Window bird feeders are just one of the many feeders’ designs and shapes available in the commercial market nowadays. The distinct characteristic that sets it apart are its suction cups which are used to make it stick on glass window panes. There are other colors that one can choose from but it is favorable to use the clear ones as this will allow the window bird feeder owner to see the birds much visibly.

Window bird feeders are very much ideal other than traditional backyard bird feeders especially for those who do not have large backyards or gardens. Most houses however, do have windows where one can easily attach those window bird feeders. It will be much better to use kitchen or dining windows since birds usually go to feeders during evenings and mornings.

If a window bird feeder is attached to kitchen or dining windows, families can easily watch birds during regular family meals. One can also see immediately if the feeders needed to be cleaned or refilled. Speaking of refills, it will be much easier to replenish these up at these locations when compared with regular backyard bird feeders usually perched on top of bird feeder poles or tree branches.

Stylish window bird feeders are very attractive to look at

Another advantage of window bird feeders is its easy installation procedures. One may easily move the feeder’s location from one place to another in case that the previous location does not allow the birds to feed in peace or in case that there are potential hazards. The suction cups can be simply pulled off and stick again to another smooth surface.

However, there are also disadvantages with regards to window bird feeders. First, the majority of the design of such feeders limits the size of birds that can come and eat in it. Large birds normally cannot sit on window feeders.

Second, the open structure of these feeders encourages other animals such as squirrels and chipmunks. These animals have a penchant to regular bird seeds and may damage plastic feeders. However, there are also various ways to deflect squirrels from reaching and feeding up on bird feeders.

Third, windows sometimes reflect the appearance of birds. If the birds are aggressive enough, they may charge and attack at the image of themselves and thus may hit the hard glass windows. If they came too strong, they may undoubtedly hurt themselves or even break their necks.

As such, window feeder owners need to be aware of these things that could happen. To minimize bird casualties, one may use curtains and window stickers to minimize reflection without making the rooms look dimmer. Screens may also be used to stand as some form of visual warning device.

The location of window feeders is also considered to be a double-edged sword. Though it is much easier to refill them up, they can also be effortlessly reached by children in the area. Moreover, without proper parental or adult supervision, small children may even pick up fallen seeds on the ground and choke on them.

The disadvantages of window bird feeders are issues that can be addressed and reverted. On the other hand, the pros of having feeders can be maximized to its full potential. At the end, it is up to the bird feeder enthusiast to choose window feeders among other types.

Pros and Cons of Window Bird Feeders is a post from: Bird Feeders Resource

Clear window bird feeder can enhance your bird watching experience

Bird feeding hobby is one the most common pursuit by people, next to gardening. It is not unusual to find window bird feeder in houses, not only in rural areas but also city dwellings. If you are interested to start one, read on to know the steps and some few tips.
Per historic records, the first person who was found to pursue bird feeding was a monk during the sixth century. During the same period, a German started to build pseudo-backyard bird feeders made out of boxes. The idea was to keep the birds coming to the place in order to reduce the insect populace.

There are only three basic steps that every window bird feeder starters should know. The first step involves assessment of two things – your choice of feeder design and the probable location where you will put your feeders. There are many types of feeder available in the market today and some have special handling or requirements.

There are also window bird feeders that attract only specific bird varieties while there are other designs that emphasizes on the aesthetic value. Some feeders may come cheap whereas some can be very expensive, but this is dependent on quality and the manufacturer’s track record. As such, look for backyard bird feeders that will meet your wants without emptying your pockets.

After choosing your window bird feeder, you need to determine the most convenient location to place your feeders. There are at least three things that should affect your decision. These are one, make sure that you will have a good vantage point to see birds; two, feeders should be high enough to prevent predators such as cats and squirrels to reach the feeds; and three, the feeders should capture enough sunlight to attract birds.

The next step when dealing with window bird feeders is the type of seeds to use. This is actually an easy part since birds not very picky, unless you have specific bird varieties in mind. You can use typical bird seed mixes, nuts and other fruits such as berries and apples.

You can purchase premium bird seed mixes from pet stores or you can buy one type at a time. In case that there are squirrels in your area, buy seed mixes with pepper and other spices to prevent them from coming back. You can also use suet as alternative to bird food.

