Bird Feeders

Lee Dobbins asked:


There are many types of bird feeders and one popular style is the platform bird feeder. It is the kind of feeder which looks like a tray that is slightly elevated or totally mounted off the ground.

There is a difference between a hanging bird feeder and a platform bird feeder. In the hanging type, the seeds are placed on its small openings. The platform feeder on the other hand is obviously like a platform wherein you can easily place or scatter the seeds on it.

Platform bird feeders can also be used if you want to prevent squirrels from attacking the feeder. You can mount it off the ground by hanging it or using a pole to elevate it and a squirrel baffel wherein squirrels will not be able to reach it. You can also put a screen on the feeder so that squirrels will have a hard time reaching the bird seeds.

This type of feeder caters to the birds which feeds on the ground such as towhees, doves, sparrows, and even to bigger birds such as jays and grosbeaks. Recently, the manufacturers of bird feeder have started building and selling platform feeders maybe because of the fact that this kind of feeder is very easy to build.

Building one for your backyard is quite an easy task. It only requires few materials such as wood, wood glue, nails or screws and paint. Here is a guideline on how to make a platform bird feeder.

1. Start cutting the wood in sizes such as 16 x 10 inches for the back, 10 x 10 inches for the bottom, 2 x 10 inches for the front, 12 x 12 inches for the roof, and 12 x 10 for the sides.

2. Next is to attach the cut pieces together. Nail, glue or screw the back of the feeder to the bottom feeder. Make sure to do it properly to avoid any accidents.

3. Attaching the sides of the feeder to the back and bottom woods is the next thing to do. You can do this by either using a glue or nails. The roof is the last piece to be attached.

4. Paint your feeder for aesthetic purposes. Since you’ll be placing it in your back or front yard, beautifying the feeder is a must to serve as home decoration as well.

5. Place the feeder in your backyard by hanging or slightly elevating it from the ground.

The benefit of using a platform bird feeder is that it is very easy to mange. You can easily fill the feeder with bird seeds and it is very visible to the avian. Since most platform feeders are open, you won’t have a hard time scattering the seeds on it. It is also very easy to clean compare to other types of feeders.

The downside of this one is that it can be easily attack by squirrels and other large birds. The seeds can also be easily blown off during windy days which are not a good thing. It can also be a source of illnesses if it is not properly cleaned.

If you want to avail of the platform bird feeder without the hassle of doing it yourself, you can try buying it online or even in the nearest pet shops on your block. There are different kinds of platform feeders nowadays. The manufacturers keep on updating it with new designs to keep it more useful.

Platform feeders are the simplest and most basic style among bird feeders, but it can be utilized with any types of food and commonly used by all bird feeders. In line with this, the platform feeder is indeed very versatile among all feeding techniques.



Donald

Bill Joe asked:


I put up a bird feeder two weeks ago and I still have no birds. What can I do to make them come?

Lynn

Mayoor Patel asked:


If you have decided that you want to feed the birds there is a lot you will have to find out before you can get it all set up. You need to know which type of bird feeder you need depending on which birds live in your area and which ones you want to attract to your yard. No matter the choices you are planning on making the first thing to consider is that whichever feeder you choose you want it to be able to satisfy a certain number of basic needs. You want one that is easy to clean. That means considering the plastic and metal ones first. They are far easier to clean properly than the wooden ones. Even if the wood ones appeal to you more because of how they look this is one factor you need to consider. You might need to choose cleanliness or attractiveness.

They must be well made. When you have put something out to feed the birds you want to be able to count on it lasting. That requires it being something that is well-built enough to be able to withstand various weather conditions. It needs to be able to withstand winds, rains and anything that winter weather can throw at it. As well, the bird feeder needs to be able to keep the seeds you have put into it dry. You also want one that is big enough you need not have to fill it every day. Lastly you want to get a feeder that will not be too difficult to put together. If you have to spend hours assembling it the average person won’t bother buying one. So you will need to either find one that is simple to put together or get one premade.

