Top Reasons Birds Stop Coming and Visiting Feeders

Where Have the Birds Gone?

People often ask why birds have suddenly stopped coming to their backyard feeders. Whether you're in the U.S., the UK, or Australia, the reasons are usually the same.

Sometimes the question is more specific, "Why have the goldfinches disappeared?" or "Where did the orioles go?"

What many birdwatchers don't realize is that the birds you see in the morning may not be the same ones visiting later in the day.

Understanding bird behavior at feeders can reveal a lot when your regular visitors stop showing up. Here are some things to consider.

6 Reasons Birds May Have Stopped Coming to Your Feeders

1. Bird Predators: Birds have many predators and are extremely vulnerable while feeding.

   Cats roaming near feeders will cause birds to stop coming around. Hawks in nearby trees or soaring overhead will cause a sudden disappearance of feeder birds.

   Coopers and Sharp-shinned Hawks are common in neighborhoods. Just because you haven't seen one doesn't mean they are not around.

   It's so common that we've written a page about what to do when you see them around. The link is at the end of this article.

2. Food Types: The seed you offer plays a big role in whether birds visit your feeder.

   Cheap mixes often contain fillers like red or white milo and wheat, ingredients from the poultry industry that most wild birds avoid. House Sparrows and a few ground feeders may eat them, but that's about it.

   For better results, stick with black-oil sunflower seed, it attracts the widest variety of songbirds.

   Want to draw in more cautious birds? Try a tray feeder. It gives them a quick escape route if predators are nearby. Just avoid putting your most expensive seed there, anything can get to it easily.

3. Natural Food: Birds are wired to seek out natural food sources, it's key to their survival.

   When weather is mild or food is plentiful in spring and summer, feeders get less use. Birds follow the food, not the feeder.

   They rarely rely on a single spot to eat, so try placing feeders in a few different areas of your yard.

   Species with narrow diets or migratory needs are especially vulnerable if natural food disappears.

4. Neighbors: Birds might be skipping your yard because a nearby bird feeding station is offering more variety.

   A yard offering black-oil sunflower, nyjer, suet, and peanuts will outcompete a basic setup every time.

   And by "neighbor," we don't just mean next door, a mile is nothing for a bird. Check our bird seed chart to see which foods attract the most birds.

5. Fledging: When young birds leave the nest, adults continue feeding and showing them where to find food, including natural sources.

   Sometimes fledglings are brought to your feeder, but often they're taken elsewhere.

   As fledging ends, territories shift. New birds may discover your feeder, while familiar ones move on.

6. Migration: It starts earlier than most people think. Orioles, for example, may begin migrating as early as July.

   By September, many species are heading south.

   The upside? You may see new visitors as migrating birds pass through and winter residents arrive.

If you're offering just one seed, make it Black-Oil Sunflower. It attracts the widest variety of birds.

So How Can You Get the Birds Back to Your Feeders

Sometimes it's as simple as waiting out the weather and/or changing and offering more food choices.

As it gets colder, the bird's natural sources become less available and your feeders become more attractive.

Provide Water! Many people forget that birds need water to survive and in winter, water can be hard to come by.

Offering a Heated Birdbath to the birds in your backyard can be a lifesaver and set you apart from other bird watchers in the neighborhood.

Predators can be difficult, but with a little effort, you can overcome the problems they present.

You may have to get creative, add baffles to pole feeders to protect from climbing predators and build a brush pile so small birds can dart into them when cats or hawks are around.

When the Feeder Falls Quiet

If the birds have stopped coming to your feeder, don't panic. It's usually temporary. Seasons change, food sources shift, and birds follow their instincts.

With a few small adjustments and some patience, your feathered visitors will likely return.

Keep your feeders clean, offer quality seed, and stay observant. The birds haven't disappeared. They're just doing what birds do.

Related Pages

Learn How to Attract More Birds to Your Backyard.

If hawks are an issue please see: Hawks at Feeders

The 8 Styles of Bird Feeders You Should Consider to Keep Birds Coming Back.

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