Spring brings a flurry of avian activity as birds return from migration, establish territories, and begin nesting. This makes it an ideal time to enhance your backyard bird feeding practices. However, well-intentioned bird enthusiasts often make crucial mistakes that can harm the very creatures they’re trying to support. With bird populations facing significant declines across North America, providing proper nutrition through appropriate feeding methods has never been more important. This article explores the common birdseed mistakes to avoid this spring, helping you create a safer, more beneficial environment for your feathered visitors.
Using Low-Quality or Filler-Heavy Seed Mixes
Bargain birdseed mixes often contain low-nutritional-value fillers like milo, wheat, and oats that most songbirds simply discard. These rejected seeds create unsightly waste beneath feeders and can potentially germinate into unwanted plants. Additionally, budget mixes frequently contain excessive amounts of cracked corn, which attracts less desirable species like European starlings and house sparrows while providing minimal nutritional value to native songbirds. Instead, invest in high-quality seed blends featuring black oil sunflower seeds, hulled sunflower, nyjer, and small millet varieties that provide essential fats and proteins birds need during the energy-intensive spring breeding season. The initial cost may be higher, but you’ll actually save money by reducing waste while attracting a greater diversity of desirable bird species.
Allowing Seed to Become Moldy or Spoiled
Spring’s fluctuating temperatures and increased rainfall create perfect conditions for mold growth in birdseed, particularly in humid climates. Moldy seed harbors aspergillosis spores that cause respiratory infections in birds, potentially leading to death. Wet seed also ferments quickly, creating alcohol that can intoxicate and disorient birds, making them vulnerable to predators and collisions. To prevent these hazards, use feeders with adequate drainage and protective covers, clean feeders thoroughly every two weeks with a diluted bleach solution (1 part bleach to 9 parts water), and store unused seed in airtight containers in cool, dry locations. During particularly wet spring periods, consider putting out only enough seed to last a day or two rather than filling feeders completely.
Neglecting Platform Feeder Maintenance
Platform feeders offer excellent visibility and accessibility for birds but require particularly vigilant maintenance during spring’s wet conditions. Without proper cleaning, these open feeders become breeding grounds for harmful bacteria and mold that spread quickly among feeding birds. Additionally, accumulated droppings and hull debris mix with seed, potentially transmitting diseases like salmonellosis and avian conjunctivitis, which can cause blind eyes and respiratory issues in finches and other small birds. Clean platform feeders at least weekly during spring by removing all debris, washing with hot, soapy water, and disinfecting with a diluted bleach solution. Consider adding small drainage holes if your platform feeder lacks them, and install a weather guard to protect seed from rain while still allowing birds easy access from multiple angles.
Offering the Wrong Seed Types for Spring Visitors
Spring brings specific species to your yard with particular nutritional needs that differ from winter feeding requirements. Migrating birds require high-energy foods to replenish fat reserves depleted during long journeys, while resident birds need protein-rich options for egg production and feeding nestlings. Black oil sunflower seeds appeal to the widest variety of spring birds, providing essential fats, proteins, and easy-to-crack shells for species like cardinals, chickadees, and returning rose-breasted grosbeaks. Nyjer seed attracts goldfinches entering breeding season with their bright yellow plumage, while white millet serves ground-feeding sparrows and towhees. Adjust your seed offerings based on which species typically visit your region during spring migration to maximize your feeding station’s benefit to birds when they need nutritional support most.
Ignoring Squirrel Protection Measures
Spring coincides with increased squirrel activity as they emerge hungry from winter and begin their breeding season, making your bird feeders particularly attractive targets. Beyond consuming expensive seed meant for birds, squirrels damage feeders with their powerful gnawing abilities, potentially creating sharp edges that harm birds or entry points for moisture that spoils seed. Implement effective squirrel deterrents by mounting feeders on pole systems at least 10 feet from jumping points like trees or structures, and install quality baffles both above (for tree-hung feeders) and below feeders. Consider investing in truly squirrel-proof feeders with weight-sensitive mechanisms that close access to seed ports when heavier animals attempt to feed. Additionally, some bird enthusiasts find success providing separate squirrel feeding stations with cracked corn or peanuts positioned away from bird feeders to redirect these persistent mammals.
Causing Harmful Concentration of Birds
Spring feeding creates natural gathering points that can facilitate disease transmission if feeders become overcrowded. Concentrated bird activity increases the risk of spreading bacterial, fungal, and viral infections, particularly during wet spring conditions when pathogens multiply rapidly. Birds with visible signs of illness like swollen eyes, lethargy, or fluffed feathers indicate potential problems requiring immediate attention. Reduce disease transmission risks by providing multiple feeding stations spaced throughout your yard rather than concentrating all seed in one location. Clean feeding areas regularly, removing dropped seed and hulls that accumulate beneath feeders where ground-feeding birds may ingest contaminated materials. If you notice sick birds, temporarily remove feeders for two weeks to break disease transmission cycles, thoroughly clean all feeding equipment, and relocate feeders to fresh areas before reintroducing food sources.
