anybody know anything about birdfeeders?

I got a really neat birdfeeder for Xmas. Ran out the next day and got birdseed, and hung it in a tree in the back yard, where I'd be able to enjoy watching the birds from my back porch.
Well obviously I either bought some kind of seed (I just bought a bag of wild bird seed) that the birds don't like, or else I've hung it in a place they don't want to visit, or something. The birdfeeder's been hanging there since the day after Xmas and it doesn't look like anything has gone near the seed......the tube is still full. If it matters it's in an avocado tree I have in my back yard.
Anybody got any hints on how to attract birds to a new birdfeeder when you put it out.....is there something I need to know? I figured put seed in it, hang it in a tree, and the birds would show up......it's not happening.
Any help would be appreciated!!

I know here in Scotland the birds have a pattern.They seem to know where to go to trees and bushes that will give them berries,They choose round here where they are going to nest just about no(Legend says on St Valentines day they mate up.)
May be the birds already had a feeding station and yours in so new it is not first choice.I believe it will have been notices and it just a matter of time.What kind of birds live near you.
We have tits of all sorts.finches blackbirds robins and siskins ..Dunnock sparrow and migrant visitors.Also collared doves.Wher are you in US.
Mountain Ash

We have a bunch of bird feeders hanging on trees across from our living room window. We noticed the birds usually don't come to feed in December and January. Seems like they fill up before the cold weather sets in, and maybe then hibernate like bears? Anyway we always wondered why when there is snow and it's cold, they don't come. During the other months, they just about stand on top of each other to get at the feeders. Like it's after the after sale; "Flap those wings over here before this grub is gone! peeeeeep!"
They'll be coming. Just give them time to discover the new feeding place.

Hi CQ....try putting little tiny bits of bacon rind mixed in with the seed in the tray at the bottom of the tube...just enough to attract birds and not cats!!!

Popea

Try a different seed mixed, but Hannelore is correct, I see few birds here in Dec. or Jan. But come spring and I have to fill my feeders every single day.

Just wondering if you ever got any birds at your feeder?

ktri

Found It! Wheuuu, Wanted to share with the birdfeeders what works wonders for us. We put out on the ground and in our feeders "Steel Cut Corn" or Chopped Corn. It's not ground or pulverised corn like chick starter used for baby chicks. But, it's chopped up to the size of say..grape nuts cereal, for reference. Year round we have Cardinals, Blue Jays, Robins, Crows, Woodpeckers, Roadrunners, Monkingbirds, Red Winged Blackbirds, Wild Ducks of all colors hanging around at the pond & a varity of what I call "The Little Ugly Birds" with no real identity or color. Then this same corn also has a large number of squirrels at our door too. The ducks we have to take corn down by the pond for, but they are probably more attracted to the pond than the corn. The pond was in our yard, till the boys went to college and Ma & Pa got tired of mowing so much yard. LOL Well, it takes a lot of yard to go round a 5 acre pond.
While we are thinking bird feeding..Think Hummingirds if they are in your area. It's time for them to be flying up from the South for summer. We hang our feeders out about now, for the scout to find. the scout hummer will hoover at our door & windows if the feeder isn't up when he arrives. We go through roughly 5 quarts of Hummer juice a day at peak. Today I gave all the hummer feeders a spring scrub. On to my hint on this, if like me, at the end of the season you were worn out with feeding the presistant little toots and socked the feeders away less than prestine clean. Squirt some Dawn Power Dissolve in them, roll it around to coat the ick * let it sit a while and the grime brushes off so easy with a bottle brush.
Happy Bird Feeding, Q-ball

Thanks for all this great information. I'd love to feed birds but around here we have too many squirrels that snatcah everything up before the birds have a chance. ANy suggestions all you bird lovers?

Its been my experience that the wild bird seed is a waste of money. Most of the seed in them gets pushed out--the birds don't like it. Black oil sunflower seed costs a bit more but you won't have any waste. Also safflower seed (sp?) is well liked and thistle seed. Sunflower and safflower will attract your cardinals, blue Jays, chicadees, juncos, and many other birds. Thistle is loved by gold finches, other finches and small birds. Thistle requires a special type of feeder and will mildew if it gets wet so you'll have to watch it. You can make your birds sick if they eat bad seed. Stay away from cracked corn unless you want squirrel, deer and turkey--or mice and rats (depending on your area)

Dotsie, hang your feeders and put a large canopy that can flop over the feeder. The squirrels can't climb up to the feeder and are blocked and slide off the canopy. An old trach can lid can work. Hummingbirds like hummingbird food of course and you can find that readily at the store. Cedar wax wings and oroiles like pieces of fruit.

Birds need trees to fly to to eat, but they also need bushes very near the feeders to fly to in case of predators while they are feeding. Some birds are ground feeders too. If they don't feel safe they will be hesitant to come to your yard. One year, we lived at a place with a big tree but no low lying bushes nearby. After Christmas we pulled the now dead christmas tree out and laid it on the ground near the feeder. Within a day we had chickadees and other birds there! That tree came in handy when a hawk swooped in to try to snatch some lunch!

Depending on your area, it may be too early in the season to attract birds yet. If it is still very cold, you might want to get some of the small cages with the suet cakes in them. The suet and fat provides needed energy to maintain warmth if it is still cold in your area.

