How Long Does it Take Birds to Find a New Feeder?

When anyone buys a new bird feeder, they expect birds to be on it by the time they get back into their house from hanging it. This is rarely the case. Birds have to be cautious to survive and a new feeder, even among other feeders, is something new in their environment and they will often avoid it at first. I recommend giving the feeder a minimum of two weeks for birds to start visiting it.
Mark McKellar is a wildlife biologist with over 35 years of bird study experience. He has a degree in Fish and Wildlife Sciences from North Carolina State University and has worked for the Department of the Army, the Wildlife Departments of North Carolina and Missouri. He ran nature centers for many years in Missouri and Pennsylvania before buying the Backyard Bird Center in the Northland area of Kansas City. Mark has led hundreds of bird hikes both locally and abroad. He has taught classes about birds and other wildlife to groups of all ages and brings that knowledge to the customers of his retail business every day. More information about Mark at backyardbirdcenter.com/about-...
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Chapter
00:00 Introduction
00:23 Time of Year
00:45 Defense Mechanism
01:15 Instincts
01:53 Seed Choice
02:33 Sunflower vs Safflower
03:23 Age
03:52 Why
04:23 Outro
Some product links are affiliate links which means if you buy something we'll receive a small commission.
Mark's Amazon store:
www.amazon.com/shop/marksback...

[@MichelleLewis-ho1zo]

Thank you for the wonderful videos!

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

Thank you for watching!

[@mandymandy7225]

I’ve put a new feeder up yesterday and quite a few birds have flown near it and checked it out then flew off. I placed a container underneath with a large rose bush in it and as soon as I walked away 2 birds starting feeding from it. They need the safety of cover to fly to in between feeding

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

Very true. Cover gives them a much higher degree of confidence in the feeding setting.

[@mariac5942]

Thanks for this useful video! It's early March but still quite cold here in England. I hope that's enough "stress" to attract birds to my window feeder, just installed on the 1st floor...never had one before.

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

They should find it. Good luck!

[@infallibleblue]

There’s so much to learn! I put a new type of feeder for the house finch and they did not figure out how to use it. I probably need more patience but thank you.

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

Birds are creatures of habit.

[@guidedbygreen1480]

Great video, thanks! Just got my first feeder, birds were digging around my trees with all this snow looking for food. Had to get one to help the little guys out! Threw a bunch of seeds as well around the feeder on the ground to promote them.

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

Bird seed helps many species survive tough stretches of winter. Thanks for helping them.

[@annereynolds66]

I heard from someone that black capped chickadees chances of survival in cold weather goes from 30 some percent to 60 some percent when feed by us

[@justaskmike4602]

I never had a birdfeeder in my backyard here in southwest Florida hung one out about three weeks ago within an hour or less they were birds at it…mostly, grackles, but I like watching how they interact with each other which ones are more confident about just sitting at the feeder and eating and others flying in take a bite and leave the difference between the smaller ones in the boat tails….. then of course I do have one red cardinal that comes around and he’s awesome!

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

Watching behavior is a huge benefit of bird feeder stations

[@throttle_therapy0025]

You do a great job and love your content. Only problem is that now I’m into birding more and want to buy more items. Keep it up!

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

It is addictive! Glad you like the channel.

[@mikeprzlomski2092]

Thanks Mark

[@kazden100]

Aye great video, and helpful information. I just got into trying to feed the birds around my parents house because I plan on building around here in the future. I put out feeders around the woods and going to work some more in once they get comfortable with them. Do know it it’s the best idea but I hope it works out haha

[@flordelisASMR]

Thank you, this really helped me. Hi from Brooklyn, N.Y. 💜

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

Glad that it was helpful. Hi there in Brooklyn!

[@timnolan8435]

I looked this up because I am setting up my feeder in Brooklyn!

[@flordelisASMR]

@@timnolan8435 I set one up also and I've had a couple of brave birds visit me already!

