The following six tips for bird feeding will help you become the perfect bird host. By feeding your feathered visitors correctly, you can observe their beautiful colors up close and enjoy their chirpiness. Here are six bird-feeder tips — three best practices and three practices to avoid.
Do: Provide Satisfying Snacks
Luckily, you don't need to be a Michelin-star chef to satisfy your feathered friends — just provide the right kinds of food. Stock your bird feeder with black-oil sunflower seeds if you're new to backyard birding. This popular birdseed attracts various birds, like finches, sparrows and bluejays.
Do: Provide a Refreshing Drink
Water is a wonderful way to attract birds — especially during wintertime. An unfrozen winter water source will delight your visitors, but they'll appreciate a refreshing drink no matter the season. Plus, they'll love to bathe in the clean water.
Remember to place your water source in the shade to avoid algae and bacteria growth.
Do: Clean Your Feeder
Practice responsible bird feeding by keeping your backyard bird feeder clean. Birds can get seriously ill from unhygienic feeders, so it's best to wash your feeder once or twice a month with warm, soapy water. You can also use a 10% bleach solution if you thoroughly rinse the feeder afterward.
Don't: Place Your Feeder Out in the Open
Consider your visitors' safety when choosing a spot for your backyard feeder. Birds face threats from animals like cats and hawks, causing them to prefer feeders placed near trees or shrubs where they can find shelter.
Don't: Stop Feeding Birds in the Fall
You don't need to be reluctant to feed birds during the fall season. Some people fear that if birds become reliant on an artificial food source, they might not migrate. Experts disagree. Climate, length of days and instinct will cause birds to migrate. A bird's instinct to migrate is deeply ingrained, which means access to an artificial food source does not affect a bird's migration patterns.
Just before migration season, you can ensure your feeder is filled with seeds that'll give birds extra energy to start their migration journey. Safflower seeds and sunflower seeds are good options.
Don't: Feed Birds Your Food
Do not fill your feeder with processed foods that birds won't encounter in nature. Also, steer clear of human-grade nut and seed mixes with added salts. Keep crackers, crisps, pet food, honey, raw meat and bacon out of your backyard feeder.
Up Your Hosting Skills With a Feeder From FeatherSnap
By following these bird-feeding best practices, you can better your hosting skills and attract a wide variety of beautiful birds — who knows, they might just become regular visitors!
To enhance your beaked friend's visits, offer them a deluxe experience. FeatherSnap manufactures bird feeders with dual birdseed compartments — offering birds a more comprehensive food selection. This smart feeder also provides excellent benefits to you. Solar-powered and featuring a built-in camera, this feeder offers you the closest viewing opportunities. Learn more about our feeders today.