Having songbirds visit is one of the joys of having an inviting backyard or garden. It’s always a pleasure to see the variety of birds that drop by for a rest, a bite to eat or a drink of water.
One of the ways to turn your backyard into a haven for songbirds is by putting out bird feeders. There are three basic types to choose from.
A hopper feeder has four walls and a top to protect food from the elements. Larger hopper feeders hold a greater amount of seed and therefore require less refilling. They attract blue jays, nuthatches and woodpeckers among others.
This is a platform or tray feeder. Food is spread across an open surface and the feeder often has a roof to keep food dry. This is the easiest feeder to fill and attracts cardinals, black-capped chickadees and tufted titmouse.
A tube feeder is a tower of sorts with several ports and perches. The size of these ports and perches determines the type of birds that will visit. Sometimes called a silo feeder, it attracts a variety of finches.
Place feeders where birds can easily see them since most birds find food by sight, rather than smell. Put feeders in quiet areas but make sure they are located where you could view them, such as a kitchen, dining or living room window. And choose a convenient spot that makes it easy for you to refill no matter what the weather.
Position feeders close to the shelter of trees and shrubs, so birds have a refuge while they wait their turn, but not too close, otherwise squirrels will have a good jumping off point and outdoor cats can more easily stalk.
Select a location where cleanup is not an issue since there will be feathers, seed shells and droppings on the ground below. Keep in mind the food that you put in your feeders will determine what kind of birds come visiting. Choose a blend that attracts desirable songbirds but doesn’t appeal to aggressive varieties that can takeover feeders and intimidate others.
And remember, birds need water as much as they need food. Consider a birdbath for your backyard. Or if you have a pond or stream, place a flat rock in the center to serve as a perch. Or, place a large saucer on the ground or on top of a tree stump and fill it with water.
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