Bird feeders are usually considered to be either tray feeders, tube feeders or lastly hopper feeders. These designations are based on size and shape of the feeder. But there are other kinds as well. These are a little more unusual and include those for hummingbirds, suet feeders or peanut feeders. Every one of these will feed a variety of birds but no two are necessarily useful for the same type of bird. If your goal is to feed hummingbirds the feeder you use will be not only filled with a different type of feed but it will be very differently shaped. Hummingbirds do not eat seed mixes. It you are looking for attract smaller birds a feeder that has perches will encourage them to stop by. While bigger birds will do better with tray feeders.



Catherine

Michael Rasco asked:


There is a chill in the air. Winter is approaching. As the supply of insects declines, birds will be searching for other sources of food. How many birds will you see at your feeder? That depends on how well you set up your backyard or garden. In this article, I will review some very easy steps that anyone can take to be virtually assured of attracting a variety of wild birds.

First, consider the basic needs of wild birds. They are the same three needs that all animals and people share - food, water, and shelter. Let’s take these issues one at a time.

Food

If you throw a bunch of seeds or stale bread on your lawn, you will attract birds. (See, I told you it was easy!) Of course, you will also attract squirrels, raccoons, cats, possums, and a host of insects. The birds that come around may only be starlings, sparrows, and crows. If you are not selective about which birds you attract, and you don’t mind having some other critters creeping around, then bird feeding could be that simple. This is not the method preferred by most backyard birders. To be more bird-selective, (and thereby reduce the number of unwanted prowlers), just be a little more selective about the type of food offered. Black oil sunflower seed and mixes of various seeds are available at many supermarkets or, usually more cost-effectively, at feed stores and garden centers. These foods attract a variety of wild birds, including chickadees, nuthatches, titmice, buntings, sparrows and cardinals. They can be placed in tube feeders or platform feeders, tube feeders being more selective toward the smaller songbird species.

Suet, which is raw beef or mutton fat, is a great, high-energy food for birds. Suet can be bought in preformed blocks at the supermarket, purchased unformed at the butcher shop, or formed by hand from the beef trimmings in your own kitchen. Suet, which is often mixed with nuts or seeds as an added bird-bonus, is particularly beneficial in the cold winter months when birds can really use the extra calorie boost.

Fruit, berries, and even peanut butter are also good for attracting wild birds. Whatever variety of food you choose, always keep the feeder clean to protect against bacteria that can harm the birds.

Water

Every living thing on earth needs water. A proper birdbath will attract many birds, some of which are pure insectivores and do not use bird feeders. The water in a birdbath should be no more than three inches deep to attract the greatest variety of wild birds. It is best if the floor of the birdbath is fairly light in color, so the birds can clearly gauge the depth. The floor of the birdbath should also slope gently to the deepest part, and it should be textured to assist birds with footing. The birdbath itself could be on a pedestal, hung from a branch or pole, or, if there is no danger from cats, it may be placed directly on the ground. In the winter, it may be necessary to add warm water to keep it from freezing, as most birds are poor skaters.

Watching the amusing antics around a birdbath is a uniquely entertaining experience for backyard birders. Birds of various species often perch around the rim, sporadically splashing, drinking, and preening in the water.

Shelter

Many times, providing shelter for birds is an easy task. Place your feeder in a spot that is near some trees. Birds will fly into the trees when they seek protection from weather or predators. Make sure there are no shrubs or high grass (or any other place where a cat might lay in ambush) within 12 feet of the bird feeder. The birds will take it from there.

Over the years, we have encroached on wild birds’ domain, polluted the air and water, and otherwise contributed to a shift in the natural balance that has put the survival of many bird species in question. We owe it to them to give a little assist. Recent conservation efforts have done much in that regard, but there is still a long way to go. Feed the birds and take another step to a happier, healthier world.



Victoria

Ken Lawless asked:


Birds are a joy to watch. They’re beautiful but they are also good garden tenants, helping to rid your garden of insect pests and their larva.

If you want to attract birds to your garden and keep them coming back, bird feeders are one of the best ways to go about it.

If you are a beginner birder, finding the “right” birdhouse can be a challenge because there are thousands of bird houses available in the marketplace. However, if you’re just starting out, a hopper feeder is probably your best choice. They’re one of the most versatile feeders around.

