8 Tips on How to Place a Bird Feeder
by Neal Liu
on Sep 22, 2023
Why the Consideration of Placement of Bird Feeders is Crucial?
Bird feeder placement is crucial for the birds’ benefit. Proper feeder placement can attract birds to your yard, providing them with food and entertainment. It can also help to keep birds safe from predators, prevent bird-window collisions, and maintain a clean and hygienic environment for the birds.
Additionally, by placing the feeder in a convenient location and making it easy to refill, you can ensure a constant supply of food and water for the birds. Therefore, bird feeder placement is essential for the birds’ benefit and for creating a healthy and enjoyable environment for them.
Several Considerations Need to Be Made before Putting the Bird Feeder
1. The place birds feel safe from predators
The most important consideration when placing a bird feeder is to ensure that it makes birds feel safe and at ease. Birds will not visit a bird feeder if they feel exposed and vulnerable. To provide birds with shelter, locate your bird feeder near natural cover such as trees, shrubs, or other vegetation. This will give birds a sheltered vantage point from which to view their feeding area, enabling them to spot any predators while waiting their turn to feed.
2. Prevents pests from easily reaching the seed
It is extremely frustrating to see animals other than birds consuming seeds meant for them. To prevent this, remember to position your bird feeder approximately 10-12 feet away from any trees or obstacles.
While squirrels may be cute and some people may enjoy feeding them, they can become a real problem when it comes to bird feeders. Squirrels love bird seeds and will jump high into the air to reach feeders that birds cannot access.
To keep squirrels from stealing bird food, you can take several measures. Firstly, you can try to position your bird feeders in open areas that are at least 10 feet (3 meters) away from trees, tree branches, houses, decks, power lines, or anything else that squirrels can use to jump or climb up. However, this can be difficult as squirrels are very agile and can jump horizontally over 10 feet (3 meters). Here is an article about how to keep squirrels out of your bird feeder.
Another option is to install a protective cover over your feeder to keep squirrels and other animals out. These covers are typically made of wire mesh or heavy-duty plastic mesh that is securely fastened to the feeder to prevent access to the seed. Additionally, some covers are designed with openings at the bottom to allow birds to access the seed while excluding larger animals like squirrels.
If you choose to use a cover, it is important to clean it regularly to prevent the buildup of mold and debris inside the cover. It is also important to check the fasteners and wires of the cover regularly to ensure that they are secure and intact. Our latest launchBirdfy Anti-scattering Cover is now available for purchase. To learn more, please click on this blog Birdfy Anti-scattering Cover
3. Keeps birds safe from window collisions.
Millions of birds die every year because of reflective glass on our home windows. Window collisions are a real concern and can often prove fatal to birds. Estimates suggest that at least 100 million birds are killed every year in the United States by window glass. To prevent window strikes, use window-mounted feeders that are attached from a bracket or by suction cups, or place the feeder within 3 feet of your window. This will allow you to get close-up views while keeping the birds safe.
If birds hit your window from within this range, they should not be flying fast enough to hurt themselves. Place other feeders in your yard more than 10 feet away from your home to give birds time to make adjustments and avoid your window. Besides, we have an article talking about window collisions. To learn more, please click on this blog Why Bird Window Collisions Happen and How Can We Help
4. The time you shouldn't place your bird feeder
Bird diseases, such as Avian Flu, House Finch Eye Disease, or Salmonellosis, can break out locally, that’s why it’s essential to take down your bird feeders if your local wildlife center recommends it. Sometimes, it may be necessary to remove your bird feeders temporarily to prevent the spread of harmful bacteria. It’s extremely vital that you keep your bird feeders clean so you can safeguard the health of the birds in your backyard.
If feeder pests, like bears or raccoons, pose a problem in your yard, you can take down your bird feeders temporarily and/or at night to get rid of these unwelcome visitors. Typically, if feeder pests do not have access to your feeders, they will search for another location, allowing your bird feeders to be reinstalled.
Backyard bird feeding can be enjoyable and beneficial during every season of the year, especially during the winter months. It’s a common misconception that birds don’t need to feed from bird feeders during the summer months. Even though resources like fruit and insects are abundant during this time, birds in vulnerable stages, like molt, will continue to search for simple sources of high-protein fat.
5. Feeders close to natural shelters such as trees or shrubs offer resting places for birds
Placing bird feeders near trees and shrubs provides birds with sheltered areas from predators and inclement weather, as well as shady spots to rest between feedings. When choosing a location for your feeder, consider placing it near evergreen trees and berry-producing shrubs like bayberry, winterberry holly, chokeberry, American beautyberry, serviceberry, and crabapple, which have foliage that provides ample shade and protection.
However, be careful not to locate your feeder too close to natural cover, as nearby branches can provide jumping-off points for cats and squirrels ready to cause trouble. For this reason, it is best to position your yard’s bird feeders 10 to 12 feet away from sheltering branches or trees.
Once you begin bird feeding, it is likely that you will observe hawks or other predatory birds hovering nearby in search of a meal. If your bird feeders are located in an exposed, barren yard with no cover or hiding places, they will be vulnerable to attacks from hungry raptors.
Birds are instinctively cautious about predators and will feel nervous while feeding in such an exposed area or may even avoid the feeders altogether. For this reason, it is advisable to position your bird feeders in a sheltered area with some type of natural cover nearby to provide birds with a sense of security from predators.