The last step that involves when we are talking about window bird feeder is regular protection and maintenance. Any veterinarian or fowl specialists will tell you that you need to keep cleanliness not only in the surrounding area but in the feeding station as well. This will minimize health-related concerns and prevent disease-causing germs from spreading.

There are many advantages when it comes to bird feeding. First, it allows you to experience the delights of seeing birds feed during mornings and evenings while staying within the comfort of your own dwelling. Two, your eyes will not only feast on these lovely creatures but also you will find joy in hearing them sing and chirp during their stay.

These three basic steps should be enough to propel you from a novice window bird feeder owner to a more knowledgeable one. For more tips, you can use the internet as this provides a valuable wealth of bird feeding information. You can also ask your local veterinarian so that you can maximize the benefits from your bird feeding hobby.

Three Basic Steps to Get You Started with a Window Bird Feeder is a post from: Bird Feeders Resource

Having a hard time to choose which wild bird seed or bird food should you buy for your feeders? Sweat no more as we bring you basic guidelines that you can use whenever you are shopping around for bird seeds and other bird foods. We shall be discussing the common bird foods such as seeds, their characteristics and what kind of bird eats them for a living.

Currently, most wild bird feeder owners look for black oil sunflower seeds as this is thought to be the most attractive type of seeds for most birds. The reason is that these thin-shelled seeds are very rich in oil which in turn provides energy for travelling birds. However, black oil sunflower seeds is not that much useful if you have a large bird feeder.

Sunflower seeds are only ideal for cardinals, finches and other small birds. Another variety is called hulled sunflower seeds which are pretty much the same with black oil sunflower seeds with the exception of removed shells. Hulled wild bird seed are a bit expensive than those with intact shells.

Wild bird seed mixes are usually bought to save trouble from having to decide which bird seed to use

Nyjer or thistle seeds are favorites among goldfinches and doves. These seeds look like small rice grains and are usually imported from Africa and other Asian countries. However, the size of thistle seeds requires special feeders aptly called thistle bird feeders.

You can also use cracked corns for your wild bird feeder. It usually attracts jays, quails pheasants and bluebirds. You can buy it in kernels or you can shave off ordinary uncooked corn for bird feeding purposes.

Sometimes, people do not want to have a hard time with wild bird seed and opts to go with premium mixes. Essentially, these are just combination of different kinds of bird seeds and nuts. The disadvantage is that some seeds may be left uneaten after awhile.

In case that you already have your quota of wild bird seed, it is time to look for other regular bird foods. If you have a large bird feeder, you can place orange or apple slices to attract orioles while you can use mealworms to catch the attention of robins and thrushes. Sparrows and pigeons love millet and peanut kernels.

Suet is another common bird food. The primary ingredient of suet is animal fat which may either come from beef or mutton. Chickadees, woodpeckers, roadrunners and wrens love suet on top of other common bird seeds.

In case that you would like to see colorful humming birds, you need to have a particular type of feeder. Humming birds feed on nectar, fruits and other sugar water mixtures. Their long and thin beak does not allow them to pick seeds like other fowls.

Hopefully, this short discussion on wild bird seed and other common bird food will help you to decide which is best for your feeder. Remember what kind of birds are in your area and you will know what to choose next time. Now, you will have a more relaxed bird feeds shopping experience.

Identify the Wild Bird Seed and Other Bird Foods That You May for Your Feeders is a post from: Bird Feeders Resource

Woodpecker feeders are especially made for woodpeckers but this does not necessarily mean that other birds will not find comfort in it. In any case, if you are interested to have one, you need to know some of the basic things that involve bird feeding and feeders. Thus, you can easily setup your birds feeder in no time at all.

Woodpecker feeders setup maybe bought at your local pet supplies store

You can opt to buy woodpecker feeders at the local pet supplies store or build your own. If you intend to create one, some of the basic materials that you need are pieces of wood, pointed saw to make holes and some nails. You can make this a simple carpentry project to kill time.

In case that you do not want to deal with the hard labor of sawing and cutting up wood, you may use mesh wires instead. All you need is to loop it around to create a space to fill in the woodpecker’s food. Just do not forget to cut round holes on the two sides so that the woodpecker can get in and eat up.

