Q. How can I be sure BirdFeederCabin.com is a legitimate and safe site?

A. BirdFeederCabin.com is certified and monitored by iSafeSite. In addition, all credit card transactions are handled by Electronic Commerce International which has a state-of-the-art fraud prevention program, FraudTrak2. No customer information is ever shared.

Q. How soon can I expect my order to be shipped? 

A. In most cases, your order will be shipped the next business day after the order is placed. We will send you the UPS tracking number the following day. If you have a question, the fastest way to get an answer is by emailing us at support@birdfeedercabin.com.

Q. How do I know what to feed the birds in my area?

A. We have a chart on our Bird Feeding Tips page that will help you decide what food to offer what birds. Also on that page are other tips to help you attract more birds to your yard. 

Q. I've never had a bird feeder before. What is the best way to start?

A. In most areas, it's fairly easy to attract hummingbirds. You can hang a feeder very near your window and enjoy watching these entertaining birds. Since they eat a simple solution of 1 part white sugar to 4 parts water, you don't even need to buy any seed! It won't be long before you will want to add a tube feeder to attract a variety of birds with black oil sunflower seeds. Then, of course, you will want a thistle feeder to draw the finches, and then.........!  Well, then refer to the feeding chart on our Bird Feeding Tips page to decide what other foods to offer. Be sure to offer a water source if possible.

Q. How do I store bird seed?

A. Store seed in a sealed container that rodents can't get into. Store the container in a cool dry place.

Q. When is the best time to feed birds?

A. Feeding birds is a year round pleasant activity. Although people often think winter is the best time for bird feeding, there is reason to offer food through all the seasons. In spring, food stores are at their lowest and birds spend energy nesting and raising their young. In summer, the young birds get initiated to the feeders by parents.  

Q. Ants keep finding my hummingbird feeders. How can I discourage them?

A. The best solution we have found is to add a "Trap-It" ant moat to the top of your hummingbird feeder. It easily hangs between the hook and the feeder and is filled with 6 oz. of water. As long as it has water in it, ants cannot get to the feeder. We show this product in three places, in Accessories and on both the hummingbird feeders and oriole feeders pages. We know it works! 

Q. If I have to stop feeding birds, will it harm them?

A. Mother nature has always provided for wild birds. Whatever seed or nectar we provide is really a bonus and only supplements their nutritional needs. If you stop feeding them, they will continue to feed from natural sources just as they did before you began to feed them. The main difference is that they will no longer have a need to visit your yard.

Q. Should I avoid bird feeders with metal perches?

A. Some people are afraid a bird's feet will freeze to a metal perch in the winter. This absolutely cannot and does not happen! Since birds do not have sweat glands in their feet, they cannot stick and never have as birds always land on TV antennas, metal fences, etc.

Q. What do I do about chipmunks, oppossums, raccoons and other creatures who love to raid our bird feeders?

A. There are many choices of squirrel proof bird feeders that are designed to thwart them. However, the other creatures present a more difficult problem as they can knock a bird feeder down to the ground and really damage it trying to extract seeds. The best solution is to use a baffle on any pole used or a hood over a hanging feeder. Also, it is a good idea to attach a hanging feeder well so the animal can't knock it down. If these animals are so clever that they are really causing problems, the only solution may be to bring the bird feeder in at night since most of these animals are nocturnal.

Q. Where Is the Best Place for A Bird Feeder?

A. Deciding where to put hanging bird feeders is not as easy as it sounds. There are a few things to consider before making this decision. Think about what rooms of the house are most frequently used. It makes sense to have the feeders visible as often as possible. Then think about the distance from these windows. There is no point in having a hanging bird feeder so far from the window that birds are just tiny specks. Also, there should be trees or shrubs nearby to offer protection for birds. Hang the bird feeders high enough to protect them from squirrels and cats, but low enough that they are easy to fill. If at all possible, try to hang bird feeders in a location protected from driving winds, rain and snow. Not only will the birds be more comfortable, but the seed will stay fresh longer. Of course, hummingbird feeders can be hung right next to the house. A good place is right outside the kitchen window hanging under the eves so even during rain storms the hummingbird feeder is dry and protected.

Q. What Do I Do About Aggressive Birds?

A. The most common place to observe really aggressive bird behavior is at the hummingbird feeder. These tiny birds will decide that the feeder is their sole property and spend most of the day chasing away any intruders. The easiest solution is to put up another hummingbird feeder that isn't too close to the first one. With fewer hummingbirds trying to feed at one feeder, the competition should lessen.

