Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What are they made of?
A. They are constructed of glass and solid brass. We use glass because “unlike acrylic” it will not become cloudy and deteriorate from the sunlight. We use brass because of the desirable patina finish which is created as it weathers and which will never rust.

Q. Will the suction cups release and the feeder fall off the window?
A. The suction cups are ultra violet protected which prevents them from drying out in the hot sunlight or becoming brittle in freezing temperatures. They remain plyable in all weather conditions. The three of them together hold a minimum of nine pounds. Each one comes complete with a wire that can be attached to a little hook or nail on your window frame as a backup security measure. Most people feel more comfortable using it so we provide it. We want you to relax and enjoy your birds.

Q. Is there a trick to applying the suction cups to the window?
A. Clean your window and the suction cups immediately before attaching them and apply a tiny drop of cooking oil to the flat surface of the suction cups. This will remove any dust particles and the oil is very good for the adhesion. Following the simple directions we provide along with each feeder will allow you and your birds to enjoy it for a very long time.

Q. Will the beautiful colours fade from the sunlight?
A. Our delightful artwork is applied using a combination of inks and enamels that we guarantee will never fade from the sunlight. They’ll look the same ten years from now.

Q. What does it look like from inside the window?
A. The artwork and glass is transparent so it looks beautiful from inside as well as outside your window. When the birds aren’t there it provides an attractive decorative element to your window. Therefore it acts as a suncatcher as well as a bird feeder.

Q.Will the decorative patterns such as the bluejay frighten the smaller birds.
A. The birds don’t seem to pay attention to the patterns and we’ve never noticed any less attraction of the birds to the bluejay pattern as opposed to the clear or other bird designs.

Q. What kind of birds will it attract?
A. Depending on the area you live in, they generally attract birds such as chickadees, nuthatches, cardinals, finches, bluejays and grosbeaks to name a few. The type of seed you offer determines the type of birds you may attract. We recommend using black oil sunflower and Niger seed as these two types attract your most desirable songbirds and are an excellent source of nourishment for them.

Q.What if a squirrel gets to it? Will it hold the weight?
A. Squirrels cannot climb up the window glass so providing there are no trees or railings closeby for them to jump from they usually cannot reach them. If they do happen to get to them and you have followed our instructions to attach and maintain your feeder the suction cups will hold the weight.

Q. We have bears. Can we still feed the birds?
A. If you have these hungry creatures around it is best to refrain from feeding the birds during the spring and summer. Once the bears go into hibernation you can enjoy feeding the birds for the winter months.

Q. I have a problem with birds hitting my window. If I put this window bird feeder up will it cause them to crash into the glass even more often.
A. Many people have this problem and we are happy to say that our bird feeder will actually help to prevent them from hitting as it alerts them that there is glass there. When you have nothing there they see the reflection of the sky and trees and this is why they hit. Many people have almost totally eliminated the problem by using our bird feeder on the window and... they get to enjoy the birds close up.

Q. Will the birds be frightened by movement within the house?
A. You will find that most birds adapt quite nicely to feeding at window feeders. If you are reasonably still while they are at the window you can actually be standing right inside the glass with your face just inches away from them. Of course when you’re up this close if you move quickly you will startle them. They do get used to seeing you moving around within your home and soon start to feel safe with you being there. If they do get frightened away they only leave for a short time and before long return for more seed.

Q. Will the birds leave a mess on my window?
A. It is quite rare that they leave any droppings on the window as they don’t “do it” sideways. Cleaning up a little birdseed and an occasional bird dropping below is a very small price to pay for the pleasure they will give you in return.

Q.I would like one but I’m afraid I would have trouble filling it. Do you have any suggestions?
A. The nice thing with a window feeder is that you can often place it in a location that is extremely easy and convenient to fill. Often you can fill them from inside your home. If you have casement windows that crank out sideways or sliding type windows it can be an ideal way to fill it. Many people have a deck or porch where they can be standing quite comfortably while they refill it. People also use them on patio doors which is usually the case if you are in an apartment. If your windows are quite high from the ground you can often attach a scoop to a broom handle to fill it. Where there is a will there is a way and we have heard lots of ingenious methods people have devised. Generally, they can be placed at a very convenient level and in full view.

