Are bird feeders OK in the rain

What you get out of bird feeders is a way to feed wild birds a mix of bird feed in a device made to keep it dry, and when it does get wet there's really no issue.

Bird feeders are OK in the rain despite a little rain reaching the bird feed, flooding the bottom and indeed entering port wells of nectar-filled feeders. Bird feed can deal with wet weather just as much as bird feeders can. Bird feeders are developed to withstand all weather, although it can change in color or warp.

You know what, you are going to have zero issues when bird feeders are left outside in the rain, even if it pours down for months on end.

Admittedly bird feeders will see various levels of weathering, but this isn't just caused by rain, the weathering effect will begin as soon as bird feeders are hung outside, come rain or shine.

Birds come to bird feeders in the rain which means they must still be made available.

Bird feeders are specifically built to keep rain water out even if some makes it way in. To counter that, you can attend to bird feeders more regularly which will mostly involve changing the bird feed more often - and as the food can rot, the bird feeders cannot.

Metal specific bird feeders you may feel cannot rust, but can in due course. And while wooden bird feeders will see them rapidly weathering as the wood warps and cracks - plastic bird feeders can fade in color.

With bird feeders left out in the rain, know that you must really focus on maintaining bird feed quality.

Rain that gets into bird feeders can speed up the germination process of bird feed yet damp conditions will tend to cause all kinds of issues with bird feeder food, even if the food appears to be kept dry.

Don't worry so about bird feeders because in time you'll see they are coping very well.

Bird feeders cope well in rain

What will naturally occur on any type of bird feeder is what you'd call weathering effect, of which isn't necessary caused by rain.

Bird feeders left outside in the sun, cold and wet will in time see the bird feeder body fade, or in case of a plastic tubular-like seed feeder - for example a Hummingbird or seed tube feeder - will warp as it deteriorates over months or years.

Hummingbird and likewise Oriole nectar bird feeders do have port wells that face up, thus the wells can flood by rain water. Regardless, not enough water will get into the feeder where there's little concern regarding a change of the water to sugar ratio, and with that rain water can't do any harm to the feeder interior.

Rain itself, including damp conditions will not effect a bird feeder in a way it can be used, or will be deemed unsafe if it does.

Rain water can in fact drip into a bird feeder, and in the case of diagonal rain, water can partially fill a bird feeder at the bottom.

Plastic, wooden or metal bird feeders will cope with this with no issues at all, only the bird feed may need changing if it does.

While bird feeders can manage just fine, even if it rains for months on end without stopping, thus the only problem comes with the constantly wet wild bird feed.

Made to be all weatherproof

As most States receive some or large amounts of rain a year, in case of Washington State, all types of bird feeders will always have a place in our yards.

It really is OK when bird feeders get wet and when they do it will feel like when cars, garden furniture and other items left outside get wet... it really doesn't matter at all.

Bird feeders are developed in such a way they are weatherproof, meaning they are not just waterproof but can withstand extremely cold weather in winter with ice and snow covering the bird feeder until it thaws.

I've said bird feeder food can get damp due to the wet weather but remember, this is really the only way you can safely feed wild birds in wet weather, with bird feeders at least providing some shelter, which is always welcoming.

Bird feeders are built in such a way water can pile up in cracks and crevices, only when it stops raining for a few days it will be enough to dry up pockets of water.

With a specific metal bird feeder left out in rain for days and months on end, it shouldn't rust like you would expect with most metal items. Metal bird feeders are developed to withstand all wet weather, thus all quality built bird feeders are weatherproof.

Bird feeder feed kept dry

With bird feeders perfectly OK when hanging out in the rain, admittedly bird feeders left on a damp surface for weeks/months on end will see mold and, or algae slowly develop, thus a hanging bird feeder can be kept in better condition in wet weather.

Regardless, its all about how the wild bird feed responds to wet weather, as oppose to a durable, solid bird feeder that can cope with practically anything you throw at it.

Bird feeder food is what must be looked after and with that, you must change bird feeder food regularly, to avoid any mold developing. Let's not forget, bird feeders should also be cleaned regularly to remove any build up of filth and bacteria.

Wet conditions can encourage mold in bird feed, so to change them all out regularly will prevent any issues, yet changing bird feed must come before or after bird feeders are disinfected with a thorough clean.

Bird feed is going to get wet, and especially suet and peanuts, which are stored in an open to the elements, wire mesh-like bird feeder. Seed feeders generally stay driest but it can depend on seed feeder type.

Of course open top pole mounted bird feeders stay out in rain, with all bird feed left out in the soaking wet rain. Whereas where a hopper style seed feeder provides a roof, the seeds dispensed in the open can quickly deteriorate in the rain.

You do have a choice where you place a bird feeder when it rains, but where it currently resides will be fine. Re-locating a bird feeder to tree cover or under/near a roof overhang, can help keep both bird feeders and food stay dry and out of snow.

Conclude

Bird feeders are more than OK out in the rain, as they are generally made to withstand whatever the weather throws at them.

With that in mind, you will never have to bring a bird feeder indoors when it rains.

Sure, bird feeders will deteriorate overtime but this is so with any bird feeder. It can fade in color or warp in case of plastic bird feeders - yet there isn't a thing you can do about it as its natural occurrence.

Honestly, many bird feeder interiors can get wet which will effect the bird feeder food. To remedy, you can simply change out the bird feed more often when it rains - to prevent any mold developing on what is now wet bird food.

Bird feeders are made to be all weatherproof yet wild bird feed isn't so much, with some of it coping quite well in feeders in wetter months, while the rest can quickly rot.

Rain can flood a little at the bottom of feeders but in the end, will dry up on its own.

Concerning nectar-filled Oriole or Hummingbird feeders, again water can flood the port wells a little - and while this won't damage the feeder in any way - extra water shouldn't really change the water to sugar ratio of the nectar.

Efforts can be made to keep a bird feeder dry, like with a weatherproof cover to suspend over bird feeders, or re-positioning bird feeders under a dry patch in the yard.

No such thing as real rain-proof bird feeder, but it can help to prioritize a bird feeder with a wide roof affixed to the top; or utilize a squirrel proof baffle suspended above each and every hanging bird feeder - keeping both rain and snow clear of feeders.

Share this article: