Discover the "Wild World" of Great Bird Feeders!

When bird feeders are first offered in your yard, it may take the birds a few weeks to discover and recognize them as a source of food.

Here are a few ways to help birds find your new feeder . . .

• Bird feeders must be visable because birds find them by sight.
• Offering sunflower seed (black oil, hulled and sunflower-based mixes) will attract a wider variety of birds.

• Be sure to add a water source . . . it is a magnet for birds.
• If your house is in a neighborhood with few trees and shrubs, provide some cover by planting some or build a loosely stacked brush pile to provide shelter for birds.

Birds have favorite foods. To attract a particular species of bird to your yard, learn about its favorite foods at Wild Bird Seed and about the feeders designed to offer various food farther down this page.

Birds prefer feeders that give them easy access to food. Choose a feeder that has high bird appeal and keep the feeding ports free of debris.

To attract a variety of birds put up different types of feeders in different places, and at different heights.

There is always competition for food among birds. To reduce conflict adding more feeders may help.

When it comes to providing water a fountain is a great choice. The sound of bubbling water is very attactive to birds . . . and humans, too. But if a fountain is a bit much for you visit Bird Baths for additional ways to add movement to your source of water.

Feed year round. Contrary to popular belief wild birds will not become dependent on your feeders. They feed in multiple locations. And it won't do any harm to leave on vacation for a few weeks. If a feeder is empty while you are away they won't starve.

Be sure to protect birds from predators. If you have a ground feeder place it away from shrubs where a neighbor's cat (or some other predator) may be hiding. Place above-ground feeders near bushes where birds can flee when a flying predator is in the area.

Have a squirrel problem? If you have squirrels in your yard place a baffle above or below your feeder. Of course if you're like us . . . and enjoy squirrels, too . . . protect your feeders but also feed the squirrels so they won't be so eager to steal from the birds.

Okay, so you're a push-over like us! Then check out fun ways to keep the squirrels occupied at Bird and Squirrel Feeders. When the page opens select Seeds and Suet at the bottom of the left menu.