Feeding wild birds from bird feeders is a common hobby for many people. It provides enjoyment from watching the birds and satisfaction from helping wildlife. However, there are some risks and things to consider when feeding birds at bird feeders. This article examines the safety of bird feeders for birds and people and provides tips for safe bird feeding.
Can bird feeders spread disease among birds?
Bird feeders can potentially spread diseases among birds if not cleaned and maintained properly. Diseases that can spread at dirty bird feeders include:
- Salmonellosis – a bacterial disease that causes diarrhea. Birds spread it through their droppings.
- Trichomoniasis – a protozoan parasite disease that affects finches and doves.
- Aspergillosis – a fungal infection that affects the lungs and air sacs of birds.
- Avian pox – a viral infection that causes lesions on the skin and mouth.
To prevent disease transmission:
- Clean feeders regularly with a 10% bleach solution. Rinse and let dry completely.
- Clean up spilled seeds and shells from the ground to prevent contamination.
- Separate bird feeder areas to isolate sick birds.
- Remove feeders if disease is suspected and clean thoroughly.
With proper bird feeder hygiene, the risk of disease transmission is low. But it’s important to be vigilant and take action at the first sign of illness.
Can birds choke on bird feed?
Birds can potentially choke on bird seed if the feed is too large or expands in their crop. Some tips to prevent choking:
- Use high quality bird feed without filler seeds.
- Avoid feeds with whole peas, beans, corn, or peanuts for small birds.
- Soak expandable seeds like millet before feeding.
- Provide a water source nearby so birds can wash down food.
Choking is quite rare in wild birds. But by taking some simple precautions with bird feed, choking risks can be minimized.
Can bird feeders attract bears, rats, or other pests?
Bird feeders can attract unwanted animals besides birds, such as:
- Bears
- Raccoons
- Squirrels
- Rats and mice
- Deer
To deter pests:
- Use feeders with weight sensitive perches that close access when heavier animals visit.
- Install feeders on poles with baffles that animals cannot climb or reach around.
- Use feeders with cages or mesh to restrict access.
- Apply capsaicin pepper solution or hot pepper suet to repel squirrels and some other mammals.
- Bring feeders in at night when not in use.
With some creative solutions, bird feeders can be pest-proofed to attract only birds.
Can birds get injured at bird feeders?
Birds can potentially get injured at bird feeders in some cases:
- Collisions – Feeders placed directly against windows can lead to bird strikes. Place feeders within 3 feet of windows or over 30 feet away.
- Falls – Young birds may fall from platform feeders. Use tray feeders for baby birds.
- Fighting – Aggressive birds like starlings may injure other birds. Use multiple feeders to spread birds out.
- Entanglement – Birds feet or necks can get caught in mesh feeders. Ensure openings are appropriate sizes.
With some adjustments, most bird feeder hazards can be eliminated to create a safe environment.
Can bird feeders attract predators?
Feeders that congregate small birds can attract predators like:
- Cats
- Hawks
- Owls
- Snakes
- Raccoons
To protect birds:
- Place feeders in open areas away from dense shrubs and cover.
- Install predator guards such as domes or cages.
- Suspend feeders from cables to keep predators away.
- Bring feeders in at night when predators are most active.
With some careful feeder placement, predators can be deterred from snatching birds.
Do birds become dependent on bird feeders?
Most birds will not become completely dependent on bird feeders as their sole food source. However, some factors that can lead to some dependency include:
- Feeding birds year-round instead of seasonally.
- Not providing enough natural food sources in the environment.
- Feeding too close to where birds nest.
- Providing more energy-dense foods than birds can find naturally.
Best practices to avoid dependency include:
- Feed birds seasonally in winter months when food is scarce.
- Landscape naturally with berry bushes and seed plants birds like.
- Place feeders away from nesting sites.
- Choose bird seed mixes that match natural diets.
With some moderation, birds will not come to rely on bird feeders as their sole food source.
How often should you clean bird feeders?
To prevent disease and mold, bird feeders should be cleaned:
- Every 2-4 weeks – Clean with a 10% bleach solution, scrubbing feeder ports and perches. Rinse thoroughly and let dry.
- After rains or wet weather – Discard old, wet seed and clean feeder.
- When buildup is visible – Wash away mold, bird droppings, algae, etc.
- Between different bird groups – Clean when switching feeders between songbirds and hummingbirds.
- When sick birds visit – Disinfect feeders if diseased birds are spotted.
Cleaning every few weeks is a good general rule. But more frequent cleaning may be needed in some situations.
What is the best bird feed for small birds?
The best bird feed options for small birds like finches, wrens, titmice, and chickadees include:
- Nyjer thistle – Small, oil-rich black seeds perfect for finches.
- Safflower – Small white seeds cardinals, chickadees and titmice like.
- Cracked sunflower – Broken shells easy for small birds to open.
- Nyjer thistle – Small, oil-rich black seeds perfect for finches.
- Peanuts – Nutritious chopped nuts for jays, woodpeckers, and titmice.
