When it comes to birdwatching, you can’t get any closer than having a window feeder! Watch your favorite birds for hours at a time, in any room that you choose. Most of your favorite backyard birds can be drawn to a window feeder with a little effort. By following our expert tips and tricks, you’ll be enjoying visits at your window feeder in no time.
Installing a window bird feeder is a great way to bring nature right up to your window for easy bird watching. When set up properly, window feeders allow you to get up close and personal with birds feeding just on the other side of the glass. However, it may take some time and effort before birds find and start regularly visiting a new window feeder. Here are some tips to get birds coming to your window feeder quickly and reliably.
Choose the Right Location
One of the most important things when putting up any type of bird feeder, including window feeders, is proper placement. You’ll want to hang your feeder in an area that makes sense based on bird behavior and safety:
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Near natural shelters like trees or shrubs. Birds will use these areas to escape predators and rest between feedings. Placing your feeder close by means they don’t have to go far.
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Out of reach of predators. Cats, squirrels and other animals should not be able to jump up and disturb the feeder.
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Not too close to noisy areas. Loud sounds from televisions, radios, machinery etc may scare birds away
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On a window with a good view. An unobstructed view lets you easily see visiting birds. Avoid windows with decorative films or coverings that could block your view.
Take some time to observe bird activity and movement patterns in your yard to determine the optimal window and location. Installing multiple feeders in different spots around your home can also help attract more birds overall.
Offer Preferred Foods
Different species have different dietary preferences. Offering foods that birds in your area seek out will make your feeder more enticing.
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Black oil sunflower seeds attract the widest variety of birds. Most seed-eating species like cardinals, finches, chickadees, nuthatches and more enjoy them.
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Nyjer seed is a top pick for finches. The small size allows them to easily nibble this nutrient-dense food.
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Fruit, jelly, and nectar appeal to orioles and hummingbirds.
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Suet provides energy-boosting fats that insect-eating birds like woodpeckers relish.
Don’t forget about water! Installing a birdbath or other water source nearby gives birds more reason to visit your yard.
Start With Other Feeders Removed
If you already have feeders set up elsewhere, take them down temporarily when first installing your window feeder. This forces birds to investigate the new feeding station for their daily meals. Once your window feeder has a steady stream of traffic, you can put the other feeders back up.
Allow Time
Be patient. It takes time for birds to discover new food sources. It may take days or weeks before you see your first visitor. But the more often you keep the feeder stocked with fresh food, the sooner birds will find it. Avoid letting it sit empty, as birds are likely to give up on unreliable food sources.
Keep It Clean
Birds prefer feeding from clean surfaces. Give your window feeder a good scrub and dry before initially hanging it. Then be sure to clean it regularly with hot water and a weak bleach solution. Discard old food and nectar, scrub away buildup, and rinse thoroughly. Also replace nectar every few days in warm weather when it sours faster.
Use Strategic Placement of Other Items
You can spur initial interest in your window feeder by carefully placing other items nearby:
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Try hanging ribbons or shiny pie pans from trees and branches around the feeder. Movement catches birds’ attention.
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Set up decoys, like plastic owls or rubber snakes. Birds will come investigate if they perceive a threat.
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A birdbath or water feature gives birds another reason to check out your yard.
Once birds find that these items are harmless, they may be comfortable returning to eat.
Add Shelter and Perches
Birds like having places to perch and take shelter from the elements and potential dangers. Providing cover via trees, shrubs, or a purpose-built shelter roof above your feeder is ideal. You can also look for window feeders that incorporate perches right into the design so birds can rest comfortably while eating.
Use Feeders With Large Capacity
Avoid frustrations from constantly refilling by selecting a window feeder with generous capacity. Larger feeders that hold multiple pounds of seed or several ounces of nectar require less frequent attention. You’ll attract more birds with a consistently filled feeder.
Apply Decals to Prevent Collisions
Window collisions are a risk for birds. To help prevent injury, apply decals or use tape to create visual markers on the window glass around your feeder. This alerts birds to the solid surface. Placing your feeder well off to the side also cuts down on potential mid-air collisions.
Be Patient!
It bears repeating – be patient! In some cases it may take weeks or even months for birds to warm up to a new window feeder. But the payoff of having gorgeous birds right outside your window makes it worth the effort.
With the right setup and a little perseverance, your window feeder will soon become a popular bird hangout. Observing their antics and feathered beauty up close is an unbeatable experience for any nature lover. So get your window feeder ready to attract feathery friends!
Feed Up, Close, & Personal
To get the most out of your window feeders, there are ways that you can make them more attractive to the birds. Here are some ways that will help bring the birds you want to see, right to your window!
- Birdbaths – Because birds need water for drinking and bathing, they are often on the lookout for it. By placing a birdbath near your house and the feeder, it will attract them and potentially bring them to your feeder. Remember that moving water is even more alluring to birds!
- Take down other feeders – To draw attention to your new feeder, you might have to temporarily take down the rest of the feeders in your yard. Once the birds have discovered and are comfortable with the window feeders, you can place the other feeders around your yard again.
- Secure the feeder – Make sure that when you put your window feeder up that it is attached securely to the window. If a bird tries to land on it and it moves, it may deter the bird from coming back. To securely hang a window feeder, it is important to thoroughly clean your window first. Once clean, moisten the feeder’s suction cups with a bit of water or vegetable oil then apply the feeder to the glass. The moisture will create better suction, so the feeder stays in place.
- Keep it Clean – Birds are attracted to fresh, clean feeding stations just like us. Make sure to clean your feeders regularly, especially in hot weather. Dispose of any remaining seed or nectar every time you clean. Nectar should be replaced frequently to prevent mold.
Where to Hang Your Window Feeder
Multiple windows may seem perfect for hanging a window feeder. However, you must consider the surrounding environment when choosing a window. Birds have quite a few natural predators. When setting up your window feeder, make sure that the feeder is high enough off the ground so that they aren’t stalked by predators from the ground, and make sure that there is sufficient coverage over the feeder for flying predators like hawks and falcons.
Also, it’s a good idea to place feeders closer to natural shelters like trees, shrubs, and other greenery. They will fly to these places for cover if they feel threatened, but it also provides a resting place where they can be hidden when needed.
When choosing a location, select a room that doesn’t have constant activity. Loud noises and movements from indoors might scare away birds from testing out the feeder. Be sure to keep this in mind once the feeder is set up as well. Keep the room relatively quiet when sitting down to enjoy their sights. If there is a lot of noise coming from the other side of the window, birds may not stick around.
SIMPLE HACK To Encourage Birds To Visit Your WINDOW FEEDER
FAQ
How do I get birds to find my window feeder?
By placing a birdbath near your house and the feeder, it will attract them and potentially bring them to your feeder. Remember that moving water is even more alluring to birds! Take down other feeders – To draw attention to your new feeder, you might have to temporarily take down the rest of the feeders in your yard.
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