Tips and Tricks For Using Window Feeders

Window feeders provide closeup views of birds and have the advantage of being naturally difficult for squirrels and raccoons to get to.
Window Cafe Feeder: tinyurl.com/37svr8m2
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-...
#marksbackyardbirds, #windowbirdfeeders, #birdfeeding
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Chapters
00:00 Introduction
00:10 Window Feeders
03:22 Suction Cup Arm
04:22 Open Trays

[@SheikhDeezNuts]

In my opinion, they are a must-have if you have an indoor cat since they love to watch birds

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

Cat TV!

[@melissa5907]

I’ve been using a window feeder this year, and absolutely love it.. especially my cats. We put a 1-way film on the window so the birds can’t see in, and gets comical because it’s mirrored, so the bird looks at itself chirping thinking it’s another bird. But the only ones that are using it are the house finches, dozens fight over it constantly, the finches prefer it over the sock feeder out on the hook. The cardinals, jays, sparrows and doves stay on the ground, even though I even put black oil sunflower seeds in the feeder also. So I’m looking at getting more window feeders of different types and more variety of seeds, it’s a very addictive hobby 😂 I do like that hopper style, and the tray style.. next on my list along with a window suet holder for this winter.

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

The birds and the cats thank you!

[@melissa5907]

@@MarksBackyardBirds Btw, I’m in Michigan, otherwise would be taking a trip to your store :)

[@carolstella6776]

I used a window feeder this winter, and it was so much fun! I mostly had chickadees, redpolls and nuthatches, but towards the end of the season I even had a hairy woodpecker get on it! She barely fit, so it was a hoot to see her get herself situated to eat the seeds! I live in NE Minnesota, and it was very cold out by the time we put ours up. Below freezing. I washed the outside of the window with rubbing alcohol, and put a very thin layer of Vaseline on the suction cups. The feeder stayed on through the entire winter, even when it was 40 below! And even with a good sized woodpecker! 😊

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

Up close viewing is so awesome. Good tip on the Vaseline!

[@jasonashley9853]

So far I'm having a hard time getting hummingbirds to find my window feeder. I'm close to Lake Erie so it takes a while for them to get here. But I have seen them in our lakeshore parks. I do have an oak tree nearby so it may obscure it a lot. I may hang something red to try to lure them.

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

Absolutely. The old Christmas bow trick is very effective. Place a few bows out for a while now. The more red color the better. When they visit the bow they just think it is a flower with no nectar. It should help them find you feeder. You take them down at that point.

[@Sawlon]

Squirrels are now climbing the side of my windows and jumping to my window feeder!

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

Many never figure out how but they can do that, especially on small windows. The center or higher on a big window can be more effective but you just can't under estimate them.

[@nancywendlandt5616]

Thank you, thank you! I have just purchased my very first acrylic window birdfeeder from a bird store in Yarmouth on Cape Cod where I live with the hopper. it was made by songbird essentials and I also purchased a suet window feeder from the same company soup suet window feeder and you've given me confidence that I can do this that this is a great idea! I was so enamored of the birds coming and going at my daughters house in New Hampshire that I just wracked my brain as to how I could do it here. There are many places for squirrels to maneuver from but I may have located a spot where the birds would be very visible to me from indoors that the squirrels might not get to! Thanks again!

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

That is awesome! Thanks for the comment.

[@nancywendlandt5616]

@@MarksBackyardBirds Good to get your reply. The birds are discovering my acrylic feeder but I haven't seen any in the spicy suet feeder about 7 feet away on another window. The bird store said the spice would keep squirrels away, but so far they can't reach it anyway. any thoughts?

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

@@nancywendlandt5616 Suet can be very unpredictable. My suet has been quite slow this fall/winter so far. It is dependent on the availability of natural food supplies and new feeder can cause them to be very cautious. Since it is so high up, I would switch the suet cake out for a nice fatty winter formula like C&S's Peanut Treat. You can put the hot cake in a plastic bag and keep it in the fridge until you need to discourage the squirrels. Hope this helps.

[@fromsunni]

im new here! so glad i found your channel, I'm not sure if youve done anything on puffins? they are one of my favorite birds!

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

Welcome to the channel. We did talk a little about Puffins in out Staff's Favorite Birds video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/n6jakIyva85khck

[@fromsunni]

@@MarksBackyardBirds oh awesome!!! thanks for replying!!

[@darrenmcguin9031]

Hello Mark, another great video! I have an idea for a program that I thought would make a very informative program. My idea was how to identify sick birds at your feeders and what are the causes and possibly the cures to these situations. Before you ask, Yes my feeders are clean. I’ve been noticing a few gold finch with which seems like eye infections, birds seem heathy otherwise. Just so you know I feed 100+ min. goldfinch everyday though the cold weather. Only my goldfinch have this issue and was wondering if certain birds have genetic diseases common to there species. I know it’s a big ask but you’re the man with the answer’s and I’ll look forward to your video, video’s. Thanks for your information and dedication to this channel, your friend Darren .