At the seed bird feeders, jays can be real bullies. They are bigger than many of the other visiting birds as well as louder, so they can scare away many birds from tube feeders, platform feeders, hopper feeders and suet feeders. Luckily, the jays usually settle down quickly and the other birds return to feed. Mockingbirds can be more territorial, but again, the solution may be to add another bird feeder in another part of the yard, or at least a ways away, possibly with something in between,  like a bush or fence, etc.

If you want to keep the jays away, there are a few tricks to use. First, don't use platform feeders or hopper feeders that are completely open. These will draw lots of jays to the party. The most effective bird feeder to use is one with a cage around it. These are called squirrel proof bird feeders, but are quite effective in keeping out large birds. The smaller sparrows, chickadees, juncos and other small birds soon figure out how to get inside the cage to feed. These squirrel proof bird feeders are more expensive than uncaged models, but are well worth the extra money if jays have become a nuisance in the yard. Another option is hanging bird feeders with an adjustable dome. If the dome is hung low over the feeder, it will accommodate only small birds. If you are currently using tube feeders, take off the plastic tray. It is hard for jays to land on the small plastic perches so are less likely to frequent this tube feeder.

However, there are some advantages to having jays around the yard. Most importantly, they are great at alerting all birds to danger. If a cat or hawk is nearby, they sound the alarm to all birds in the area. Also, they are quite entertaining to watch. They are always busy eating, bathing, whatever. So maybe a compromise is the best solution. Have squirrel proof feeders that are off limits to jays, but in another area have platform bird feeders with foods they love sumch as peanuts in the shell, cracked corn and sunflower seeds.

Q. Why Feed Suet?

A. For most birds, suet is a perfect food source. Because they have such fast metabolisms, birds need to eat as many calories as possible. Available suet bird feeders offer a ready supply to help them conserve energy for the never ending search for insects, seeds, fruit and other foods. It is also a perfect low maintenance bird feeder for us to offer. A suet bird feeder is simply a metal cage holding a suet cake. It only needs to be refilled every few weeks, it never needs to be scrubbed clean, there is no mess left under the bird feeder and it stays out all year long. What could be easier? The commercially made suet cakes are inexpensive and easy to use. Best of all, almost all birds will eat suet.

Q. How Does Bad Weather Effect Feeding Birds?

A. Actually, some of the best birdwatching is during the worst of weather conditions. Just before storms there is frantic attendance to bird feeders. Birds will continuously visit all tube feeders, platform feeders, hopper feeders and suet feeders in order to eat enough to maintain body temperature during the storm. In areas with heavy snowfall, bird feeders are especially busy when snow covers other food sources. During the cold weather, birds particularly appreciate suet feeders, for this fat source offers a high calorie count. It isn't even necessary to buy suet blocks if you have a butcher who can supply fat scraps. These can be stuffed into a suet bird feeder and are enjoyed just as much.

Q. Is it possible to get birds to eat out of my hand?

A. It really isn't as hard as you might think to get wild birds to eat out of your hand, especially if you work on it during the winter when available food is scarce. It just takes some patience. After there are regular visitors at your bird feeder for a while, they are probably use to you being around the bird feeder anyway. I have stood right next to the hummingbird feeder and had the hummers back at the feeder in a matter of a few minutes. The seed eaters are not as brave around humans, so it will take a little more patience.

Start early in the morning when they are the most hungry. On the first morning, bring out a chair and sit a few feet away from the bird feeder. It is best to do this with a low platform feeder. If you sit quietly without moving, it shouldn't take even a half hour for the birds to be curious and come closer and closer until they are feeding. The next day, move closer to the platform feeder. When the birds adjust to this in a day or two, try resting your hand on the side of the feeder. Having a treat in your hand will certainly help convice the birds to approach. Nut kernels or hulled sunflower seeds should draw jays, nuthatches, woodpeckers and chickadees as well as goldfinches, pine siskins and cardinals. Whatever visitors are most frequent in your yard should be attracted to their favorite treats. If you have bluebirds who love peanut butter, have peanut butter in your hand. If no birds are eating out of your hand but eating from the birdfeeder around your hand after a couple of days, empty the feeder and continue sitting quietly with your hand full of seeds and nuts on the bird feeder. It should not take long for them to frely eat from your hand. Continue this for another couple of days, then do away with the chair and just stand near the feeder with food in your hand. If you do this regularly, your constant visitors should freely approach for the treats you hold. Some of the braver birds may surprisingly land on your shoulder and even come to you as you walk around the yard. Be sure to always have seed and nuts with you to offer to them!