To setup a bird house feeder, particularly woodpecker feeders, you need to take some time in order to find out which tree branch will give a full view for the feeder. You may choose a big branch so that it can give a wide space for the woodpeckers. However, consider also that the location should be obscure enough so as not to attract other birds unless you would want them to come in droves.

Some of the essentials that you will need for to setup your woodpecker feeders are power drill, twines (shoelaces will also do the trick), and your bird house feeder. Use the power drill to bore a hole into the chosen tree branch. Make sure the hole is completely open on the other side to let the twines pass and circle through it.

Once you have inserted the twines or the shoelaces, hoist up your birds feeder to a manageable height. This way, you can easily fill it in with peanuts, raisins, cracked corns and sunflower seeds. If the location of the woodpecker feeders is too high, it may be necessary to use a ladder every time you would need to clean and refill it.

Make sure that the twines of the woodpecker feeders are secure and tight enough. It will not hurt to tie it in two separate places for stability and support. Tug lightly at the birds feeder so that you will know if the entire assembly is structurally ok.

Now, you have finally completed your woodpecker feeders setup. It is recommended that you must stand back and see the whole effect of the feeder at the tree branch. If you think that you might need to do adjustments, you may certainly do so.

You will find that in no time at all, woodpeckers will come by your feeders. If woodpeckers begin to feed in your offered nuts and seeds, try not to get near them as your movement and presence might scare them away. The best that you can do is to shoot away pictures using the zoom function of your camera for souvenirs and mementos.

Woodpecker feeders are easy to manage. In case that the feeder needs some cleaning, you can use a small brush to sweep away the dirt. Remember, a clean feeder is an assurance that the woodpeckers will keep on coming back for more of your treats.

Know the Easy Way to Have and Setup Woodpecker Feeders is a post from: Bird Feeders Resource

There are only two key points that you should remember when it comes to wild bird feeders. These are bird food and maintenance. However, each needs to be discussed a bit further to gain sufficient understanding about a wild bird feeder.

First, we shall talk about wild bird seed mixture and other bird foods. You should realize that special feeders call for special type of bird food while there are typical feeders that require only common bird seed. Keep in mind that feeder design and styles come second only as functionality is much more an important parameter for a wild bird feeder.

As such, know what you need to put into your wild bird feeders. For starters, you can mix up different kinds of bird seeds and nuts but as you go along, you will notice which seeds or bird foods are eaten up and which are left behind. This way, you will know what to buy next time.

Stylish yet very functional wild bird feeders

Speaking about wild bird seed, it is important to constantly refill your feeders. Birds have good memory in terms of geographical location about their source of food. If they find that their usual feeding station is empty, they will begin to look for another supply.

However, do not overfill your wild bird feeders. Use only what the birds can consume for about two to three days. This way, you can save up on their food and make it last longer for their own benefit.

Now we turn to maintenance and handling of feeders. Bird feeders owners does not only have the responsibility of keeping the feeders full but also needs to regularly take it down for routine inspection from damage. Wooden and metal wood feeders are subject to wear and tear and it is only through scheduled maintenance that you can prevent the wear from progressing.

In addition, wild bird feeders need to be cleaned and disinfected. Gently blow away empty hulls and then take out all uneaten bird seeds temporarily. Clean the feeders under running water using bleach since soap may leave scent and residues which may have effects on bird food.

These are the two basic pointers that you should remember about feeders. Neglecting one may lead to either deterioration of the feeders or the birds that eat in your feeders may become sick. Neither is desirable, so do not skip any of these.

Unfortunately, many bird feeders owner thought that their job is done once they have successfully installed their feeders. In the end, they becomes frustrated because either they do not see a bird in sight or that they will find that their feeders so damaged that they have no choice but to pitch it in a garbage bag. This is not only a significant waste of money but also time and effort.

It does not take rocket science to figure out wild bird feeders. You also do not need to undergo trainings or seminars on how to properly manage feeders. Just keep these two important things and you are on your way to successful bird feeding experiences.

Key Pointers That You Should Not Forget about Wild Bird Feeders is a post from: Bird Feeders Resource

Wild bird feeder are used by general household to attract local and nomadic birds thru various food offerings with the hope of seeing this birds closer than in ordinary circumstances. The favor is returned since birds are particularly ecstatic with wild bird seed mixes in bird feeders. Many would see this as win-win situation.

