If you're looking for tips to help you with your bird feeders, you've come to the right place. You can find all the information you want on bird feeders here on allbirdfeeders.net.
Tips on Placement
Here are some things to remember when choosing the location for your feeding station.
. The feeder should be located near a bush or tree for shelter.
. It should be located at a spot that is easily accessible all year round.
. Pick a spot where the mess (bird droppings and seed shells) can be easily cleaned up.
. Your feeder should be at least ten feet away from any deck, branch or any structure that can be used for squirrel launches. It should also be away from any places that a cat might hide in.
. Birds like to feed in an open and sunny area.
Tips on Choosing a Feeder
Your choice of feeder will largely depend on the kind of birds you want to feed. However, there are a few things to think about when choosing feeder type:
. Durability: a good feeder should be made of quality materials and should last longer.
. Easy cleanup: quality feeders are easy to take apart to allow for clean-up.
. Dry Seeds: well built feeders should have holes on the floor for drainage and a roof to protect the seeds from getting wet.
. Capacity: medium size or smaller feeders are the way to go. They are easier to clean and help guarantee fresh seed.
. For general purpose feeders, a hopper type or tube feeder with a tray attached will do good. Fill it with black-oil sunflower seed or seed mix and you should attract a wide variety of birds.
Tips on Bird Feed
There is a wide variety of bird feed to choose from. Here are some tips to help you make the right choice:
. Black-oil sunflower seeds and striped sunflower seeds attract the widest variety of seed-eating birds.
. Thistle or niger attract some types of finches. Thistle placed on a ground feeder or hopper will also attract doves, juncos and some sparrows.
. White millet can be found in inexpensive seed mixes and is usually eaten by juncos, blackbirds, doves and sparrows.
. Peanuts attract woodpeckers, nuthatches, jays, titmice and chickadees.
. Suet attracts the same birds that like peanuts. Suet and peanut butter are best to offer during the winter months.
. Whole corn kernels are eaten by blue jays, woodpeckers and will also invite squirrels. Ground feeding birds favor cracked corn.
. Stop offering mixed seed on platform bird feeders if your feeder gets overrun with blackbirds, house sparrows and pigeons. Use only black-oil sunflower seeds in hopper or tube feeders until the problem birds go away.
Tips on Predators
Here are some tips to follow to keep your visiting birds safe:
. Feed birds early in the day and limit the number of seeds to the amount that they can finish in one day.
. To protect your feeders from cats, never hang them from a fence or areas where a cat can get to them.
. Clear your area of hiding places which a cat can attack from.
. Use baffles or squirrel proof bird feeders.
. Hang your feeders and string pieces of pvc pipe, or any object with smooth round edges onto the line you're using to stop the squirrels from approaching your feeders.
. Mix cayenne pepper with your birdseed. This does not bother the birds but squirrels won't like this. Using safflower seeds also discourages squirrels.
. To discourage pigeons, eliminate grains, corn and chicken scratch from your feeders.
. Enclose your feeders with large-mesh wire cloth or chicken wire. The small holes will still allow smaller birds through while keeping the larger bully birds away.
. Put up several feeders. Separate the seeds that bully birds like from the other bird seed you offer.
Tips for a Clean and Healthy Feeding Station
To keep your birds healthy, follow these guidelines:
. Clean your feeders with a mild bleach solution (1/4 cup bleach to 2 gallons water) to disinfect them. Do this every few weeks, increasing the frequency during summer or wet periods. Rinse feeders thoroughly and allow to dry before refilling.
. Store your seeds in a dry, clean and air-tight container.
. Remove any dead birds and discard in the trash. Report sick birds to wild life officials in your locality.
. Place feeders at a safe distance from windows. Use curtains or blinds, screens, crop nettings, or branches outside your window to lessen the reflection.
. Avoid using oil, grease, petroleum jelly and other substances that may be difficult for the birds to remove if it comes in contact with their feathers.
. Never use pesticides, insecticides or herbicides near or around your bird feeders.
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