I Asked Bird Experts Why My Feeders Went Quiet and Learned Birds Change Spots Each Season – Here's How I Keep Up

You’ve been a good bird-feeder-minder all season, making sure the feeder is clean and full of all the seeds your birds love best. It’s been popular all summer with tweeting, happy birds. But now suddenly, the feeders have gone quiet.

It’s reasonable to ask, “Why are no birds coming to my feeder?” You may think you're done something wrong that's keeping your favorite backyard birds away. But bird experts assure us that it isn’t our fault.

A decrease in bird activity at our feeders is all part of the normal seasonal fluctuations. But I’ve got some tips to help you keep attracting birds to your backyard all year long.

Why Birds Disappear

When you see no birds coming to the bird feeder, how do you react? Some people feel concerned about their feathered friends. But it’s also easy to feel more vexed by their infidelity than concerned for their health. You’ve fed them all summer and now they disappear in winter! Is this ingratitude? Actually, it’s not.

Here are three of the most common reasons why backyard birds stop coming to feeders and what it means for our winged visitors:

1. Birds are opportunists.

Bird experts assure us that wild birds appreciate the feeders we stock, but, in the end, all wild animals are opportunists. It’s a matter of survival and learning to make do with what’s available. Birds learn to eat what’s available when it’s available – and not just from our feeders. They rely primarily on nature and we want to keep it that way.

Think of the natural cycle. In spring, grubs and caterpillars reappear in the garden. At that point, birds have babies and need to feed them protein-rich foods. They head for the insects to give their newborns the nutrients they need. When the blackberries ripen, acorns fall to the ground, and grasses go to seed, birds naturally abandon the feeder to seek nature’s offerings.

2. They're migrating.

You’ve heard of snow birds – retired people from the north who head to warm southern climes for winter. But the term “snow birds” actually stems from migrating birds. Fall bird migration is an important part of the life cycle of many species – birds that fly north to breeding grounds in summer, then return to warmer climates in winter.

What does this mean for our feeders? Birds that visited your feeder and mine all winter long may have moved north to breeding grounds in summer. Other birds may arrive for the summer, but they don’t coordinate schedules. The birds heading north may leave weeks before the summer residents arrive. That may explain why there are no birds at feeders or no birds in your bird bath for a period of time.

3. Conditions have changed.

If your backyard is suddenly not popular with our feathered friends, something in your neighborhood might have changed. In my case, I found that my neighbor adopted a new outdoor cat, and it was often seen lying under my feeder. In your case it might be that noisy construction next door or early morning leaf blowers nearby.

In order to survive, birds must notice any changes that could impact them or their safety. If they feel threatened, they will likely choose a different feeder in a different yard as their new favorite restaurant. But when the disruption stops, you can attract them back.

How to Bring Birds Back

To prepare for the next wave of backyard birds, be sure to review the basics of bird feeding (and avoid common bird feeding mistakes) to make sure everything is in order. Here are three important areas you can start to get birds flocking to your yard again:

1. Clean and refill feeders.

Birds don’t like moldy seeds since mold changes the taste and smell of the food. This is likely to happen when rain gets into the seed in your feeder. It's a common bird feeder problem. Take a close look and toss the food if you note clumping, seed turning brown or green, or a rancid smell.

It’s best to remove all food from time to time and scrub the feeder with mild dish soap. Don’t stop at the inside of the feeder, but wash perches and ports where birds feed as well. Bacteria can hide anywhere.

After cleaning and drying, refill the feeders. What is the best bird seed to use? Pick a high-quality seed like black oil sunflower seeds or fresh thistle seed or, for woodpeckers, fresh suet, all of which you can find on Amazon. Fresh, wholesome food in a sparkling feeder will go a long way to attracting regular bird activity.

Shop the best selling bird feeders for your backyard on Amazon.

2. Add water to your feeding area.

Man cannot live by bread alone – and neither can wild birds. Yes, they need to eat, but the need for water is even more pressing. In summer, birds are hot and thirsty. In winter, water sources can freeze up.

It’s a great idea to install a simple bird bath or a shallow bowl filled with clean water. Change it out every other day to prevent mosquito breeding.

What do you do in winter if you live in a cold area? There are lots of wonderful heated birdbaths available on Amazon, like this one. But if you can't spare the expense, just add warm water to your bird bath everyday. Another trick to try is to put a rubber duck in your bird bath to stop ice from forming.

3. Add plants that birds like.

Yes, birds will love the seeds in your feeder, but they have eaten and relied on native plants all their lives. If you grow plants that birds love – like sunflowers and berry bushes – you’ve upgraded your offering to include a natural feeding station.

Don't worry if birds are no longer flocking to your feeders. Just get back to basics and provide everything your feathered friends need to feel welcome. They'll be back in your garden in no time.