[@lloydbrannan1002]

I put up a new Hopper feeder last night for safflower and the white breasted nuthatch was on it at daybreak and he's been using it all morning. I had a few chirping sparrows checking it out but thats it so far. I want to see how long it takes the house finches and cardinals to find it.

[@levileausa9541]

Thanks for the info just got a bird feeder and some bird food from home depot

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

It is a wonderful hobby.

[@foo.5254]

Have any advice for bird feeder on a window, mainly a second floor window?

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

Window feeders can take longer for birds to adapt to, especially if is your only feeder. I their are other feeders nearby, they will like find them and use them quickly. Not a lot you can do other than be patient.

[@MegaFiloso]

❤

[@larissarosa7688]

Thanks for the information! I’ll be patient then. I bought my first bird feeder and placed it in the nature preserve in my backyard. It’s hanging from a tree branch. The seeds are the recommended one disliked by squirrels (label said liked by birds and “hot” for squirrels). It’s been a week. My backyard is full of cardinals, finches, blue jays, etc. I wonder if I should put some peanut butter on the branch.

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

You should definitely give it more time. It generally takes a little more time in spring or summer as they are in their nesting cycles and are truly dependent on insects. They will discover your feeders eventually and likely bring their young in to teach them of your free food source.

[@larissarosa7688]

@@MarksBackyardBirds Success today!!! Thanks for your prompt reply. A beautiful male cardinal came. He sounds happy and so loud I am taking it as a “thank you”, but surely it’s because it is announcing the discovery😄

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

@@larissarosa7688 Fantastic!

[@annaleea2005]

Hi! I enjoyed your video! My bird feeder was very popular by many birds, but I recently purchased a Tower Garden that has a water function that goes off every 30 minutes, my birds have not returned to the bird feeders, do you think the sound of water has scared them off? Also, I had a new roof installed during all of this and the original bird feeder was broken by the roofers so I had to replace, but new feeders have been up for almost 2 weeks now. I miss my birds. Do you have any advice?

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

Birds can be affected by change like that. They will be back, especially when weather is more stressful. Feeders slow down naturally this time of year because of insect availability and nesting territories. Keep the seed dry and fresh. Could the seed be getting wet from the water feature? Remember, never leave seed in a feeder longer than a month.

[@JohnWood-tk1ge]

Interesting I hung up a new feeder last week and I was wondering how long before the birds would use it. It was about six feet away from my existing feeders and just today I saw it getting used about as much as the others.

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

Higher stress conditions help drive birds into feeders much quicker.

[@joshweaver4729]

I’ve had two feeders up for a month at my new construction home. Still haven’t had the first bird visit my feeders and it’s driving me nuts lol.

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

New construction and at a slow time of year is a bad combination. My guess is, once the weather cools off and stress goes up on the birds you will see them. Keep the seed fresh. Only fill them half full or so. Seed should never be left in a feeder longer than a month.

[@joshweaver4729]

@@MarksBackyardBirds got it! Thank you for the timely reply!

[@annereynolds66]

@@MarksBackyardBirds isn’t it true that birds need shelter close to the feeders , bushes , trees nearby ? Just thinking maybe because of new construction, maybe nothing nearby the feeders to make them feel safe .

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

@@annereynolds66 Yes, close cover to your feeder station gives birds "confidence". It is a dangerous world for them and they prefer to be able to sneak into a feeder via cover and know that they can get to cover quickly if a predator comes along. Brush piles are wonderful additions to your feeder area. I did video on that topic but the audio was awful. I will reshoot one in the coming weeks.

[@juliac3933]

Are some types of feeders less “scary” than others?

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

That is an interesting question. I think caged feeders are a little more intimidating for birds and it may take longer for them to figure out, but they have to leery to survive.

