Somewhere high, and dry. Always hang a bird feeder out of harm’s way. Birds feel safe feeding high up off the ground as they are out of the reach of predators like cats, rats and stoats. When hanging a bird from a tree, be sure to hang the feeder out on a limb rather than close to the trunk to discourage pests. 

Patience, grasshopper. It may take a few days for birds to discover your feeder. Once they do you’re sure to see a flurry of feathery activity.

Planting native trees is the best way to provide long-term food sources for native birds . Tūi and korimako love flax or kōwhai and native jasmine. Koromiko and other hebe species will bring insects which in turn attract birds like the piwakawaka and grey warbler. See a more detailed rundown here.

First, chuck out any leftover bird food. Take the bird feeder apart and soak well in warm water to remove debris. Scrub thoroughly using a squirt of gentle dishwashing liquid. Leave it to dry completely before refilling with your local flyers’ favourite NZ-made bird feed. Tweeeet as! 

Bird feeders should be cleaned regularly — ideally every couple of days. Garden birds have terrible table manners so clear away droppings and uneaten food. Dirty leftovers can clog up a feeder as well as transmit diseases to birds in the area. 

If you feed them right (and wash that feeder) then there is no harm in providing sustenance to garden birds, especially in winter when food is scarce. A fed bird is more likely to breed, so keeping a feeder in your garden, along with planting native shrubbery and trees, lends a helping hand to our native manu.

Don’t worry – if you get a waratah (Y-post) you can use our Peka Peka feeder. This great invention works as a stand-alone feeding platform, helping native birds eat and drink free from the threat of predators. There's also the Feeder Fix (great for balconies!) and The Hangout or The Penthouse for attracting birds to tree-free spaces.

No! Bread is high in calories and low in… well, anything good at all for a bird’s diet. Native birds feed on nectar, fruit, insects or foliage, and introduced birds species need nutritious seed, vitamin-rich fruit and essential fats and protein. Save the bread for cheese rolls or croutons instead!

Our native feathered friends turn their beaks up at seed but will flock for nectar, fruit and Energy Food. This isn’t snobbery but merely a matter of biology – tūī and bellbirds, for example, have a curved, narrow beak and a long tongue for sipping nectar from inside flowers.

The times when birds are most in need of an extra feed are autumn, winter and early spring. That's when natural food sources can be limited. Feed fruit, nectar, Wild Bird Seed Mix and protein-rich mealworms to give birds the energy required for winter survival and a successful breeding season in spring. 

We’re so glad you asked – we also make Lucky Duck, New Zealand’s only specifically formulated feed.for ducks. Aviary birds and chickens are well looked after too. We’ve got your all your bird feed requirements covered with quality New Zealand made recipes.