As a hobby birder and heath author, I am aware of the health benefits of bird watching and listening. Studies show that hear singing can improve our mental wellness, reducing symptoms of anxiety and despair and lowering tension levels.

I previously resided in an house in the center of a city. I had to constantly find nature and the advantages of being surrounded by our aquatic friends. I currently reside in a property with mature trees and a backyard where birds can flutter among the bushes and jump along the fence line. &nbsp,

I dived headlong into my long-awaited dream of having an outside place with bird feeders, realizing I needed some advice on how to choose the best feeding, where to place it, and which nourish to use.

Tru Hubbard, industrial animals training coordinator for the Nevada Department of Wildlife, came to the rescue with professional perspective. Here’s all you need to know about placing and caring for your bird feeding, from feeder and seeds to parrot health tips.

Where is the best place to place your bird feeding?

Location, location, place, location– not just a crucial phrase for real estate brokers. Where and how you set up your bird feeder can affect the birds and other native wildlife. The key factors to consider when choosing the ideal location for your bird feeding are proper coverage, proximity to trees, window spacing, and elevation off the ground.

Coverage and closeness to plants

Animals prefer to eat in areas with some cover, which will make it possible for them to rapidly fend for themselves in the form of a fright. Placing your feeding near trees or shrubs increases their safety from predators and offers sanctuary from inclement climate like rainfall or breeze– but they shouldn’t be too tight. The recommended spacing for your feed should be between 10 and 15 foot away from the trees and bushes.

Hanging your feed in a tree with easily attainable trees isn’t advised. We also want to make other animals more resistant to the food, which is why hanging them in plants may occasionally be a welcome gift for our smaller animals. Placing it about 10 feet away from any branch or structure rodents or animals could use to bounce off will help prevent them from stealing foods”, said Hubbard. &nbsp,

Proper selection can even reduce the likelihood of animals being stalked by community animals from the bushes. This is crucial because bird mortality in the US is primarily caused by wild and local cat predation.

Length from panels

” There are numerous factors that can affect each person’s garden,” he said. Prioritizing the bear’s protection should be number one, therefore, avoiding places that may increase the possibility of bird strikes on windows may be at the top of the list”, said Hubbard.

There is a limit to how far your window feeding should be from the windows. One way to realize this is the Rule of 3 or 30, which suggests placing your bird feeding within three feet of a screen or at least 30 feet away. A bird’s chances of getting hurt are less when your feed is located less than three feet from a glass because it won’t be flying at high velocity when it hits it.

The safest solution is to place your feed well away from windows to reduce the risk of collisions completely. A bird feeder should be set more than 30 feet away from any panels, giving them plenty of time to maneuver around potential dangers, or within a couple feet of a house so that birds can move quickly enough to hurt themselves when they cross a window, according to Hubbard.

The US Fish and Wildlife Service estimates that over one billion animals interact with crystal and windows in the United States yearly. Check out these safety guidelines if birds are colliding with your home’s panels. &nbsp,

Shade and sunshine

” Hanging feeds in covered areas is usually preferred because it will prevent food spoilage, provide some support from the elements and maintain animals out of the hot sun for a more pleasant feeding atmosphere”, explained Hubbard.

A shaded area may help reduce sun light and reduce confusion for the parrots flying in your garden in addition to keeping them cooler during the cooler summer months.

Height off the ground

The species of birds that will hang out there will also have an impact on the height of your feeder. Ground-feeding birds, such as sparrows and towhees, naturally prefer to eat lower, while others, like woodpeckers, feed higher in trees.

Due to the presence of other animals like squirrels, raccoons, and deer that will try to access the feed, Hubbard advised a minimum of five to six feet. &nbsp,

A bird feeder can be installed above that five to six-foot sweet spot, but it should be noted that positioning it too high may make it more difficult to clean and refill.

What type of bird feeder should you use?

Bird feeders come in a variety of shapes and sizes, from hoppers and tubes to trays and platforms. Browsing the many options at my local plant nursery was a little overwhelming. I spoke with a knowledgeable employee who explained that the type of feeder you choose ultimately comes down to the bird you want to draw.

Hubbard echoed this sentiment. The type of bird you want to feed depends primarily on your bird feeder preference. For instance, platform feeders tend to be better suited for larger songbirds like cardinals, while feeders with lots of little perches are better for small songbirds and can reduce competition for food. If you think this will be an issue, things you can also take into account are durability, how easy they are to clean, and squirrel-proof features, Hubbard said.

Unless you’re trying to attract one specific type of bird, providing a combination of different feeder styles and foods in your yard will attract the greatest variety. Here’s a breakdown of the different bird feeder types and the birds they’re best for for more information. &nbsp,

A California scrub jay was the only visitor I saw the first week after I installed my hanging tray feeder. This species can be rather competitive and aggressive with other birds, and is sometimes called a “bully bird”, so I hoped it wasn’t hogging the feeder. However, I’m pleased to report that mountain chickadees, house finches, and an American robin have all recently stopped by the feeder.

What should you feed the birds?

The food you put out will influence which birds ( and other animals ) will visit, much like the feeder type. ” The type of birdseed used varies depending on what species you’re hoping to attract to your backyard”, Hubbard said, sharing research published by the National Audubon Society. In order to find out which top seed preferences birds have, Project Wildbird conducted an impressive study that involved the observation of 1.2 million bird feeder visits.

