The birdfeeder on my deck has been my Quality of Life upgrade for 2024

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Gross. Birds carry a lot of disease, and draw additional pests.

Someone who will welcome the Climate Wars

[Anonymous]

I would like to enjoy my bird feeder more, but flocks of sparrows always commandeer it, so I rarely get a variety of birds, although I see and hear cardinals, chickadees, tufted titmice, etc in my yard.

Glad feeding birds is working for you, OP.

[Anonymous]

The house sparrows and starlings took over my bird feeder and ruined it for everyone else. I put out roasted unsalted peanuts in the shell for the jays and grackles. I have also planted many flowers and berry plants so I still have a good variety of visitors.

[Anonymous]

I'd love to get a bird feeder, but am holding off.

We back a wooded area and the last time we had one it was great for a few day til some hawks started coming to the area. I didn't want to be that kind of bird feeder.

[Anonymous]

Highly recommend getting into native plants if you want to attract more unique birds. You can grow native honeysuckle or bee balm on a deck and get hummingbirds better than a feeder. Plus you don't have to clean it (though they do need water in dry spells).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd love to get a bird feeder, but am holding off.

We back a wooded area and the last time we had one it was great for a few day til some hawks started coming to the area. I didn't want to be that kind of bird feeder.

Hawks are birds, and they've got to eat too...

[Anonymous]

I can't even begin to name all the birds we have visiting. My feeders are in our landscaping rows. The rain washes away the poop that sticks to the rocks. Two hummingbird feeders, a water spot to drink/play in, 6 bird feeders. Today two rabbits showed up, so did a woodpecker, a roadrunner. My very first roadrunner sighting. There are 3 different kinds of doves.

My husband buys black sunflower seeds, wild bird seed, in shell peanuts. In bulk at the feed store.
He crushes the peanuts then puts it in the landscape. The birds now have a peanut monkey on their backs. I never knew birds liked peanuts. A mockingbird and a thrasher. They tear it up. And bluejays. They LOVE peanuts in the shell. Easier to carry.

I love watching nature do what it does. It's like being witness to a miracle.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I loved ours too. And then the mourning doves took it over and bullied away any other birds from using it. They'd sit in it all day, rotating maybe 10 different doves, and fight to eat it all. They didn't care if I'd tap the glass or shoo them away. So all day every day it was just the dumb doves and maybe occasionally 1-2 other birds.

Maybe I need seed they don't like. Any tips?

Get a second feeder.

Change the food. We got food last summer that only the house finches and wrens liked. They'd fight over it and a sadly a bird died. We buy different food now.

[Anonymous]

Heartily agree that the bird feeder has been such a fun addition to our daily life. It is right out the eating area window and all of us enjoy identifying the many species. The birds seem to get along and it is such a pleasure to watch how they time their approaches. Except for the bluejays, they are bullies. And the poor squirrels who never give up trying and get so close.

[Anonymous]

I had one of those and the squirrel leapt from a bush and sat in it for about 3 hours. I moved it up as high as possible for me to refill it but to no avail. i have given up on all bird feeding--either it brings the raccoons over and my cats freak out, or the squirrels are a nightmare.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a long-term bird enthusiast, happy to welcome another into the fold! If you don't already have it, get the Merlin Bird ID app; it's awesome.

The Merlin bird app changed my life in a small, but very positive way. It has enlivened my interaction with nature any place I am. Library parking lot? Hello, robins! College admissions office porch? Hello, house wrens!

[Anonymous]

I love my feeder too. I moved it recently and can now see it from my couch! Lots of yellow finches.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Welcome to the club. One day you’re young and fancy free and the next day ¡Bam! you’re excited to see a yellow throated warbler.

This is the content I’m here for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd love to get a bird feeder, but am holding off.

We back a wooded area and the last time we had one it was great for a few day til some hawks started coming to the area. I didn't want to be that kind of bird feeder.

[Anonymous]

Mine too until the squirrels found it and ate everything. I’ve tried so many ways to keep the squirrels out and the birds around but no luck. Enjoy while it lasts!