Earthpalz

Backyard bird feeding is a convenient way to enjoy wildlife. More than 65 million Americans of all ages watch, feed and landscape for birds. It doesn’t matter where you live, in an apartment, townhouse or single family dwelling, in the city, suburbs or country. Just stand still and you’ll hear them: wild birds. It is hard to imagine life without them. Now not only is this fun but you can learn all the names of the different birds that are indigenous to your area adding to the adventure of discovery. A big bird book to help ID your little feather friends really helps to add to the experience.

Bird watching is one of the fastest growing forms of outdoor recreation in the country. Each year millions of people discover for the first time the joys of bird watching. It’s easy to understand why. Birds are fun to watch. And you can watch them just about everywhere. The most convenient place to start is right in your own window. All it takes to get their attention is food kept in a window bird feeder.

There are several factors to consider after you’ve decided to feed birds in your backyard.

Where do you want to watch your birds? From a kitchen window … a sliding glass door opening onto a deck … a second-story window? Birds will come right to your window. Sometimes it takes a while for them to overcome their initial reluctance, so be patient. Don’t worry that a feeder on the window will cause birds to fly into the window. Birds fly into the window because they see the reflection of the woods. Window feeders and decals help break up the reflection.

Window bird feeders are often placed in kitchen or bedroom windows. They are great for teaching kids about birds or for anyone wishing to enjoy their backyard birds up close. There are two types of window feeders: those attached to a window and those placed inside a windowsill. Feeders attached to a window are almost always attached to the glass via suction cups, but may be attached with Velcro. They are generally smaller than windowsill feeders and will typically fit any size or type of window.

Advantages of window bird feeder

A window bird feeder will allow you to observe birds up close, perhaps more closely than with non-window bird feeders or even bird blinds. Window bird feeders may also provide you with an economical solution to dealing with squirrel problem areas. If you live in such a squirrel problem area, simply try to find a window to which squirrels cannot jump such as a window with no branches close by. You can often install one or more window bird feeders for the same price as a “squirrel-proof” feeder. Each type of window bird has its individual benefits as well. The benefits of using “on-window” feeders include the option of using multiple feeders on a given window and increased squirrel resistance. Squirrels are usually less likely to reach an “on-window” feeder than a windowsill feeder as they are nothing more than a variation of an open tray. Windowsill feeders, however, often have larger seed trays that will accommodate a larger number of birds and hold a much greater seed capacity than their “on-window” counterparts. Other features common to windowsill feeders include one-way mirrors that allow you to see the birds while they cannot see you and access to the seed tray from inside your house.

Placement

After finding a window feeder that is compatible with your windows or windowsills, place the feeder in a window that faces an area that is attractive to the birds, is easily viewed from inside the house, and is easily filled either from inside or outside of the house. If you wish to attract specific species of birds, try to place your window bird feeder in a window that faces the habitat containing the most flowers, shrubs, and trees preferred by that species.