Overlooking the Importance of Fresh Water
While seed selection receives significant attention, providing clean water sources is equally crucial for spring birds yet frequently overlooked. Birds require water not only for drinking but also for bathing to maintain feather condition essential for efficient flight and insulation. Spring bathing is particularly important as birds prepare for breeding season, removing winter grime and parasites from feathers. Install bird baths with gradual depth changes (no deeper than 2-3 inches at the center) and textured surfaces that provide secure footing. Position baths in locations with nearby shrubs or trees offering escape routes from predators while maintaining clear sightlines for feeding birds to spot approaching threats. Clean baths every few days using a stiff brush to remove algae and droppings, then rinse thoroughly before refilling with fresh water, adding a water wiggler or dripper to create movement that attracts birds and discourages mosquito breeding.
Feeding Bread and Other Harmful Human Foods
Many well-intentioned people offer bread, crackers, or table scraps to birds, unaware these items provide minimal nutritional value while potentially causing significant harm. Bread contains preservatives birds cannot properly digest and fills their stomachs without delivering necessary nutrients, leading to malnutrition even when birds appear satisfied. Additionally, leftover bread quickly molds in spring’s damp conditions, producing mycotoxins dangerous to birds. Other inappropriate offerings include salty foods like chips and pretzels, which disrupt birds’ electrolyte balance and can cause dehydration or death. If you wish to offer treats beyond commercial seed, stick to healthy options like unsalted chopped nuts, fresh or dried mealworms (excellent protein sources for spring nesting birds), or halved fresh fruits like apples and oranges that provide natural sugars and vitamins without harmful additives.
Creating Unintentional Predator Ambush Points
The concentration of birds at feeders naturally attracts predators, with spring being particularly dangerous as hawks and outdoor cats target vulnerable fledglings and distracted breeding birds. Feeders placed without consideration for escape routes can create deadly trapping points where birds have insufficient time to react to approaching threats. Position feeders at least 15 feet from dense shrubs that could conceal stalking cats, while still providing scattered cover within 10-15 feet where birds can quickly retreat when threatened. Window strikes increase during spring as territorial birds mistake reflections for rivals or when panicked birds flee predators without recognizing glass barriers. Reduce collision risks by applying window decals or screens, or by positioning feeders either within three feet of windows (preventing birds from building up fatal momentum) or more than 30 feet away (allowing birds to recognize windows as barriers during escape flights).
Failing to Adjust Feeding Practices as Spring Progresses
Bird nutritional needs evolve dramatically throughout spring as migration gives way to nesting and then fledgling care, requiring adjustments to feeding strategies. Early spring migrants benefit from high-fat options like suet and peanut butter mixtures that help replenish energy reserves, while late spring brings protein requirements for egg production and nestling development. Gradually incorporate more protein-rich options like mealworms, insect-containing suet blends, and shelled sunflower hearts as spring advances and breeding activities intensify. By late spring, many adult birds switch primarily to insect diets when feeding young, making live or dried mealworms particularly attractive supplements. Monitor which species visit your feeders throughout spring’s progression, noting when migrants depart and resident birds begin bringing fledglings, adjusting your offerings accordingly to match evolving dietary preferences and nutritional requirements.
Discontinuing Feeding Abruptly
Some bird enthusiasts mistakenly believe they should stop feeding entirely once spring arrives under the assumption birds have sufficient natural food sources. In reality, abruptly removing established food sources can stress local bird populations that have come to rely on supplemental nutrition, particularly during the energy-intensive breeding season. Modern landscapes often lack sufficient natural food sources due to habitat loss, pesticide use, and invasive species, making supplemental feeding increasingly important for bird population stability. Continue your feeding program throughout spring, making gradual adjustments to seed types and quantities rather than sudden changes. If you must discontinue feeding (such as during extended travel), gradually reduce quantities over one to two weeks, giving birds time to locate alternative food sources. Alternatively, arrange for a neighbor to maintain your feeding schedule during absences to prevent disruption during this critical season.
Missing Opportunities for Citizen Science Participation
Spring bird feeding provides valuable opportunities to contribute to scientific understanding of bird populations through citizen science projects, yet many feeders overlook this important aspect of bird conservation. Organizations like the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Project FeederWatch, NestWatch, and the spring migration counts organized by various Audubon chapters rely on data collected by backyard birders to track population trends, migration timing shifts due to climate change, and breeding success rates. Participating in these programs transforms your feeding station from simple backyard entertainment into a meaningful contribution to bird conservation science. Most projects provide identification guides and user-friendly mobile apps or websites for submitting observations, requiring minimal time commitment while significantly expanding scientific understanding of bird population dynamics. Additionally, these programs often provide feedback about regional trends and species you might expect to see during different spring periods, enhancing your personal bird feeding experience through greater knowledge and connection to the broader ornithological community.
Conclusion: Creating a Bird-Friendly Spring Feeding Program
Avoiding these common birdseed mistakes this spring will transform your backyard feeding station from a potential hazard into a genuine sanctuary that supports bird health during their most critical seasonal needs. By providing high-quality, appropriate foods in clean, strategically positioned feeders, you create a resource that genuinely benefits birds while enhancing your opportunity to observe fascinating spring behaviors from courtship displays to fledgling feeding. Remember that responsible bird feeding is about more than simply attracting colorful visitors—it’s about participating thoughtfully in your local ecosystem, potentially providing crucial nutritional support for species facing increasing environmental challenges. With bird populations declining across North America, your well-maintained feeding station becomes an increasingly important habitat element, particularly in urbanized areas where natural food sources may be limited. By implementing these best practices, you’ll enjoy a more diverse, healthier bird community while knowing you’re making a positive contribution to bird conservation.