Welcome to our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)!
Whether you're new to birdwatching or have been feeding birds in your yard for a while, you'll find clear, concise answers to the most frequently asked questions.
Our goal is to help you better understand the local wildlife, solve anything that might affect your experience, and make your journey into backyard birding more enjoyable.
Feel free to check this page regularly—it is updated based on your feedback and the common concerns we receive.
1 - I live in the city and don’t have a large backyard. Can I still attract a wide variety of birds?
> Yes, one of the first suggestions is to use of your clothesline. Attach your feeders securely with a carabiner to facilitate removing and filling. Although clotheslines are harder for squirrels to access, if they do become a problem, you can add a squirrel baffle dome above your feeder.
Another suggestion is to use a window feeder. Most models use suction cups to adhere to the window. Window feeders allow us to observe birds up close from inside the house. Certain models include an adjustable dome to prevent larger birds from accessing to the feeder.
2 - How can I prevent animals from knocking our feeders to the ground?
> The feeder must be securely attached to a hook or arm. Using a lockable carabiner is the best way to prevent animals from accessing your feeder because they cannot unscrew it, yet the feeders remain accessible for filling or cleaning as required.
2 - I have a lot of seeds that end up below my feeder. How can I avoid such a mess ?
> First, we must look at the kind of seeds being offered. If you are using a mix of seeds, birds will often choose the seeds they like and throw the rest of them down. Unfortunately, several inexpensive seed mixes contain a large amount of milo (also known as sorghum) which is used as filler. It is a large dark red round seed not to be confused with millet which is lighter in colour. As the birds select their favourite seeds, the rest become waste and usually end up in a mess below your feeder.
If you only offer sunflower seeds, you might want to offer hulled sunflower seeds which eliminate fallen shells under the feeder. Hulled sunflower is a favourite seed for a very wide variety of birds. Seed catchers can also be put under bird feeders in order to catch fallen seeds. Some models have a plate with holes in it and the fallen seeds will not be available to birds if you are worried that large bird will gather in your seed catcher in order to feed on the fallen seeds.
We hope this FAQ answered your most important questions.
If you didn’t find the information you were looking for, don’t hesitate to contact us by email at info@nature-expert.ca or via our Facebook and Instagram pages.
Our team is here to help. Thank you for your trust—and see you soon!
