Bird Feeder: A to Z Guide (Benefits, Maintain, Cleaning)

A bird feeder is a tool that provides food for birds. They are a great way to attract birds to your yard and enjoy their beauty and song. Bird feeders are important for supporting bird populations and enhancing biodiversity.

This guide will cover everything you need to know about bird feeders, from choosing the right type of feeder to cleaning and maintaining it. We’ll also discuss the benefits of bird feeders.

Types of Bird Feeders

• Platform feeders: These are the simplest type of bird feeder. They are flat surfaces with a lip, and they can be placed on a tree branch, a fence, or a post. Platform feeders attract a variety of birds, including sparrows, finches, and doves.
• Hopper feeders: These feeders have a hopper at the bottom that holds the food. The food is dispensed through small holes in the sides of the hopper. Hopper feeders are a good choice for birds that eat seeds, such as sunflower seeds, millet, and cracked corn.
• Tube feeders: These feeders have a long, narrow tube with small perches at the bottom. The food is placed inside the tube, and the birds eat it through the perches. Tube feeders are a good choice for birds that eat small seeds, such as nyjer seed and thistle seed.
• Suet feeders: These feeders are made of a mesh or wire frame that holds suet, a mixture of animal fat and bird seed. Suet is a good source of energy for birds, and it is especially helpful in winter when food is scarce.

Different Bird Feeder Designs and Features

There are many different bird feeder designs and features available, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Here is a brief overview of some of the most popular types:

• Hanging feeders are the most common type of bird feeder. They are easy to hang and can be placed in a variety of locations, such as trees, bushes, and porches. Hanging feeders are often made of plastic or metal, and they can be filled with a variety of food, such as seeds, nuts, and fruit.
• Window feeders are a great way to attract birds to your home without taking up any space. They are typically made of clear plastic or glass, and they attach to the window with suction cups. Window feeders are often filled with sunflower seeds or other small seeds.
• Pole-mounted feeders are a good option for people who want to attract birds to a specific area. They are typically made of metal or plastic, and they can be mounted on a pole or fence. Pole-mounted feeders are often filled with a variety of food, such as seeds, nuts, and fruit.
• Weather-resistant materials are important for bird feeders that will be exposed to the elements. Some materials that are weather-resistant include plastic, metal, and glass.

Why bird feeders are important

Supporting Bird Populations

• Provision of additional food sources: Bird feeders provide birds with an additional food source, which can be especially helpful during times of seasonal scarcity, such as winter or drought.
• Assisting during seasonal scarcity: During the winter, when food sources are scarce, bird feeders can provide birds with the food they need to survive.
• Helping migrating birds: Bird feeders can also help migrating birds, as they can provide them with a food source along their journey.

Enhancing Biodiversity

• Promoting a balanced ecosystem: Bird feeders can help to promote a balanced ecosystem by providing food for birds, which in turn helps to control insect populations.
• Encouraging species diversity: Bird feeders can encourage species diversity by attracting a variety of bird species to your yard.
• Creating habitat connections: Bird feeders can help to create habitat connections by providing a food source for birds that might not otherwise be able to find food in your yard.

Pros and cons of using a bird feeder

Pros:

• Attract birds and increase biodiversity
• Provide food for birds during winter and migration
• A relaxing and enjoyable way to spend time outdoors

Cons:

• Attract unwanted pests and predators
• Spread disease if not cleaned regularly
• Maybe a nuisance to neighbors

What is the best material for a bird feeder?

Why are bird feeders good for the environment

Pest Control and Natural Predators

• Attracting insect-eating birds: Bird feeders can attract insect-eating birds, such as chickadees, nuthatches, and finches. These birds help to control insect populations, which can benefit the environment by reducing the need for chemical pesticides.
• Reducing the need for chemical pesticides: Chemical pesticides can harm wildlife, pollute waterways, and contaminate food. By attracting insect-eating birds, bird feeders can help to reduce the need for chemical pesticides.

Seed Dispersal and Plant Propagation

• Encouraging seed distribution: When birds eat seeds, they often discard the seeds in their droppings. This can help to disperse seeds and promote plant propagation.
• Facilitating plant growth and regeneration: Birds can also help to facilitate plant growth and regeneration by eating insects that damage plants.

Eco-Education and Conservation Awareness

• Providing opportunities for observation: Bird feeders can provide opportunities for people to observe birds and learn about them. This can help to raise awareness of the importance of birds and the need for conservation.
• Fostering an appreciation for wildlife: Bird feeders can also help to foster an appreciation for wildlife. By watching birds at a feeder, people can develop a sense of wonder and appreciation for the natural world.

How to make a bird feeder

Get creative! There are endless possibilities when it comes to crafting your own bird feeder. Use your imagination and come up with a design that is unique to you. Making your own feeder is a fun and rewarding project that the whole family can enjoy.

