The Best Tips And Tricks For Attracting Birds To A New Feeder

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From helping the neighborhood's ecosystem to boosting your home's value, there are many benefits to having a bird feeder in your yard. Of course, for many amateur ornithologists, the best thing about feeders is getting a close-up view of numerous beautiful birds every day. However, even though feeders can bring birds to your yard, they don't do so instantaneously. It can take 3-4 weeks for a new bird feeder to get any visitors; in fact, a new feeder in a yard full of old ones may never be noticed at all. This is completely normal. Birds can be very skittish, and it may be a while before they're comfortable investigating new objects. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to attract birds to a new feeder.

A strange new feeder will not be at all enticing compared to a feeder local birds have been using for years. One solution to this is to take down any feeders that birds already use until they become comfortable with the new one. Alternatively, you can try to place a new feeder close to a popular old one. If birds start to use the new model, you can move it to a different location.

A dislike for the unknown isn't the only thing keeping birds from exploring new feeders — they also lack a strong sense of smell. This means that birds can't tell a feeder is full of food unless they are able to see it. To account for this, scatter bird seed over any flat, exposed surfaces of the feeder, or place the feeder next to a plate of exposed seed. This will provide a clear indication to hunting birds that they have a food source, encouraging them to use the new feeder. These tricks won't do any good if you're not using the right bird seed, however. That will change depending on the birds in your yard, but whatever seed you use, make sure it stays fresh and dry. For the best results, also avoid the simple mistake of filling your feeder in the morning. As birds feed most actively around dawn, it's best to stock up the night before.

Along with a buffet of bird seed, a bubbling bird bath is a good way to welcome feathered friends to your garden. Place a bath with moving water that birds can hear as well as see next to new feeders so they learn which area of your garden is a spot to rest and replenish.

Whether you are just getting into birding or are at the stage of making your own DIY seashell feeder, it can be disappointing to see birds ignore your yard. But with a bit of garden rearranging and a little patience, your yard will be the hottest bird eatery in the neighborhood.