Just as the name implies, a bird feeder is a device that is placed outdoors for the purpose of dispensing food to birds. The ultimate success of a bird feeder is determined by it's placement, the types of seeds provided and the design of the feeder itself.

To begin with, a bird feeder must be large enough to accommodate the nearby species. Birds need to be able to get to the seeds easily if they are to continue to use the bird feeder. In addition, the feeder should be placed somewhere convenient and easily accessible. Most bird feeders are located in a tree that birds are known to frequent.

The type of bird that you wish to attract will ultimately determine the type of food that you supply in the bird feeder. For example, while most food is made in the form of seeds, hummingbirds prefer liquid nourishment. This is a very important distinction as bird feeders are created for birdwatching and, without the proper food, there may not be any birds to watch.

Many people around the world enjoy birdwatching and some even record their experiences on video. Some individuals use webcams, while others use a regular camcorder to capture their birds on film. Don't be surprised, however, if you happen to capture a squirrel on video. These little creatures are famous for helping themselves to the contents of a bird feeder and not even so much to eat the food, but rather to carry it away and store it elsewhere. There are, however, a number of bird feeder manufacturers that create their products with the hope of deterring squirrels from swiping all of the seeds. This may include a collapsible bird feeder if anything heavier than a bird should begin to feed or one that provides a slight shock or spins to throw the squirrel a short distance away.

A bird feeder is easy to find at any retail or online store, but the many choices available may make the decision a difficult one. Ultimately, the size of the feeder and it's design will be the most important consideration.

Often, the most effective way of keeping a squirrel away from a bird feeder is to set out a squirrel feeder. Corn and berries are among the foods that may interest a squirrel and may keep him/her occupied so as to not disturb the bird feeder. These creatures, themselves, can add quite a lot of amusement and birds may find themselves sharing the spotlight as many birdwatchers turn toward watching squirrels, as well.