Squirrel proof bird feeder pole how to#

The poles are far more effective and pose less harm to the birds.

Squirrel Proof: If you have squirrel problems I recommend getting a squirrel-proof bird feeder pole system rather than a squirrel-proof feeder.

Made in the USA: If this is important to you, there are some feeders made in America.

Bonus: Feeders made from recycled materials are easy to clean.

Eco-Friendly: If you’re interested in eco-friendly feeders there are several made from recycled materials to consider.

If your plan is to mount the feeder on a pole make sure it is pole-mount capable.

Mount Style: Most bird feeders come ready to hang from a hook or tree limb.

Just so you know – the Cardinals don’t care 😉

Aesthetics: You may want to choose a feeder that is aesthetically pleasing to the landscape of your yard.

Size & Weight: Consider the location you’ll be placing the feeder to ensure it’s a suitable size and weight.

If they are important to you, add them to your list of things to consider: They are not universally “key” when selecting the best bird feeder for cardinals but might be ones that are personally important to you or your circumstance. Here are a few other features you may want to consider. Personal Preference: Other Features to Consider

Look for a bird feeder made from one or more of these materials: metal, and plastic (including recycled plastic). The bird feeder needs to be durable to withstand year-round conditions especially if you live in an area that experiences the extremes of the seasons (like Wisconsin where I live). The Best Cardinal Feeder Has Durable ConstructionĬardinals are year-round birds which means they’ll be around to experience all that mother nature throws their way. Look for a feeder with a simple opening to refill. If you have to fumble while trying to refill and it spills food all over making a huge mess, you’ll become frustrated and unlikely to continue using it. The Best Cardinal Feeder is Easy to Refillīird feeders that are easy to refill will be used more often and ultimately attract more birds. using a platform-style feeder), look for a feeder with an enclosure and roof to keep the food dry. If you cannot commit to putting out just a couple of days worth of food at a time (i.e. However, they do not offer protection from the weather. Platform feeders are truly the best type of feeder for cardinals because of the wide perch and ability to put out all of the cardinals’ favorite foods at once. While this approach requires more diligence it’s worth it because you’ll attract more cardinals. We want to avoid making our feathered friends sick because it can spread and cause more birds to get sick and even die.Īn acceptable alternative to a feeder with an enclosure and roof is to just put out enough food for a day or two so the birds eat it before it has a chance to get wet and moldy. When bird food gets wet it can become moldy, especially in hot & humid conditions. To make cleaning easy, look for a bird feeder that can be easily disassembled and made of non-porous materials such as recycled plastic or metal. Allow it to air-dry completely before refilling.Wood is extremely difficult to remove the bleach smell after soaking and rinsing which can be toxic to birds.Rinse with clean water thoroughly until all scent of bleach is removed.

Soak in 1:9 water/bleach solution for 10 minutes (e.g.Scrub in a bath of boiling water and dish soap.

Squirrel proof bird feeder pole how to#

Not sure how to properly clean a bird feeder? heck out The Best Cardinal Feeder is Easy to Cleanīird feeders need to be cleaned on a regular basis in order to keep wild birds healthy and prevent the spread of disease. The cardinals’ favorite feeder foods in order of preference include:ģ. Look for a bird feeder that holds one or more of the cardinal’s favorite feeder foods. The Best Cardinal Feeder Holds Cardinal-Favorite Food Plus, we want the wild beauties to return again and again so why not make it comfortable and easy for them to get at the food? 2. While any bird will make the perch work if they’re hungry enough, we’re interested in the best bird feeder for cardinals without them having to twist themselves into a pretzel to get at the food. Cardinals require a longer perching distance from the food than smaller birds. If you’re visual like I am, check out the illustration below. The Best Cardinal Feeder Has a Cardinal-Friendly PerchĬardinals are almost 9″ long making them relatively large perching birds compared to chickadees, another common feeder bird, which is only about 5″ long,īecause of their size, cardinals need a perch that’s further from the food than a smaller bird would need. If you want to attract cardinals to your yard, focus on these six key factors when shopping for a bird feeder for cardinals:ġ. There are hundreds of bird feeder options available. Factors to Consider When Buying a Bird Feeder for Cardinals