How Do I Get Birds To Come To My Bird Feeder

I’ve always had a passion for keeping my garden well-maintained for it to stand out among guests and visitors.

But the only thing missing was the sound of sweet melodies sung by birds. That’s when I decided to build my very first bird feeder with a little help from my family. Now, I really thought that installing a bird feeding station would be enough to hear their sweet songs.

However, it’s a harsh reality that building bird feeders is one thing, but getting birds to use them is an entirely different story. This is what I learned the hard way, but I was determined not to give up.

It took a whole lot of research and a significant amount of my time to figure out the best ways to get birds to use new feeders. I put my findings into action and finally overcame the problem.

That said, if you’re in a similar situation, don’t worry; I’m here to help.

Hi there, I’m Stacy Smith, and today, I’ve carefully created this comprehensive guide to answer a crucial question – how do I get birds to come to my bird feeder?

So, without further ado, let’s dive right in.

Getting Birds To Feed On A New Bird Feeder

Did it take hardly a few minutes for birds to begin using the new bird feeder in your yard or garden? Well, what can I say; you’re among the lucky ones! But this is far from reality for most gardeners.

It may take days, weeks, or even months for birds to get comfortable with a new feeder. However, you can avoid this problem altogether and do away with the waiting time, provided you follow my tips and techniques.

Here, I’ve taken the liberty to share a few tricks that may help you get birds to use your bird feeder. So, let’s take a look.

1. Placement & Positioning

If you’re replacing your old feeder with a new one, make sure you place the latter in the same place as the former. You can always move it away from the old feeding station gradually for birds to follow.

That said, it’s crucial to position the bird feeder in an attractive yet safe area, ideally near a hedge, brush pile, or any type of shelter, so that birds feel a sense of security while feeding or visiting. On the other hand, tray feeders should be placed near the ground to attract ground-feeding birds like blackbirds, sparrows, and blue jays.

2. Type Of Bird Seed

The best way to attract birds quickly is by offering them the most popular bird seed type. So, fill up the feeder with seeds like Nyjer, black oil sunflower, and sunflower hearts. You can later mix in the desired seed in order to switch the bird feeder’s composition once the birds are accustomed to it.

3. Catching Their Attention

Remember that birds generally find food by sight. So, I’d definitely suggest spreading some seed on the top of the feeder, on the nearby ground, or platform to attract birds to their new feeding station. You may also add a birdbath with moving waters like a dropper, wiggler, or a birdbath fountain to help birds notice and visit the area.

However, ensure that the bath isn’t positioned very close to the feeder as it may become dirty and clogged with seed debris. In turn, you’ll end up having to clean the birdbath frequently, which is indeed a hassle.

4. Accessorize The Feeder

Even the feeding station needs to be appealing in order to attract birds to use it. This is why I’d urge you to accessorize your bird feeder with a feeding platform or a squirrel baffle to deter pests. An attractive feeder will definitely be noticeable to birds in your area.

5. Check The Seed Level

If you’re still unable to spot a bird feeding from your new bird feeder, even after several days, check its seed levels to determine whether they’re visiting the feeding station or not. In case the seeds are not being eaten, the level will remain the same, signifying that birds have migrated or are visiting your garden less.

In this scenario, I’d advise you to replace the uneaten seeds with fresh seeds as the former may have developed mold and attracted insects. And obviously, these seeds wouldn’t be suitable for birds to feed on. That said, you’ll also have to check the seed quality for the best results in attracting birds.

6. Limit Their Choices

Installing more than one feeder in your garden or lawn wouldn’t be a great idea if you’d want birds to feed on your newly built feeding station. Limit their choices of where to feed by restricting the number of bird feeders in your yard.

Once you notice the birds getting accustomed to your new feeder, you may consider returning the old ones to their respective positions, so that they’re all used.

Summing It Up

It’s quite natural for birds to take time in getting accustomed to a new feeder, so you’ll need to be patient while getting them to visit it regularly.

However, by taking the required steps (like the ones mentioned above) to make your bird feeding station more appealing in the eyes of birds, you’ll be refilling the feeder frequently in no time.

Just don’t forget to double-check the size of the feeding ports to make sure they don’t find it difficult to reach the seeds. Also, keep replacing the old and uneaten seeds from the feeder at least twice a month to improve your chances of bird visits.

On that note, I’ve reached the end of this informative guide. Here’s hoping you were able to gain all the required insight related to the topic.

With this, I’ll take your leave. Till next time, keep those birds coming!