Materials and Tools

Common household items:

• Pinecones
• Peanut butter
• Birdseed
• Twine
• String
• Paper
• Cereal boxes
• Plastic bottles
• Wooden skewers
• Cups
• Bowls

Recommended tools for construction:

• Saw
• Drill
• Scissors
• Hot glue gun
• Staple gun

Step-by-Step Instructions  (DIY Crafting)

Building a simple platform feeder:

1. Gather your materials. You will need a pinecone, peanut butter, birdseed, and twine.
2. Spread peanut butter on the pinecone.
3. Roll the pinecone in birdseed.
4. Tie a piece of twine around the pinecone to hang it from a tree branch or other sturdy surface.

Constructing a recycled bottle feeder:

1. Gather your materials. You will need a plastic bottle, a wooden skewer, and a birdseed.
2. Cut a hole in the top of the plastic bottle. The hole should be large enough for the wooden skewer to fit through.
3. Push the wooden skewer through the hole in the bottle.
4. Spread peanut butter on the wooden skewer.
5. Roll the wooden skewer in birdseed.
6. Hang the bottle feeder from a tree branch or other sturdy surface.

Safety Measures and Considerations

Placing feeders away from predators:

Place your bird feeders away from predators, such as cats, dogs, and squirrels. You can do this by hanging your feeders from a tree branch or other high place, or by placing them in a birdhouse.

Maintaining cleanliness and hygiene:

It is important to keep your bird feeders clean and hygienic. This will help to prevent the spread of disease. Wash your feeders regularly with warm, soapy water. You can also use a bleach solution (1 part bleach to 10 parts water).

What attracts birds to bird feeders

Food Preferences of Different Bird Species

Different bird species have different food preferences. I listed the food preferences of some common bird species:

• Seed-eating birds: These birds include finches, sparrows, and chickadees. They prefer small seeds, such as black oil sunflower seeds, millet, and nyjer seeds.
• Suet-eating birds: These birds include woodpeckers, nuthatches, and chickadees. They prefer suet, which is a high-energy food made from animal fat.
• Fruit-eating birds: These birds include orioles, thrushes, and grosbeaks. They prefer ripe fruit, such as oranges, grapes, and berries.
• Nectar-eating birds: These birds include hummingbirds and orioles. They prefer nectar, which is a sweet liquid that is found in flowers.

Creating an Inviting Environment

You can also attract birds to your feeders by creating an inviting environment. 

• Provide fresh water sources. Birds need water to drink and bathe. You can provide fresh water for birds by placing a birdbath in your yard.
• Plant bird-friendly vegetation. Birds are attracted to trees, shrubs, and flowers that provide food, shelter, and nesting sites. You can attract birds to your yard by planting bird-friendly vegetation.
• Place feeders in a safe location. Place your feeders in a location that is safe from predators, such as cats, dogs, and squirrels. You can hang your feeders from a tree branch or other high place, or you can place them in a birdhouse.
• Keep feeders clean. It is important to keep your bird feeders clean and hygienic. This will help to prevent the spread of disease. Wash your feeders regularly with warm, soapy water. You can also use a bleach solution (1 part bleach to 10 parts water).

Seasonal Considerations

The types of food that birds need change throughout the year. In the winter, birds need more energy to stay warm. In the summer, birds need more water. You can help birds by providing them with fresh water in a birdbath.

Winter feeding tips

• Keep your feeders full. Birds need to eat more in the winter to stay warm. Make sure to keep your feeders full throughout the winter.
• Consider using a heated birdbath. A heated birdbath will keep the water from freezing, so birds can always find a place to bathe.
• Put up a winter birdhouse. A winter birdhouse will provide birds with a place to stay warm and dry.

Summer feeding tips

• Offer a variety of foods. Different bird species have different food preferences, so it’s a good idea to offer a variety of foods at your feeders such as seeds, fruits, nectar, suet, etc. 
• Place your feeders in a shady spot. In the summer, the sun can be very hot, so it’s a good idea to place your feeders in a shady spot. This will help to keep the food from spoiling and will also make it more comfortable for the birds to eat.
• Water, water, water. Birds need water to drink and bathe, so it’s important to provide fresh water in a birdbath. You can also mist your feeders with water to help keep the food moist.
• Consider using a hummingbird feeder. Hummingbirds are active in the summer, and they are attracted to nectar feeders. You can buy hummingbird feeders at most pet stores.

What are the best bird feeders?