The number-one choice? sunflower seeds in black oil. They’re easy to crack open and provide a nutritious, high-oil snack, meaning less work and a greater reward. Birds like the black-capped chickadee, Cassin’s finch, the northern cardinal, house finch, tufted titmouse, red-breasted nuthatch, and many others prefer it.

High-quality birdseed will increase the likelihood of birds flocking to your feeder. Common fillers in cheap store-bought mixed bags are red millet and cracked corn. These low-quality alternatives to sunflower and other protein-rich seeds lack nutritional value, and birds often won’t eat them. With their tiny beaks, smaller birds have a harder time eating these. An accumulation of leftovers can grow mold and attract unwanted wildlife or pests to your feeder, so it’s best to avoid the cheap stuff at all costs.

Other excellent ways to provide the birds with nourishing and energizing food are mealworms and suet cakes.

I opted for various birdseed mixes from the reputable brand Wild Birds Unlimited. The business offers a wide selection of bird food, from premium seed blends to suet cakes. Large bulk bags of birdseed are available for purchase, but I chose to go with a few smaller bags first to see which is the most popular among the birds in my yard.

Don’t give them human food.

Avoid setting out human food or snacks to protect your wild bird visitors and their digestive health. Avocado, fruit seeds and pits, bread, milk, chocolate, and other foods high in salt and sugar are all foods that birds are toxic to.

” We do not recommend feeding any wild bird human food. According to Hubbard, an unnatural diet doesn’t provide the nutrients that wild birds require to stay healthy, and it can also lead to behavioral changes, increased illness rates, and disease spread.

Is it OK to have a bird feeder in your yard?

Generally speaking, having a bird feeder in your yard is acceptable, but it depends on your circumstance. While bird feeders attract various birds, they may also draw in other animals, such as mice, squirrels, raccoons, deer and bears. Rodents near your bird feeder can draw predators into your area, including snakes, coyotes, hawks, and owls.

” Some instances where it may be a good idea to remove your feeder, at least for the time being, are when you’re made aware of high wildlife activity in your area, including animals such as bears or coyotes. These animals are drawn to almost any food source, especially when it is readily accessible. Securing food sources can be an easy adjustment to help keep wildlife from developing a habit of visiting your yard”, said Hubbard.

” If you don’t want to completely remove the bird feeder, try removing it overnight when a lot of wildlife is active, and then put it back out in the morning. You can also try scattering some small amounts of birdseed in your yard during the day, which will be easy for birds to pick through but not worth it for our larger animals. Keep in mind that this could also draw smaller rodents into your yard, which might in turn draw predators. It is good practice to keep up with sightings in your area, and you can start by removing and securing the feeders at night”, Hubbard emphasized.

How frequently should your bird feeder be cleaned?

” Generally, it is recommended that bird feeders be cleaned every other week or twice a month, but this frequency should be increased if sick birds or disease is suspected. Every time the feeder is emptied, there is another option, according to Hubbard.

The frequency also depends on the type of feeder and food involved, as well as the climate. For instance, hummingbird feeders need more frequent cleanings ( roughly every three to five days ), as do feeders that are situated in hot or humid climates.

Most bird feeders can be cleaned by removing the old seed, taking them apart and placing them in a dishwasher on a hot setting or handwashing with soap or a diluted bleach solution. Before refilling the bird feeder with fresh seed, thoroughly clean and dry it. Cleaning the ground beneath your feeder is recommended to prevent the buildup of uneaten seed and bird waste.

How long will it take the birds to locate the feeder?

I currently have two different types of feeders: a hanging tray and the Bird Buddy Smart Feeder. The latter has a traditional hopper or house shape, a solar-powered roof for protection, and a camera to record their munching.

I had to fend off disappointment when my little bird friends didn’t immediately swarm around the new feeders, but it can take up to a few weeks before birds interact with a new one. Because they are creatures of habit, it takes time to test a new food source and landing pattern.

The first bird to visit my platform feeder took about three days. A bird had to land on the Bird Buddy feeder for 12 days. I was jumping for joy when I received the notification from the Bird Buddy app that I had a visitor– a cute mountain chickadee coming to check things out for the first time. With a lot of patience and the right food, it’s only a matter of time before this feeder becomes a part of their routine, in my opinion.

Too long, didn’t read?

The safety and health of the wild birds in your area should be the most important factor to consider. The placement of your bird feeder impacts the number of birds that visit and the presence of other animals and predators.

Your bird feeder should be positioned about 10 feet away from shrubs and trees to prevent squirrels from grazing on it. It’s best to keep your feeder at least 30 feet away from windows or glass to reduce the risk of collision, a leading cause of injury and death for birds.

Avoid offering human food or snacks because many of these are toxic to birds and use high-quality feed. If you live in an area where bears, coyotes or foxes are frequently spotted, securing your bird feeder and any other attractants is crucial to keep these animals safe and out of your yard. Additionally, cats are a significant threat to bird populations. If you have a cat that roams outside, it’s best not to use bird feeders in your yard to ensure the birds ‘ safety and protection.

Regular cleaning of your bird feeder is necessary to stop the growth of mold and bacteria, which can cause the spread of bird disease and sickness. &nbsp,

Being a responsible birder is essential to ensuring the birds ( and you ) stay safe, healthy, and happy, regardless of how enjoyable it is to bring all the birds to your yard. If you have questions regarding your birding journey, the National Audubon Society is an excellent resource for bird feeding and care. Another excellent resource for inquiries about local guidelines and assistance is your state’s wildlife department.