How to Attract Birds to Your Backyard!

The right food will attract birds to your yard.

There is no better hobby than birdwatching. Nature in your own backyard has become a quest for many people. Each day has a new surprise at your feeder. You need three things to attract birds to your backyard; Food, Shelter and Water.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Cardinal at a tube feeder!

   If you spend any time outdoors it is almost second nature to want to attract birds to your environment. Whether your hobby starts with just spreading birdseed on the ground and progresses to a whole stadium of bird feeders is entirely up to you. Take a look at the "regulars" that are already in your yard and cater to them. As your bird feeder populations grows, and then begin to expand your feeders. A combination of three or four typical variety of feeders works best to attract all different species. Experiment with your feeder locations, but don't move them everyday. Try two to three weeks at a location before moving it. If your birds are skittish because of lack of hiding places, walk the birds in closer to the house small steps at a time. Start at their comfort level and slowly bring the feeder closer to your viewing areas. The easiest variable to change when your feeder isn't getting the attention you desire is to move the feeder. Basically birds require very little attention as long as you provide them with the three basics: Food, water and shelter!

2. Calliope Hummingbird feed on nectar small insects and spiders.

   Food!
   The choices in bird food are enormous, but look for a simple mixture of seed; Black oil sunflower is the favorite of seed consuming birds and should have the largest quantity in the bag you purchase. Check the label contents; seeds will be listed according to the most volume. Black stripe sunflower, white proso millet, sunflower chips or hearts, and nuts such as peanuts, almonds or filberts are the basis of all feeders.
   White proso millet doesn't belong in a seed mix because the birds that like millet prefers to eat it on the ground. The feeder birds will throw it on the ground as planned, but this will empty your feeder a lot faster than you want. Sparrows, juncos, towhees and doves prefer millet and eating close to the ground.
   Chickadees, titmice, nuthatches and woodpeckers prefer peanuts and it is better to place them in a feeder alone. Avoid peanut hearts in your mix as they attract Starlings, considered a pest at all feeders!
   Safflower and thistle (nyjer) should be served on their own not in a mix. Safflower is especially unattractive to Starlings and the dreaded Gray Squirrel. Chickadees, Tufted Titmice, House Finches, and especially Cardinal love safflower seed when presented by itself.
   Nyjer, commonly called thistle, attracts Goldfinch, Pine Siskin, Redpolls and Purple Finch. Keep this feeder away from the other feeders at Goldfinch prefer privacy.
   Other treats birds enjoy are fruit. Orioles love oranges. Slice the fruit and spear it on a fence post for a cheap fruit feeder. There are commercial fruit feeders available, and some have a little cup to add grape jelly another Oriole favorite. Apples and bananas are attractive to many species of birds especially Robins. Mockingbirds and Gray Catbirds love raisins. Their favorite way to be served is soaking them in warm water overnight then drain them well before putting them out. Titmice love almonds and woodpeckers love shelled walnuts and pecans. Most of the larger nuts will not pass through the seed dispenser of all style of birdfeeders, so use a platform feeder.
   Suet is great year-around for woodpeckers, nuthatches, chickadees, titmice, Gray Catbirds and even Pine Warbler. Suet is not processed so it will not become rancid.
   Bread and human food is not recommended for bird food. Bread has little nutritional value to birds. They have a different metabolism than humans and may not be able to digest the chemicals used in some human food.

3. A Robin taking a bath!

   Water!
   The birds you would typically attract to your patio area are not going to be water fowl. A bird bath is an excellent source of water for any backyard area, but there are a few rules to follow. Change the water everyday and do not fill the water too deep. Birds typically like to wade into their water. Three inches is about deep enough for most birds. If you have a choice, pick a bird bath that has a sloped incline so the birds can go as deep or shallow as they feel safe.
   Have several sources of water, one is good, two is great, but three will give you results. A bird bath, a bucket at a water spigot and a small fountain are all excellent ways to introduce nature into your yard. A water feature can attract an even greater number of species to your yard than a feeder. A water feature is essential to attracting warblers, thrushes, vireos, orioles and tanagers.

