Why won't birds use my bird feeder?

Question

My 2 bird feeder are positiones about 5ft high hanging off a tree in the middle of the garden, one is full of peanuts, the other a mixture of seeds. There are plenty of birds in the garden yet none seem particularly interested. Is it because the feeder is too exposed? I am confused.

Answer 1

It may be the fact that the feeders are hanging in such a way that they will rock and sway when a bird lands. The lines that are holding the feeders may be in the path of their flight when they try to get in and out of the feeder. I'm just trying to picture the type of feeder you have, so I could be wrong on that one.

I would set the feeder on the ground and put a few bits on the ground around it to get them to come closer to it without having to actually touch the feeder. Then after they get used to it they will take from it. Don't pack it too tight so that it is hard for the feed to fall out.

After the ground feeding is going well for a day or so, then move it to the tree as close as you can to the original ground spot.

Answer 2

Birds will typically go to a feeder even when they are positioned the way you have them, although if your tree is alone out in the open and more than 8 feet from any other cover (bushes, other trees, etc.) most birds will be hesitent to take the risk of being out in the open.
Besides that, some observations on your part might help to determine what adjustments you will need to make.

Usually a threat to the birds, such as a predator, will ALWAYS keep birds away. Do you have a cat, or is there a neighborhood cat (stray or otherwise) who may be stalking in your garden?

The next thing you will want to do is check your feeders to make sure they are clean and free of mold. Feeders need to be cleaned and sterilized on a regular basis. Moldy food and dirty, contaminated feeders can make birds very sick and even kill them.

Next, you may want to put the feeders on opposite sides of the tree you are hanging them from and at different heights from each other. If possible hang them at or higher than 6 feet off the ground (although I have seen, under certain conditions, birds feeding from a feeder that was about 4 feet off the ground). Or better still, place one feeder in a different location away from the other one in the tree you mentioned.

The type of birds you want to attract will determine what type of food you will put out. Very few birds will eat a low-quality mix.
Peanuts are eaten by very few birds. Blue jays are about the only regular feeders of peanuts. But so are squirrels.

You will want to substitute the peanuts with black oil sunflower seeds (NOT the striped kind). This excellent feed attracts the largest variety of birds. Unfortunately it also attracts squirrels, so you will need to make some adjustments to the location and height of the feeder if squirrels are a problem.

Another good seed to use is safflower.

As for the other feeder with the mixture of seeds, if the seeds are old, moldy or of a poor quality mix then birds will most likely avoid it. Mixtures containing more black sunflower, safflower, cracked corn and millet, and less milo, will attract a wide variety to that feeder as well. In most mixed seed products the cheapest but least favored seeds are used, and that is generally milo.

One other food you may want to try is suet (sold in cake form and used in a cage-like holder). This is best used from late fall to early spring, when the weather is cool or cold. But it does attract birds very well, especially woodpeckers.

And finally, providing fresh water in the area will attract the birds to your garden and feeders. A bird bath works well for this. That, too, will need to be cleaned on a regular basis in order to prevent any unhealthy conditions for the birds.

Click the link below for more information.

Best of luck to you!

Answer 3

Try filling the feeders with black oil sunflower seeds. Most commercial seed mixes are not appealing to a lot of birds. If you live in a cold climate, a suet block is a good thing, too. Peanuts are mostly for big noisy birds like blue jays and crows, and almost all birds like sunflower seeds.

Answer 4

You don't mention what kind of birds they are. Are you sure the food you're putting out there is a diet that they like? I'm also wondering if they may be frightened by some animal that you aren't aware is there. I don't think it is too exposed. I used to just spread the seed on the ground and they would all come onto the patio to eat. Maybe they haven't discovered what it is yet?

Answer 5

You can try a few things.

Move the feeder to a new location.
Try a different bird food.
Try a different type of bird feeder that is more suited for the type of birds in your area.


excellent resource:
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/pfw/AboutBirdsandFeeding/abtbirds_index.html

Answer 6

1st check to see if there are any shinny things near them. Birds tend not to go near them. Second, it depends on the amout of foot tracfic in the area (people, dogs, cats..). Have you spread some ot the feed on the ground around the area? It might also be that you are buying feed for the wrong types of birds you have hanging around, go to a pet store, or call them, they are bond to have a lot more answers for you.

Answer 7

Be patient. May take a few weeks for them to zero in on the feeders. Birds aren't particularly bright. They don't call them birdbrains for nothing. Once they tune in, they'll pass the word.

Answer 8

no, whilst they discover the nutrition, they are going to keep coming decrease back and particular appeal to distinct birds again back too. nutrition is scarce indoors the wintry climate and that they gained't care what shade the feeder is.

Answer 9

my only guess would be ,there too low, or the birds are familiar with too many cats in your area ???????

Answer 10

What? Do you live in the Ghetto?