5 Bird Feeding Mistakes
Mistake #1 - Not feeding the right variety
The first thing most people do when they get a new bird feeder is buy the generic wild bird food that can be found in most grocery and department stores. And while nothing in this mix is bad for the birds, most have a lot of filler seeds that just aren't preferred by most birds. These include white millet, red millet, and cracked corn. These seeds typically get wasted while the black-oil sunflower seeds and sometimes striped sunflower seeds are favored. Black-oil sunflower seeds are the main preferred seed to use in my opinion. They're high in fat and oil and they have thin hulls that are easy to break open. While Black-oil Sunflower seeds typically attract the most species, this only accounts for birds that eat seeds. The next best feeding option is suet. Suet is rendered animal fat that is sold commercially in typically square cakes that may include birdseed, cornmeal, fruit, mealworms, peanut butter, and several other added ingredients. Suet will typically attract birds that don't normally eat seeds such as Woodpeckers, Bluebirds, Wrens, Robins, and other insect eating birds. In warmer seasons offering sugar water can attract both Hummingbirds and Orioles depending on the mixture concentration and feeder type. Offering grape jelly can attract several different species, including Orioles, Mockingbirds, Catbirds, Thrashers, Tanagers, and more. Mealworms are another great option for backyard feeding and can be fed live or dried. Mealworms are a great way to attract Bluebirds, Catbirds, Chickadees, and more. By offering a good variety of food in your backyard, you can maximize the amount of species you can attract, which benefits both you and the birds! Smaller birds such as Chickadees, Nuthatches, and Titmice
Mistake #2 - Not offering different feeder types
We just discussed how offering different food types can maximize the variety of species in your yard. But offering different feeder types can also attract different species albeit on a much smaller scale. Many feeders are designed for a specific type of food such as a Thistle Feeder which ports are designed for Nyjer seeds, Suet cages which are designed for suet cakes, or an Oriole feeder designed to hold oranges and grape jelly. But several other feeders aren't designed specifically for a certain type of food, but may only attract certain species. A Hopper type feeder is one of the most common types of feeders, typically shaped like a house or barn, the seed is covered by the elements and can be filled with multiple different types of seed and can be used by most species that eat seeds. A tube feeder, another common feeder type, is great for smaller perching birds, but isn't great for larger birds such as Blue Jays or Cardinals. A tray or platform feeder will attract the most variety of birds because it can hold many different types of food as well as be used by bigger and smaller birds. Platform feeders do have disadvantages because they are typically uncovered leaving them susceptible to weather elements as well as most vulnerable to avian predators such as Accipiters, types of hawks that can wreak havoc on backyard birds. Using a variety of feeder types along with food designed for each feeder type can ensure you are offering the best variety and therefore maximizing the amount of species you can attract.
Mistake #3 - Incorrect placement for feeders
There are many different rules and opinions on where feeders should be placed. These differences depend on the area that you live, how close your feeders are to your house, or what predators or nuisance species you have in your yard. The 5-7-9 rule is designed to help keep squirrels away from your yard. This rule states the feeder should be 5 feet off the ground, 7 feet away from trees or objects so squirrels can't jump to the feeder, and 9 feet below above branches to ensure they won't jump down. If the feeders are close to your house, especially if you have a lot of windows, your feeders should be at least 30 feet from your house to prevent window collisions, and if you live in an area with bears like I am unfortunately, it's best to keep your feeders 9 feet above the ground as well as bringing your feeders in at night. While considering the many different factors when it comes to feeder placement, keep in mind that most birds will typically be more comfortable when feeders are within 10-15 of some type of cover that allows them to quickly escape if there is a predator nearby.
Mistake #4 - Not cleaning your feeders regularly
Dirty feeders can harbor bacteria, mold, and parasites, which can spread diseases like avian pox and salmonella among birds. Ideally, you should clean your feeders at least once every two weeks—or more often if it’s humid or rainy. Here’s how:
Empty the feeder completely.
Soak it in warm, soapy water for about 10 minutes. You can also clean bird feeders with a very diluted bleach mixture or my personal favorite a mixture of 1 part white vinegar to 9 parts water.
Scrub with a stiff brush to remove any stuck-on residue.
Rinse thoroughly and let it dry completely before refilling.
If you’re using hummingbird feeders or oriole sugar water feeders, clean them every few days, especially in hot weather, to prevent mold and fermented nectar, which can harm hummingbirds
Mistake #5 - Not using predator or squirrel baffles
We've already talked about ways that can naturally keep nuisance species like squirrels away from your feeders by placing the feeders out of reach. But sometimes this isn't always possible and you may need to find another solution to protect your feeders and birds. This is where squirrel baffles or predator baffles come in. These are typically metal or plastic cones that are either placed on a pole below the feeder to prevent squirrels, raccoons, or even snakes from climbing to your feeders or getting to the birds. If you're using a baffle above the feeder, make sure there are no trees or structures that squirrels can jump to the feeder rendering the baffle obsolete. Conversely if you're using a pole baffle, ensure you place the baffle far enough up the pole that squirrels cannot jump over the baffle from below.
Bonus tip! Mistake #6 - Not providing water
While providing different foods and feeders in your yard can maximize the amount of species you can attract. Nothing compares to the amount of species you can attract by offering water, especially moving water. All birds need water and most common backyard bird species can be attracted using water as long as the water source is big enough to accommodate them. By finding a way to provide moving water such as using a bubbler, water wiggler, or even something as simple as a milk jug with a pin hole will add an auditory element that will entice birds even more to visit your yard. If you're interested in how to attract more bird species to your yard using water, I'll link a video above that addresses this exact topic.