Top 5 (or so) Ways To Improve Your Feeder Station

There are many things that you learn over time when trying to attract birds to your feeder station that you wish someone had told you in the beginning. We will talk about many ways you can help birds and yourself.
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, #birdfeeding, #birdfeeders
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MORE INFORMATION
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00:00 Introduction
02:13 Providing Unfrozen Water
06:58 Rotating Your Bird Seed
09:39 Offer Quality Bird Seed
12:26 Bird Seed Storage Errors
15:24 Provide Good Escape Cover
17:09 Keeping Cats Indoors
17:54 Cleaning Bird Feeders
21:32 Questions and Answers

[@mikereade8228]

Finally could afford a house in Ontario, A beautiful garden with lots of cover in the middle of the backyard and forest behind. Thanks for your knowledge, I cant wait to see what I can bring in!

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

Habitat is everything. Good luck. 👍

[@cherriemcbratney162]

Please advise folks to wear synthetic rubber gloves when working with birdseed, feeders, bird baths. Cleaning bird baths especially! When your shoes and socks get wet, change to dry socks and shoes when finished with watering and cleaning. Why? Wet socks provide a breeding ground for toenail fungus. Wearing gloves and washing hands following bird feeder work protects you from caring germs and infection to you and family.

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

Good advice.

[@orianafisher3960]

Hello! I'm so delighted to have found your channel today! I've been backyard birdfeeding for many years, now retired I spend hours outside setting up feeding stations, I have more than 15 feeders. Up here in Northern Ontario Canada it's very cold, my first time with a heated bird bath, so amazing! On super cold days we can the steam come off the heated bird bath, Bluejays, sparrows finches, cardinals have been appreciating it. Last few days we've had a barred owl around, comes in at 5pm, I'm thinking he's after the mice that go through the feeding stations in the backyard. Surprisingly he's present at 8 am when I get up, he doesn't go after the birds, the Bluejays harass him . Looking forward to your other videos, I've learned some new things already from you! 🐦🐤🐦👍

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

So glad to have you as part of our community! You are truly helping this birds in your area with the set up you have created.

[@SPerryfevr]

Your videos are priceless. My bird stores do not educate people. My Backyard Bird stores all closed in my area and Wild Birds Unlimited took over. No classes ever given from them.😢. Thank you. ❤

[@SPerryfevr]

Excellent info! They just cut down my pine tree the birds used for cover in my backyard.😢. I am worried my usual crowd won’t be in this year. I am one of those people with no way to give water in the winter. I am from Michigan. Thanks for your expertise! Priceless 😊

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

Glad you find them helpful.

[@dnasbirdingadventures]

Thanks for the tips. I subscribed to see more. We just feed our birds in the winter due to bears coming out now. We're from Loveland, Colorado.

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

Thanks for subscribing. Bears do present a whole different level of challenge when it comes to bird feeding.

[@kelleyguthrie3404]

It is now March (already...) and I live right here in Shawnee, KS. I was sooo glad to learn about the bullet baffles to stop squirrels from eating all my seed! I've tried attracting bluebirds for years, and finally saw about a dozen come through about 2 weeks ago. I couldn't believe my eyes! Hopefully they'll come back around to stay. Yesterday I saw a pair of what my Mom called purple finch. The male has a red head and breast and their bodies are light brown with white stripes. I'm so happy to have them, no matter what they are! And thank you for your educational videos!

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

Hi Kelley, Thanks for tuning in. Bluebirds are so beautiful, and always a joy to see. I expect the birds in question are House Finches. Here is a link to a video that should help separating them kzbin.info/www/bejne/paeyYZ2OeaZ9gqc

[@rooster7996]

Another great presentation. Thanks for all the super information.

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

You are welcome! Thanks for tuning in.

[@susiechandler7968]

Thank you just found your KZbin today and really enjoy your knowledge about how to care for the kind of birds I have🙂

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

I’m glad to have you tuning in!

[@jimpangelinan1621]

Great video, Mark! Very informative. Also love the store... your staff is so knowledgable and helpful.

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

Thank you so much. I will pass this along to the staff!

[@dm9860]

Nice video, ty i didn't know about the bath heater, and I only cleaned house twice cause squirrels ate door on top and rain molded the cracked corn. CT winters can be harsh.

