You may ask why birds need bird feeders. Or, why you can’t simply toss some seeds out on the ground and hope the birds will find them. Without a doubt many birds would find them, along with many undesirables! To help eliminate this problem, a wide variety of quality bird feeders have been designed to accommodate various bird species’ feeding habits. Bird feeders are also a more sanitary and healthful way to feed wild birds. In addition, feeders help protect birds from predators such as cats, squirrels, and more aggressive birds such as raptors and starlings. Not to be overlooked is the pleasure you will derive from watching your “fine feathered friends” find sustenance in your own back yard. You will want to keep your camera ready for some fabulous “bird photo ops!”

Before you decide to feed wild birds you should be aware that they will soon come to depend upon the food in your bird feeder. It may work very well for you to feed them during spring and summer. But would you be willing to feed them during winter as well? Many birds that would ordinarily migrate to warmer climates in late fall or mid-winter may decide to keep hanging around your back yard in the winter, assuming they would still find plenty of food at your feeder. Should you then decide not to feed them in the winter, those birds would likely starve. Make sure you realize that feeding them will pretty much be a year-round commitment.

Once you’ve made the decision to feed wild birds, you’re ready to select the style and type of bird feeders you will need for your habitat. Selecting the appropriate bird feeder for the species you want to attract need not be difficult. You should, however, be quite selective since not all birds enjoy eating from the same kinds of feeders. Further, not all birds enjoy the same kinds of foods.

Decorative bird feeders are probably one of the most popular feeders for placing in back yards. Many different kinds of birds find it easy to feed from these types of feeders. There are also many fabulous styles of decorative feeders available. Squirrel proof feeders definitely have their place as a back yard feeder, especially if you live in an area where squirrels area a problem. Suet feeders are very popular during the winter months as suet provides extra nourishment for birds during cold weather. Suet feeders will attract chickadees, nuthatches, titmice, thrashers, wrens, and cardinals just to name a few. You should be aware that suet also attracts undesirables such as starlings and squirrels!

Tube bird feeders designed to hang in trees or from a variety of striking nature hooks available. This kind of feeder is easy to refill and clean and usually accommodates small birds such as goldfinches, wrens, and house finches. Window bird feeders are fabulous if you like to watch and feed birds from indoors. These would also be great to use for children, elderly bird watchers, or shut-ins since the birds can be more closely observed as they feed. With this wide variety of feeders available, it won’t be hard to fit one or more upscale bird feeders into your bird-feeding venture!