Getting started:
Location, Location, Location:
Choose a location will be very important. It needs to be in area where the birds will be able to find the feeder and shrubs are near for shelter and protection from other predators. I personally find pole systems to be ideal. Our APS Hanging Pole system where it can accommodate several feeders with a baffle deterring squirrels from ever getting to your feeders
Choosing the right bird feeder for you:
The ideal bird feeder is sturdy enough to withstand winter weather and squirrels, tight enough to keep seeds dry, easy to assemble and, most important of all, easy to keep clean.
To attract the greatest variety of birds to your yard, provide several different feeder types offering a variety of foods. You’ll find that some species are more likely to use one kind of feeder over another. Here’s a rundown of the main types:
Tray or Platform Feeders :Trays attract the widest variety of seed-eating feeder birds. Be sure to pick one that can accommodate a weather guard and has proper drainage. Offer only enough seed in tray feeders for birds to finish every day or two, and shake out the bottom every time you add new seeds.
Hopper Feeders: This kind of feeder protects seeds fairly well against the weather and bird droppings. Hopper feeders are attractive to most feeder birds, including finches, jays, cardinals, buntings, grosbeaks, sparrows, chickadees, and titmice. Many hoppers can hold enough seed to last for several days, which can make them very convenient. Hopper feeders can be mounted on a pole or suspended. A baffle on a pole mounted hopper feeder is most ideal way to use this kind of feeder
Window Feeders: Small plastic feeders affixed to window glass with suction cups, and platform feeders hooked into window frames, attract finches, chickadees, titmice, and some sparrows. They afford us wonderful, close-up views of birds, be sure to use window decals to avoid window collisions from birds coming in for a bite.
Tube Feeders Hollow tubes keep seed fairly clean and dry. Depending on the size of the perches under the feeding ports, you may attract small birds such as sparrows, grosbeaks, chickadees, titmice, and finches while excluding larger species such as grackles and jays. Depending on the size of the feeding ports, you can offer tiny nyjer seeds or larger seeds.
Nyjer Feeders: Nyjer (also called thistle) feeders are especially popular with American Goldfinches, Pine Siskins, and Common Redpolls. They come in two forms—tube feeders with very small feeding ports, and “thistle “socks”—fine-mesh bags to which birds cling to extract the seeds. The seed within thistle socks can become quite wet with rain, so only use large ones during periods when you have enough finches to consume the contents in a few days. Many people look below their nyjer feeders to see what looks like wasted seed beneath. As tiny as nyjer seeds are, the black part on the outside is merely the shell—finches slit through this to extract the even tinier seed within. Squirrels aren’t particularly attracted to nyjer seed, so normally don’t damage nyjer feeders.
Suet Feeders: Suet feeders attract a variety of woodpeckers, nuthatches, chickadees, titmice, jays, and starlings. Suet cages that open only at the bottom force birds to hang upside down while feeding. This design usually excludes starlings, which have trouble perching that way. They can be nailed or tied to a tree trunk, suspended, or affixed to the side of a hopper feeder.
Bird Food
The Best Seed Blends in Town
The average backyard may be visited regularly by 15 to 20 different bird species. However, a bird-friendly yard can attract up to 60 or more different species. Wild Birds Unlimited is dedicated to offering fresh, top-quality seed. Our no-waste bird seed blends are made from 100% edible seed. No cereal fillers—just fresh, high-quality seed your birds will love.
WBU Seed Blends
Give Your Birds a Boost With Suet
Birds, such as woodpeckers, chickadees and nuthatches, will readily come to suet for its high-fat, high-energy content. We offer a variety of suet flavors to help you attract a wider variety of birds. All Wild Birds Unlimited suet is rendered, meaning impurities that can cause spoilage are removed.
WBU Suet
Finicky Finches Need Nyjer® (thistle)
Nyjer attracts finches of all kinds. Its high-oil content is an excellent energy source for active birds and is best used in our specially-designed finch feeders. It is important to keep the food fresh for our picky little eaters. Once seed starts to dry out and become stale, finches will turn up their beaks for fresher forage. Store your Nyjer in an airtight container for a longer shelf life and buy in quantities that will be used up in a few weeks.