraging larger birds that cannot comfortably land. Hopper feeders, which resemble small houses, hold a large volume of seed and offer good weather protection due to their roof structure. Suet is typically offered in a simple wire mesh cage, which forces birds to cling to feed, naturally attracting woodpeckers and nuthatches.
Material Considerations
Feeder materials directly impact durability and hygiene. Metal feeders, often made of rust-resistant steel, offer superior durability and resistance to squirrel damage, and their smooth surfaces are easy to clean. Plastic and acrylic feeders are lightweight and often inexpensive, but they can degrade from UV exposure and may be chewed by squirrels. Wooden feeders offer a natural aesthetic but are porous, making them prone to retaining moisture, which can encourage mold growth and require maintenance to prevent rot and disease spread.
Optimal Placement for Visibility and Safety
Strategic placement is the most important factor for both attracting birds and ensuring their safety.
Window Collision Prevention
To prevent window collisions, place your feeder in one of two specific distance zones. The “safe zone” is either within three feet of a window or farther than 30 feet away. When a feeder is placed within three feet, birds cannot build up enough momentum to sustain a serious injury if they strike the glass. Conversely, placing it 30 feet or more from the window gives birds sufficient space and time to recognize the glass as a solid barrier and maneuver around it. The dangerous range is the intermediate zone between three and 29 feet, where birds can gain speed but may still mistake reflections for open sky.
Predator and Squirrel Mitigation
To protect birds from ground predators like cats, position the feeder in an open area at least ten feet from any dense cover, such as shrubs or brush piles, which could conceal an attacker. Squirrels are best mitigated with a pole-mounted cylindrical or cone-shaped baffle, placed at least 4 to 5 feet above the ground. The entire feeding station must be positioned a minimum of eight to ten feet away from any potential jumping-off points, such as tree limbs, fences, or deck railings, as squirrels can jump horizontally a surprising distance.
Essential Habitat Enhancements and Maintenance
Beyond food and feeder placement, providing reliable water and shelter greatly increases the appeal of your yard.
Water and Shelter
A bird bath offers a source for drinking and bathing, which is especially important during dry periods or in winter. Bird baths should be cleaned daily by rinsing and refilling with fresh water to prevent the growth of bacteria and mosquito larvae.
Nearby shelter is necessary for birds to feel secure, offering an immediate escape route from predators and a place to preen after feeding. Plant native trees or dense shrubs within a reasonable distance, typically 10 to 15 feet from the feeder, to provide this protective cover. This proximity gives them quick access to safety without being so close that a predator can ambush them.
Feeder Cleaning and Hygiene
Regular cleaning of the feeding equipment is a non-negotiable step for maintaining bird health and preventing disease spread, such as salmonellosis. Seed feeders should be thoroughly cleaned every two weeks under normal conditions, or weekly during periods of high use or wet weather. The recommended method involves:
- Scrubbing the feeder.
- Soaking it in a solution of one part bleach to nine parts water.
- Thoroughly rinsing the feeder.
- Allowing it to air dry completely.