Bird Feeding Basics
Feeding the birds can be as simple as placing a feeder full of seed in your yard and waiting for them to find it.
Feeders come in a wide variety of materials and styles. There are hopper feeders, tray feeders, suet feeders, tube feeders and specialty feeders designed to provide your backyard birds with food.
There are several ways in which birds eat.
On the ground
At a feeder
Both on the ground and at a feeder
To make things more interesting, there are a variety of feeders, with each designed to attract specific birds. Feeders include platform, tube with or without perching posts, nectar, and suet feeders, to name a few.
Things to remember when getting started
If you have not yet been feeding birds in your backyard, it may take from a day to several months before the birds in your area discover your new feeder. Be patient and consider the following:
It is important that you use a seed type or seed blend based on the birds in your area.
Birds generally find their food by sight. Place your feeder where it will be visible to them.
Sometimes sprinkling some seed on the ground or on top of the feeder will let the birds know that you are open for business.
Remember to keep your feeders clean and change the seed regularly (if they are not eating it all right away).