I’m an aspiring birder who writes about wellbeing and enjoys the health benefits of bird chirping. Studies show that hear song can favourably impact our mental wellness, reducing symptoms of anxiety and despair and lowering stress levels.

I previously resided in an house in the center of a city. I had to constantly get nature and the advantages of being surrounded by our aquatic friends. I currently reside in a home with mature trees and a garden where birds can fly between the bushes and swing along the gate line. &nbsp,

I quickly realized I needed some help choosing the right birds feeding and deciding where to put it in my long-held dream of having an outdoor room with it.

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 how to care for your bird feeder, from feeder and seeds to animal health recommendations.

Where is the best place to place your bird feed?

Area, location, location, location is not just a word for real estate agents. Where and how you set up your bird feeder can change the animals and other animals. The key factors to consider when choosing the ideal location for your parrot feeder are right protection, proximity to trees, range from windows, and top off the ground.

Coverage and closeness to branches

Animals prefer to eat in places with some cover, which will make it possible for them to rapidly fend for themselves in the form of an escape to near trees or bushes. Placing your feeding near trees or shrubs increases their security from predators and offers sanctuary from inclement climate like rainfall or breeze– but they shouldn’t be too tight. Your feed should be placed between 10 and 15 feet away from bushes and trees, according to the industry.

Hanging your feeder in a branch with easily attainable departments isn’t advised. We also want to make it harder for other animals to get to the food, so we often hang our smaller mammals in branches to do the same. 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 to take into account because wild and local cat predation are the main causes of bird death in the US.

Distance from panels

” There are numerous factors that can affect each person’s garden,” he said. Prioritizing the frog’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 feed should get from windows. One way to realize this is the Rule of 3 or 30, which suggests placing your bird feeding within 3 feet of a screen or at least 30 feet away. The chances of a parrot getting hurt are less when your feed is located less than three feet from a glass because it won’t be flying at higher speed when it hits the screen.

The safest choice 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 apart from any panels, giving them plenty of time to maneuver around potential dangers, or within a few feet of a house so that birds can move quickly enough to hurt themselves when they cross a window, according to Hubbard.

Cel/Cea/Cei/Cele 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 surroundings”, 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 certainly be installed above that five to six-foot sweet spot, but keep in mind 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 all 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. ” Your choice of bird feeders primarily depends on the species of bird you want to feed. 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, you should also think about durability, how simple 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 are the different bird feeder types and the best birds for each. &nbsp,

O California scrub jay was the first visitor 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 wouldn’t hog the feeder. However, I’m pleased to report that numerous other birds have since stopped frequently at the feeder, including American robins, house finches, mourning doves, and chickadees.

What should you feed the birds?

The food you put out will influence which birds ( and other animals ) will visit, much like the type of feeder you use. ” 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 birds ‘ top seed preferences are the result of 1.2 million bird feeder visits, Project Wildbird conducted an impressive study.

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. It’s preferred by birds like the red-breasted nuthatch, the black-capped chickadee, Cassin’s finch, the northern cardinal, house finch, tufted titmouse, and many others.

High-quality birdseed will increase the likelihood of birds flocking to your feeder. Fillers like cracked corn and red milo are frequently present in cheap store-bought mixed bags. 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 find it more difficult to consume 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 include 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 suet cakes to premium seed blends. 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.

Give them human food only.

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 sugar or salt are all foods that are toxic to birds.

” 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, it’s fine to have a bird feeder in your yard, but it all depends on your situation. 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 type of food, 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 take 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 the feeder take for birds to arrive?

I 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 for taking pictures and videos while they munch.

I had to fend off disappointment when my little bird buddies didn’t immediately swarm around the new feeders, but I learned it can take up to a few weeks before they’ll interact with a new one. Since babies 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’s landing on the Bird Buddy feeder took 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.

I didn’t read enough, too long, etc.

The most important thing to consider is the health and safety of the wild birds in your area. The type of feeder and seed you use have an impact on the species of birds that will visit, as well as the presence of other animals and potential predators, in addition to where your bird feeder is placed.

Ideally, you should position your bird feeder around 10 feet away from trees or shrubs to prevent squirrels from jumping onto it. To reduce the risk of collision, which is the main cause of bird injuries and deaths, keep your feeder at least 30 feet away from windows or glass.

Use high-quality feed and avoid offering human food or snacks, as many are toxic to birds. Securing your bird feeder and any other attractants is essential if you live in a place where bears, coyotes, or foxes are frequently seen, to keep these creatures safe and out of your yard. Additionally, cats pose another huge threat to bird populations. It’s best not to use bird feeders in your yard if you have a cat that roams outside to protect the birds.

Regular cleaning of your bird feeder is essential to prevent mold and bacteria growth, which can lead to the transmission of bird disease. &nbsp,

As fun as it is to bring all the birds to your yard, being a responsible birder is key to ensuring the birds ( and you ) stay safe, healthy and happy. The National Audubon Society is a great resource for bird feeding and care if you have questions about your birding journey. Your state’s wildlife department is another fantastic source for inquiring about local guidelines and assistance.