What Bird Feeders do Bluebirds Like? (meaning that you haven’t had one in recent years), it may take one or more weeks for birds to find the feeder because they are not used to finding one in your yard. Check out our Learning Center to find out everything you need to know! What is stealing my suet? On the other hand, birds see and hear very well. They don't use smell to locate feeders. How long does it take for birds to find a feeder? Invest in squirrel-proof bird feeders featuring a cage design. When you first place a bird feeder in your garden you must consider the placement very carefully if you put it in the wrong area birds simply may not know it’s there and even if you put it in the right area it … Remember to keep up with the food and water supplies, especially in the winter when you can help dozens of birds survive the cold. Oriole Feeders Oriole. Bird Library Explore » Hummingbird Library Explore » Oriole Library Explore » Learning Center. Squirrel feeders stocked with blends that are especially attractive to squirrels and chipmunks can reduce competition for high-priced foods offered at bird feeders. Hawks may see feeders as a place to grab an easy meal. In exchange, as wanna-be naturalists, we get to witness nature up close and enjoy the company of backyard inhabitants who otherwise would remain hidden in the treetops. Or if you see a line around the block for a restaurant, you may get in line yourself to check out the food. Or perhaps you’ve dropped some chips at the beach and before you know it a flock of seagulls have arrived scrapping amongst […] In nature, a good natural feeding spot will only be there for a short while, then the food will be used up and gone and the bird will have to move on. And not just one type, who certainly flock together, but all sorts of types of birds. Accessories Accessories. How do I attract robins in winter? . Is it true that blackbirds, starlings, and grackles do not like safflower seeds? Most important: Avoid open and noisy areas and hang your bird feeders at eye level or a little above. Bird feeders are best hung in a place where your visiting birds feel safe from predators. Wooden bird feeders have an attractive, rustic appearance that some people love, but if you opt to buy a wooden feeder, make sure it is fully sealed and treated. Feeding Birds FAQs. Will birds find my bird feeder? Whether you are choosing a larger feeder to accommodate more birds, getting different types of feeders for different types of seed, or just adding more feeders for a growing flock, it is important to choose a style that will be attractive to birds. Explore the winter distribution, food, and feeder preferences of common feeder birds. Make sure to choose high quality bird food and know that it may take a season or two for the bluebirds to begin stopping in your yard. I do my best to remember to keep it filled, but the truth is, I run out of bird food, or forget to fill it up, sometimes for a couple of weeks. . To attract the greatest variety of birds to your yard, provide several different feeder types offering a variety of fo Sick Birds Gallery. Can they smell the food? Feeding Birds. 9) Locate feeders to reduce window collisions . It make take days or weeks depending on several different factors so try to be patient. What is this weird bird in my backyard?! Housecats may set up shop around a bird feeder, waiting for lunch to fly by. But what to do next? .. . (In areas where squirrels are especially small, like the Deep South, these feeders may be less effective.) Birds have pretty good memories, but they don’t obsess on going back over and over. Have they evolved to the point where they actually recognize a bird feeder from the air? They work especially well for feeders meant for small birds, like finches or chickadees, and do a good job of keeping out the bully birds too. Everyone has a friend that likes to tell you about the new "hot spot". Have you ever filled a bird table or feeder in your garden only for it to be emptied by a hungry flock of birds within a few hours? How do I keep one species from hogging all the seed at my feeders? ... Find out about bird disease and identifying the signs of bird disease. When I finally do fill it, it hangs there for a while and no birds come around. If the feeder is not watertight, it will likely sustain damage out in the elements.