 Bird Feeders
The ideal bird feeder is sturdy enough to withstand winter weather, tight enough to keep
seeds dry, large enough that you don't have to refill it constantly, and easy to assemble
and clean. For these reasons, plastic or metal feeders are usually a better long-term
investment than wooden ones.
Place your feeder in a quiet area where it is
easy to see and convenient to refill.
The feeder should be close to trees or shrubs
which can provide cover for birds. While evergreens provide thick foliage that hides birds
from predators and shelters them from winter winds, a variety of trees and shrubs will
probably attract the most birds. You may want to place your feeders at least 5 feet from
trees, as nearby branches can provide cover and jump-off points for cats and other
predators. You can provide resting and escape cover for ground-feeding birds by placing
loosely stacked brush piles near your feeders.
Feeder
Types -- This table illustrates many of the feeder types on the market, each
with a list of birds that are commonly observed at that feeder type.
You can make
your own feeders as many Classroom FeederWatch participants have done.
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