Hopper feeders come in many styles but the main characteristic that they have in common is they are easy to fill. To fill a hopper feeder you simply open the top and pour the seed or millet. Hopper feeders come in various sizes, but even the smaller sizes are able to hold quite a bit of seed. The larger the feeder, the fewer trips you’ll have to make to refill it. Another nice feature of hopper feeders is that the well make ones can be easily taken apart for cleaning.

A common and constant problem with bird feeders is that they are very attractive to squirrels. Squirrels will often raid bird feeders as an easy source of food. Unfortunately for squirrels and other critters, however, bird feeder manufacturers are finally getting up to speed. You can now find hopper feeders with built-in squirrel defenses to keep squirrels at bay.

Another advantage of hopper feeders is their size. Many feeders have small feeding platforms that are too dainty or precarious for larger birds. Hopper feeders, however, accommodate birds of all sizes. And, if you purchase one with a generous feeding platform, it will allow many birds to feed at a time. This gives you the possibility of having many different bird species sharing your garden space.

On the other hand, if you’re afraid of the feeder being taken over by larger birds you may decide that you don’t want larger birds in your garden. In that case, one nice feature you should look for in a hopper feeder is weight sensitive perches. This lets you calibrate the feeder so that only birds of the size you desire will can the feeder.

Avoid buying a hopper feeder made out of plastic or cheap wood. Plastic feeders have a tendency to discolor, especially when exposed to the bright sun all day. They also tend to cloud up and become “grungy looking” over time. A well made wood feeder can be a beautiful addition to your yard and last for years. Feeders made of cheap wood will likely crack or split and need replacing within a couple of year.

A hopper feeder is one of the simplest and maintenance free feeders you can buy. The only simpler type of feeder is the platform feeder which, while inexpensive, leaves the bird seeds totally exposed to the weather and other critters.

Where to place your feeder? A hopper feeder can be placed almost anywhere in your garden. You can hang it from a tree in your yard or you can fix it on a pole. If you have multiple trees, you can hang your hopper feeder from a wire stretched between them. Wherever you place it, you can count on your bird feeder giving you many years of enjoyment



Chester

Kathryn Whittaker asked:


We all know that taking a beautiful photo of humming birds is hard to obtain, even when they are inside cages. The only thing that you could do is buy a hummingbird feeder to bring these birds into photographic distance. But these ready-made hummingbird feeders are somewhat expensive. Worry no more, because you can make your very own hummingbird feeder for free. All you need to do is recycle used or old prescription vials for making nectar dispensers. Hummingbirds are known to feed on nectars.

The materials needed to make your own hummingbird feeder are clear prescription vials with a fitted cap, a few feet of thin wire or heavy thread and transparent tape or scotch tape. You may also need a sharp pointed metal object like an ice pick.

To start with this project, heat up the ice pick or whatever sharp pointed metal you are using and make a pair of holes on each side of the prescription vial, near the open end where the cap is placed. You have to make sure that they are close but not too close that the holes are covered with the bottom of the cap when it is placed on. The size of the holes should be small enough to keep the liquid inside the container.

Next, round up the thin wire or thread. Secure it by wrapping with the scotch tape or transparent tape on each end of the thread or thin wire to the prescription vial. If you want extra holding capacity, wrap a second piece of transparent tape around the prescription vial.

Basically, that’s all you have to do in making hummingbird feeders. It depends on you how many hummingbird feeders you want to make, but if you want to enjoy watching more than just one hummingbird, you can make a number of these feeders and tie them into a mobile and place them in your backyard.

To fill up your hummingbird feeder, remove the cap holding the prescription vial on and fill it up with nectar and replace the cap. Closed tightly, turn the prescription vial upside down as quickly as you can. The feeder’s hole should be at the bottom, a small amount of nectar will leak out the feeder’s holes, but as soon as the vacuum inside the prescription vial is created, the leakage will stop.

Now we come to making the nectar for the hummingbirds. Basically there are two choices of nectar. First is the nectar mix that is commercially available in a granulated form. Or second, you can make your own nectar from a sugar solution. For the purpose of information, honey is not recommended. Research proves that too much honey is harmful to hummingbirds, since it weakens them and may cause death to these birds.

