Choosing the Perfect Feeder

The basics for survival of any living creature include food, water, shelter and a safe place to raise their young.

Buying a feeder is a simple way to start attracting feathered friends to your yard and increase their survival rate. The seed you put out will generally determine what birds visit, but it must be offered in a feeder that the bird can use.

Feeding in the Winter months can mean the difference between life and death for your back yard birds. Although birds do not rely solely on birdfeeders during any season, a bird’s survival depends on finding new food supplies quickly. If you will be gone for a few days, be sure your feeders are filled right before you leave. Your birds will find a food source elsewhere if your feeders are empty for a few days, and will return to your yard once you're filling them again.

There is little doubt that Winter feeding helps birds survive the harsh cold. Researchers Margaret Brittingham and Stanley Temple from Wisconsin did a study on the winter feeding habits of black-capped chickadees. They found that chickadees with access to feeders had a better chance of surviving. In fact, 69% of chickadees with access to feeders survived the winter versus 37% of chickadees without feeder access. Click Here to find out more about this three year study.

If you aren’t already feeding suet, now is a good time to start. This high fat, high energy food is an important addition to a bird’s diet this time of year. The Bird Garden carries a variety of suet cakes and inexpensive, easy to fill suet feeders.

See our Winter Feeding Tips Information Sheet for some simple tips to make your feeding easier.

Our Bird Feeder Information Sheet will give you excellent tips on what to look for in a quality feeder. Please visit our store and choose from a wide array of quality bird feeders.

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