Black Capped Chickadee “Napoleon”
What is it?
Quite simply, Interactive Bird Feeding is an expansion of how you
care for your backyard birds, supplementing what you already do with:
• Smaller feeders
• Better food
• Closer birds
Black Capped Chickadee “Chip”
Downy Woodpecker “Teddy Girl”
How does it work?
Interactive Bird Feeding does not take away from how you
currently feed the birds in your space, it enhances it by providing a path for you to become closer to songbirds and nature, including:
• Spending more time outdoors
• Adding less food to your feeders, but more frequently
• Allowing nature to set the schedule and becoming more accepting of waiting
• Re-engaging your sense of wonder and paying attention to each bird
Downy Woodpecker “Teddy Girl”
How Do I Start?
You can start by sitting or standing a little bit away
from your feeder. When the birds are comfortable
with you there, you can move closer.
Each bird is an individual with a different level of
comfort in being near people. Most will never feed
from your hand, yet, many will find it easy to visit just
a few feet away – which is an amazing experience in
itself, and quite different from watching through a
window or behind binoculars
Northern Oriole “Van Gogh”
Tufted Titmouse “Wink”
Why is it called a “practice”?
BF invites you to get as deeply involved as you like. In
the beginning, it helps to quiet yourself as you wait for
the birds to feel comfortable with you nearby. As you
spend more time with the birds, they have many
things to teach you:
• Its fun to sit next to your feeder
• Birds are individuals, and you can get to know
them by name
• There are opportunities for connection and
friendship
Tufted Titmouse “Wink”
Is It Safe for the Birds?
IBF is for the birds in your habitat (never for birds
in parks or public places). Birds end up getting
accustomed to you, your face, your voice, and
where you feed them. They will not let down
their guard and start landing on strange people
in strange places. Even when you have a good
relationship, they will not approach unless you
are quiet and respectful
Downy “Theo” feeding “Teddy Bear”
Gold Finch on one of the sharing cups
What Does Laughing Birds Provide?
Laughing Birds provides the feeders, food and
equipment necessary to have a safe and rewarding
time with IBF. What makes us unique?
• Our food is superior and human-grade – never
treated with pesticides
• Our work revolves around creating a community of
people (including you) that care for the birds and
each other (our seed is mixed and packed in
kitchens by people with disabilities, our cups are
hand-made by fair-trade artisans, our apparel is
printed by people developing job skills
• Our books and on-line presence provide outreach
on how to care for birds and the environment
Gold Finch on one of the sharing cups
