Top 5 Reasons Why Birds Stop Visiting Your Feeders

Bird activity at the feeders sure has slowed down over the last week or so.  No change in the food or the location of the feeders, and no significant change in the weather.  So what is it?  Why do birds stop coming to your feeders?

1)  Is the food still fresh?  Sorry folks - birdfood doesn't stay fresh forever.  All seed dries out and niger seed is especially prone to drying out.  It is a very small, but very high fat seed.  Once niger seed dries out, it loses some of its fat content and finches will just turn their beaks to it.

Seed shells should be shiny and dry.  If its been sitting in the feeders for months, subject to air, heat, and humidity, chances are it has lost some of its nutritional value and is less desireable to the birds, especially if they can find those nutrients elsewhere.

Suet or suet dough should be tossed out in the garbage if it is moldy.  Seed cylinders or blocks that are mushy should be tossed.  Nectar should be changed regularly and immediately tossed if moldy or cloudy. 

Remember, especially during the summer, there are lots of natural food sources out there - if you're offering dried out or moldy food, why would a bird chose it over a juicy bug or a berry eaten fresh off a tree?

 

2)  Are the feeders clean?  Birds don't like to eat out of dirty, moldy feeders anymore than you'd eat off a crusty, moldy plate.  Bacteria can develop in feeders so an occasional cleaning with a mild bleach solution (1 part bleach to 10 parts water) will kill the bacteria.  Make sure to rinse the feeder well and let it air dry in the sun if possible.

Every now and then a feeder comes in for repair that is crusted hard with seed residue, mold, seed sprouts, bird poop, even live bugs.  This is frankly disgusting.  You're not helping the birds - and may be HARMING them - by offering them a bacteria-laden birdfeeder.  Part of the Zen message on this blog is one of Responsibility, that birdfeeding comes with responsibilities to the birds and that if you're unwilling to accept the responsibilities, DON'T FEED THE BIRDS.

Bottom line: clean your feeders multiple times throughout the year, every 2 months if you can. Have an extra feeder or two so you can take a feeder down to clean and put another in its place right away.  If you won't commit to cleaning your feeders, do the birds a real favor, don't feed them.

3)  Natural food sources are plentiful.  At many times during the year, activity at feeders can decline as natural food sources become widely available.  Birds don't rely on your feeders to survive, though they certainly provide an easy source of food.

Birds eat insects, insect eggs, seeds, nuts, buds, berries and fruit, worms, and more.  When these are plentiful and easy to find, most birds will prefer them.

Right now I can look up at the tops of the white pines across the road.  It is laden with pine cones full of seeds.  Acorns are plentiful.  Trees are full of ripe fruits and berries.  Crawling and flying insects and bugs of all types are everywhere.  When the entire habitat is a bird's buffet table, your yard is just one of the many dishes to choose from. 

4)  Is there a new predator in the area?  Is a new cat showing up in your yard?  Just yesterday I looked outside and my eyes met the yellow eyes of a cat.  Long legged, fully black, slim and young, it was friendly and obviously acclimated to people.  But a cat - any cat - will prey on birds when left outside.

I am a cat lover but please keep your cat indoors.  They'll live longer (like my cat that lived to age 23) and healthier.  And you'll have more birds at your feeder.  If it is your neighbor's cat, talk to your neighbor about it.  Don't take it out on the cat - it's not his fault, he's just being the predator he is.

Another visiting predator might be a Sharp-shinned or Cooper's Hawk.  These accipiters are bird-eating birds.  It is always hard to lose a bird to a hawk strike, but by bringing birds in close to us by providing feeders, we are inviting nature AND ITS FULL CIRCLE OF LIFE into our yard.  Hawks taking smaller birds is part of that circle of life - we have just become witness to it.

5)  Changes happen.  This is nature we're talking about.  Another message of this blog is that of Acceptance, that "Nature happens. We cannot MAKE natural things happen (or NOT happen). We can create habitats to encourage natural things to happen around us, but there are no guarantees."

Birds move on to other areas.  Family groups break up.  They migrate.  They die.  They find new food sources.  They establish new territory.  They have wings.

All we can do is create a habitat that is inviting to the birds.  One that is safe and clean, that provides the things they need - food, water, shelter, a place to raise young - and if we are lucky, they grace our yard with their presence.

Use this slow time to clean all your feeders, buy some fresh birdfood, and then fill your feeders only partway until the activity picks up again.  And enjoy nature for ALL it offers - the highs AND the lows.

Comments

[Ilisa]

I have a large box mounted outside my window filled with bird seed. Both birds and squirrels had been enjoying it all day. For the last ten nights a raccoon comes and sits in the box and eats. Now the birds and squirrels have stopped visiting. Is it possible the scent of the raccoon is keeping them away?

[The Zen Birdfeeder]

Julie, if you have an identical feeder filled with identical food, it's probably the location they're not liking as much as the other locations. Try moving it a little to try to find a location they like.

[Julie]

Its only one feeder they will not come too. They like all the others. I just don't understand. Its all the same feed.

[The Zen Birdfeeder]

I'm sorry I can't answer your question, L.C. Possibly insect damage, or lack of the proper nutrient? Or perhaps, like you said, they were bred for show and not for the seed. Good luck in your search for an answer!

[L. C. Nelson]

I raised the seed myself but there doesn't seem to have anything in the seed. Could this be there is such a thing as hybrid seed?

