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More than 55.5 million Americans feed wild birds outside their homes every winter, according to a 2006 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service survey. But according to Joe Kosack, a wildlife conservation education specialist with the Pennsylvania Game Commission, there are important steps to follow to keep your home, family and birds safe in the process:

• Place feeders near cover to shield songbirds from avian predators, but at least 15 feet away from windows and groundcover that roaming cats can hide in or behind. Most people who feed songbirds aren't in it to set the table for hawks and cats. So give some thought to feeder placement. Wild birds are counting on you!
• Windows can be as deadly to songbirds as predators because birds don't see glass. Therefore, it is important to move feeders away from windows.
• Identify which species you want to attract and then select the feeder and seeds/food you'll use to attract them. The three easiest ways to attract the greatest number of birds involve using cylindrical feeders – filled with black-oil sunflower seeds and/or thistle seeds – suet feeders, and ground feeding with corn, millet and black-oil sunflower seeds. This three-way approach will make just about any yard a food court for birds.
• Although some birds may become dependent on feeders, it likely won't be the only stop on their daily foraging route. Still, if you commit to feeding birds in the winter, it's best not to stop in the middle of the season. Those foods you've begun to provide help balance birds’ intense daily demands for energy to endure frigid winter nights and chilly winds.
• Keep your feeders clean so birds don't risk contracting diseases from contaminated seeds and fungus. The Game Commission recommends first cleaning bird feeders with soap and water followed by a solution that is one part household bleach and nine parts warm water. If you're not seeing sick-looking birds at your feeder, cleaning it once or twice a month is sufficient. Increase the frequency to once a week if trouble shows.
• Whenever you feed songbirds, there's always the potential to lure into your yard – and sometimes your house – critters you'd rather stay away, so keep a careful eye out for unwanted intruders. This includes black bears, deer, raccoons, squirrels and field mice. Black bears had a rough fall – acorn crop failure – and some may be more active this winter than usual. Suet and black-oil sunflower seeds would be very appealing to them. Raccoons also are partial to suet. Deer, on the other hand, can be drawn by shelled corn. So can field mice. Squirrels come to just about everything you offer.