Bird feeders

The simplest way to encourage birds into your garden is with a bird feeder.

Generally, there are three types of bird feeder, to match the three common types of bird food: seeds, peanuts, and suet or fat balls.

Main types of feeder

Seed feeders are generally tube-shaped with small openings at their base where birds can perch and pick out the seeds. It is important to note that if you plan to offer niger seed, you need a feeder that is specifically designed for it as niger is too fine to work in a regular seed feeder.

Peanut feeders have coarse mesh or perforated sides just large enough to allow peanut fragments to pass through, and most suet feeders have larger openings still, resembling small hanging cages.

Find a safe spot

Choosing where to put your bird feeders can be a challenge. The ideal spot for a bird feeder is quiet, but not too out of the way. Remember that you’re going to have to trek out there to refill the feeder. Having natural cover, such as trees or bushes, nearby is a plus, since it gives birds somewhere to hide.

However, try to avoid putting the feeder directly under a tree, since trees also make good launching points for pouncing squirrels or cats. Squirrel raids are of course an ongoing problem for many bird feeders. While some people do not mind squirrels, they do scare off birds and have voracious appetites that can make your bird food disappear in a flash.

There are a variety of squirrel-proofing devices available for safeguarding your feeder, such as cages with openings too small for squirrels to fit through or deflectors that prevent the squirrels from jumping on top of the feeder. If you anticipate a squirrel problem, do not get a cheap plastic feeder as they will simply rip it apart. Sturdier polycarbonate or metal feeders are a much safer investment.

You should also watch out for windows. The feeder should not be less than three feet from a window, or birds may end up colliding with the glass. A well-made crook should allow you to place the feeder wherever you like in your garden.

Keep it clean

Be sure to clean your feeder and the surrounding area on a regular basis, preferably every two weeks. Remove uneaten food and seed husks and wash off any stains, droppings, stray feathers and dirt. Doing so will help prevent the growth of mould and diseases such as salmonella. To avoid the possibility of cross-contamination, do not wash a feeder in the same area you prepare food.

A feeder is an excellent help to birds, especially during the colder months, and is a great addition to the garden for your own enjoyment of watching them feed. However, a bird feeder cannot take the place of a bird’s natural diet. You can best help birds find their own food by maintaining your garden well. You may also want to consider adding plants that birds naturally feed from, such as thistles, rowan, or alder.