Home > Learning Center > Bird Feeders
Bird Feeders
Click
here to see our selection of Bird Feeders.
For bird watchers and nature lovers alike, placing bird feeders in the back yard can lead to many exciting sightings of the wild life around us. Bird feeders also provide birds with food during the harsh months of winter when food is scarce and survival is a struggle.
The best bird feeders hold a large amount of seed and attract a wide variety of birds. Some beneficial features to look for in a bird feeder include:
•Clear reservoirs so that the seed level can be easily monitored.
•Easy access to reservoir to make refilling a breeze.
•Multiple dispensing stations and perches to allow many birds to feed at once.There are several different types of bird feeders, the kind that works best will depend on the type of birds in the area and the climate in which feeder is placed:
•Platform feeders are a platform with elevated edges to serve as a perch and to contain seed. A good platform feeder will have a screen so debris can be easily removed.
•Hopper feeders are the most popular of the bird feeders. They have a reservoir that dispenses food to a feeding tray. They hold a lot of seed and the majority of the seed is protected from water and snow by the enclosed reservoir.
•Tube feeders work well for small birds like finches. The tube is the reservoir and the birds feed from dispensing stations directly on the tube itself.
•Hummingbird feeders are filled with nectar and have small, narrow openings for the birds to insert their long, slender beaks. The feeders are usually red to attract the hummingbirds’ attention.The trickiest part of a successful bird feeder is the placement. The birds need to feel safe, but they also need easy access. The feeder should be placed in an area that is not in direct wind. It should also be near the house or over hedges so that the birds have an escape if they feel threatened, but not so close to a bush that a predator could sneak up on them.
While close to the house is a good location, it’s important to not place the feeder within five feet of a window to prevent window collisions. Also placing decorations on the window will detract birds from flying into it.
The feeder should also be covered to protect the seeds from moisture which can cause mold and disease. Platform feeders can have fly-through covers that are several inches above the platform itself. In the winter, stamping down the snow beneath the feeder will make it easy for birds to feed on spilled seeds on the ground.
Protecting the seed from squirrels is another issue, especially in the winter when squirrels will horde food. Some bird feeders come with baffles to prevent squirrels from climbing up to the seed. Other feeders have collapsible perches that will give way if the weight is more than that of a bird; some even have a weight sensor that gently spins a larger creature off the platform. Offering squirrels corn cobs in alternate locations will keep squirrels busy and away from the feeders.
Red pepper flakes can also be mixed in with the seed. Squirrels will detest this. Birds lack the receptors to sense the heat of the flakes and therefore will not even notice the addition.
Keeping the bird feeder clean is very important. Dirty bird feeders spread disease and can cause local epidemics in the backyard populations. Bird feeders should be cleaned at least once a month- more if the feeder is popular. Hummingbird feeders should be cleaned every time they are refilled. Use a mild soap, wear gloves, and allow the feeder to dry completely before refilling.
Birding is an addictive hobby that the whole family can enjoy. The right bird feeders will attract a wide range of birds. Look online to find out what birds thrive in certain areas to know which seeds to provide. Invest in a pair of binoculars and a good bird watching book to begin enjoying the great outdoors right in the backyard!
Jump to most popular search
results:
Online Pet Store | Beds
| Clothes
| Costumes
| Pet
Supplies | Tags
| Bird
Supplies | Furniture
| Cat
Supplies
Home
| Security,
Exchanges and Returns | Contact
Us | About
Us | Shipping
Policies | Learning
Center
Copyright © 1998 - 2009