Keeping wild bird feeder both have positive and negative points

However, there were insinuations made that wild bird feeders are not helpful to the society. Notwithstanding facts that some wild bird feeders do promote a good source of bird food. As such, let us discuss some of the plus and negative points of wild bird feeders in the ecological society.

It was said that feeding stations such as the locations of wild bird feeder are high-risk places when talking about health concerns. Migratory birds may catch and eventually spread diseases to their point of stay which are mainly feeding stations. Bird’s droppings, sick or dying birds are the common natural bacteria sources.

There is some fact to these claims as there are occasions when an epidemic has risen to areas due to fowls and birds. This may be aggravated by the presence of wild bird feeders. Birds normally go to their trusted sources of wild bird seed whenever they are in the area.

However, there is a big chance that the possibilities of such things to happen can be controlled. The key is to maintain cleanliness in wild bird feeder or in any feeding stations. Since owl droppings are probable sources of diseases, it is important to remove these away on routine basis.

Another allegation on keeping feeders is that it disrupts the normal migration patterns of birds. Feeders are said to cultivate heavy reliance from birds. However, there are no proofs on such claims and it was not supported that feeders affect the bird’s regular migration nature.

However, one negative point about feeders is that the bird’s mortality rate is higher in these areas. The main reason is that there are ferocious birds that have a keen sense of territoriality and may attack other birds on the feeder. Another reason is that some flying birds may hit windows and other glass fixtures because of the feeder’s reflection.

However, there are good points in keeping wild bird feeder. One, feeders provide an alternate source of bird food in case that natural resources such as insects, fruits and nuts are low. Two, feeders are another venue for birds to lay their eggs during nesting seasons.

Three, some bird feeders offer not only food but also has provisions for bird bath. Four, bird feeders come cheap if commercially bought but this depends on style and design. Lastly, feeders level the competition for food since large birds can easily fend off for themselves while small birds may have a harder time to forage for food.

In summary, wild bird feeder outweighs the potential concerns thru proper maintenance. The benefits and advantages from such feeders pile one on top of the other. As such, feeders contribute more to the ecosystem and environment rather than bringing harm.

Issues and Impacts of Wild Bird Feeders in the Ecosystem is a post from: Bird Feeders Resource

There are only two basic materials that you need to have in order to create your very own upside down suet feeder. These are pieces of plywood and a wire mesh. See Figure 1 to have an idea on how a finished upside down suet feeder should look like.

But before we get down to business, let us discuss first some information about typical suet bird feeders. Suet feeders are special type of feeders because its design enables it to hold only a certain type of bird food and it only allows a limited bird variety to come and eat on it. Another special feeder design that might interest you is humming bird or oriole feeders which hold nectars instead of suet or bird seeds.

This is how your upside down suet feeder should look like

Suet is a type of bird food that is made out of beef or mutton fats. The properties of suet mimics that of real insects which are considered as bird’s favorites. You can purchase blocks of suet, store it in the freezer and take a piece to place in your feeders every now and then.

Suet bird feeders provide an alternate source of important nutrients for birds such as cardinals and woodpeckers when normal food supply is low. Suet feeders are typically used all throughout the year, but are most useful during winter season. Suet, being animal fat, can easily melt under very warm temperatures and will not be as tasty as it should be for the birds.

Suet is very much favored by a lot of birds, even the wild and large ones. At first, it might be a good idea to have any birds on your feeder but you will find that large birds may tend to take up the whole feeder area. This in turn will discourage small birds such as chickadees and jays to feed.

As such, your best solution is to build an upside down suet feeder. This design will only allow birds that are capable to hang themselves upturned to feed. Thus, you can discourage starlings and even squirrels from eating up the suet.

To build your own upside down suet feeder, you need to cut pieces of plywood that will serve as the wall and the roof of the entire assembly. Use wood glue to stick together parts and then nail or screw them together. Bore some holes on the roof assembly and pass through nylon strings which you will use to hang your feeder eventually.

Use a small hinge to create a mini-door either on the roof or on the walls so that you can access the feeder inside and place suet cakes as necessary. Use the wire mesh to create base or flooring so that birds can peck onto the suet. You may paint your feeder to make it aesthetically attractive.

