Bird Feeding Tricks and Tips from WBU

Here are a few tricks and tips that can make your backyard bird feeding experience a bit more  enjoyable.

SUET TRICKS 

• When using a WBU Tail Prop Suet Feeder (or any suet cake in a cage), leave the suet cake in the molded plastic dish to force birds to feed on the side facing your viewing window.  This also keeps the feeder a bit cleaner.
• Are starlings hogging your suet?  Our EcoTough® Upside-down Suet Feeder allows clinging birds such as woodpeckers, nuthatches, and chickadees to feed from below, but makes it difficult for starlings.
• Soften suet plugs in the microwave before pressing them into the holes of a suet log.  Make sure the suet is pressing against the sides of the holes so it doesn't get pushed out the other side!

TIPS FOR GROUND-FEEDING BIRDS

• Ground-feeding birds, such as juncos are more abundant during winter.  Winter finches like redpolls also readily feed on the ground.  You can offer food to these birds in trays, whether on the ground, on a pole system beneath a hopper, or on your window.
• Offer ground-feeding birds a blend with millet and sunflower seeds, like our seasonal Winter Blend.
• Place a ground tray feeder close enough to shrubs to provide birds a safe place to hide and to find shelter from winter weather, but far enough away that predators (like cats) can't ambush the birds.

FINCH TRICKS

• Use a WBU EcoClean® or Quick-Clean® Finch feeder and refill it from the bottom!  This helps prevent clumping and promotes "first in/first out" seed rotation.
• Give your finch feeders a shake every now and then to make sure the seed inside is loose and dry.
• Place your finch feeders away from feeders where larger birds are feeding.  This allows the smaller finches to access the feeder without feeling intimidated by larger birds.  I have a whole separate finch feeding station off a deck arm.
• It may take goldfinches a while to get used to a new feeder, even if you have previously fed them in the same location.
• If you notice finches waiting to eat, offer a perch (like our APS Decorative Branch perch) that allows them to perch.  You'll see them better as they wait! 

Adapted from material provided by WBU, Inc. 
Images from WBU, Inc. image library

Comments

[Stanley Sands]

I can't even get Hummingbirds to feed in South Florida. Do they even come here?

[The Zen Birdfeeder]

Rohrerbot - Outdoor cats are born hunters and do take many birds. Make sure there's no cover right near bird feeders or baths that allow cats to hide. And having some shelter fairly close gives birds a place to escape. Thanks for stopping in again!
Margaret - keep those feral cats up there! I haven't seen any recently, though we had some early in the summer.

[Margaret]

I try to avoid trays or other ground-feeding methods that attract the all-too abundant rodents, for which reason feral cats are most welcome in my yard. (That is, unless they get chased away by the intellectually challenged (read "dopey") puppy from next door). My pole feeders, pretty feral cats and birds have so far co-existed without incident. :)

[Rohrerbot]

Great tips!! Tomorrow I have a post similiar to what you've written about feral cats!! I have a problem. I started birding and feeding birds this year and I'm a complete amateur BUT I have birds of all kinds visit me and my garden....but the feral cats catch a bird once in awhile and I want it to stop. I'm figuring out ways to keep the birdseed off the ground but the finches keep knocking the seed there so it's tricky to keep off the ground. I'm not a fan of our outdoor cats.