We can all be creatures of habit in some respect, especially when we start talking about our food. We’ve all been in a position where we might have to change or alter our diet and eating habits for health or other reasons. For most of us, this can be a difficult and trying transition.
The same is true for some backyard birds. Some folks can set up as many feeders as they like and always seem to have throngs of birds, while some can experience difficulties in attracting birds initially.
Much like us, birds are creatures of habit, often knowing where and when they will get their next meal. When purchasing a new feeder to add to your yard, it can often be a little challenging to persuade your birds to hop onto your newly hung seed dispenser. One of the main reasons for this is often we will experiment with a different type or style of feeder, sometimes to attract a wider variety of species to our backyards.
Here are a few tips to make the transition seamless:
Group them together
If you already have an active feeder, place your new one quite close by. This will begin to get your visiting birds comfortable with the new feeder, as they feed on your existing feeder.
Some folks will let the old feeder empty out with hopes that the birds will simply migrate to the new feeder and become accustomed to it. Once you have a steady stream of visitors, you should be able to move them farther apart.
It’s all about the Seed
This really is a no-brainer, but ensuring you have the best and proper seed for your backyard feeder is imperative. Be sure to make sure that if your new feeder has not been used in a number of days, that you always replace the seed with fresh seed. Nothing turns off prospective birds more than moldy and insect-ridden seed.