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

Glad I could help

[@davidthedeaf]

It seems that due to us having a birdhouse up years ago, and having had a bird feeder up a couple years back, when I put them back out last year they came back pretty fast. I used to have a garden nearby, but was removed by landlord. However, I kept it nice on the patio, with planters. The birds seemed to appreciate that I kept a blueberry bush in a planter to land on near the feeders. I have Juncos and Lesser Goldfinches in January in the PNW coming to visit right now. In fact, I think I had 10 chickadees, maybe more, eating the sunflower seeds. What they drop, other birds eat. I do have Niger seeds, but they love the sunflower seeds more. Interestingly, I had always ALWAYS failed with bricks of suet. I talked to my local backyard Birdshop here, and got a cheap new metal cage and suet with some protein worms or such in it. I finally caught some birds pecking wildly into the suet to get them out last week! I am going to build my own patio birdbath. I found an oil pan that fits the shelving I got perfectly, put rocks of various sizes in it (well cleaned), a rock-like bubbler, and will put clean bottled water in it so it starts out right. However, the bubbler would be ruined if the water freezes, right? So I may want to wait a few more weeks to put it out. There is a place I can put something on the built in ledge, and so I am planning to put a planter there. Is there any SAFE type of sealant/glue to hold something onto the plastic oil pan/birdbath even if wet/outdoors? I do not want to poison the water. Since this is a 3” tall container (rocks make it more shallow) and about 2 + feet long, should I put something in it to prevent mold or other growth that can harm birds and the bubbler? I know fish aquariums have plants to clean the water, is there something natural that can do that outside? If not, how often should it be scrubbed out? I plan to cover the wooden shelving top where the birdbath will be with something waterproof and easy to clean so bird poop will not ruin it. I may put real or fake herbs/plants near the birdbath in front and behind it on shelving top to look more natural and maybe make them feel more like it is a safe place.

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

It sounds like a good plan. You may want to watch my video on the cleaning and care of bird baths kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z2jQcmmAp7-em5o

[@davidthedeaf]

@@MarksBackyardBirds thanks I will. Appreciate your videos to educate us.

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

@@davidthedeaf Thanks for tuning in!

[@jeffreymiller7268]

Hi Mark it's Jeff again. Could you do a show and answer the question of why you keep your seed outside instead of inside?

[@gloriadumas1100]

Thank you so much I just love watching them eat and drink Beautiful ❤

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

They bring my us such joy!

[@cherriemcbratney162]

This was very informative. Thank you for the sharing of knowledge and helpful problem solving ideas. ❤.

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

You are most welcome! Thanks for tuning into the channel.

[@videosyoumustwatch2177]

You can click the bell button besides the subscribe button above to get notified for new posts

[@dankeener3307]

My favorite shrubs for attracting winter birds are red chokeberry, winterberry and viburnum. Native honeysuckle and Virginia creeper berries that make it into the winter are sought after by hermit thrush and bluebirds. In summer alternate-leaf dogwood, blueberry and raspberry are great support for birds. Oaks of all kinds, but especially white oak, are a support all year around for many birds because of the caterpillars they support even in winter. Titmice, nuthatches and chickadees will be kept busy storing seeds from our feeders into the bark crevices; so fun to watch. Thx for your informative video.

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

That is a great list of plants. Thanks for sharing.

[@outdoorztime2923]

Thank you, Mark! I am going to check out your online store.

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

Thank you!

[@outdoorztime2923]

@@MarksBackyardBirds You're welcome. I purchased a Red Tail Prop Suet Feeder. My hopes is to draw in one of the Pileated Woodpeckers. 😃

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

Good luck! They can be very elusive

[@AllThingsConsidered333]

SW Wisconsin. Thanks for all the info! Trying to get my town yard established as a bird sanctuary but meeting challenges mostly grackles, cats & squirrels…

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

Those all can be challenging. During the grackle season (spring and summer), feeding safflower and Nyjer helps a lot. Squirrel baffles on your poles or even caged feeders work great for more desirable seeds like sunflower and peanuts.