4. A Titmouse takes a drink!

   Shelter!
   Birds are skittish creatures! They must feel safe to eat. Otherwise they will take the seed and run. It is better to provide the birds with small patches of screening for them to sit yet still be close enough for you to view. If you do not have trees and shrubs around your patio, then opt for potted evergreens. Evergreens provide an excellent screen for the birds to hide in and still give you a peak. Small individual pots placed on the railings of your patio are excellent for screening and eating. If you have the luxury of a climbing vine or rosebush bird really enjoy this type of shelter.
   Nesting Boxes are another addition to your backyard that will enhance your viewing pleasure. Look for cedar construction, drainage at the bottom and ventilation at the top. A swinging door on the side will ensure removal of the old nest for a new tenant.

5. The Pest of the Feeder!

   Nuisance!!!
   Well there just wouldn't be a birdfeeder without a squirrel! There are a million gadgets to keep them out or try to thwart their destructions. The only one that I have found effective is a J hook with a shield. The shield will roll them off and the J hook swings too much for them to get the food. Do NOT for one second think this will detour the little pest. I leave them food in another section of the yard. They don't stay out of the feeder, but they don't destroy it either.
   Pigeons can be nuisances too! They are exceptionally large birds and can easily overwhelm your feeder. They have appetites to match their size too, And when have you ever seen ONE pigeon? They bring the whole family. Bird food with too much millet or filler will end up on the ground. This is where the pigeon loves to feed. Keep the ground under your feeder free of debris and you will keep the pigeon away.
   Cats roaming the neighborhood can be a hazard to your feeder. Try to keep the platform feeders at least 6 foot off the ground helps cut down on cat attacks.

6. Woodpecker at Suet!

   Bird Preferences!
   House Finch, Purple Finch, American Goldfinch: Tube-style feeders with black oil sunflower, nyjer and safflower.
   Chickadees: Prefer small feeders that they can cling to. Black oil sunflower, peanuts and suet.
   Titmice: Nut Feeders: peanuts, almonds, and hazelnuts. They also like feeders they can cling to.
   Redpollis: Tube feeders and nyjer seed, also sunflower chips and black oil sunflower seeds
   Cardinal: They love black oil sunflower seeds, peanuts, and black stripped sunflower. Prefers feeders with large open landing areas.
   Grosbeaks: Large hopper and fly-though feeders. Ravenous appetite!
   Doves: Ground feeders. White proso millet is their favorite.
   Blue Jays: These bandits love peanuts! They like them in the shell!
   Woodpeckers, Flickers, and Sapsuckers: Tree-clinging birds love suet and peanuts!
   Nuthatches: Nuts! They also like black oil sunflower.
   Sparrows, Juncos, Towhees and Buntings: Ground feeders and large open platforms. They like white proso millet, Sunflower chips and peanut kernels.
   Hummingbirds: Sugar water! Plants add to their attraction: Trumpet Vine, Honeysuckle, Impatiens, Fuchsia, Sweet William, Hibiscus, and Butterfly Bush.

7. Baby Birds!

   What to do if you find a baby bird!
   1. First look around for the parents! Leave it alone unless you can't find the parents!
   2. Do not cuddle the bird
   3. Place it on a paper towel in a box if it's an older baby; place it on tissue in a small bowl if it is a nestling
   4. Keep the bird warm but out of direct sunlight
   5. Keep the bird away from people and pets.
   6. Do NOT feed milk of bread to baby birds. They cannot digest it and never squirt liquids into a bird's mouth. Birds have a small hole at the base of their tongue that leads directly to their windpipe and lungs. Squirting liquids into a bird's mouth can literally drown the bird!
   7. Do Not keep the bird. Call local authorities for a federally licensed rehabilitator. It is against the law to keep some birds.