Attracting birds brings nature closer to home, offering a chance to observe avian behavior and ecology. Many people start with a single feeder, but successfully welcoming a wide variety of species requires a more nuanced approach. Different birds have distinct dietary needs and habitat preferences that must be considered to encourage diversity. Successfully transforming a simple backyard into a dynamic ecological observation post involves understanding these specific requirements.
Diversifying Food Sources and Delivery
Broadening your bird audience requires offering a spectrum of food options, moving beyond generic mixed birdseed. Black oil sunflower seeds are a widely accepted, high-calorie food source, appealing to species like cardinals, chickadees, and finches. Safflower seeds, naturally disliked by squirrels and starlings due to their bitter taste, are an excellent choice for attracting doves and house finches.
For smaller-billed birds like American goldfinches, thistle or Nyjer seed is necessary, requiring a specialized, fine-mesh tube feeder to prevent waste. Offering suet provides high-energy lipids that are favored by insectivores during colder months. Woodpeckers, nuthatches, and wrens will readily visit suet cages mounted directly onto tree trunks or specialized tail-prop feeders.
Feeder style is just as important as the food itself, as foraging habits vary. Hopper feeders, which protect seed from the elements, are popular with larger birds like grosbeaks and jays, but smaller birds may prefer the stability of a wide platform feeder. Tube feeders are generally better for small clinging birds, while tray feeders placed closer to the ground can attract ground-feeding species like towhees and sparrows. Positioning diverse feeding stations in different areas of the yard reduces competition and allows shy species to feed undisturbed.
Creating a Safe and Inviting Habitat
Food alone is insufficient for long-term residency; birds require reliable shelter and water. A clean, fresh water source is important, as birds need water for both drinking and preening. Bird baths should be shallow (less than three inches deep) and placed in an open area that allows birds to scan for potential threats.
Using a dripper or mister creates the sound of moving water, which is a powerful attractant for a wider range of species, including warblers and thrushes. During winter, a submersible heater ensures the water remains liquid when natural sources are frozen solid.
Providing dense, multi-layered vegetation offers cover from weather and predators. Native shrubs and trees are preferred because they often host the insects that many species rely on to feed their young. Brush piles offer immediate, low-to-the-ground refuge for juncos and sparrows, mimicking natural debris.
Mitigating two hazards is also important: window strikes and domestic predators. Positioning feeders within three feet of a window or more than 30 feet away reduces the velocity of impact. Applying visual markers, such as UV decals or tape, breaks up the reflection that birds perceive as open sky. Keeping domestic cats indoors is the most effective action to protect avian life, given the predation rates associated with outdoor felines.
Techniques for Specialized Species
Moving beyond typical seed-eaters requires incorporating specific attractants tailored to specialized diets. Hummingbirds are drawn to the color red and require a sugar-water solution mixed at a ratio of one part sugar to four parts water. This nectar should be changed every two to three days, especially in warm weather, to prevent fermentation and mold.
Planting native tubular flowers, such as trumpet honeysuckle, bee balm, or cardinal flower, provides natural nectar sources. Orioles are attracted to fruit and bright colors during their spring migration. Setting out orange halves on a platform or offering grape jelly in a specialized cup feeder can lure them.
Woodpeckers and nuthatches respond well to suet, but their preference for accessing food on vertical surfaces is important. Mounting suet feeders high up on a tree trunk, rather than hanging them freely, better mimics their natural foraging posture. Offering rendered peanut butter or insect-rich suet blocks can further encourage their visits.
Attracting ground feeders, such as mourning doves, quail, or dark-eyed juncos, is achieved by scattering seed directly onto a cleared patch of ground. These birds are uncomfortable on elevated feeders and prefer to scratch and forage on bare earth. Ensuring this ground area is clear of thick cover allows them a safe view of their surroundings while they feed.
Maintaining a Healthy Bird Environment
A rigorous cleaning regimen is necessary to prevent the transmission of disease. Feeder sanitation is important, as moisture and waste create conditions for bacterial and fungal growth, leading to illnesses like salmonellosis and avian pox. Feeders should be emptied and scrubbed with a mild bleach solution (one part bleach to nine parts water) at least bi-weekly.
Rinsing the feeders thoroughly and allowing them to dry completely before refilling prevents chemical residue from harming the birds. Any moldy, wet, or clumped seed should be discarded immediately, as spoiled food is a source of disease. Bird baths require daily rinsing and scrubbing every few days to prevent the build-up of algae and pathogens.
Managing pests is important to ensure the food remains available for avian visitors. Installing wide baffles on feeder poles prevents squirrels from accessing the feed. Using squirrel-proof feeders can also deter larger pests, ensuring that food resources are not depleted rapidly.