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Why Having A Fall Bird Feeder Is Great For Birds by Melissa Mayntz Updated: August 31, 2022 Email Facebook Pinterest Twitter A fall bird feeder with healthy, reliable food can help birds stay healthy and migrate more successfully! Below are some frequently asked questions and answers. Read on and use this important information to feel confident as you offer the best nutrition for every feathered friend that flocks to your bird feeder! Do birds become dependent on feeders and lose their foraging skills? Contrary to popular belief: No, a bird feeder is just one more resource for birds. On average, birds tend to get only 10-20 percent of their daily food from feeders and visit many other natural food sources, such as weedy fields, trees, and leaf litter, for the bulk of their meals. A bird feeder can, however, be more critical when harsh weather may make it harder for birds to forage. What are healthy choices for fall bird feeders? Sunflower seeds, nuts, and suet are top choices for feeding fall birds. Keeping a nectar feeder available for late-migrating hummingbirds is also a great idea. How can I make a squirrel proof feeder? Squirrels, chipmunks, raccoons, and other wildlife are just as hungry as birds in autumn and may visit feeders for an easy meal. Using squirrel baffles (domes or cone-shaped discs) above and below feeders can be a very effective way to create a squirrel proof bird feeder. Hanging feeders away from trees, rooflines, or fences may also prevent squirrels and other wildlife from jumping onto a feeder. it is possible to prevent bears from stealing your bird feeder with our tips! Can bird feeders be bear proofed? Yes! While bear proofing bird feeders can be tricky because bears are strong and persistent, using poles that are 10-12 feet tall and cementing the poles into the ground can keep feeders safe. If that isn’t possible, taking feeders in at night and using a seed tray or otherwise cleaning up underneath feeders can minimize the risk of attracting bears to a bird feeder. Be sure other foods, such as trash or compost, are also protected from bears. Fresh water is just as important to birds as having a bird feeder year-round. Remember to change it daily. Do birds need water in fall? In addition to a fall bird feeder, birds need a reliable source of clean, fresh water year-round—even in areas where there may be puddles or natural water sources. A bird bath is a great option and will attract even more birds than feeders. Clean the bath every few days and keep it full. You may want to consider a heated bird bath in areas where winter temperatures dip below freezing, but do not add any chemicals to the water as those chemicals can be very toxic to birds. Do all birds migrate in fall? No, only about 40 percent of bird species are migratory, though many others may make smaller regional movements, such as traveling around to different food sources or heading up and down mountains in spring and fall. In fact, many popular backyard birds, including chickadees, woodpeckers, mockingbirds, cardinals, nuthatches, titmice, and quail, stay in their same ranges year-round. Join The Conversation! Do you have questions about having a fall bird feeder? Have you tried making a squirrel proof bird feeder? What are some of your tips and tricks? Share your experience in the comments below! Learn more! Did you know that you can make a bird feeder out of a pumpkin? Here’s how! Want bird seed suggestions for winter birds? Read this article. About the author Related Posts Melissa Mayntz Melissa Mayntz is a freelance writer and birder, naturally writing about birds. She published her first book, Migration: Exploring the Remarkable Journeys of Birds in spring 2020. Find her at Be Your Own Birder and follow her on Facebook and Twitter. Melissa Mayntz #molongui-disabled-link January 18, 2022 This Week is full of Palindrome Dates Melissa Mayntz #molongui-disabled-link December 7, 2021 What and when is Kwanzaa? Melissa Mayntz #molongui-disabled-link March 6, 2021 Cardinals: Legends, Lore, and Spiritual Symbolism Melissa Mayntz #molongui-disabled-link January 11, 2021 Easy Ways to Provide Shelter for Winter Birds and Wildlife Keep Exploring Previous Post Label Recipe Rating Recipe Rating Name* Email* Label Recipe Rating Recipe Rating Name* Email* 2 Comments Newest Oldest Most Voted Inline Feedbacks View all comments Bill 22 hours ago Forgot to say this was in western NC 0 Reply Bill 22 hours ago Black bear mom with 3 cubs tried their best to get hummingbird feeders hanging 10’above ground on cemented 4×4. Unfortunately though haven’t seen them since!! 0 Reply wpDiscuzA fall bird feeder with healthy, reliable food can help birds stay healthy and migrate more successfully!
Below are some frequently asked questions and answers. Read on and use this important information to feel confident as you offer the best nutrition for every feathered friend that flocks to your bird feeder!
Contrary to popular belief: No, a bird feeder is just one more resource for birds. On average, birds tend to get only 10-20 percent of their daily food from feeders and visit many other natural food sources, such as weedy fields, trees, and leaf litter, for the bulk of their meals.
A bird feeder can, however, be more critical when harsh weather may make it harder for birds to forage.
Sunflower seeds, nuts, and suet are top choices for feeding fall birds. Keeping a nectar feeder available for late-migrating hummingbirds is also a great idea.
Squirrels, chipmunks, raccoons, and other wildlife are just as hungry as birds in autumn and may visit feeders for an easy meal.
Using squirrel baffles (domes or cone-shaped discs) above and below feeders can be a very effective way to create a squirrel proof bird feeder.
Hanging feeders away from trees, rooflines, or fences may also prevent squirrels and other wildlife from jumping onto a feeder.
Yes! While bear proofing bird feeders can be tricky because bears are strong and persistent, using poles that are 10-12 feet tall and cementing the poles into the ground can keep feeders safe.
If that isn’t possible, taking feeders in at night and using a seed tray or otherwise cleaning up underneath feeders can minimize the risk of attracting bears to a bird feeder. Be sure other foods, such as trash or compost, are also protected from bears.
In addition to a fall bird feeder, birds need a reliable source of clean, fresh water year-round—even in areas where there may be puddles or natural water sources.
A bird bath is a great option and will attract even more birds than feeders. Clean the bath every few days and keep it full.
You may want to consider a heated bird bath in areas where winter temperatures dip below freezing, but do not add any chemicals to the water as those chemicals can be very toxic to birds.
No, only about 40 percent of bird species are migratory, though many others may make smaller regional movements, such as traveling around to different food sources or heading up and down mountains in spring and fall.
In fact, many popular backyard birds, including chickadees, woodpeckers, mockingbirds, cardinals, nuthatches, titmice, and quail, stay in their same ranges year-round.
Do you have questions about having a fall bird feeder?
Have you tried making a squirrel proof bird feeder?
What are some of your tips and tricks?
Share your experience in the comments below!
Did you know that you can make a bird feeder out of a pumpkin? Here’s how!
Want bird seed suggestions for winter birds? Read this article.
Melissa Mayntz is a freelance writer and birder, naturally writing about birds. She published her first book, Migration: Exploring the Remarkable Journeys of Birds in spring 2020. Find her at Be Your Own Birder and follow her on Facebook and Twitter.
Forgot to say this was in western NC
Black bear mom with 3 cubs tried their best to get hummingbird feeders hanging 10’above ground on cemented 4×4. Unfortunately though haven’t seen them since!!
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