Why Birds Aren’t Using Your Bird Feeder, According To An Expert

Any bird enthusiast will tell you that one of the biggest joys is seeing wild birds enjoy backyard feeders that have been lovingly hung and stocked with birdseed. Alternately, nothing can feel more frustrating than when birds aren’t using your bird feeder.

Patience is key when trying to determine why birds aren’t using your feeder as multiple factors may be at play, according to American Bird Conservancy’s Kaitlyn Parkins.

Parkins says that seasons, safety and predators, windows, consistency, feeder position, and plants could all be behind why birds aren’t flocking to your yard. The National Audubon Society also encourages birders to diversify bird seed and make sure you are providing the proper food.

“A diverse mix of seeds will attract the greatest variety of birds. To avoid waste, offer different seeds in different feeders,” the National Audubon Society states on their website.

When birds aren’t using your bird feeders, it can be a frustrating task to figure out what the problem is, but there are steps to try to get to the bottom of birdless feeders.

Seasons

Bird activity at feeders can vary by season, as the types of birds in your area and their diets change. 

“Many species that frequent seed feeders in the winter, such as the Carolina Chickadee, feed their young insects during the breeding season,” Parkins says. 

Safety and Predators

Parkins underscores that when attracting birds to our yards, it is important to keep them safe by keeping feeders clean, keeping cats inside, and passing on using pesticides.

“Birds will avoid feeders if there are predators, such as outdoor cats, in the area, so keeping kitty indoors will keep your bird visitors safe and happy,” she says. “If a hawk takes up residence nearby, songbirds may avoid the feeder until it moves on.”

Windows

Up to a billion birds die every year from collisions with windows and 44% of those occur at homes. 

“There is no safe distance from a window for a bird feeder, so make sure your windows are bird-friendly by using a proven collision deterrent,” Parkins says. “From tape to screens and films, there are many effective, easy-to-install, and inexpensive home solutions to help reduce bird-window collisions.”

Consistency

It’s true: birds notice if feeders are repeatedly empty, so it's important to make sure feeders are well-stocked.

“Birds will be more likely to stick around a reliable food source,” Parkins says.

Feeder Position 

Birds will be more likely to frequent a feeder that is a quick flight away from trees or shrubs that provide shelter and safety from predators. It’s also important to properly space out feeders.

“Some feeder styles can be grouped together, while some specialty feeders, such as finch feeders, work best when 10 feet or more from other birds,” the National Audubon Society states on their website.

Plants

Parkins says that planting native plants that support insect populations can bring more birds to your yard in the spring and summer months 

“And as a bonus their seeds will attract birds in the fall and winter,” she says.