Marie is Your Personal Guide to Backyard Bird Feeding

The type of birdseed you should use depends on the type of feeder and if it is squirrel-proof or not. These and possibly other factors help me determine which type of feed I would recommend to you. I ask questions based on what you have tried so far and what you liked or didn’t like about what was happening around the use of that food.

Usually, I recommend a form of black oil sunflower, but whether the shell is on or off will depend on your feeder. I may also recommend another type of seed depending on your yard habitat, feeder, and location of your feeder or feeder pole. As you can see, my recommendations vary depending on some of the factors that are based on your particular yard and equipment.

I suggest several options for my clients depending on the answers to some of the questions I will ask, depending on your yard setup. That’s why video chats are the way for me to help you. I want to see your yard and feeder setup that will help me suggest what type of squirrel baffle you need to use, plus answers to other questions I will have, like how tall your feeder pole is or if you are hanging your feeder from a tree. 

What I recommend will depend on what you have tried so far and what equipment you have used. Usually, my last resort suggestion is a squirrel-proof bird feeder. But even those may need some help that I can suggest to you. Why is it my last resort? In my opinion, those feeders are “people feeders” because they solve people issues and may not be the most bird-preferred feeders. So, I will likely suggest other options first.

I like to think that “squirrel-proofing is my specialty” because I have lived with a high number of squirrels in the last 20+ years while feeding my birds and have kept them off my feeders using various techniques depending on where my feeders were located and what else might be happening at them.

When cleaning my own feeders, the timing is always dependent on the seasons and weather conditions. For example, I may clean my feeders more often in the Spring when rains and temperatures are high, causing bacteria to be more present and more likely to sicken the birds at the feeder. 

The style of feeder may also help determine how often it should be cleaned. For instance, a tube feeder where the bird’s head goes in and out of the portal while feeding will need more cleanings than a platform feeder where the bird's head does not come in as much contact with the feeder. 

In my opinion, it is always a good idea to cycle feeders between use and washing. Having multiple feeders that you can swap using when it is a good time to wash one that has been in use for a few weeks or days, depending on weather conditions and the type of food being fed.

I usually suggest placing bird feeders within 10 – 15 feet of protective cover and good natural habitat perching spots in the yard for the comfort and safety of the birds. In addition to those, also positioning them to be easily viewed from a favorite spot either inside or outside of the house, wherever you enjoy watching the birds. 

Outside of windows, however, I suggest placing feeders no more than 20 feet away. Further away than 20 feet can cause birds to crash into windows and hurt themselves due to gaining speed and flying into the sky or tree reflections in windows. Plus, it is much more enjoyable to view birds closer to windows than further away. I’m all about the joy of seeing the birds up close.

I have always enjoyed feeding my backyard birds year-round. However, I always suggest changing the feeders and feed from Fall and Winter into Spring and Summer. I call this doing a “Seasonal Switch-Out.” I will focus on the non-migrating birds in Fall and Winter, and in Spring and Summer, I will remove most of my multiple sunflower-type feeders and switch to bully deterrent feeders and Oriole and hummingbird feeders. I admit that I am a “selfish bird feeder.” 

I am less concerned about helping the birds in the Spring and Summer since, at that time of year, they don’t need bird feed. But I love their company, so I feed to attract them for that reason alone.  I am currently getting more into native garden plantings to attract more birds that way, too.