Bird Feeder

[poliphilo]

The in-laws have bought themselves a new bird feeder and- as usually happens- we've been gifted with the old one. The old one is structurally sound, just a bit weathered- oh- and no bird ever went near it.

It's a free standing jobby- like a small tree.

I've erected it in the back yard and hung its hooks with birdy treats- and our bird population is ignoring it too.

Maybe it carries a curse.

Comments

[steepholm.livejournal.com]

Maybe the birds in your area are too proud to accept hand-me-downs?

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Perhaps.

My initial reaction (because I'm proud too) was to chuck it in the bin- but I thought, "No, that would be petty."

[chiller.livejournal.com]

It took nearly two months for the birds to work out that my bird feeder was a bird feeder, and start eating from it.

They don't call them "bird brained" for nothing.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I'll be patient, then, and wait.

Build it- and they will come...

[suzilem.livejournal.com]

Rub it down with a wee bit of suet to ensure that it smells enticing?

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Thanks. that's a good tip.

[arielstarshadow.livejournal.com]

As someone else pointed out, it can take birds a while before they find a feeder, especially if it's during spring-summer-fall when food is already plentiful from other sources. I say let it be, and see how things are come next year during winter.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I will. I can live with it. It's not an eye-sore. It blends very nicely into the background vegetation.

[huskyteer.livejournal.com]

It's not one of these, is it?

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

No, but I rather wish it was.

[endlessrarities.livejournal.com]

Oh, give them a chance! They're probably still trying to figure it out.

Keep me posted on progress...

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I'll let it be. I'm curious to see how long it takes for them to notice it.

[shanghai7.livejournal.com]

I am trying to figure out how a bird feed can be cursed.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I dunno, people can be cursed, diamonds can be cursed, ships can be cursed, so why not bird feeders?

[mokie]

If it's a more exposed style of feeder, birds may avoid it. Placing it nearer a tree or bush would make them feel safer.

Depending on the material, you might give it a check for mold or must at the joints that could be putting them off. Or the material it's made of could be the issue.

Feeders are more active early in the morning or nearer evening, so if you've got neighbors who are very active outside at those times of day, you may need to shoot them...

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

The basic structure is some sort of cast metal- and it has thingies hanging off it with seed and nuts and fat balls in them.

I've put it right up against a flower bed full of bushes. I'm hoping they'll think it's a tree.