How to Feed Birds Safely This Winter
Follow these tips to ensure that you鈥檙e creating a healthy environment for wildlife visitors you attract to your yard.
When you attract birds to your yard, you鈥檙e creating an environment where they concentrate and mix in ways that are rare in the wild, sometimes making it easier for diseases to spread among them. That has it home in recently, as avian flu has surged among wild bird populations and, at times, spurred advisories to take down feeders in many states. While the threat to backyard birds seems to have waned for now, your drive to keep birds healthy all year should not.
How to Clean
Dispose of uneaten feed rather than dumping it on the ground, says wildlife rehabilitator Sunny Kellner. Leftovers can attract pests, so sweep fallen bits occasionally. Then scrub most feeders with soap and water (for hummingbird feeders, you can skip the soap), followed by a 15-minute soak in a 50-50 vinegar-and-water solution to sanitize. Last, remove any residue with a thorough water rinse. If your feeder is dishwasher-safe, let your appliance鈥檚 soap and hot water do the work, says Emma Greig, who leads the Cornell Lab of Ornithology鈥檚 . No matter how you clean, it is key to completely dry a feeder before refilling it with food. Leaving moisture inside is a sure way for fungus or bacteria to flourish.
For birdbaths, replace water frequently鈥攊deally daily or every other day鈥攖o prevent mosquitos, algae, and bacterial growth. A regular scrub with vinegar solution, followed by a rinse, is helpful, too.
When to Clean
You can鈥檛 always see fungus or bacteria, says Kellner. Growth can occur even inside a seed鈥檚 shell. So clean before you spot a problem. Every other week is a good starting point for seed and suet feeders, but cleaning more frequently is best鈥攎ost especially in humid and hotter weather, says 爆料公社鈥檚 bird-friendly communities director John Rowden.
Every other week is a good starting point for seed and suet feeders, but cleaning more frequently is best.
Hummingbird feeders need more regular maintenance because sugar solution is a petri dish for bacteria. Empty and clean every few days (or, again, even more often when it鈥檚 warm out). If you notice white or colorful streaks or spots, it鈥檚 way past due for a clean, says Allisyn Gillet, an ornithologist for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.
Where to Set Up
Hang a feeder out of direct sunlight and where it鈥檚 likely to stay dry. Put baths where plant debris and animal poop won鈥檛 easily fall inside (i.e., not right under feeders). Placement near brush will offer birds an escape route from predators.
To minimize deadly collisions, feeders and baths should be either at least 30 feet away from windows or very close to them. At in-between distances, reflections cause confusion and birds have room to pick up speed before striking. (Even better, to make them more visible to birds).
Don't forget about other animals in your care: Be sure to keep your cats indoors, and keep any other pets or livestock away from feeder areas鈥攊ncluding backyard chickens, which also carry avian diseases.
If You See a Sick or Dead Bird
Generally, keep a close eye on birds that visit your yard. If you see a bird that looks ill or injured and unable to fly away, gently place it into a small, lidded cardboard box lined with a paper towel or smooth fabric, Kellner says. Then, find a licensed wildlife rehabber and call for further instructions.
But, if you see a sick bird that is still highly mobile, don鈥檛 try to catch it. You鈥檙e more likely to hurt it further. If you鈥檝e seen sick or dead birds in your yard, take your feeders down and drain your baths for a few days and report the sighting to your local state wildlife agency.
This story originally ran in the Winter 2021 issue. To receive our print magazine, become a member by .