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

Hi Darren. That is a very important stand alone topic I will address soon. I have talked about the conjunctivitis eye disease in my How to Clean Your Bird Feeders video kzbin.info/www/bejne/q2e9n6hro7SWqNU but I really need to address it. I am sad to hear you are seeing it in goldfinches. House Finches have very low resistance to it and it spreads through them when populations get high enough. It hasn't been too long ago that they started documenting it in goldfinches and even Downy Woodpeckers. The most important thing is to disinfect your feeders with a 10% bleach solution after washing them. If continue to see sick birds, you may want to take the feeders down for a couple of weeks or more to give it time to run its course in your area.

[@anitacoogan4822]

@@MarksBackyardBirds Love your educational videos, I am also interested in this topic of health. I do not have a yard and not allowed at my condo, but also wonder how to tell if 'illness' involved I hear about Bird Fu on TV news with ducks/chickens. I do touch many injured birds that hit glass skyscrapers, and I do not want to spread a illness ( I am not concerned with my health as I am very strong) just wondering if thee are hints to look for so I can be alert to illness not just injuries. ( I know you are not a veterinarian, but you are very knowledgeable) I still walk around the streets on Newark NJ looking for injured birds

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

@@anitacoogan4822 I have done quite a bit of reading on the bird flu and according to studies, there is no link between songbirds and small mammals and the dangerous strains found in waterfowl and poultry. I have seen nothing published about any kind of signs of the disease in songbirds. The smart advise is to always wash you hands after handling you bird feeders and never handle a dead bird you find without gloves and masks. Really should handle them at all. A much higher level of caution should be used by folks who have poultry and or waterfowl, especially if they interact with wild birds. The one disease that we see in songbirds on a semi-regular basis is conjunctivitis ( especially in House Finches). If you do see individual birds with crusty eyes, you should clean your feeders thoroughly then treat them with a 10% bleach solution. You can leave them down for a few days to be extra cautious.

[@anitacoogan4822]

@@MarksBackyardBirds Thank you so much for your prompt and informative response, much appreciated.

[@The_sailors_say_birdy]

Will I have much luck on a second story window? The nearest tree is maybe 30-40 feet away

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

It will be harder but it isn’t unheard of We have several customers who have success from upper floors. It is the distance from trees that concern me.

[@elijahschrack8513]

Up here in Pennsylvania I am a beginner for having bird feeders and houses in my backyard. In the spring and summer when I mow the lawn, will it startle the birds till the point they don't come back again or will they stay at their homes and feeders.

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

It shouldn't. Most birds that live around people have be raised with that type of every day noise. They actually will take advantage of bugs that are exposed by the shorter grass.

[@elijahschrack8513]

@@MarksBackyardBirds Thank you for letting me know about that 👍

[@omgbygollywow]

We have one with the roof that is like a house roof, not flat. We already bought it, but is there any way we can jury-rig it so that we get a flat top?

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

As long as it provides protection from the rain, I think it should work well enough.

[@IGNACASLTU]

Hello, aren't birds afraid of human movement inside the house? I'm planning to buy one ant put it on my kitchen window, but I'm afraid they will be scared of cooking noises and my movement.

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

They may be a little at first but it is amazing how quickly they adapt to it. Some species may take more time than others while birds like chickadees are quite brave.

[@IGNACASLTU]

@@MarksBackyardBirds thanks!

[@sicks6six]

I've just bought one but the birds don't seen very interested in it. I filled it with sunflower hearts and put a small plastic container with water in it. Is there better food that the birds want more than the sunflower hearts. My window is 20 foot above ground height could that be a problem for garden birds.

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

That could be the issue. Distance from escape cover is often the main issue. I wouldn't give up on it yet. When conditions get more stressful, they may use it.

[@crae5677]

Love them🦋BUT… any ideas how to keep the squirrels out? so frustrating😡

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

Placing them higher and centered in a large window is the most effective method. You can try the hot seed mixes once or twice to try discourage them.

[@patriciaterranova1074]

Where can I find the plastic one that is on the top left?

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

That is the Aspects Window Cafe. We carry them at the store and typically have them online but we are in a conversion process online at the moment. You could call the store and we could ship it to you. 816-746-1113

[@VeronicasVeil333]

How about a seed catcher tray for window feeder? I have looked high and low………we had to take our feeder down because it was attracting mice and rodents and they were getting into the house. Any thoughts?

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

We have some window trays that are harder for the birds to knock the seeds out of. My first recommendation would be to use only hull-less seeds like sunflower kernels. No waste.

[@VeronicasVeil333]

@@MarksBackyardBirds What kind are they? I did just order some whole sunflower kernels.

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

In most feeders, whole kernels and Medium Kernels are the best.

[@stephanieparker9062]

I absolutely love my window feeders. However, does anyone have any tips on keeping doves from them? They’re so invasive and clean out my window feeders quickly.

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

The size of most window feeders keep dove off. There are dove cages that may fit your feeder.

[@jeanetteghioto78]

How do you attract birds to a window feeder? North Florida.

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

There really isn’t much to do other than put quality seed in the feeder and be patient. Your hope is a brave, curious bird like a chickadee will check it out. One one bird goes to it others will follow. It does help if there is “escape cover” close by like shrubs.

[@jeanetteghioto78]

@@MarksBackyardBirds does the location of the feeder matter? It’s on the east side of my house. Well above ground.

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

The proximity to cover is the most important thing. It gives them confidence is there is cover they can quickly get to.

[@jeanetteghioto78]

@@MarksBackyardBirds that’s it is far from a tree