• Droll Yankees 18-Inch Onyx Mixed Seed Tube Feeder: This feeder is a great all-around option. It is durable, easy to clean, and holds a lot of seeds. It is also squirrel-proof, so you won’t have to worry about those pesky critters stealing your food. 
• Nature’s Hangout Window Bird Feeder: This feeder is perfect for people who want to attract birds without having to worry about squirrels. It hangs from a window, so it is out of reach of squirrels and other pests. It also has a built-in perch, so birds can land and eat comfortably. 
• Brome Squirrel Buster Plus Bird Feeder: This feeder is specifically designed to keep squirrels out. It has a weight-activated mechanism that closes the ports when a squirrel lands on it. This feeder is also durable and easy to clean. 
• Aspects HummZinger HighView Hanging Hummingbird Feeder: This feeder is perfect for attracting hummingbirds. It has a long, narrow design that mimics a flower, and it has red flowers that attract hummingbirds. It also has a built-in ant moat to keep ants out of the nectar. 

What to put in bird feeders

The type of food you put in your bird feeders will depend on the type of birds you want to attract. Here are some popular options:

• Seeds: Black oil sunflower seeds, millet, and nyjer seeds are all popular choices for birds.
• Suet: Suet is a high-energy food made from animal fat. It is a good choice for birds in the winter, but it can also be offered in the summer.
• Fruit: Ripe fruit, such as oranges, grapes, and berries, is a popular choice for birds.
• Nectar: Nectar is a sweet liquid that is found in flowers. Hummingbirds are attracted to nectar.

It is important to note that some types of food can be harmful to birds, so it is important to do your research before putting anything in your feeders. For example, peanuts should only be offered in a mesh feeder, as whole peanuts can be a choking hazard.

What to put under bird feeders

There are a few things you can put under bird feeders to help keep the area clean and inviting for birds. Here are a few ideas:

• Pavers or flagstones: These can provide a hard surface for birds to land on and eat, and they’re easy to clean. You can also plant some low-maintenance groundcover plants in between the stones to add some color and interest.
• Mulch: A layer of mulch around the feeder will help to absorb any spilled seed and keep the area clean. Be sure to use natural mulch, such as bark or pine needles, as chemical mulches can be harmful to birds.
• Seed catcher: A seed catcher is a tray that hangs under the feeder and catches any spilled seed. This can help to reduce the amount of waste under the feeder and make it easier to clean up.
• Birdbath: A birdbath is a great way to provide birds with a place to drink and bathe. This can help to keep them healthy and hydrated.
• Native plants: Planting native plants in your yard will attract more birds to your area. Native plants are also more resistant to pests and diseases, which can help to keep your bird feeders clean.

Here are some specific plants that are good for attracting birds and can be planted under bird feeders:

• Sunflowers: Sunflowers are a favorite food of many birds, and they also provide a place for birds to perch and eat.
• Nectar-producing plants: Nectar-producing plants, such as hummingbird feeders, attract hummingbirds and other birds.
• Berry-producing plants: Berry-producing plants, such as raspberries and blueberries, attract birds in the fall and winter.
• Groundcover plants: Groundcover plants, such as thyme and moss, provide a safe place for ground-feeding birds to eat.

How to Maintain a Bird Feeder

Cleaning and Sanitizing Feeders

• Bird feeders should be cleaned on a regular basis to prevent the spread of disease. The National Wildlife Health Center recommends cleaning bird feeders and baths every two weeks. If you live in an area with a lot of rain or snow, you may need to clean them more often.
• There are a few different ways to clean bird feeders. You can use a mild soap and water solution, or you can use a bleach solution. If you use a bleach solution, be sure to dilute it according to the instructions on the bottle. After cleaning, be sure to rinse the feeder thoroughly with clean water.
• Wash your hands thoroughly before and after handling bird feeders.
• Do not use harsh chemicals or detergents when cleaning bird feeders.
• Dry bird feeders completely before refilling them.
• Store bird feeders in a clean, dry place when not in use.

Dealing with squirrels and other pests

Squirrels and other pests can be a nuisance when it comes to bird feeders. There are a few things you can do to deter them, such as:

• Placing the feeder in a location that is difficult for squirrels to reach, such as on a high pole or in a tree.
• Using a baffle to prevent squirrels from climbing up to the feeder.
• Feeding the birds in a birdhouse or other enclosed feeder.

FAQ

Wrap Up

A bird feeder is more than just a source of food for our feathered friends; it creates a connection between us and nature. By providing a reliable and nourishing food source, we not only support bird populations but also invite the joy of birdwatching into our lives.

It’s a simple act that enhances our connection with the avian world, making our surroundings more vibrant and harmonious. So, keep those feeders filled and enjoy the beauty of the feathered visitors they attract. Happy birdwatching!

Howard L. Darnell

I am a writer and blogger who is passionate about birds. I write to inspire and educate others about the beauty and importance of avian species in our ecosystem. I love to watch birds flying and taking their photographs to capture those memories.