Does a finch feeder need to be hung above certain height? (1 Viewer)

[New Daddy]

I wrote in another posting (http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=177043) that my feeder failed to attract American goldfinches, which live in abundance around my home. As was suggested in a reply, I've since replaced thistle with hulled sunflower seeds. But nothing changed. Still no goldfinches.

One thing that I'm suspecting as the reason is that the feeder is hanging pretty low - about 3 feet from the ground - to accommodate close view from my study. Can that be the reason that the feeder has failed to attract goldfinches?

 

[Bananafishbones]

Maybe, and also maybe too close to your study. Just try moving it to a completely different area of your garden for a comparison, give a few weeks minimum. If they do come back to use the feeder you may have to find a compramise to your viewing and their feeding

Dave

 

[Whooping Crone]

New Daddy -

I have my tube feeders on standard shepherd's-hook garden poles. The bottom of the feeders are about 3.5 feet off the ground, and they get plenty of finch activity.
Also, Goldfinches are seed eaters - they regularly eat seeds from flower heads like dandelions that are close to the ground - so I don't think height is your problem.

It can take more than 2 weeks for birds to find a new food source. In summer when natural food is abundant they have less incentive to seek out new sources. Maybe it will just take time for them to find you.

Also, the more "bird friendly" the feeder area is, the faster it will attract birds. Trees close-by with branches for perching are good, keeping the base of the feeder area clear of plantings that can hide predators is good.

And, everything needs water - especially in summer. A bird bath within the line of sight of your feeders could draw birds in, and direct them to where the food is.

Likewise, native/wildlife attracting plants can bring the birds into your yard, and then they find your feeders once there - although thats a landscaping commitment rather than a "quick-fix".

Hang in there - the birds will come.

 

[SaVas]

My father who lives outside of Boston has his finch feeders hanging off his deck about 12 feet off the ground, and when I visited him in April, he was buying two 25 lb bags of nyjer. You could see Goldfinches everywhere in the trees, and on his feeders (he has a lot of feeders hanging around) and his feeders would be empty in three to four days.

Of note, his property is also full of trees and a small runoff stream of fresh water.