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Scuba

(53,475 posts)
Fri Nov 21, 2014, 05:57 PM Nov 2014

Feed the birds? Dos and Don’ts of Feeder Placement

http://www.birds.cornell.edu/citsci/take-action/2014/11/dos-and-donts-of-feeder-placement/



Finding the perfect location for a bird feeder is a balancing act between getting the views you want and birds’ safety. Where do you watch birds from? Your patio? A kitchen window? The living room? You can start by limiting the possible area by deciding on a focus zone in the yard.

Next you need to check for known dangers to eliminate unsafe locations within that zone. Ornithologists estimate that millions of birds are killed each year by hitting windows. Window strike mortalities can be reduced by moving your feeders to within 3 feet of the window or greater than 30 feet away.



When feeders are close to a window, a bird leaving the feeder cannot gain enough momentum to do harm if it strikes the window. If feeders are more than 30 feet from a window, the birds are less likely to perceive windows as a pathway to other parts of your yard. Some ideas for safe locations including hanging a feeder at the corner of a house from the eaves, making it visible from a corner window, or from two sides of the house. Other people a fix a feeder directly to a window.

Another strategy is to place the feeder beyond the 30 foot danger zone. This might mean choosing a location across the yard from a house. Some people opt to create a special bird watching area tucked into a corner of their yard with a blinded seating area. This space might be in a secret grove, near a special bench, or behind a potting shed. Use the map below to see where in your yard is beyond the danger zone.
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Feed the birds? Dos and Don’ts of Feeder Placement (Original Post) Scuba Nov 2014 OP
I hang mine two feet off the ground, flamin lib Nov 2014 #1
That doesn't make any sense at all! Don't you know bird feed is more expensive than cat food? n/t A Simple Game Nov 2014 #2
Put a bird feeder that low... Callmecrazy Nov 2014 #3
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