Just where to hang the feeders? In general, it is good to hang these feeders in any part of the garden where there is no direct exposure to sunlight and where the wind will not be able to shake the feeder. Direct sunlight speeds up fermentation of the nectar inside the feeder. It is recommended to hang the hummingbird feeders near the flowers in the garden to further attract these birds. Now, you can enjoy watching hummingbirds hovering and perching on your own feeder.



Mike

Lee Dobbins asked:


Ah, summer! Next to Christmas, summer is everybody’s favorite time of the year. Backyard barbecues, fruit shakes, pitching somebody’s little tent in the lawn, your kids trying to cool off in their inflatable swimming pool. Best of all, you get to spend days and days with your loved ones as you watch the various types of birds flocking in your bird feeder station.

If before, bird feeders are normally used by hobbyists, they are now the favorite subject of every nature lover. Hence, most of them would like to set up their very own bird feeder station in their respective homes.

With that in mind, bird watching has been a favorite past time of people from all ages.

Bird feeder craze is not mainly focused on the typical production of such devices but more on the availability of various options on styles, functions, and serviceability. Hence, today’s kinds are all-embracing and extensive, rendering and presenting many choices.

Technical structures of bird feeders are so important to consider because these things will determine the quality and the kind of seeds needed to supply the birds’ daily meal.

Much has been printed about the different bird feeding. Frankly, there are still many information gaps. What they do not know is that the entire success of bird feeding greatly depends on the type and style of bird feeder used and the kinds of feeds.

Using decorative and creative bird feeders do not just create an attractive and appealing garden or backyard. You can also lure different kinds of birds, which can extensively boost your gratification of your environment at home.

For people who are fascinated with bird watching, the utilization of an attractive bird feeder is not just an added attraction but also increases the bustle in your yard. With the accommodating feature of gazebo bird feeders, the amount of birds flocking in your bird feeding station is increased.

Bird feeders are available in various flairs and sorts. One of the most attractive bird feeder available in the market to day is the gazebo bird feeder.

Like real gazebos, the gazebo bird feeder is specially created to accommodate different types of seeds or other types of bird feeds. With its pavilion makeup, gazebo bird feeders provide spacious and attractive shelter and food supplier for most kinds of birds. They can also provide remarkable venues for resting. And because they are specially patterned next to the real gazebo, this particular type of bird feeder is considered as a good example of a decorative mark in a given setting.

To know more about gazebo bird feeders, here is a list of some of its advantages:

1. Spacious

Gazebo bird feeders are spacious. This particular type of bird feeder can accommodate more than 2 pounds of any seed mixture.

Hence, you do not have to check on it every now and then just to ensure availability of seeds all day long. With gazebo bird feeders, your little flying friends will definitely love to stay and devour on their favorite meal without having to run out of seeds.

2. Durable

Since gazebo bird feeders can hold much weight, you can be sure that the accompanying support is enough to hold the load. Most gazebo bird feeders have steel hanging cable fastened to the bottom of the bird feeder for additional support. Hence, you can be sure that gazebo bird feeders are durable and safe to use.

3. Safe

Gazebo bird feeders have remarkable lock design. It features a twist-lock facet that locks up firmly to a specific seed feeding container with a well emptied dish.

4. Chic

Aside from the fact that the gazebo design creates an added attraction to one’s landscape or backyard, the different designs of gazebo bird feeders are also fascinating.

Gazebo bird feeders are available in wood and stained glass design. With that in mind, fashion is the definitely the next best thing to a typical backyard attraction.

5. Mess-free and spill-proof

Because of its spacious design, gazebo bird feeders are definitely spill-proof and mess-free. Hence, you do not have to worry on unnecessary growth of flowers in your garden, mostly within the area where your bird feeder is situated.

Since most bird feeders accommodate bird seeds, some consumers are not happy with the way unwanted flowers grow in their yard. With gazebo bird seeds, you do not have to worry at all. With its spacious trays and roomy areas for bird seeds, you can definitely feed your birds without the mess.

So if you want a well-organized bird feeding, it is best that you shop for durable items such as gazebo bird feeders.



