As temperatures drop and natural food sources become harder for wildlife to find, your yard can become an important refreshment stop for winter birds. But simply getting whatever bird feeder you can find and filling it with seed isn’t always helpful. The type of feeder, where you place it and how often you clean it can all affect which birds show up and whether you accidentally invite squirrels, mice and other pests into your yard as well.

“Birds are attracted to yards with rich food sources and good cover,” says Mary Mack Gray, in-house ornithologist at Birdbuddy. Fall is also a great time to prepare your yard by cleaning feeders, adding water and leaving seed heads, leaf litter and brush in place to provide natural food and shelter.

With a few thoughtful changes, you can build a winter bird feeding station that attracts our feathered friends while making it harder for unwanted visitors to take over.

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Choose a Mix of Bird Feeders

Rather than putting all your food in one feeder, consider using different styles to attract different birds.

According to Donald Price, a biologist and professor within UNLV’s College of Sciences, a covered seed feeder is a good starting point. Tube feeders can attract small songbirds, while platform feeders can accommodate larger birds. Suet feeders can also be useful during winter because suet provides birds with high-energy fat.

“Pick bird feeders that are easy to take apart and clean so they don’t get moldy,” Price says.

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But don’t fill a large feeder to the brim just yet. “I would start with a small amount of seed and see how quickly the birds eat the seeds,” Price adds, “and what seeds they eat and don’t eat.”

Offer Birds the Right Food

Black oil sunflower seeds are a strong all-around option for winter because they attract a wide variety of birds and contain plenty of fat, according to Price. Safflower can be another option, while nyjer is a good choice for finches. Suet can provide additional energy during cold weather.

Gray recommends keeping feeders reliably stocked with high-quality, high-fat foods throughout fall so birds learn where to find food before winter arrives.

“Birds take note of reliable food sources during fall and are more likely to visit those come winter,” Gray says.

If birds are consistently leaving certain seeds behind, Price recommends changing the mix rather than continuing to provide food they don’t eat.

Pick a Safe Location

Feeder placement can affect both bird safety and how comfortable birds feel visiting your yard.

“Put the feeder up out of strong winds and with shrubs or trees nearby for shelter and perching,” Price says. “It shouldn’t be too close, as mammals such as squirrels and cats can get to the feeder and to the birds.”

Birds can also collide with windows, especially if they’re startled. Price recommends keeping feeders a good distance from windows and adding visible markings to windows so birds can recognize the glass.

Make Your Yard Bird-Friendly

Your fall cleanup routine can also affect whether birds visit your yard. Instead of removing every seed head, leaf and piece of brush, consider leaving some of them in place.

“Plants with seed heads are an essential fall and winter food source for seed-eating birds and a source of nesting material come spring,” Gray explains.

Leaf litter and brush piles can provide additional cover and food. Gray says ground-feeding birds can forage in leaf litter for insects and brush piles provide winter shelter for dormant insects.

Water is another important resource, especially for migratory birds. “Providing clean water is an important and often overlooked key way to ensure birds visit your yard year-round,” Gray says.

Keep Squirrels and Rodents Away

Chuck Hamlin, president of Evergreen Lawn & Pest Control, recommends using a mix of feeder styles and positioning them carefully to limit access from squirrels and other animals.

“You want to prevent food from accumulating underneath the feeders as much as possible,” Hamlin says.

He recommends feeders with trays designed to catch spilled seed. A pole-mounted or squirrel-resistant feeder can also make it more difficult for squirrels to reach the food.

5 Mistakes That Attract Pests

Even the most bird-friendly feeding station can attract unwanted visitors if it’s not set up properly. Here are five common mistakes that can turn your feeder into a pest magnet.

1. Putting Feeders too Close to the House

“Feeders next to the foundation can make it easier for rodents to find food,” Hamlin says. He recommends positioning feeders with both bird safety and pest access in mind.

2. Letting Spilled Seed Pile up

Spilled food can attract mice and other pests. “Any leftover seeds will attract rodents and other wildlife as well,” Hamlin says. Sweep or rake underneath feeders regularly.

3. Using too Much Food

“Filling a feeder to the top and letting seed sit for weeks creates a sanitation problem,” Hamlin says. Start with smaller amounts and refill based on how quickly birds are eating.

4. Skipping Feeder Maintenance

Dirty feeders can spread disease among birds. Hamlin recommends regular cleaning, while Gray says homeowners should check feeders frequently and remove wet or spoiled food.

5. Making it Easy for Squirrels to Jump in

“If a feeder is hanging from a tree branch or positioned near a roof, fence or deck, squirrels will eventually find it,” Hamlin says. Install a quality baffle and keep enough distance between the feeder and any potential jumping points.

Gray also recommends making feeder checks part of your regular routine. “Don’t assume it’s fine just because it looks OK from a distance,” she says.

With the right setup and maintenance, you can keep your feeders welcoming to winter birds without turning your yard into a buffet for unwanted pests.

Sources:

• Mary Mack Gray, In-house ornithologist at Birdbuddy
• Donald Price, Biologist and professor within UNLV’s College of Science
• Chuck Hamlin, President of Evergreen Lawn & Pest Control

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