Whether you have a new feeder or a well-established one, if the birds aren’t showing up, you may wonder why. Here are the most common reasons:

1. The seed is no longer fresh or has gotten wet.  Exposed to sun and weather, seed is good in a feeder for only 2-3 weeks. If rain or snow has seeped into the feeder, seed can spoil in just days. If we are expecting wet weather use a weather guard to help protect seed and give your feeder a good shake after the rain or snow has passed to prevent clumping and help reduce spoilage. Much like we humans are reluctant to revisit a restaurant where we’ve had a bad experience, the birds will also avoid a “bad” feeder. Until the birds are eating well, place only a small amount of seed in the feeder and change it regularly so that it is still fresh when they finally discover the feeder.

2. The feeder is new or has been left empty for a while.  Birds locate food purely by sight, so while birds may notice the food right away, it could also take them a while. Three-four weeks would be average for an all-purpose feeder; possibly twice that time for a specialty feeder.
Being prey species, birds can be wary of new objects, so even a shiny new feeder replacing an old one may require an adjustment period. 

Don't worry if your feeder has been empty for a while, think of if you were driving to your favorite restaurant and saw it was closed, you would move on to a different one for that meal and check back on your favorite the next time it's open - birds will do the same! Birds get only 25% or less of their food from feeders and are used to food sources that are short-lived or "move" (like a flower blooming, or nuts being ripe for eating), so not having your feeder full won't keep them away forever, they'll be back!

3. Patience is needed in some habitats.  While birds can be attracted nearly everywhere, a new feeder in woodlands will be noticed faster than one in a new subdivision or in the middle of farmland void of large trees. Ask us what feeders will work best in your habitat.

4. Seed is stored improperly.  As with human foods, heat and humidity will spoil seeds. Buy no more than you can use in about 6-8 weeks, and store it in a cool dry place - don’t store it in a hot shed or garage. If you have no option but to store it in a less-than-ideal location, buy only about two weeks worth at a time. We get fresh shipments each week, so you know our seed is fresh when you buy it.

5. The feeder is dirty.  A dirty feeder can harbor mold and bacteria, which is unhealthy for birds and will make new seed spoil faster. Wash feeders regularly.

6. The wrong seed or blend is being used.  The wrong feeder/seed combination can result in poor bird activity. Each species of bird has its favorite foods, so getting that right is an important start, and not all feeder styles can dispense foods equally, meaning even the right food in the wrong feeder will make the food inaccessible. Ask the experts at your Wild Birds Unlimited store to help you choose.
Note: WBU seed blends never contain junk grains like those often found in discount store blends. Most songbirds avoid these fillers altogether.

7. Predators!  A hawk or cat lurking around will make birds scarce. As hunting becomes more difficult, predators tend to move on. After a few weeks, the songbirds usually return. Ask us for additional advice.

8. Feeders are located too close together or in species-inappropriate locations.  Some feeder styles can be grouped together, while some specialty feeders, such as finch or hummingbird feeders, work best when 10 feet or more from other birds. Each bird species has its favored feeding spots. For example, woodpeckers will be happiest near trees, while goldfinches will typically prefer to be out in the open.

9. Natural cycles.  Birds use feeders all year long, but activity will be highest during bad weather and at the start of nesting season (which can often be the same here in Colorado!). Birds may visit less if natural sources are abundant (examples: finches love ripe coneflower seeds, and jays and woodpeckers feast on autumn nuts). Yards with little natural cover for protection may be quiet during winter winds.

10. Feeders are Broken/Defective/Wrong Style.  Occasionally we see feeders in non-usable states of disrepair or ones so poorly designed they aren’t functional. Feel free to stop by with your feeders or photos, even if the feeders aren't from us we're happy to evaluate and give advice!

Thankfully, if one or more of these reasons apply to your feeders, the remedy is usually pretty simple and you should have birds returning soon enough. Please stop by and see us at Wild Birds Unlimited for more detailed assistance or for a bag of fresh high-quality birdseed.