Try a new seed type
Provide a widely accepted variety of seed in your feeder, even though it will eventually be refilled with a different kind. As this feed attracts the widest variety of birds and is the healthiest option for them, try using black oil sunflower seed or a blend with a high concentration of black oil sunflower seeds. Note that some seed varieties—such as thistle/Nyger—can spoil rapidly. To maintain freshness, seed needs to be inspected and replaced on a regular basis. To draw in more birds, you can progressively mix in a different kind of seed once the birds become used to the new feeder. This is a list of seed varieties that draw particular kinds of birds.
Choose the right location
If you already have bird feeders and are successful with them, consider positioning the new feeder close to the current ones. To provide birds with a place to rest in between feedings and an instant escape from any predators, place your feeder about ten feet away from a naturally occurring shelter, such as trees or shrubs. Feeders should never be placed closer than ten feet away from trees or shrubs as this can attract squirrels. Recall that in order to reduce the risk of deadly window collisions, feeders should be hung or mounted closer to 3 feet from windows or farther away from windows than 15 feet.
A bird’s eye view
A few examples of how you might see birds foraging for food in your neighborhood are a woodpecker clinging to the side of a tree, a robin hopping around your lawn, or a group of birds chattering in a cluster of bushes. A significant amount of a bird’s day is spent looking for food, whether they prefer insects, worms, seeds, grains, or fruit, depending on the species and the season. But how do they find these tasty snacks?.
Birds almost exclusively find food by sight. Birds rely on their acute senses of sight and sound to locate food sources because they have almost no sense of smell. Therefore, a bird is likely to stop for a bite to eat if it sees a feeder with a known food source inside. Birds can even learn to identify feeders as potential food sources and follow them, much like humans might locate a restaurant to eat dinner. Furthermore, although sound isn’t always helpful in locating food, it can direct birds toward flowing water so they can drink.
FAQ
How long will it take birds to find my new feeder?
Why are birds not coming to my feeder anymore?
Will birds find my bird feeder if I move it?
How do you attract birds to your feeder?