One of the joys many people find in nature is watching birds. If you’re interested in attracting and identifying feeder birds in your backyard, a sound understanding of their behaviors and preferences can help. Whether you’re a novice birdwatcher or a veteran enthusiast hoping to get more species to their yards, this guide features insights on how to appeal to various birds and how to identify them.
To improve your competency at attracting feeder birds, it’s crucial to optimize your backyard habitat. Among the ways to achieve this are: setting up the right feeders, offering attractive food options, and providing ample water and shelter. By taking these steps, you’ll give various bird species a place to rest, feed, bathe and, potentially, to nest, thus boosting your bird-watching possibilities.
Feeding stations or bird feeders are indispensable. There are four common bird feeder types: tray or platform feeders, tube feeders, window feeders, and suet feeders. Tray feeders attract the widest range of seed-eating feeder birds, including sparrows, doves, jays, cardinals, and starlings, which can all easily perch and eat there. Tube feeders are excellent for small bird species like finches and sparrows that can cling to a feeder while eating. Window feeders, which typically hold less food, are perfect for small clinging birds like finches and chickadees. Suet feeders attract woodpeckers, nuthatches, and titmice, which enjoy the high-energy, fatty food source that suet provides.
Matching the food to the bird’s diet is another determinant of which species you attract. Black-oil sunflower seeds are a favorite of most seed-eating birds, suitable for tray or hopper style feeders. Nyjer seeds, small black seeds high in oil content, specifically attract finches when dispensed from tube feeders with small holes. Suet, a high-energy food made from rendered beef fat, oats, and seeds, is great for drawing in insect-eating birds, particularly in the colder months when insects aren’t plentiful.
Availability of water can significantly enhance a location’s attractiveness for birds, not just for drinking but also for bathing. Consider including a bird bath or even a small pond in your yard. Regularly change water to ensure it’s clean and fresh.
Having covered space, such as shrubs, bushes, or trees, provides birds with a safe space to hide from predators or harsh weather. These natural coverings also provide potential nest sites for particular species.
Once you’ve attracted birds to your backyard, identifying different species can be fun and educational. Some popular North American feeder birds you might spot include the American Goldfinch, the Blue Jay, the House Sparrow, the Mourning Dove, the Northern Cardinal, and the Ruby-throated Hummingbird.
The lively American Goldfinch, best identified for its bright yellow plumage in the summer, is attracted to sunflower and Nyjer seeds in tube feeders. Often found in large groups, these birds migrate, changing their color in winter to a dull, olive-brown.
Blue Jays, known for their bright blue feathers and spirited voice, are fond of sunflower seeds, peanuts, and suet. These somewhat aggressive birds might drive smaller birds away from your feeders, so consider strategic feeder placements.
The House Sparrow, with its chunky body and thick beak, generally eats almost anything but is notably drawn to millet. These birds often travel in flocks, so don’t be surprised if you see many at once!
Mourning Doves prefer to eat from the ground or larger tray feeders, feasting mostly on corn, millet, and sunflower seeds. Recognizable for their plump bodies, small heads, and long tails, they have a soft, mournful coo that gives them their name.
The Northern Cardinal, with the male’s bright red color and noticeable crest, prefers sunflower seeds. They tend to pair off, so sightings of two aren’t rare.
Lastly, the Ruby-throated Hummingbird, the only breeding hummingbird in eastern North America, is attracted to nectar feeders. You can identify them by their dazzling green back and the male’s bright red throat.
Identifying birds can sometimes be tricky due to variations in appearance by age, sex, and season. Thus, birding books and apps can be very helpful. Keep a logbook of the birds spotted and their habits. With patience and careful observation, bird watching can become an addictive hobby that connects you with nature’s splendor right in your backyard.
