How to Hand Feed Wild Birds

5 from 1 vote

10 Tips for learning to hand-feed wild birds including chickadees and nuthatches. Before starting be sure it is safe and legal in your area.

Total Time: 5 hrs

Author: Melissa J. Will

Cost: $5

Create a bird-friendly environment with flowers, trees, and shrubs. Grow organically and keep pets indoors. Do not wear any perfumes or other fragrances.
Start a feeding schedule based on the birds' own habits. Fill your feeders with just one day's supply of food each day.
Offer high quality treats like chopped walnuts, pecans, or peanuts.
Keep your distance on day one. Start 10 to 15 feet away and get a little closer each day while the birds dine at the feeder.
Try talking to the birds, getting them comfortable with your voice.
Be consistent: feed them every day, stand a little closer every day, use your voice every day.
At some point you'll be ready to start extending your open palm while they're eating.
Keep your arm supported, stay in place as long as you can, and always move slowly.
Transition to offering the food from your hand instead of filling the feeder.
Don't worry about setbacks: one sneeze can send them flying! Just get back to it the next day, perhaps at a distance and move closer each day until they will eat with you standing right there.
Stick with it. If you see progress, they are trusting you and will eventually eat from your palm.
When the moment comes, be ready. Most people jump or make a noise the first time and that scares the bird away. Imagine it happening ahead of time and control your reaction. It is magical and brings a giddy feeling but you need to keep it on the down low.

Avoid hand-feeding wild birds or offering bird feeders during outbreaks of diseases in wild bird populations.