Attracting Birds To A New Feeder

What's the best way to attract birds to a new feeder? There isn't a perfect answer for this question, but it's one we get a lot! There are times when you put up a new bird feeder and birds come to it within minutes. And, other times it can take months for the birds to come. You may notice the birds fly by a feeder and stop in mid-air as if to say "whoa, new feeder alert, turn back!"

Give the birds time to find the feeder and get used to its presence in your yard. Make sure the birds can see the feeder, as they find their food by sight. Try putting some seed on the ground or near the feeder. We like to say a new feeder is like a new restaurant in town: no one wants to be the first to eat at that new restaurant, better to wait until someone else has checked it out.

Above all, be patient! It may take awhile, but once the birds realize that there is good food at the new feeder (restaurant) they will be back often.