[@AllThingsConsidered333]

@@MarksBackyardBirds thx I did get a baffle and another caged feeder and safflower seeds. No birds seem interested in the safflower tho so I may need to mix it for a while I think

[@StayPositive47]

Thanks

[@JackiRiffey]

I’m from Fayetteville, Arkansas. Enjoyed this! Will subscribe to your channel!

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

Thank you. Welcome to the channel!

[@joannelouiseize1671]

hi ! im new and from ottawa ontario . i have a heated bird bath and it is the best invesment ive made for the very cold winters here in canada . last year was a little worried but it worked trow - 40 !!

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

You have helped many birds survive those conditions.

[@donna963]

Alot of helpful info. Regards moths, been there done that. One thing I've found to help is transferring seed to big ziploc bags, lay flat and keep in my freezer at least 3 days to kill eggs.

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

Great thought I wish I had addressed that. It is what always did for my mom.

[@dawnj1745]

​@@MarksBackyardBirds If I keep the bird seed in the freezer for a couple weeks before putting it in a can, I'll be alright? It gets so hot and humid here that I'm not sure I should leave them in the garage, and it attracts too many critters from the farm field behind us if we have them outside.

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

That should help for sure. At any point, if you see any signs of insects, you can put it back in the freezer for two weeks again.

[@dawnj1745]

Thank you so much!

[@maryannrodriguez9766]

Hello from Florida 👋

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

Welcome!

[@10.11.9]

Thanks for the information. I bought a bag of Brown's wild bird seed that appears to be a cheap mix of milo and other grains - and just some scant, small sunflower seeds, as you detailed. It works to deter those pesky mourning doves from my main feeder, but not before my cardinals pick out the seeds. Unfortunately, the doves do return for safflower from the main feeder, time and time again. I consider them the biggest backyard nuisance - worse than squirrels, starlings, and sparrows, combined.

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

They do make cages just for keeping dove and larger birds out of trey feeders. Cardinals can still access the seed. They both love Safflower

[@lindasyfie2723]

South DakotA

[@ronammologist16]

North Idaho near Sandpoint. Feeding Steller's Jays primarily. Just ordered a bath heater.

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

great investment

[@joanneadahk124]

I only see waxwings when my cotton Easter fruits. And then they come in masses! We live in pacific nw the other part of the year the cotton Easter feeds tons of native bees and honey bees. It has been one of our best food trees 🌳

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

Sounds like a great plant for your landscape

[@fermincamarena4341]

Thanks :-)

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

You are most welcome!

[@terimurphy9400]

How interesting that yins lived in Pittsburgh, PA! I'm about 50 miles east in Ligonier. 😍

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

We loved PA, life brought us back to Kansas City.

[@terimurphy9400]

@@MarksBackyardBirds I understand. We're both originally from here. My husband was in MS for 20 years. We got married 2 years ago and I moved there. He retired and life brought us back home to PA. Wish you had a store near us. We can get seed at Agway but not really anywhere to buy feeders, poles, houses or bird baths. I'd love to have an "erector set" for my birds!! 🤣

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

@@terimurphy9400 You can contact Erva Tool in Chicago [phone] and ask for their nearest Retailer to your zip code. They make great poles and deck arms. Good luck!

[@terimurphy9400]

@@MarksBackyardBirds thank you for the info! We will do that. The poles I've found here are worthless. First wind storm and they're turned into a pretzel.

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

@@terimurphy9400 Erva make quality products.

[@user-xx9ql7mz4g]

Hi from Three Rivers Michigan!

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

Welcome!

[@QueenTanisha]

Remington seems to be their favorite

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

I take it that is a brand of seed.

[@mimib2440]

Love this . I have sunflower hearts and shelled peanuts a deep them in the house . Have been for 10+ years and never have we seen any sort of insect. or moth in the house coming form the seed bags. Maybe it depends on the brand ? or origin of the seed?

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

You are very lucky. Some companies do use a lot of chemicals to keep them under control. It just depends on conditions.

[@mimib2440]

Yikes to chemicals ...it makes sense . @@MarksBackyardBirds

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

It would is an unfortunate truth

[@artofmelissa]

18:00. I clean mine about every 2-3 weeks. Its mostly when i see lot of poop on the top of them, along the side, or the glass gets a little cloudy, Im like "its time".

