Where is the best place to hang a bird feeder in the garden?

Feeders close to natural shelter such as trees or shrubs offer resting places for birds between feeding bouts and a quick refuge if a hawk flies through. Evergreens are ideal—their thick foliage buffers winter winds and offers year-round hiding places from predators.

Does it matter where you put a bird feeder?

Bird feeders are best hung in a place where your visiting birds feel safe from predators. Most important: Avoid open and noisy areas and hang your bird feeders at eye level or a little above. Do not hang feeders too close to any place where squirrels can jump on them, or too low they are within a cat's reach.

Where in the garden is the best place for a bird feeder?

Birds will only feed in locations where they feel safe, so generally try to place your feeders above ground, near shelter such as trees or shrubbery but with a good vantage point so they can easily spot any oncoming threats.

How far from the house should a bird feeder be?

How do I prevent window collisions? Place your feeder at least 30 feet away from windows or be sure they are within 3 feet (this is why window feeders are okay to use).

Should I put my bird feeder in the shade?

A sheltered southeastern exposure is best for hanging a bird feeder since birds like to feed in the sun and out of the wind. Birds also prefer to have a clear view over their feeding area so they can see any predators.

Bird Feeding Tips: cleaning and locations of feeders

Should I put a bird feeder by my garden?

Make sure to place the bird feeder near the garden and in an area that has vegetation which can provide a natural habitat and protection for the birds while they feed.

What should I hang my bird feeder on?

A simple hook or a length of twine, rope, chain, or cord is all that is typically needed to hang a new bird feeder instantly. If the feeder already has a large enough built-in hook or loop, even that may not be necessary.

How long does it take for birds to find bird feeder?

Birds take about 10 days to find a new feeder. Birds typically take 5 – 18 days to find feeders, depending on the feeder location, the local bird species, the safety of the environment, and the time of day. For example, birds in Utah take 18.8 days but birds in Arizona take 6.2 days to find new bird feeders.

Do bird feeders need to be near trees?

Feeders close to natural shelter such as trees or shrubs offer resting places for birds between feeding bouts and a quick refuge if a hawk flies through. Evergreens are ideal—their thick foliage buffers winter winds and offers year-round hiding places from predators.

How do I get the birds to come to my feeder?

Birds generally find their food by sight. Placing your feeder where it will be visible to them should decrease the time it takes for birds to start feeding. Sometimes sprinkling some seed on the ground or on top of the feeder will let the birds know that you are open for business.

How far should a bird feeder be from a tree?

Position bird feeders roughly 10-12 feet from suitable shelter such as trees, brush piles, or shrubs to give birds a safe, fast retreat whenever a predator is nearby.

Can I put a bird feeder near a fence?

It is important that bird feeders are not too close to fence lines, over head cables and tree branches. Two main reasons for this are cats or other predators (mainly cats) and squirrels. Feeders should be far enough away from such access and launching points that cats and squirrels can use to get to them.

Why don't birds come to my feeders?

There are many possible reasons birds aren't coming to your feeder. Birds don't come to your bird feeder because there is something wrong with your bird food, the feeder, the placement of feeders, the landscaping and safety of your yard, or the time of year.

How far should a bird feeder be from a window?

To prevent window strikes, place bird feeders either within 3 feet of your windows or more than 10 feet away from them. You can even try a window bird feeder to see birds up close. If the birds hit your window from within 3 feet they will likely not be going fast enough to hurt themselves.

Do bird feeders attract mice?

"Mice, like all animals, are always looking for food sources. If you have a food source in or around your home, they are going to be attracted to it." According to Cavanaugh, bird feeders also are a high reward-low risk spot for mice to get food.

Can a bird feeder be too low?

Feeders should be within 3 ft (. 9 m) OR further than 10 ft (3 m) for the safety of the birds. Avoid placing feeders in this zone. If you feed the birds, you probably feed other hungry wild animals too.

Will birds use a hanging bird feeder?

Most feeders are designed to be hung and tree branches offer a perfect location that is both readily available (if you have trees in your yard) and is favorable for birds. To hang a bird feeder from a tree appropriately and at the proper height, you may need to add an S-shaped hook.

Where do you hang a bird feeder without trees?

If you're tight on garden space, wall brackets offer a great solution for hanging bird feeders to a solid structural wall. These are ideal to position on a brick wall of a house, walled shed or outhouse. Simply place the wall bracket up high for the bird feeder, so it's still within easy reach to clean.

What time of day do birds feed?

Typically birds like to eat early in the morning so that is when they will be looking for food. Your bird feeder should be full at dawn so the birds will find it first thing when they are searching.

How do birds know you have a bird feeder?

Birds primarily use vision, their sense of sight, to locate food. Birds may see seeds that they recognize as food in your feeder. But to do so, they have to be pretty close. Some birds of prey (hawks, eagles, falcons) have excellent visual acuity--they can detect prey very well--even from a long distance away.

Which bird feeder attracts most birds?

Hopper feeders are attractive to most feeder birds, including finches, jays, cardinals, buntings, grosbeaks, sparrows, chickadees, and titmice; they're also squirrel magnets.

How high should bird feeders be hung?

It's not unusual to find birds at feeders that may be higher or lower than where they might naturally feed. Most bird feeders are positioned at 5-6 feet, and that suits many of the most popular backyard birds perfectly.

How do you keep squirrels away from bird feeders?

Suspend your feeders on a wire strung from one pole to another, at least 5 feet from the ground. To prevent squirrels from doing a tight-rope walking trick, string plastic liter-size soda bottles onto the wire on both sides of the feeders. The plastic bottles roll the squirrels right off as they approach.

How do you attract birds if you have no trees?

When should you stop feeding birds in the summer?

In the heat you may want to move your summer feeders into the shade. It may keep the foods (especially fruits and nectar) from spoiling as quickly. And you will want to stop offering suet in summer, when the temperature is consistently over 80° F. It will melt and go rancid quickly.