Avoid large seeds like corn, peas, beans, and whole peanuts which small birds can’t easily eat.
What feeder type is best for cardinals?
The best bird feeders to attract cardinals include:
- Tray or platform feeders – Open trays allow easy perching and access.
- Hopper feeders – Cardinals can perch on edges and reach seed.
- Tube feeders – Wide ports allow cardinal access.
- Ground feeders – Allows natural ground feeding.
Cardinals prefer open feeders they can easily perch on and reach the seed. Avoid small tube feeders and feeders with weight mechanisms.
What feeder is best to deter squirrels?
The most squirrel-proof bird feeders include:
- Weight sensitive – Feeder closes when squirrels climb on.
- Caged – Heavy wire cages keep squirrels out.
- Dome – Plexiglass or metal domes prevent access.
- Tube with ports – Small ports prevent squirrel entry.
Avoid tray, platform, and hopper feeders which are easily accessed. Combining two deterrents like weight sensitive and caged works best.
Should you feed birds year-round?
It’s best not to feed wild birds year-round. Here are some guidelines on when to feed birds:
- Winter – Feed birds from late fall through early spring when food is scarce.
- Spring – Taper off bird feeding as natural food sources increase.
- Summer – Generally stop feeding birds as it’s breeding season.
- Fall – Resume feeding as birds molt and migrate.
Year-round feeding can cause some dependency or alter migration behaviors. Follow natural food cycles for best results.
Should you feed birds bread?
Bread should be avoided as bird feed. Problems with bread include:
- Low in nutrition – Birds need protein, fat and fiber bread lacks.
- Can mold quickly – Stale bread can harm birds.
- Offers little energy – Birds fill up on bread but lack calories.
- Difficult to digest – Bread doesn’t break down easily in bird digestive systems.
Bread is better than starvation but is a poor substitute for nutritious birdseed and grains. Stick to high energy, natural foods birds evolved to eat.
What foods should you not feed birds?
Avoid feeding birds:
- Bread
- Chips
- Crackers
- Popcorn
- Pastries like donuts or cookies
- Processed meats like bologna or salami
- Sugary cereal
- Any spoiled or moldy food
These human junk foods offer little nutrition, energy and can even harm birds. Stick to quality birdseed, nuts, fruits and nectar suited for birds.
Should you feed birds in summer?
Here are some tips on summer bird feeding:
- Reduce feeding – Natural foods are abundant in summer.
- Provide water – Birdbaths and drippers are important during hot months.
- Focus on fruits – Oranges, berries and nectar appeal in summer.
- Avoid feeding fledglings – Parents can care for them best.
- Clean feeders – Prevent mold and bacteria in warm weather.
Some supplemental fruit feeding is fine in summer but avoid relying on feeders. Let birds forage naturally in summer.
Should you feed birds in winter?
Here are some tips for winter bird feeding:
- Increase feeding – Natural food is scarce in winter.
- Provide suet – High energy suet cakes help birds survive cold.
- Use no-waste feed – Choose shelled seeds to prevent waste buildup.
- Supplement water – Provide heaters, de-icers and drippers.
- Use shelters – Roost boxes provide winter protection.
Winter feeding is vital for bird survival. Focus on energy-dense foods and providing winter bird feeding shelters.
What food do hummingbirds eat from feeders?
The best hummingbird feeder nectar is:
- 1 part white sugar to 4 parts water – Boiled to dissolve and let cool.
- Alternatives: honey, agave, artificial nectar – But plain sugar water is best.
- Red food dye is not necessary but can attract birds.
- Replace nectar every 2-3 days in hot weather to prevent spoilage.
Avoid artificial red dyes, honey (risk of bacteria), or artificial sweeteners. Plain white sugar water is close to natural flower nectar.
Do bird feeders attract rats or mice?
To avoid rats and mice:
- Use feeders with weight perches or cages to exclude rodents.
- Hang feeders from poles or cables to deter climbing.
- Use tray feeders with raised edges rats can’t reach over.
- Clean up under feeders daily to remove fallen seeds.
- Set feeders away from brush piles or covers rats hide in.
With some diligent feeder placement and cleanup, bird feeders don’t have to attract undesirable rodents.
What seed is best for ground feeding birds?
The best bird seeds for ground feeders like sparrows, doves and juncos include:
- Millet – Tiny white seeds ground birds like.
- Cracked corn – Broken corn pieces easy for ground eating.
- Wheat – Ground finches and sparrows feed efficiently on wheat.
- Nyjer – Small size and thin shells suit ground feeders.
- Safflower – Cardinals and doves will feed safflower on ground.
Scatter these small seeds on ground in low cover, away from potential cat ambush sites.
Conclusion
Feeding birds from backyard feeders is generally safe for birds and people with proper precautions taken. Follow guidelines on feeder placement, cleaning, food choices and monitors for any issues. When set up correctly, bird feeding allows enjoyment of nature while also helping wild bird populations thrive.