[The Zen Birdfeeder]

Theresa, welcoming to the world of birdfeeding. Activity at birdfeeders is naturally cyclical, but do feed the birds year-round. When bird activity slows, just put less out! When it picks up, add more feeders and more food. Most importantly, have fun!!

[Theresa Balkcom]

Just want to say being new to feeding & really enjoying the birds in my yard I have had many questions which your site was the answer to all of them. Will miss them at the feeder but realize there are many sources of food in my area for them now as winter has past. "The Cardinal Family" I have watched has taught me so much. They are a Joy to watch taking care of Family.

[The Zen Birdfeeder]

Ryan, robins do not typically eat seeds from birdfeeders. They might eat from a crumbled suet that has fruit in it, or live mealworms, or softened fruit. They will also visit birdbaths. So don't be disappointed if your robin doesn't eat from your feeders, it's just a robin being a robin!

[The Zen Birdfeeder]

Larry, at this point, I'd just suggest a little patience until the birds get used to a new feeder. Like humans, sometimes it takes while for them to get used to change!

[Angela]

we have fed the birds in our garden for many years now, but the last two weeks they have stopped coming, why is that.

How can we encourage them to return as we lovely watching them

[Ryan]

Hi, I have had a single robin(female) visit my feeder for the past week now, but now she just hangs around it and never eats from it, could this mean it needs new seeds in it, I also provide suet balls they look fine and nuts they also look fine

How can I tell if the seeds need changed?

[Larry]

I bought a new hopper bird feeder made out of recycled Materials. I put it in the same spot where I had another feeder. The birds will come to feed on the ground but not go onto this feeder. They look at the feeder but want nothing to do with it. Same food also. Any suggestions?

[The Zen Birdfeeder]

Lisa, thanks for your "thumbs up"!

[The Zen Birdfeeder]

Bill, the predator in the area could very well impact the activity at your birdfeeder, but it also could be that they are still feeding on natural food sources that are still available. While activity is slower, only fill your feeders halfway. Then when it picks up again, fill them more. Good luck!

[Lisa]

Wow I just stumbled stumbled upon your site trying to get an answer on how long it would take before the birds noticed my new feeder. I love this site. Lots of information.

Thanks!!

[Bill]

I work hard keeping my feeders filled and freshness is not a problem, One feeder I had to fill every other day. Now it stays full for a week or more. I have noticed a rather large hawk coming into the area and he may be the culprit.
I did accidentally purchase a feed that was filled with millet, red millet and black oil sunflower seed. I mixed more sunflower seed into the mixture, then it seemed like the feeding slowed.
I went back to 100% black-oil sunflower seeds but the birds just have not been as plentiful.

[The Zen Birdfeeder]

Angy, good job keeping the food fresh and feeder clean. First thing we always recommend - use clear nectar if you aren't already. Second thing, try moving the feeder slightly. Sometimes it doesn't take a lot either. Good luck and let us know.

[Angy C.]

I have hummingbird feeders out and one keeps flying up to them but doesn't feed. I wonder why? The food is fresh. Thanks for any advice.

[Margaret]

Hmmm... I wonder if Stone Maven's advice would work for PEOPLE trapped in cubicles all day long?

[The Zen Birdfeeder]

Stone Maven - I'm glad your cat had improved health later in its life but I doubt your results are typical. Study after study after study PROVES WITHOUT A DOUBT: indoor cats live longer than outdoor cats. Thank you for sharing your story.

[Stone Maven]

Great article, but I disagree that cats live longer living indoors. We had one that lived that long as an outdoor cat. Initially, she was an indoor cat for the first 12 years of her life. She had all sorts of health problems. Finally at 12, we decided to let her die peacefully at home on her own time. She wasn't suffering. Just week and jaundiced and thin as could be. Up to that point, we had spent thousands in vet bills only to be told she had liver cancer. We started putting her outside because it was sunny and we felt she should enjoy nature before she kicked the bucket after 12 years indoor. Lo and behold, that cat got better. Her yellow went, she got fat and she became wild queen of the outdoors. She just needed SUN, FRESH AIR, GREENS and yes, a diet of mice and birds. Although, she was too old to catch the birds - she still caught one mouse a day even though we were feeding her. Never again, will I cage a cat indoors. Windows now have so much UV protection in that cats and dogs cannot get their sun therapy anymore with them. In addition, they need the earth and nature far more than we do.

Just wanted to put that out there for any cat lovers that might have an indoor cat with chronic health problems. I know of so many. Before putting your cat down, try giving them back to nature and see if that helps. Our cat lived many more years and enjoyed her life outdoors. She was a beautiful long-haired siamese kitty with blue eyes.

[The Zen Birdfeeder]

Honeylocs, thank you! Glad I could help. Thanks for stopping by.

[honeylocs]

Very helpful article. I'd wondered why my birds vanished for a week a month ago. They stopped coming around again this morning. I read your article, looked out, spotted a hawk in the top of a tree.

[The Zen Birdfeeder]

Lilbiit, that's interesting. I'll have to give it a try. But you'd need a lot of garlic and rain would wash it away, so I'd prefer a more permanent solution. Thanks for the tip!

[lilbit]

a good way to keep cats away is to use powdered garlic in the areas around the feeders. They move on to other locations.
Get it in bulk!