As a wellness writer and amateur birder, I appreciate the health benefits of listening to birds. Studies show that hearing birdsong can positively impact our mental health, reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression and lowering stress levels.
Until recently, I lived in an apartment in the heart of a city. I had to actively seek nature and the advantages of being surrounded by our avian friends. I now live in a house with a backyard and mature trees, where birds flit among the bushes and bounce along the fence line.
I dove headfirst into my long-held dream of having an outdoor space with bird feeders, quickly realizing I needed some guidance on choosing the right feeder and figuring out where to place it.
Tru Hubbard, urban wildlife education coordinator for the Nevada Department of Wildlife, came to the rescue with expert insight. From feeders and seeds to bird safety tips, here’s everything you need to know about where to place and how to care for your bird feeder.
Where is the best place to put your bird feeder?
Location, location, location -- it's not just a term for real estate agents. Where and how you set up your bird feeder can affect the birds and other wildlife. The main points to consider when picking the best spot for your bird feeder are proper coverage and proximity to trees, distance from windows and height off the ground.
Coverage and proximity to trees
Birds prefer to feed in areas with some coverage, allowing them to quickly escape to nearby trees or bushes if needed. Placing your feeder near trees or shrubbery increases their protection from predators and offers shelter from inclement weather like rain or wind -- but they shouldn’t be too close. The standard guideline is to put your feeder between 10 and 15 feet from bushes and trees.
Hanging your feeder in a tree with easily accessible branches isn't advised. "We also want to reduce the ability of other animals to access the food, which is why sometimes hanging them in trees can be an invitation to our smaller mammals. Placing it about 10 feet away from any tree or structure squirrels or raccoons could use to jump off will help stop them from stealing food,” said Hubbard.
A bird feeder hung close to branches or structures can be an easy target for squirrels, raccoons and other animals. Raymond Gehman/Getty Images
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