06 · June
Water beats extra seed
Natural food is abundant, so a clean birdbath does more than another feeder. Refresh water daily and add stones so birds can perch and drink without bathing.
- Water
- Mealworms
- Nectar
At a glance
- Put out
- Water, Mealworms, Nectar
- Birds to expect
- Ruby-throated Hummingbird, House Wren, Eastern Bluebird, Cedar Waxwing, and 3 more
- Main job
- Refresh the birdbath daily and scrub it weekly.
- Watch for
- Natural food is abundant — a clean birdbath does more than another feeder.
What is changing this month
Natural food is at its most abundant, so a feeder matters less than at any other time of year. Water and hygiene matter more.
Birds to expect in June
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Seasonal
House Wren
Seasonal
Eastern Bluebird
Year-round
Cedar Waxwing
Winter visitor
Gray Catbird
Seasonal
American Robin
Year-round
Chipping Sparrow
Year-round
Most often reported at feeders this month. What turns up depends on your region and the weather, so treat it as a starting point.
Feeder jobs for June
- Refresh the birdbath daily and scrub it weekly.
- Keep feeders clean even when they are quiet.
- Leave caterpillars and spiders alone — they feed nestlings.
Water in June
Water matters more than seed in June. Refresh daily and scrub weekly, and empty it at once if you see droppings.
Species in focus: Cedar Waxwing
Waxwings are nomadic fruit specialists. They are far more likely to appear when berries ripen than to visit a seed feeder, so planted fruit is the reliable draw.
- Food
- Fruit
- Feeder
- Fruit tray
- Season
- Nomadic; often autumn and winter
What to watch for
- Natural food is abundant — a clean birdbath does more than another feeder.
- Refresh bath water daily and scrub weekly; empty it if you see droppings or cloudiness.
- Keep feeders clean but do not worry about volume; birds are not dependent on them now.
- Leave spiders and caterpillars alone — they are nestling food.
Three things not to do
- Don't worry about a quiet feeder — natural food is abundant now.
- Don't leave the bath to go green. Scrub it weekly.
- Don't remove caterpillars and spiders from the garden; they feed nestlings.
Check this locally
Timing shifts with latitude, elevation and the year. Use these as pointers, then check what is actually happening near you.
- North: the breeding season is in full swing and feeders go quiet.
- Mid-latitudes: nestlings are being fed insects, not seed.
- South: heat makes water the priority offering.
Questions this month raises
Why is my feeder quiet in June?
Natural food is abundant and many birds are busy nesting. A quiet spell in early summer is normal, not a sign that something is wrong.
Should I keep feeding in summer?
If you can keep feeders clean, yes. If cleaning slips, FeederWatch suggests feeding less rather than feeding dirty.
How often should I change birdbath water?
Daily where possible. Empty and scrub the bath if you see droppings, cloudiness or mould.