Having a variety of wild birds to watch in your backyard is really something special. Their vibrant colors and songs can make any backyard feel peaceful. I find watching them relaxing and it helps me connect to nature. For the past couple of years, we have had the pleasure of watching multiple generations of birds build nests and raise their young.
To attract more birds, we have created a bird feeder station in our yard where we can provide nutritious food and access to fresh water. This makes it easy to enjoy our regular local birds as well as seasonal visitors.
How to Attract Birds to Your Backyard
Creating a bird feeder station with different types of feeders at varying heights will attract birds.
1. Include a Variety of Bird Feeders
Hooper Feeders
- Usually mounted on a post or include a chain for hanging
- Mold and bacteria can easily grow inside the feeder is the seed gets wet
- Include a perch and tray for catching seeds
- Many species including finches, jays, cardinals, buntings, grosbeaks, sparrows, chickadees, and titmice enjoy this type of feeder
Tube Feeders
- Long cylinders with several perches for feeding
- Preferred by small birds such as finches, goldfinches, pine siskins, purple finches, chickadees, and titmice.
Platform Feeders
- Can be placed on the ground, attached to a wall or fence, or elevated on a post.
- Holes or screens provide good drainage for seeds
- Easy to clean so there is less risk of mold or bacteria
- Encourages birds of different species to feed together
Suet Feeders
- Typically used in winter months to hold suet cakes
- Baskets are designed to be easy on wild bird feet with vinyl coating that insures feet will not freeze to the basket in winter and will not roast in summer
2. Offer a Variety of Food to Birds
Maintaining bird feeders in your yard provides an extra boost of calories and nutrition. This will help them survive the harsh winter months and have energy for migrating. Especially if you live in an urban area, introducing more food sources will benefit birds.
Nuts, Seeds and Flowers for Birds
- Striped and black oil sunflower seeds are available as hearts, chips, and kernels.
- Safflower seeds are found in bird food mixes or as a single ingredient. Eastern gray squirrels typically do not like its bitter taste.
- Millet is a white seed found in most bird food mixes. It is sweet, high in protein, and comes in over 100 varieties.
- Raw, shelled peanuts are high in protein and can be offered in place of suet cakes during the winter.
Bee Balm
Type: Perennial
Zone: 3-9
The lavender-pink flower clusters attract butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees. The lemon-mint-oregano flavored petals can also be used to replace oregano in dishes or used for tea.
Black-eyed Susan
Type: Annual
Zone: 3-7
This North American native wildflower has daisy-like flowers with orange-yellow petals that bloom over 8 weeks. In the winter, seed cones provide food for birds.
Purple Coneflower Echinacea Seeds
Type: Perennial
Zone: 3-8
A favorite native wildflower, the Purple Coneflower produces lovely pinkish-purple petals in midsummer. In the fall and winter, the seed cone attracts birds. It is often used for borders and is a good companion plant for lavender, Golden Rod, and Phlox ‘David’.
Creating a space filled with a mix of flowers will help attract birds and butterflies to your bird feeder station. To provide a consistent supply of food throughout the year, choose plants that have different bloom times. Some species of birds rely on seeds and berries for energy during the winter.
Suet Cakes for Birds
Favorite Fruits of Birds
You can offer a variety of fruits such as:
- apples
- oranges
- pears
- peaches
- berries
- cherries
In the winter, some birds such as mockingbirds, catbirds, and thrashers will enjoy currants and raisins.
Homemade Hummingbird Nectar Recipe
An easy and quick recipe for making hummingbird nectar requires only two ingredients. Bring to a boil and let cool before placing in hummingbird feeder.
- 4 part water
- 1 part white table sugar
3. Provide a Water Source for Birds
Birds will enjoy fresh, clean water for hydration, bathing, and cooling off.
- Pedestal birdbath
- Shallow ceramic dish
- Small pond or man-made stream
4. Provide Shelter and Nesting Sites for Birds
Including birdhouses in your backyard landscaping will help provide shelter and encourage breeding. Birdhouses made of durable and natural materials such as pine or cedar work best. The size of the nesting box and its entry hole will determine what species of birds will use them.
To help minimize the risk of animals climbing up to a birdhouse and raiding it, use a guard made of plastic or metal. It is best to use a style that uses motion to deter invaders. Although there are many commercial baffles available, I recommend researching options on Pinterest and creating your own.
Unwanted birdhouse guests such as bees, wasps, ants, blowflies, mites, or lice may appear inside the shelters. Cleaning them periodically will help prevent infestations.
Birds prefer to take shelter in shrubs, trees, or stands of grass. Having a variety of plants of all heights, will encourage them to shelter on your property.
Tips for How to Keep Birds Safe
1. Clean Bird Feeder Station Clean
To minimize the risk of spreading disease and parasites, you should clean bird feeders with warm soapy water and a small amount of bleach. Wet bird seed can mold, so let the bird feeder air dry prior to refilling.
The ground underneath the bird feeder should also be kept clean of old seed, droppings, and other debris.
2. Minimize Risk of Predators
Placing bird feeders in the open within a short flying distance from native trees and shrubs will help protect birds. You should also keep bird feeders away from your home to minimize the risk that birds will fly into your windows.
2. Provide Plenty of Bird Feeders
To minimize crowding, provide several bird feeders in your backyard. This will help smaller birds eat with less competition from larger birds that may be aggressive feeders.
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