It is that simple! You do not have to buy anything new to create something beneficial for the environment. And your simple gesture of keeping the feeders and filling it up with suet is more than what any hungry birds can ask for.

With a properly hanged upside down suet feeder, you can be sure that birds will find their way toward it. To speed things up, you may create a food trail by smearing some suet on tree branches that leads to where your feeder is located. Make sure that you have a good vantage point so that you can enjoy the moments where birds clearly flock toward your suet feeder.

How to Make Your Own Upside Down Suet Feeder is a post from: Bird Feeders Resource

Thistle bird feeders will merit any investment.

The typical tiny, black bird seed that are usually found on thistle bird feeders are nyjer or also known as thistle seeds. Nyjer, pronounced as nay-jer, is favored by goldfinches, redpolls, doves, sparrows and other wild birds because it is a good source of calories. These bird seeds are not locally available and are commonly imported from Asia and Africa to be used by bird owners and bird feeding aficionados all over the world.

Commercial nyjer seeds, much like ordinary wild bird seed, are sterilized thru heat to prevent it from germinating. Birds have the normal tendency to sieve among the bird seed mixtures to get their favorites and their movements may cause the seeds to fly or fall out of the feeder. As such, these seeds will not grow when left in the ground and wild bird feeder owners can simply pick them off and put it back again on the feeder.

Unfortunately, there are two disadvantages when it comes to thistle or nyjer seeds. One, the diminutive sizes of these seeds makes it only applicable to special feeders such as thistle bird feeders. Two, these seeds may come as expensive due to importation and other applicable transportation expenses.

This is the reason why thistle seeds are also called as “black gold” because of its high price compared to other bird seed mixes. One will be able to differentiate thistle seeds because they look like tiny granules of wild rice. Do not be confused with the terminology of “thistle weeds” and “thistle bird seeds” because the two are not the same.

Thistle bird feeders, as illustrated in Figure 1, has very small ports that can hold the tiny nyjer seeds well and allow finches to peck through it. There are also other cheaper versions of thistle bird feeders such as those made out of thistle sacks. However, thistle sacks are very much susceptible to damage than regular plastic- or metal-made thistle feeders.

Thistle or nyjer seeds also require particular handling techniques. This type of bird seeds must not get wet or it will spoil rotten quickly. Again, it will be a waste of money if this should this happen.

One may ask, if this is what it will cost then why bother to have this special kind of seeds when one can just use any ordinary wild bird seed? Well, let us use the analogy of a child to a parent. Will not the parent, here being the owner of the wild bird feeder, do everything within his or her capabilities to provide quality food to its child or in this case, the birds?

This is what thistle bird feeders owners try to emulate. If it is needed to shell out a bit for the sake of birds then so it will be. Finches and other wild birds need to have its supply of quality and nutritious bird seeds.

In addition, the prospect to see these colorful birds is an astonishing sight to behold. No amount can replace such opportunities to see different kinds of birds up close. If giving them the satisfaction from superior class of bird seeds will make them come on a regular basis to feeders then so be it.

Owning thistle bird feeders are worth the investment. It is very fun to watch wild birds flock toward the feeders. As such, skip any reservations that one may feel towards bird feeding and go ahead to have thistle feeders now.

Know about Nyjer Seeds in Thistle Bird Feeders is a post from: Bird Feeders Resource

Suet feeders needed to be handled with special care

If you are fond of keeping birds happy, then you should go and buy a nice wild bird feeder. You will find that there are a lot of feeders out there to choose from such as platform feeders, tube feeders and special-type feeders. One such common special type is the suet feeders.

Unlike traditional wild bird feeders, suet bird feeders normally do not hold ordinary bird seeds and nuts. Typical suet feeders are made of wire mesh with big spaces in between the wires to allow small birds to feed. Likewise, suet feeders cannot hold liquid nectars or small pieces of fruit to offer for humming bird and orioles.

As the name implies, this type of feeder can only hold suet. This type bird food is one of the most favored by insect-eating birds such as woodpeckers and jays. It provides calories which are needed by perennial migratory birds.

However, suet has its limits. It was determined that suet, which comes from cooked animal fat, does not stay long under warm weather much like any ordinary food for humans. This is the reason why suet bird feeders are commonly thought to be ideal only during cold or winter episodes.