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

Clean feeders = healthy birds!

[@pedrosikes]

Mark, When it comes to sunflower seed which is best no shell or the in the shell? My feeders are over a garden bed with some pachysandra and mulch and was wondering if the hulls would be beneficial to the garden. And last does it matter shells or no shells for avoiding field mice? Thanks

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

Nutritionally they are the same for the birds. The hills can kill grass and other plants due to their acidity plus the hulls building up can attract bugs, grubs. Sunflower kernels only real weakness is their vulnerability to moisture since they do not have a seed coat to protect them.

[@jillhansinger4095]

Hi Marc…Jill from South East Michigan….as I’m sure you know Michigan has some really tough winters…I usually have 5 or six feeders in summer…and 9 in winter…the problem is…sparrows eat all the seeds, thus the sweet little song birds go else where…what can I do to discourage sparrows

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

Easiest thing you can do is stay away from grains. House Sparrows and blackbirds love millet, cracked corn and other grains. Only feed sunflower, safflower and peanuts if you can. In the past, I have been in situations where I had to offer up a pile of millet away from my feeders to lure the sparrows away from my "good seed". I know several of my customers who have bad sparrow issues have started using more Stripe Sunflower because the sparrow shy away from it due to its larger size.

[@laurakahlor1882]

I got used to seeing House Finches at my platform feeder under my patio when it was snowing but now I only see one and tons of Junco’s looks like all species and subspecies! So they are colorful in warm colors like the Oregon Junco and every color you can imagine in between! However, I want to see more House Finches, what can I do to see them again? There is no longer snow, I leave out black oiled sunflower seeds and H20 but I don’t see them!!

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

They will be back. Their favorite food is safflower. It should help to bring them back in.

[@PeggyStentzCasey]

I found your channel last month and I'm still catching up! Do you ever show your feeder station? I would love to see your layout.

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

I have pictures in a few different and some videos of the feeders in winter up. I’ll copy and paste a couple of links.

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/b4HPgmlmr7-tm80 is one

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/f6KwY6Zml8Zpp6M is another

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/eKaaqpiLgLWXY5I from spring a few years ago

[@PeggyStentzCasey]

@@MarksBackyardBirds thanks so much!

[@markocahoon]

Nashville, Tennessee

[@bertaatherton1345]

My birdbath is glass. Will it break or crack, where do you get the heater for it

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

It depends on the glass. If it is highly decorative, I wouldn't trust it in extremely cold conditions. A functioning bird bath de-icer with a thermostat should keep it safe in most winters. Here is a link to our de-icers: tinyurl.com/4zrt7weu

[@ameliadebusman3504]

Louisville Kentucky

[@kimkemeys9563]

Where is the best place to hang a feeder for blue birds ? I'm in central Maryland on a small farm.

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

I feel the best place is place them is among the rest of your feeders. I truly think bluebirds find "seed" by watching other birds at feeders then "join them".

[@maryannrodriguez9766]

Is it safe to use feeder fresh seed protector? In the bird feeders

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

While I have never used it, I spoke with the founder about it extensively last October at a trade show and feel it is safe.

[@maryannrodriguez9766]

@@MarksBackyardBirds thank you so much for answering. I appreciate it.

[@laurakahlor1882]

Adding to my other message… I live in Vancouver, Washington so I wonder if they flew somewhere else?

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

They are likely still in your area, just taking advantage of natural food supplies while it is milder

[@susiechandler7968]

Hi my is Susie from Turlock CA. Are the yellow finches here now?

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

They certainly should be. They will be in their dull winter plumage at this time. My males are just starting to show spots of the bright yellow here and there.

[@shirleywilhelm1495]

Texas

[@gregwhitten3577]

How can I be informed of the next live cam presentation.?

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

My goal is to do two lives each month. Basically every other Thursday. I will be live tomorrow night at 7:30 CST giving a January Wild Update and answering questions.

[@videosyoumustwatch2177]

You can click the bell button besides the subscribe button above to get notified for new posts ❤

[@wolfgangmaeschig5582]

Mark, what sort of feeder could you recommend for mainly titmice and robins. The problem is, all what the birds drop will be found by doves. I would like to keep the doves away!

