▷ How to make a bird feeder that birds also like

We asked the ornithologist Gedimins Petkaus how to make a feeder so that not only we, but also the birds like it (pazinkpaukscius.lt). He showed you how to build a bird feeder with the simple tools you have and shared some tips to ensure you are successful:

We usually don’t know these rules

In order for the feeder to be functional and attract as many visitors as possible, it is important to consider several nuances:

The feeder requires low sides. They will ensure that the bait does not scatter when the wind blows: it will not be necessary to refill it so often;
The feeder should remain as open as possible, do not close it with walls. In this way the birds will be much more willing to land, because they will be able to see what is happening around them, they will feel safer;
The sides of the feeder should not be too high, otherwise the larger birds would scare the smaller ones, which need our help more in winter. The distance of 7 cm from the top of the curb to the roof is the same.

The power supply made by Gedimin is too tall. photo Lina Lubertaitė

Gediminas created a manger with higher openings. He says that in this case it is possible to surround the feeder with a wire mesh: its mesh size should be 5 cm x 5 cm.

Below you will find tips for attracting specific birds.

Backyard birds are important for biodiversity and help fight pests in the most natural way. For advice on more sustainable growing, take a look at our courses “Modern vegetable garden”. These are detailed distance learning courses for those who want to grow plants not by intuition, but based on scientific knowledge and practice accumulated by experienced gardeners.

How to make a power supply

Gediminas is convinced that it will not be sophisticated materials, but several important principles that will ensure that the feeder is frequented by birds. Therefore, he does not start the search for materials from the store, but from what he already has.

The most important elements are:

The base of the power supply. Gediminas used 2 panels, which were finished after the warehouse was installed. Just insert them one inside the other and thus obtain a base for the manger;
Sides of the power supply. Use narrow wooden planks 5 cm wide, screwed to the base;
Roof supports. To keep the manger open, Gediminas does not build the walls of the manger. Instead, prepare the roof supports. The supports in this case are pine branches carried by the wind, cut to the same length;
The roof. It can be inclined, it can be flat: it attracts different birds accordingly. This time, the manger is equipped with a flat roof, using two boards glued together and reinforced.

How to attract birds

All kinds of birds gather in the ornithologist’s simple feeders, but how can a mere mortal achieve this? There are no big secrets here either: you just need to know a little about the birds, their interests and their priorities.

Feeders found in stores often look like houses with sloping roofs. When you create your feeder, you can have some influence on which birds will visit it. A flat roof can attract a jackal. It is a larger bird, so it needs more space to perch – a horizontal platform is perfect for this. Don’t forget to pour the treats onto the roof too.

The shape and refinement of the feeder can also attract the interest of birds: Gediminas specially left a pine cone with a protruding branch. On it he plans to hang a bird cake, bacon or simply a bunch of rowan berries – real delicacies for birds.

What you decide to put in the feeder is important. The ornithologist emphasizes that the feed must be clean, it is not necessary to add food residues which deteriorate quickly.

Various grains, nuts and seeds are suitable for birds. It turns out that different birds have their own priorities here too: for example, great tits prefer sunflowers with shells, and house sparrows prefe

Site selection and maintenance

Of course, where you hang the feeder also determines a lot. Birds prefer more secluded places: hang the feeder on trees or bushes. The birds will feel safer there, will be able to hide from larger birds and will be able to get away from a lurking cat. Of course we prefer to hang feeders near windows so we ca