[@gianellacerriteno9301]

I moved into a new home and put out two different looking kinds of feeders with 2 different kinds of seeds. Plus installed a small bird bath and still no luck. What am I doing wrong? There are few cats around nieghborhood . Should I simply get a tall bird feeder holder to make em feel safer ( Ones i have out right now are at different levels) ? I also installed a birdhouse really high so no animals could harm it

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

Be aware that this is the slowest time of year for seed feeders. Nature's bountiful supply of seeds, berries and insects are keeping our birds happy. Feeders will be slow until the weather turns colder and natural food supplies start to run low. We call the "official" seed feeder season is Dec - June. That being said, most of us feed all year.

[@gianellacerriteno9301]

@@MarksBackyardBirds Thank you so much! I always fed all the birds and squirels back at my mothers house and wanted to continue feeding our feathery and fluffy friends. Animals make such an important and beautiful impact in our lives

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

@@gianellacerriteno9301 I so agree!

[@tabathaparsons3333]

I have a question if you buy a feeder well I have 2 but I clean them once a week or in two days depending on how fast they eat them my question is how do you know if you're supposed to stop feeding like if you have to many birds because I had a lot of different kind of bird's nuthatch birds Cardinals sparrows and the little black and white woodpeckers this is my first year feeding them I stopped feeding them for 3 weeks because I had a ton of bird's coming and going none of them looked sick I make sure to clean the bird feeder good well my? Is if you stop feeding them will they get mad and not come back? And how do you know when you have to many and to stop feeding them and to stop because I don't know but I do have my 3 bird feeders back out I just put them out yesterday I don't know if I need a bird bath because it's hot here now I still have a lot of hummingbirds though there so cute

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

Scientific studies tell us that birds only get about 15% of their daily diets from bird feeders. They are constantly eating insects, berries, wild seeds and more. Our feeders are primarily for our enjoyment. The exception is they can help them survive really harsh conditions. A dependable, clean source of water is essential to birds and other wildlife. There really isn't a condition that I am aware of that would necessitate stop feeding birds for their sake.

[@LifelinegamingFilms]

Bird crew

[@jadepayne1326]

I have bird feeders but all I get is sparrows starlings black birds and pigeons never anything new idk why they aren’t comeing

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

The time of year may have a lot to do with the birds you are getting. Seed choice is also critical. Hear is a video I posted recently about this very topic. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hWKZgqZ7mdCifpY

[@jadepayne1326]

@@MarksBackyardBirds I put all sorts of food I put suet, mealwoems, sunflowerhearts , Niger seeds , seed mixes, mealwoem pellets

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

@@jadepayne1326 So much of bird diversity is driven by habitat. Are you in an urban setting or out in a rural area? Is your yard more open or treed? Another factor can be the distance you are from cover. Birds do not like to be "out in the open" too long. Feeders closer to cover give them confidence.

[@jadepayne1326]

@@MarksBackyardBirds my home has a huge tree nere and lots of small bushes I used to get golden finches befor now they don’t come I cleaned all my feeders I tried everything. My feeding are is in a corner we’re they have little gaps they can go if they get spooked or easily fly away.

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

@@jadepayne1326 what part of the country are you in? Here in NW Missouri, the blackbirds are bad this time of year, but tend to move out into agriculture areas by August or so.

[@sherylmarshall1444]

Can I leave seeds / nuts out for upto 2 weeks? Or do I need to change seeds every few days even if not eaten

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

It depends on your rain/humidity level and if the seed is protected. If it gets wet, it is best to pitch it but if your conditions are dry, the recommendation is to never leave seed in a feeder longer than a month

[@sherylmarshall1444]

@@MarksBackyardBirds thank you I e just put up my seeds & nuts a few days ago and it’s been dry all week ! Sadly no activity yet but (un..haha) patiently waiting! Also what the procedure what cleaning & replacing seeds with current bird flu? Best cleaning solution? Wear gloves ? Thanks for your speedy reply

[@claracornejo3410]

Ummm not really I don’t understand