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

Titmice love peanuts. A wire mesh peanut feeder is perfect for them and dove proof. Robins are not real seed eaters so feedings them usually is with mealworms and fruit.

[@wolfgangmaeschig5582]

@@MarksBackyardBirds Yes, I agree, The problem is what falls down on my balcony and attracts the doves. The bastards are keen and not at all shy. By the way, I watched a video, hand feeding! Titmice and robins liked the mealworms likewise!

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

They are vacuum cleaners. Good thing is the peanut feeders produce very little waste.

[@bettyharris7281]

South Carolina

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

Glad you tuned in. I was just there last week.

[@adriennelee6065]

I'm visiting my mom during the holidays, and unable to check on my feeders. I have a metal mesh clinging feeders, a nyjer feeder under our deck roof, a safflower seed log, and a suet cage, each under a squirrel baffle that's been turned into a halo with the crafting wire and weights. It's torture to not be able to keep an eye on "my" birds and my feeders, but I hope they're surviving...

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

They are survivors for a sure. They will be ready for your return I’m sure!

[@catherinedarling5138]

California. I grated my suet to solve the too hard problem.

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

That is smart.

[@davepelletier708]

Are there biocides that can be used to protect bird baths?

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

The only thing I know of is a liquid natural enzyme to battle algae.

[@cindynordlie2109]

How do you keep blue jays from fighting off other birds from the feeders?

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

I would avoid offering their favorite foods. Peanuts are their absolute favorite. If you do feed peanuts, use a mesh peanut feeder that are hard for Blue Jays to access. They also do not like Safflower seed so using that in open trays should help.

[@conniejean7425]

Connie..Fayetteville Tenn

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

Welcome!

[@StayPositive47]

Indiana

[@Swayze_S.L]

Im new to bird feeding and my bird feeder has been thriving for a few weeks now but recently I’ve had rats show up to feed because the birds keep throwing seeds on the ground. I don’t mind seeds in the ground because the ground feeding birds eats them but it also attracts rats which is not good. I’ve had to remove my feeder and replace it with a bowl so birds can’t throw seeds on the ground. But the ground feeder birds are probably not happy about that. Not sure what to do because I love all birds but I don’t want rats near my house.

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

I don’t blame you. Have you tried hull-less seeds? A combination of sunflower kernels and good sized trays to make it harder to toss seed out should help. Mixed seeds tend to encourage seed tossing so a single seed offer like just sunflower or sunflower kernels help a lot.

[@Swayze_S.L]

@@MarksBackyardBirds Thank you for the advice Mark. I will be sure to give it a try 👍 Very informative and helpful video by the way..

[@hilarie4]

Do Goldfinches eat safflower seeds?

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

The shell on regular safflower is too hard for them to crack open. They do eat NutraSaff though.

[@petersilverthorne8258]

How about adding rocks in your bird bath so they don't bathe and then freeze to death. The should only be able to drink, not bathe. Peter Canada 🇨🇦

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

I am a big fan of adding rocks to bird baths to provide different depths of water for various birds but there are many reasons why they can bathe in winter and not freeze to death.

[@mprice235]

How to get house sparrows away from my feeders!

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

I use the can't beat them, so join them by putting out millet (their favorite) on the ground on a bare spot near the woods. They far prefer that over sunflower and especially safflower.

[@jo-annsiebert4860]

That's a great idea Mark because I love the sparrows too.

[@shirleywilhelm1495]

I don't like the doves cause they poop on the seed, with open feeders.

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

That they do and it isn't small poop either.

[@robertcornelius3514]

The extra rain here in California has caused a huge wave of wild birds to be present. They are hungry. Just ask my wallet.

[@robertcornelius3514]

I'm very lucky to have quail in the area to eat up the not so good milo.

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

If it is good for the birdwatcher, it is generally bad conditions for the birds.

[@shirleywilhelm1495]

Your wifes voice is not clear.

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

We need to get her a microphone!

[@QueenTanisha]

Here from Syracuse Ny 🤍💫 thank you for your information I’m so new to this but just can’t stop feeding my birds but these deer are something else 😊

[@MarksBackyardBirds]

Sorry I missed this during my live. I'm sure you get plenty of snow and cold up your way. You are providing true help for your birds.