How to Buy a Bird Feeder

The cardinals, finches and other wild birds that flock around your home are searching for food. Wooded areas and grassy spots on your property offer a limited amount of food for these colorful birds in the spring and summer. You can draw a diverse population of feathered friends toward your home when you buy a bird feeder for your yard.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Hammer
• Nails
• Bird snacks

1. Select a place to put your bird feeder before you make a purchase. You need to set a feeder in a sizable area, away from a loud noise and visual distractions, to draw birds in.
2. Count the number of birds you need to feed before you buy a new feeder. You should keep tabs on the number of wild birds outside your home in order to select a feeder of the appropriate size. An estimate of the number of indoor birds you will adopt in the next few years will also help you select the right feeding device.
3. Assess the type of feeding area your birds enjoy before you buy a new feeder. Birds who are used to a simple trough for seeds may not enjoy a sophisticated feeding device.
4. Acquire a combination of indoor and outdoor feeders to get the best value. Many pet stores offer matching feeders for bird lovers who want to take care of both wild and domesticated birds.
5. Draw in birds to an unfamiliar feeder with an extra helping of snacks. Birds accustomed to your old feeder will be reticent to land on a new object for food. You can decrease snacks gradually as birds flock to your new purchase.
6. Test out automatic feeders designed for indoor birds if you are away from your pets frequently. High-end feeders allow the owner to set the time and frequency of food dispersal to prevent excessive eating by indoor birds.
7. Locate a bird feeder that offers easy access to water for thirsty birds. Feeders with a moat of water along the outside provide sufficient water for cardinals, orioles and other common species of wild birds.
8. Affix your bird feeder to a sturdy wall or tree to provide a safe place for birds to eat. Most bird feeders are held up by nails and metal chains, allowing them to withstand the elements.

Tips & Warnings

• Purchase a bird feeder that fits the color and design scheme of your home. Your desire to feed wild and domesticated birds on your property can be fulfilled with a trip to a professional wood worker. Keep an eye out for inexpensive options at online and chain pet stores that fit your design scheme.