It is a good idea to have bird feeders in your backyard but do consider several things first. Apart from deciding which birds you want your feeders to attract, you also need to take note of the kind of bird feeder you will be utilizing plus the kind of feed that will be used, also, you need to consider the position of the feeder and its maintenance. Each of these parts is interrelated and overlooking one can lead to unproductive and unsatisfactory results.
All bird feeders should be as squirrel proof as possible for them to work. A bird feeder is intended to be used to feed birds of all sorts and this means that you should ensure the safety of these birds when they are feeding in the feeders, see to it that they are as far away as possible from the reach of wild creatures that may find them tasty. There are plenty of bird feeders available in the market today and a lot of these have been made to be safe and secure for birds.
When you have chosen a specific kind of feeder, you should decide on which kind of feed to buy next. You can choose from a variety of nuts and seeds when it comes to bird feeders but you can also go with a series of nectars here. Do not hesitate to ask the person who sold you the bird feeder about which bird feed to buy.
In case that your squirrel proof bird feeder is similar to Figure 1, you will not go wrong by refilling it with black oil sunflower seed. You can say that this is a type of seed that a number of bird species prefer. In the case of bird feeders, it is fairly common for cracked corn and peanuts to be used.
Regular maintenance regimens are important when it comes to these backyard bird feeders. If you fail to clean your bird feeders regularly, you will end up with dirt and grime. Considering the kind of bird feeders that you have at home, you might need to use scrub brushes or bottle brushes for the feeder debris.
Bird feeders are there to attract birds and this can be done in an assortment of ways. Especially for those who have newly set up backyard bird feeders, these will not attract birds instantly and this is why you might need to wait a while. There is a trick if you want to attract birds easily, you can use a coin or anything shiny and place this near the feeder and then you can also use a water source like a fountain of some sort.
Once your feeder begins attracting birds, it is important to note which type or variety of birds tends to visit the bird cage often. One trick that you can do in this case is take pictures of the birds that swoop down to the feeders. Here is where you should be careful so as not to scare the birds because the feeders are there to give them a safe and secure environment.
You might be wondering why this is necessary for people with backyard bird feeders and the answer is that by knowing the kinds of birds that frequently visit your feeders, you will be able to determine what kind of feed will suit these birds best. For example, cardinals eat a lot of sunflower seeds while doves are more likely to consume cracked corns. Note also the migration pattern of these birds as they may only be in the area for a limited time.
If you constantly provide birds with food through your bird feeders, they will surely be returning to your home. As such, be prepared to have other bird feeders within the area to prevent them from clustering in one place. If you take this into consideration, it will also be easier for you to look at the birds when they visit.
Protection from predators is something that you should ensure for the birds when it comes to the backyard bird feeders that you will be setting up in your home. When it comes to these bird feeders, they should never be placed near the areas where children frequently play because too much movement and noise will end up driving the birds away. This way, you can enjoy bird feeding and feel a sense of satisfaction when birds arrive in flocks toward your feeders.