While your choice of feeders will depend largely on who and what you are feeding, here are a few things to keep in mind.

• Durability: A well built feeder, made of quality materials will look better longer.
• Easy To Clean: The health of the birds and life of your feeder will be improved if you maintain your feeders regularly.
• Dry Seeds: Wet or damp seeds will spoil. Look for drainage holes in the floor or tray and a roof that overhangs the feeding area. A squirrel dome will help protect a tube or other style feeder.
• Capacity: The bigger the better, right? We have found the small and medium size feeders are easier to clean and help to ensure fresh seed. Two medium feeders with different seed will attract a wider variety of birds.

If you are looking for a general all purpose feeder, we recommend a house or hopper type feeder, or a tube feeder with a large tray attached, filled with Black oil sunflower seed or a seed mix.
The most effective way to attract a wide assortment of birds is to offer a variety of foods in different feeders. A collection of feeders for your yard might include:

• A house or hopper type feeder for sunflower seeds
• A tube style Thistle feeder
• A suet feeder
• A wire mesh peanut feeder
• A nectar feeder
• A fruit or jelly feeder
• A platform or tray feeder for millet

• Durability: A well built feeder, made of quality materials will look better longer.
• Easy To Clean: The health of the birds and life of your feeder will be improved if you maintain your feeders regularly.
• Dry Seeds: Wet or damp seeds will spoil. Look for drainage holes in the floor or tray and a roof that overhangs the feeding area. A squirrel dome will help protect a tube or other style feeder.
• Capacity: The bigger the better, right? We have found the small and medium size feeders are easier to clean and help to ensure fresh seed. Two medium feeders with different seed will attract a wider variety of birds.

If you are looking for a general all purpose feeder, we recommend a house or hopper type feeder, or a tube feeder with a large tray attached, filled with Black oil sunflower seed or a seed mix.
The most effective way to attract a wide assortment of birds is to offer a variety of foods in different feeders. A collection of feeders for your yard might include:

• A house or hopper type feeder for sunflower seeds
• A tube style Thistle feeder
• A suet feeder
• A wire mesh peanut feeder
• A nectar feeder
• A fruit or jelly feeder
• A platform or tray feeder for millet

You’ll chuckle at the antics of a male bird as he tries to entice a mate in spring. The whole family will gather at the window when the proud parents bring their young to the bird feeder for the first time.

It’s amazing how watching a couple of birds frolic in the bird bath can make a hot summer day seem a little cooler, or how a few Chickadees flirting from branch to branch can make the back yard seem a little warmer on a cold January day.

So go ahead and hang that one little feeder and before you know it you’ll be like the rest of us, with four or five bird feeders outside your windows, a field book and pair of binoculars within easy reach on the inside.

Where to Place the Feeders

When deciding where to place your feeders, start inside your house. Where do you want to view the birds from? The patio doors, a kitchen or dining room window, your office? Maybe there’s a place in your yard that can be viewed from a couple of windows in your house. Here are some things to keep in mind when looking for the right place.

• Birds prefer to feed in an open sunny area
• Is there a bush or tree nearby for shelter
• Is there easy year-round access (think about it!! -20 degrees and two feet of new snow) An empty bird feeder will not attract birds
• The “mess”, Yes there will be seed shells, bird droppings and the occasional sunflower sprout. Pick a spot where it won’t matter or is easily cleaned up.

The best place for a bird feeder is out in the open, at least ten feet from any tree branch, deck or any other squirrel launching object. At ground level, use the same ten foot circle and look for any ambush places that a cat might use.

A pole mounted feeder (mounted directly to the pole or hung from a hook) with a squirrel baffle attached to the pole, placed in such an area will provide you with years of pleasure.

After considering your options, if the maple tree outside your kitchen window is still screaming “hang it here!” than by all means hang a feeder from it’s limbs. The activity it brings will brighten your view both inside and out.

Next we will take a look at the types of feeders to use.