6. Choose a quiet spot with little activity
Birds tend to avoid feeders placed in locations with a lot of commotion. To attract more birds, set up feeders in peaceful, undisturbed areas of your yard. Keep feeders away from active areas like your patio, barbecue grill, swing set, pool, or garage door. If possible, it is also advisable to avoid locating feeders near wind chimes or other loud noises like heavy traffic.
7. Protect feeders from the elements
Weather conditions can have a severe impact on your bird feeders. If you reside in an area prone to storms or high winds, it is essential to position your feeders in a sheltered location to prevent the bird’s food from spilling. This will also make it easier for you to clean and refill your feeders during inclement weather. Additionally, it is advisable to protect your feeders from excessive heat and strong sunlight, as birdseed and other types of bird food can spoil quickly in these conditions.
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Bamboo is incredibly robust and sturdy, able to withstand a range of weather conditions. This means that the Birdfy Feeder, made from bamboo, will maintain its excellent condition and performance over time, despite outdoor exposure. The sturdy and durable bamboo construction ensures that your feeder will last longer, while also providing a safe and secure environment for birds to feed in. Click the link down below for pre-order. You can enjoy a 13% discount. Birdfy-feeder-bamboo
Best Locations For Hummingbird Feeders
To ensure that hummingbird feeders function properly, they should be placed in a location that is protected from wind. Swaying feeders may cause sugar solution to spill, and it is recommended to position them in a mostly shaded area to prevent the sugar solution from spoiling quickly in the sun. Besides, we have an article about hummingbird food preferences. To learn more, please click on this blog what food do hummingbirds eat
8. Keep improving the area around your bird feeding station
Now that you have a good idea of where to install your bird feeders, it’s important to remember that your work is not done once they are up and running. Not only does your feeder attract birds, but it also transforms the space around it into an extension of their natural habitat.
One of the best ways to enhance this experience is to landscape the area around your feeders with native plants. Native plants provide birds with food and places to perch and hide, while also attracting insects that serve as a natural food source for many birds during warmer months. In comparison, non-native plants from garden centers may not provide the same benefits to the ecosystem in your yard.
To create even more hiding places for ground-dwelling birds like native sparrows, you can also create brush piles with any extra debris you may have on hand. This simple project can provide them with cozy habitats and help them feel more at home in your yard.
By landscaping with native plants and creating brush piles, you can create a more natural environment around your bird feeders that will encourage birds to visit and stay longer.
Extra Tips for Feather Friends Benefit
1. Make it easy to refill your feeders
If possible, locating your bird feeders near the source of their food supply can greatly enhance the ease of maintenance. This setup permits you to conveniently refill the feeders every day without having to travel far away. Being able to quickly check the food levels in the feeders and walk back to the storage location for more supplies with minimal effort is a significant time and labor-saving advantage.
However, one must also consider the environmental conditions, especially during winter months when temperatures drop below freezing and snow covers the ground. In such instances, having the bird feeders and their food source nearby becomes even more critical. The convenience of not having to trudge through snow and endure the cold becomes apparent during these times.
Not every yard will accommodate such a setup, as each yard has unique features and configurations. In some situations, it may be more important to position bird feeders in a sheltered area that provides safety from predators rather than being close to the bird's food source. The decision should be made based on your specific situation and the needs of the birds you wish to attract.
2. An adequate food source
To ensure that your bird feeders are always stocked with food, it's essential to make it simple to refill them. Here are a few tips to make this task as easy as possible:
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Location, location, location: When choosing a spot for your feeders, make sure it's within easy reach. Avoid placing them on high shelves or in hard-to-reach corners. Ideally, you want to be able to refill the feeders without standing on a ladder or stretching too far.
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Use a feeder with a large capacity: Look for feeders with a large hopper or reservoir to hold more bird food. This will minimize the frequency of refills, especially if you have a large number of birds visiting your yard. Our Netvue birdfy feeder has Dual Separate Seed Bins. The Dual Separate Seed Bins design of the bird feeder provides the convenience of storing and serving two different types of bird seed. This feature not only doubles the seed capacity, making refills effortless but also permits simultaneous feeding of various seed types. This caters to the diverse feeding requirements of birds, supporting a wider variety of avian species in your yard. To learn more, please click on this blog birdfy-feeder-bamboo
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Scheduled refills: If you're away from home often, consider setting up a daily, weekly, or even monthly reminder on your phone or calendar to refill the feeders. That way, you won't return home to empty feeders and hungry birds.
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Hiring a feeder sitter: If you travel often or have limited time, consider hiring a neighbor or friend to refill the feeders while you're gone. Just make sure they're willing and able to handle the task.
By taking these steps, you can ensure that your bird feeders are always stocked with food, providing birds with a dependable source of sustenance all year long.
If you already bought the bird feeder and want to know how to refill Bird Food in a Wall-Mounted/Tree-Mounted Feeder, Please click this link for a better understanding:
1 comment
I was sitting on the veranda enjoying my morning coffee when I saw a flurry of colorful birds flying into the adjacent trees. I added a few bird feeders to my backyard paradise because their presence inspired me. I’m excited to locate the ideal ones as I search online right now to draw even more avian companions to my outdoor haven. I’ll simply remember that you may create a more natural setting around your bird feeders to entice birds to visit and stay longer by gardening with native plants and building brush piles. https://copperfieldgifts.com/lawn-garden/bird-feeders.html
