Other options include blocking the reflection by hanging cloth or aluminum foil strips in front of the window, covering it with netting or sheer cloth, or planting shrubs. Hawk or owl silhouettes have limited effectiveness. Types of Feeders Many types of feeders are available commercially, and some basic designs can be made at home. Simple seed feeders can be made from recycled materials such as an empty milk carton or other container. For ease of use, look for feeders that protect the seeds from rain or snow, are easy to fill and clean, and provide a means to dispense feed gradually so that spillage is reduced.
Some spillage is okay, however, because birds such as juncos prefer to feed on the ground.
Hopper-type seed feeders of various designs are the most common and versatile. These hold a supply of seed that is dispensed gradually as it is used. For more information on the variety of feeders that you can make or that are available commercially, check the references listed at the end of this article or, for a firsthand look, check with a store that carries a good range of bird feeding products. A variety of feeders and foods in a variety of spots provides for the greatest diversity of birds and better ensures that less aggressive birds have a place. Because birds have preferences for where they feed, a variety of feeders attracts more kinds.