Bird Feeding Tricks and Tips


Downy Woodpecker - Tail Prop Suet Feeder

Offering Suet

  • Store suet cakes in the freezer before using them. This makes them easier to slip into feeders.
  • When using a WBU Tail Prop Suet Feeder, leave the suet cake in the molded plastic to force birds to feed on the side facing your viewing window.
  • Are starlings hogging your suet? Our EcoTough® Upside-Down Suet Feeder allows birds to feed from below, a comfortable practice for clinging birds, such as woodpeckers, nuthatches, chickadees, but difficult for starlings.

EcoTough Ground Feeder

Attracting Ground-feeding Birds

  • Ground-feeding birds, such as juncos, Song Sparrows and White-crowned Sparrows, are typically more abundant during winter.
  • Offer a blend with millet and sunflower seeds (their preferred seeds) in a covered ground feeder.
  • Place the feeder near shrubs or another kind of "windbreak" to provide your ground-feeding birds a safe place to hide, digest their food and escape from windy/snowy conditions.

EcoClean Finch Feeder

Attracting Finches

  • Use a WBU EcoClean® or Quick-Clean® Finch Feeder, and refill from the removable bottom. This helps prevent clumping and promotes “first seed in/first seed out” rotation since finches tend to eat from the top down.
  • Shake your finch feeders periodically to make sure the seed inside is dry.
  • Place your finch feeder away from feeders where larger birds are feeding. This allows the smaller finches to access the feeder without feeling intimidated by larger birds.
  • It may take goldfinches a while to get used to a new feeder, even if you have previously fed the birds. Tie some yellow ribbon to your feeder to make it more visually attractive to goldfinches.
  • If you notice finches waiting to eat, offer a perch that allows you to see them better as they wait.

 

Attracting Birds To A New Feeder

What's the best way to attract birds to a new feeder? There isn't a perfect answer for this question, but it's one we get a lot! There are times when you put up a new bird feeder and birds come to it within minutes. And, other times it can take months for the birds to come. You may notice the birds fly by a feeder and stop in mid-air as if to say "whoa, new feeder alert, turn back!"

Give the birds time to find the feeder and get used to its presence in your yard. Make sure the birds can see the feeder, as they find their food by sight. Try putting some seed on the ground or near the feeder. Above all, be patient!