Photos of Bear Raiding Bird Feeder

We do our best to make our Squirrel Proof Vista Feeder, Absolutely Squirrel Proof Bird Feeder and Squirrel Buster Feeder let birds in and keep everything else out, but there are limits. I admit it: We don’t sell bear-proof wild bird feeders (though they do exist). Then again, if you’re still more worried about squirrels stealing your wild bird seed you can do a couple of things to make it harder for them to break in to your feeder.

Squirrels are very agile animals. They can jump 7 to 10 feet horizontally or 5 feet vertically, and are comfortable dropping up to 10 feet, too. Keep your feeder away from tree branches, rooftops and other surfaces where a squirrel can get secure footing and "launch." If you have a choice, the best option is to force them to drop horizontally if they want to try to get into a feeder. Many bird feeders are hard for a squirrel to safely land on because they have sloped roofs or in the case of tube feeders, have a small horizontal landing area. A hanging feeder also sways under heavier animals, making it more of a challenge. Squirrels that slip and fall won’t get your wild bird seed and it doesn’t really hurt them either. Keeping your feeder 7 feet or more away from squirrel launch points to make them drop down will help quite a bit.

Squirrels have stronger jaws than you think. If you hang a feeder with regular cord, there’s a good chance squirrels will chew right through it. This gives them an opportunity to knock the feeder to the ground, where they can pry it open at their leisure. Try metal cable, a wire handle, or a metal post. If you must use weaker material, consider slick synthetic fibers that are harder for a squirrel to climb. They can’t use their full strength unless they’ve got sure footing.

Using these steps along with a feeder that has squirrel proofing features can really help save your seed for the wild birds you want to see. They can’t do much about bears, though . . .

The Cornell University Ornithology Lab’s All About Birds website is packed full of scientifically sound information about wild birds. There are lots of ornithology labs around the country, of course, but Cornell is one of the few that includes tips for attracting birds to your backyard.

One of the areas that interest us most is the section on seed preferences for different wild birds. The page at the link discusses the types of birds that go for various seeds. Here’s a guide to selecting our wild bird food products by seed:

Millet: We offer for wild bird foods that feature sparrow-attracting millet. Try Ultimate Variety, Superior Seeds, Berry and our traditional Dutch’s Deluxe.

Safflower: Get Dutch’s Deluxe, Superior Seeds and Ultimate Variety. As Cornell’s researchers note, safflower is noted for its ability to attract cardinals.

Nyjer: Nyjer’s appeal to finches is so remarkable that we wrote an article about it. You can purchase Gold Nyjer alone or as part of our premium Dutch’s Deluxe mix.

Sunflower: Sunflower is well known as the most attractive seed for a wide variety of birds. While we offer Super Sunflower for people who want nothing else, all of our feed mixes except for our pure Nyjer offerings contain it. We also offer Sunflower Blend Suet Plus for birds with more varied diets. Our mixes include hulled (shelled) seeds that smaller birds find easier to eat and which reduces the mess wild birds leave behind.

Peanuts: Wrens, woodpeckers, cardinals and jays are among the species that love this high energy "seed." Check out Ultimate Variety and our Peanut Blend Bird Food to add it to your backyard birds’ diets.

Corn: Our Ultimate Variety food contains cracked corn, which is popular with blackbirds, finches and sparrows.

Remember, if you need a quick reference by species you can also check out our color-coded Bird Feeding Chart.

Want birds in your yard? The basics are simple: Feed them, keep your cat indoors (or put a bell on, so birds can hear him coming) and set things up near trees and other comfortable places to perch. Beyond the basics, the right wild bird supplies can really increase your chances of bringing their sound and color to your yard.

Here, then are five wild bird supplies that will make a big difference to you during the summer bird watching season, and beyond:

1) Wild Bird Food

It barely even needs to be said, but the way to a bird’s heart is through its stomach. The real question is: What do you put out for the birds? The answer depends on the season, your area and the type of birds you want to attract. Here are some matches from our catalog:

• Rich’s II Ultimate Variety: Seed-Eating Birds
• Rich’s II Fruit and Berry: Fruit and Nut-Eating Birds
• Rich’s II Gold Nyjer Seed: Finches (Finches, etc.)

2) A Wild Bird Feeder

Naturally, you don’t want to chuck wild bird food on the ground. Not only is it messy, but it attracts scavengers and makes the birds expose themselves to predators while they eat. A feeder is the answer, but there are lots of choices. Which ones are best for you? If you’ve got a modest property with minimal foliage one of our tube feeders might be a good choice. If you’ve got a big house with lots of space to hand things, or access to an old tree (or a stand of young ones) you can support a larger feeder. Our Monarch Electric Blue feeder is big and beautiful. It looks great hanging from a thick pine branch or household overhang.

You can get the best of both worlds with the Cardinal 3 Tube Bird Feeder. It’s a space-efficient, large feeder. You don’t need a spot to hang it because it’s post-mounted. It’s got a 10 lb seed capacity.

Most people will have to deal with squirrels. A tube feeder might work, but squirrels are agile critters. They can get in even the best-placed feeder unless it’s designed to keep them away. We carry several squirrel-proof models.

Local weather should mold your decision, too. Will your seeds stay  dry in a mesh feeder, or do you need to feed wild birds in all weather?

3) A Bird Bath

Birds need to drink as well as eat. Many people keep bird baths as garden decorations, but forget that a properly placed and cared for bath really can attract birds.

Keep the bird bath in a relatively open area. This helps birds watch for predators. Placing it under an overhanging branch means that spooked birds don’t have to fly far from the bath to reach a safe spot. Keep it clean and fill it with fresh water on a regular basis. Don’t fill it too deeply, or birds won’t venture beyond the edges. Some companies offer heated bird baths for the winter, too.

4) Another Feeder!

Seriously! Birds are territorial, so one of the best ways to attract them is to put out multiple feeders that are spread some distance from each other. You can also put different wild bird feed in each of them to attract a wider variety of species.

5) Cleaning Supplies

Finally, remember to keep your feeders, the areas around them and your bird bath clean. Not only does this prevent your yard from suffering the unpleasant side effects of being a popular wild bird hangout, but it increases its appeal to birds and ensures their health. Clean up about once a month.

A mix of one part bleach to nine parts water is all you need to clean your feeders and nearby surfaces. Clear droppings, spilled seed and other debris from the area. Wash your hands thoroughly afterwards. Healthy birds are more likely to make it through the winter — and if they’ve learned your feeders are the place to be, they’ll come back again and again.