Normally, suet can last about two months if the temperature is around zero or negative degrees. Homemade suet may last a bit shorter than commercially available ones but is much cheaper to produce. When the normal surrounding temperatures reaches around 21 degrees, fats in suet will begin to melt.

As such, suet feeders require special handling in contrast with other feeders. Since suet easily spoils under warm temperatures, it is necessary to disinfect suet feeders at regular intervals in order to prevent contamination from bacteria. Normal washing may not remove the minute particles from spoiled suet and other dirt that it collected under the weather.

Another special handling needed for this type of feeder is its maintenance. Wire mesh, like any other metal is susceptible to corrosion. Corrosion, a by-product of oxygen and water can eat away the metal and this will result to a damaged feeder.

As such, you need to ensure that the feeder is well protected from corrosion by keeping it dry and fresh. After cleaning, make certain that you completely rub excess water off prior to refilling the feeders with suet. You can also minimize the possibility of corrosion by applying some lacquer paint on the wires.

In case that your feeder has wooden assemblies, take note that wood is also subject to deterioration under extreme weather temperatures. As such, you can significantly lengthen the life of your feeder by applying a fresh coat of paint at least once every year. Remember not to paint the interior side as the smell of paint may affect the suet.

Suet feeders are ideal to have since it provides benefits not only for wandering birds but also for bird feeding hobbyist such as you. It is a very nice opportunity to watch several birds feeding off and seeing them up close. Feeders may require a bit of your time to maintain but it is sure a lot worth it.

Know More about Special Handling Requirements by Suet Feeders is a post from: Bird Feeders Resource

Suet bird feeders are ideal to have in any yard or garden because this type of feeder is capable to provide the required nourishment for the birds all throughout the year. Suet, which is basically a small piece of animal fat, is very rich in protein and other minerals. Young birds, in particular, will benefit the most from suet bird feeders.

Small birds having the time of their life on suet bird feeders

Typical suet bird feeders are made out of intertwined wires which can hold suet and suet cakes. A suet cake is a bird seed coated with processed or cooked animal fat. Suet cakes also last longer in the feeder and does not easily spoil under the warm weather.

Some of the typical birds attracted at suet bird feeders include woodpeckers, juncos, goldfinches and chickadees. Other small birds that you may find are cardinals, nuthatches and jays. If there is a lot more bird’s variety on an area, then one can expect more and frequent visits from any of these feathered guests.

Suet in feeders are important, not only during summer but most especially during the cold or winter season. During this time, the number of insects substantially goes down and it is important to know that insects are one of the staple food sources for birds. In addition, blankets of ice can cover any other potential areas where bird food is normally located.

Meanwhile, suet is perfect during very cold weather better than summer as this bird food is known to melt when surrounding temperatures reach about 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Beef or mutton fat, which is suet’s basic component, contains a fair amount of calories and this in turn provides a valuable source of food fuel for the birds. Other usual bird seeds such as sunflower seeds, safflower seeds and nuts may be added for variety.

One can purchase suet in block sizes at any commercial pet store center. Some store may offer special mixes which may contain peppers, and are usually used to discourage squirrels and chipmunks from eating suet. One can also try to create suet from suggested recipe mixes to save up on cost.

One can either have feeders that are window bird feeders type or those called as hanging bird feeders. Window bird feeders have suction cups that are used to stick the feeder in any glass window. A hanging bird feeder employs either hooks or pieces of strings to hang it up in fences or in tree branches.

In case that one is shopping for a much better-looking suet bird feeders, there are other stylish designs and sizes to choose from. Some feeders may imitate big flowers or common ornamental fixtures such as pagodas. Prices for such may vary accordingly.

A simple technique may be used by first-time suet feeders’ owner to attract birds. Apply a thin coat of suet over tree branches, or in any place near the feeders. This way, the birds will start to notice that there are fantastic delicacies awaiting them.

Like any feeder, suet bird feeders need to be regularly washed and disinfected. This is done to prevent spreading of bacteria from spoiled suet and fowl’s droppings. Thus, anyone can get pleasure from suet bird feeding all year round.

Suet Bird Feeders as Useful Alternative Bird’s Food Source All Year Round is a post from: Bird Feeders Resource