Q. I would love to feed the birds but I’m in an apartment. Would they come to my balcony?
A. Many people have moved from there homes where they were used to feeding the birds and are now thrilled to find that with our window bird feeder they can once again enjoy them. We have many people in high rise buildings enjoying the birds. The highest one we’ve heard so far is a lady on the 14th floor who had finches coming and they actually nested in a tree she had in a planter on her balcony. It helps to attract them if you have some branches or foliage of some sort that they can feel protected.

Q. What type of birdseed do you recommend?
A. We find that the best type is black oil sunflower as it attracts a wide variety of desirable birds such as chickadees, nuthatches, cardinals, bluejays, finches and grosbeaks. It’s very good for them as it has a high oil content which really helps them out in the winter when there’s not a lot of food around. The goldfinches prefer Niger seed so we also put some of it in our feeders as well.

Q. I’ve tried everything to attract hummingbirds with no success. Do you have any advice for me?
A. If you live in a northern climate the easiest time to attract them is when they first return from the south.
Check with birding experts in your area to see when they usually arrive in your vicinity. You can also track their migration on the internet. One of the most common reasons that people have trouble attracting them is that they put the feeders out too late. The feeder and the nectar should be kept fresh. In hot weather it should be changed about every four days. Do not add red food colouring to the nectar as it is harmful to the hummingbirds. There is plenty of colour on the feeders to attract them. Hanging strips of red ribbon around in your yard or even on your feeder will often help to get their attention as well.
One of the best ways to keep them coming is by planting lots of beautiful flowers. Check with your local nursery to find a wide variety of plants they like. Cedar trees are especially attractive to them so it may be something to consider when you are choosing trees and shrubs.

Q. If I leave my hummingbird feeder out too late in the season will it cause them to stay too long?
A. That is a common misconception. They naturally know when it is time to leave and in fact they need the nourishment for their long trip so it is beneficial to leave it there until you no longer see them. Don’t worry, your feeder will not entice them to stay longer than they should.

Q. We would like to feed both birds and hummingbirds. Can we place both feeders together on the same window?
A. No problem. They don’t usually feed together but will take their turns coming to the feeders.

Q. Will the hummingbird feeder drip?
A. Our feeder works on a vacuum concept. Fill the bottle right to the top to create a vacuum. Generally unless you have a lot of hummingbirds using it, it does not go down far enough to lose its seal before it’s time to refill it. As with all hummingbird feeders it is preferable to position it out of hot sunlight which could cause the liquid to expand resulting in an occasional drip. Without being in direct sunlight the nectar will stay fresh longer and we find that the hummingbirds actually prefer feeding in a shaded area.

Q. Will it attract bees and ants?
A. This depends on your particular situation. Some people never experience either of them while others have quite a challenge keeping them away. No matter what type of feeder you use, they are attracted to sugar so if they find it they may come. Many types of hummingbird feeders allow insects to fit through the feeding ports and you often end up with a very unappetizing mixture for the hummingbirds. The red tip on our feeding spout has a small hole so most insects are discouraged from getting into it. Hummingbirds have a very long tongue which reaches right down into the curve of the spout to get the nectar. As they approach the feeder you can often see it flicking out from the tip of their beek. This is something you would never likely see with a regular tree or pole mounted hummingbird feeder.

Q. My hummingbirds like to sit on a perch while they feed. Why don’t you put one on yours?
A. This was a design decision we made based on the fact that it is natural for hummingbirds to feed on the fly. Flowers do not have perches. We find that without a perch the hummers are much more interesting to watch as they flit back and forth providing lots of activity at your window. Occasionally they perch on the points at the top of the feeder or on a nearby tree branch but generally they come and go as they would at the flowers.

Q. Where else can I purchase one of your bird feeders?
A. We are the manufacturer and distributor of our patented products. They are available exclusively through our website www.mooredesignbirdfeeders.com and at prestigious arts and craft shows throughout Canada.

Q. If I purchase a birdfeeder for a gift can I have it shipped directly to the person it is for?
A. Yes, by all means, and in fact we will be happy to put a suitable gift card with your personal message on it at no extra charge. Our bird feeders make a great gift for all occasions and will be appreciated by both men and women of all ages.

Q. How long will it take to receive my order?
A. We usually ship within 24-48 hours. Depending on where you are located within North America it generally takes a week to ten days to arrive at its destination. During the busy Christmas season it could take slightly longer.

Q. What is your return policy?
A. We want you to be happy and comfortable with your purchase. Please refer to our return policy as stated separately on this page.