Jacob

Mayoor Patel asked:


If you have decided that you want to put a feeder for the birds into your garden you may feel that you want something different than the standard types. Anyone can have a tube feeder or the more common wooden platform bird feeders. Perhaps you are looking instead for a glass bird feeder. These are a more elegant, and often more expensive, type of feeder. Still, it may be your preference to have something a little different, a little more stylish that makes a statement instead of just a bird feeder sitting in your garden. They are also good to have because they tend to last longer than other feeders, are less likely to disintegrate with the elements and will not rot.

The only thing is if you choose one of these their care is a little more complicated than that of the other kinds of feeders. Glass bird feeders need to be cleaned more often since the bird mess will cloud it quickly. Therefore they must be taken down every few days and washed. The best way to do this is to only put in enough food to last a few days. This way you do not waste the bird food. Then when it is emptied you can clean it. Some people suggest having a second feeder so that you can always have one hanging up. Cleaning one of these feeders should be done with good strong bleach. But, If that is what you use you need to be certain you rinse it extremely well so that there is nothing in the feeder that could make the birds ill. The smell may also be strong enough to cause the birds to steer clear. It is therefore recommended that you let the feeder air for a couple of days before putting it back into use. This is another reason why having two feeders made of glass to rotate them for cleaning makes more sense. This may seem extreme but if you want to use bird feeders made of glass these are the steps you need to take.

One other benefit of glass bird feeders is that they seem to attract more birds than many of the other kinds. Perhaps it is being able to see the other birds so clearly when they are feeding or maybe because these are often colorful. Some people think it is because they can see the bird seeds more clearly. But, whatever it is if you hang one of these in your garden you will get to enjoy bird watching out your window.



Vera

Mayoor Patel asked:


Tube bird feeders are given this name for the obvious reason; they are a tube shaped bird feeder that makes use of this unique design to offer a little something different to the birds that come to eat. The cylindrical shape makes it harder for a pest to latch on to it if they are going to try to steal seeds, or whatever it is you choose to feed, because they have nothing to grab onto. This means you lose less feed to the squirrels, chipmunks or other rodents who otherwise might see the bird feeder as a free meal. As well these kinds of feeders are more likely to bring you the smaller birds, so if you have a preference between smaller birds or larger birds that may be a deciding factor on whether you want this type of bird feeder or not.

Theses tube bird feeders can be a variety of sizes and so hold different amounts of food. But that is not why they attract the smaller birds as opposed to the larger ones. The reason for this is the size of the perches. These feeders tend to have perches up the sides of the tube which allow the birds to eat at different levels on the feeders. This is unlike the platform bird feeders where they all eat on the tray at the bottom. With these there is a tray to catch falling seed, but the birds can eat while sitting on a perch anywhere on the feeder. This means that you must keep the bird feeder full to allow the perches to be useful places for them to eat from. They can also eat from the tray, which may allow for some larger birds to hop on, but as very little will fall it is better to count on this type of bird feeder being for smaller birds.

Therefore if this is the type of bird feeder you want to use you will need to understand that you will not be seeing any jays, doves, cardinals, grackles or other large birds eating from it. If on the other hand you like chickadees, finches or nuthatches then you will be happy with this feeder. Tube bird feeders can hold a variety of birdseeds from the small Niger seeds to the much larger sunflower seeds. Check before you make your purchase because some will come with different sized holes for the use of certain types of seeds. You will also need to know what the birds in your area prefer to eat.



Gloria

noone9328 asked:


We live in Southern Michigan in an apartment complex. There are a lot of crab apple trees lined up and one about 15 feet in front of our balcony. We’ve seen (and heard) lots of birds that seem to be living in that tree, and some that seem to live inside vent covers on the side of the building. I don’t know what kind of birds they are, but they are very small and not very colorful, with patterns of brown, black, white, and maybe a hint of yellow on some. The seed we put in was a fruit-sunflower mix (with those little round ones, too). The feeder is hanging at the edge of the balcony (second floor) about 3 feet higher than the tree. We put the feeder up last night, and this morning, one or two birds noticed the spilled seed on the balcony, but none have actually gone to the feeder. We tried putting little piles of seed on the rails of the balcony leading up to the feeder, but they haven’t found those either. Do I need to adjust something for them to take notice?

Eva