How to Attract Warblers to Bird Feeders

Attract warblers with suet blocks and black oil sunflowers.

Warblers are attractive, colorful song birds. Attracting them to backyard bird feeders is a challenge, as they feed on insects during the summer months. Nevertheless, birdwatchers can take some steps to attract warblers with the proper bird feeding techniques.

Things You'll Need

• Suet blocks
• Birdbath
• Black oil sunflowers

Instructions

1. Hang suet cakes as an attractant to warblers. Suet blocks are commonly put into custom wire frame holders that mount to trees or posts. Smear a little suet on the tree bark so warblers will pick up the suet scent.

2. Include a birdbath in the back yard. Warblers appear to be attracted to the sound of running water, so a hose positioned to trickle water into the birdbath may attract the birds to your viewing area.

3. Include black oil sunflower seeds in your bird feeder mix. Warblers feed on seeds in the fall when insects are not plentiful. Black oil sunflower seeds are less attractive to warblers than suet blocks, however.

4. Place any feeders or birdbaths intended for warblers in areas with pine, oak, willows, cypress or sycamore trees present. Warblers love fruit-bearing shrubs such as bayberry, grapes or blackberries. Leave poison ivy, if feasible, growing in the area.

Tips & Warnings

• If you manage to attract a warbler to your viewing area, you're likely to see more than one. Warblers travel in "waves" during the spring and fall migrations.

• Attract nesting warblers by packing grass and other fibrous nesting material into an empty suet cake wire frame. The warblers pull fiber during the nesting process.

References

• Wild Birds Forever: Warbler
• Stokes at Home: Warblers