Birds also need water. A flatish dish with a rock in the center can make a great water area for birds. The rock in the center helps the bird guage the depth of the water.

As the seasons begin to change you'll be able to catch migratory birds too returning to their areas. Also the 'front line' male birds will be coming in to scope of food sources and nesting sites so be ready to set your feeders out soon.

Old yarn, string, even pet hair can be set out in a net bag for birds to take for nesting materials.

One year we had set out fruit trees and staked them with string. A flock of cedar waxwings decided our yard would make a great place to live. I watch one day as several females worked all day to untie all the stacked trees, then worked to 'cut' the strings and carry them off to build their nests! Birds are fascinating and will adapt to your yard if given enough supplies.

There are tons of plants too that will help attract birds to your yard. Any good gardening book will give you a list. Hope this helps!

Dotsie,
I bought a birdfeeder from Wal-Mart made by homestead that's squirrel proof. It was around $29 and it really works. It's amazing how I don't have to refill the feeder all the time.

There was a squirrel that actually looked like it was having a mad fit after I put it up. It was hilarious.:D

Laurel

SO,
I buy the wild bird feed. I get the premium kind though at Wally World.

Birds also like dryer lint and fabric clippings for padding their nests. I put mine in a strawberry basket hung from a tree. It's fun to watch the birds get a wad and take it to their birdhouse.

I have several bluebird houses. Bluebirds aren't the only ones that use them, but that's ok.

Laurel

I live in Illinois and it's time to put out the water and bird seed for the birds migrating through the Mississippi Flyway. It's a great time to see birds you don't normally see in your area.

And a tip...keep your bird feeders at least 4 ft off the ground and away from anything a cat can climb onto. Cats can get to your birds if your feeders are close to the ground.

Laurel, what a great use of dryer lint. I'll have to remember that.

I wouldn't dare have a birdfeeder in my yard. Daisy would enjoy it a little too much.

Cats are very easy to care for. They are highly independent and clean themselves. What? I thought you were looking for info on Bird Feeders.

Dotsie, my husband is really into his birdfeeders. We went to a bird store and purchased a pole that has hangers in which to hang bird feeders from. We have 6 hangers (you can add to the pole) and we found if we put the pole out in the open instead of very close to a tree the birds like it better. They can fly right in and right out and can see if predators are about. Not much to do about birds pushing out the food though. We get the wild bird seed and when sparrows push out what they don't like, it provides food for the grounders as we call them. Doves and yes, we love our squirrels. We have a squirrel protector at the bottom of the pole so they can't climb up and the pole is far enough away from trees that the squirrels cannot jump onto the feeders. I'll try and send you a photo of our feeder tomorrow. We have cardinals, seveal types of sparrows, chickadees, house wrens, tit mouse and others and I love sitting in my window seat having coffee and watching the feed fest that goes on most of the day. We've noticed the hummingbirds have returned and we've put up two feeders. Wtih hummingbirds it's best to put the feeders on opposite sides of the house or where one feeder can't be seen by the other feeder because a dominate hummer will try to control all feeders in its view. (Learned that on the internet when I was reading up on the little suckers). To be so tiny they're sure aggressive. During hurricane Katrina we had forgotten to take our feeders in and were in shock to see these tiny creatures still feedering just as aggressively in hurricane force winds. We took video footage to prove it. I was impressed. Good luck.

Laurel,
I'll have to try the dryer lint and fabric clippings...I have lots of both. Thanks.

Dee, your feeders sound impressive. I have heard that hummingbirds can be feisty little boogers. It's funny because they look so docile.

Laurel

I am hoping to finally get my hummingbird feeder out next week. I found an interesting web-site that tracks the northern migration - and finally - there's been a sighting near me. It's been so cold here (in the 20's at night) that I've held off - but I don't want to miss them this year.

When we lived in TN I had to have several feeders spaced around the yard there were so many little buggers. Last summer I only one visit my feeder here, but hopefully getting the feeder out early will help. Hope the nectar doesn't freeze.

browser, I'm wondering if it is the same site I found. Is it http://www.hummingbirds.net/index.html by chance? This is a great place to learn it all. I'm getting ready to put out my hummingbird feeder and wanted to learn more. I see I've already learned something I've been doing wrong. Cleaning the feeder with dish detergent! Dang!

Having coffee with hummingbirds in the mornings when they are around makes the start to a beautiful day.

My bushes attract them and they are a blessing to observe close up.

Sometimes I will have my coffee cup halfway up to my mouth and "freeze" right there when one comes by.

I have been tempted to set up my web cam to watch them closer,like the Leprechaun one we had here a few weeks back.

Maybe I'll do that so we can watch them together.
Hmmmm....now, how do I do that. Gone to research.

That would be so cool! Do it. Here is the recipe that the site recommends:

Recipe for artificial nectar (syrup):

Use one part ordinary white cane sugar to four parts water.

It's not necessary to boil the water. The microorganisms that cause fermentation don't come from the water; they are transported to the feeder on hummingbird bills.

Store unused syrup in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

This mixture approximates the average sucrose content (about 21%) of the flowers favored by North American hummingbirds, without being so sweet it attracts too many insects.