If your bird feeder isn’t a bird magnet, these snafus could be why.
Put out a moderate amount of seed and replenish it every few days, as needed.
If you want to attract a variety of birds, use different feeders.
Photo:Ingunn B. Haslekaas/Getty Images
“Doves and sparrows are happy to scratch around on the ground to find seeds.
When choosing a placement, a tree branch with nothing around it is a good option.
Then birds can wait to feed in the sanctuary of the tree without threats from predators.
It also helps prevent the spread of common diseases among birds.
Just as you don’t want to eat from dirty dishes, birds appreciate having clean plates!
Black oil sunflower seeds are the ones that most birds especially love.
Rogers adds that you should never give birds salted nuts of any kind, and no bread either.
(Avoid suet or lard in the summer though, when it’ll go rancid quickly.)
Never give birds bread or salted nuts of any kind.
Bread is not nutritious for birds and salt can be dangerous for them.
Not Putting Out Enough Water
Birds need water year-round, not just in the summer months.
In snowy conditions, they will often be especially thirsty.
Its not just about the summer.
Fluctuating temperatures and moisture can encourage food to go bad, clump together, or just go stale.”
According to Cunningham, the food may look fine but the birds know better.
“That is when it can become stale, or worse, it gets buggy.
Never mix old seed with new seed and store bird seed in airtight, rodent- and insect-proof containers.
“Once the birds find it, they will start coming on a regular basis,” Cunningham says.
So patience is key here!
