Feeding Birds FAQ

Commonly Asked Questions About Feeding Birds

DOES FEEDING BIRDS PREVENT THEM FROM MIGRATING ON TIME?
Seasonal changes in the length of days, rather than an abundance of food, determine when birds will begin to migrate. Migrations begin in the fall as days shorten (when natural food is still abundant), and commence again in the spring as days lengthen.

WILL BIRDS SUFFER IF FEEDERS GO EMPTY?
Natural food supplies are typically exhausted during winter, as birds consume all the seeds and fruits at one location before moving on to the next. Similarly, if backyard feeders go empty while homeowners are on vacation, birds will look elsewhere for food. If your neighbors are also providing food, birds from your feeders will likely spend more time feeding there. Since feeders only supplement natural foods, most species will not suffer if feeders go empty for days or even weeks at a time.

HOW SOON CAN BIRDS BE EXPECTED AT NEW FEEDERS?
It may be a matter of hours before birds discover new feeders—or a matter of weeks. The variation depends on the distance to bird habitat, density of nearby feeders and the kinds of birds that might chance on the new feeder (chickadees, titmice, and House Sparrows are especially quick to locate new feeders). If there are many feeders in your neighborhood, birds may find new feeders more readily, as they already associate feeders with an easy meal. If birds are slow to find feeders, scatter sunflower seeds on top of the feeders, and on nearby surfaces such as bare soil. Bird decoys may help to lure the first visitors, and other birds will soon notice the new food source.

WHAT ARE THE BEST TIMES AND WEATHER CONDITIONS TO WATCH FEEDERS?
Birds visit feeders most often in the early morning, and again just before dusk. They use feeders less often in the afternoon and during rainy weather. In contrast, snow-covered ground forces sparrows and juncos to congregate at feeders as these species typically feed on bare ground.

Source: The National Audubon Society