Where to Place Your Bird Feeder
Birds are a welcome addition to your backyard and outdoor living spaces. While attracting birds is both science and art, there are some general tips that can help you maximize attracting birds. Proper placement of bird feeders and bird baths helps attract birds and keep them returning to your yard.
PROTECTIVE COVER
Birds are animals of prey, and are always on the lookout for predators or threats. In order to feel and be safe, birds need protective cover. Most birds use low to medium size shrubs as protective cover. Some prefer higher tree tops. When choosing a location for your bird feeder or bird bath, ensure that protective cover is a short flight away.
SUNNY, CALM LOCATIONS
Placement of your feeder or bird bath along a south or east side of your home will shelter birds from strong, north winds. Adequate sunlight enables you to better identify bird species that visit your home.
CLEAN UP!
Keeping your bird feeders or bird baths clean is extremely important. Birds transmit diseases very easily. It is possible for birds that never come in contact with each other to spread disease by using a common feeder or bird bath. Follow our tips on the Information Page "Cleaning Your Bird Bath". Feeders need to be cleaned about once or twice a season, depending on how wet the seeds become during storms. Make sure the feeder is completely dry before refilling.
WATCH FOR SQUIRRELS AND CATS
Give the birds plenty of visibility from potential kitty cat crouching sites. This will enable them to escape should a cat be prowling. Squirrels seem to enjoy the challenge of stealing bird feed. As they can jump up to 10 feet through the air, make sure your feeder is more than 10 feet from a potential jump site.
