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Whether you live in the city, the suburbs, or the country, it’s nice to feel connected with nature. One easy way to create that connection is to build or hang wild bird feeders around your house. Watching the variety of birds at the feeder can be a rewarding family activity or solo hobby. Use these do’s and don’ts to practice proper bird feeding etiquette and surround yourself with happy, healthy birds.

Do:

Provide quality bird food.

Filling your wild bird feeders with quality bird seed helps birds get the daily nutrients they need. Avoid wild bird feeds with fillers such as Milo, wheat, red-millet, barley, etc. Read the label and purchase quality wild bird feeds. Use the recommended wild bird feed for the specific types of wild bird feeders you have. Check out Wild Bird Habitat’s “Bird Feed & Bird Feeder Guide” to attract all your favorite birds. 

Place it a safe distance from the house.

A safe distance for your bird feeder would be thirty feet from your house. This helps prevent birds from getting confused by the reflection of your windows and crashing into your home.

Find the right spot for your bird feeder.

Just like real estate, a popular wild bird feeder is all about location. Birds want to feel safe as they land to eat. So, to ease their little nerves, place your bird feeder near shrubs and trees to provide your feathered friends with an escape.

Don’t:

Feed birds human food.

While this might seem like a treat for the birds, bread, cookies, and crackers do not provide nutrients they need and can be harmful to their system. Giving the birds food is well-intentioned, but it’s better for them if you spring for quality birdseed instead. 

Let your bird feeder get dirty

If the food starts to grow mold or there is bird poop in the feeder, throw away the remaining food and clean it out. This helps prevent any bacteria from spreading and harming the birds. 

Leave your bird feeder empty

Sometimes life gets hectic, and you can’t fill the bird feeder daily. But if your bird feeder is empty for an extended time, the birds will stop coming. Without a reliable source of food, they will move on to other areas. Keep your bird feeder stocked if you want your feathered friends to continue visiting. 

 

If you have questions about how feeders and seed can improve your bird-watching, talk to the experts at Wild Bird Habitat Store in Lincoln, NE. This company helps spread appreciation of these beautiful creatures by supplying a variety of feeders, bird seeds, and squirrel baffles to attract different species of birds. To learn more about birds and how to care for them, go to their online learning center, or call at (402) 420- 2553.

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