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Feeding Tips to Attract Birds to Your Backyard |
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If you want your backyard to attract as many birds as possible, you are going to need to provide a variety of different food sources, fresh water
 and a safe spot to feed and live. It may sound like a tall order, but actually, it’s easier than you think. Let’s take a look at some simple ways to provide food for a variety of different birds.
Food sources can take many forms, and the most successful backyards involve a two-pronged approach of feeders and native plants. Overall, what food you make available will determine which birds will find your backyard appealing, so you want to provide variety in your feeders as well as plants and trees that naturally have the food birds want.
This year, try a few different kinds of feeders, such as sunflower, nyger, suet, mealworms or fruit. Your main feeders should always contain seed, suet and depending on where you live, fruit. Only use mealworms later in the season very sparingly as a treat only – and they are only for specific birds like Bluebirds. To get a sense of which birds eat what food, check out our info from our Birding Resources page.
If you want to attract migrating birds that are either needing to rest and feed on their journey, or migrating songbirds that might stop and nest for the summer like Yellow warblers, then you have to think out of the feeder box. These birds eat insects, and the best way to make your yard a welcome stopover and possible nesting site is to plant native plants that attract the insects these birds eat. Native pine trees and other conifers are chock full of the right bugs, but there are many plants, shrubs, flowers and trees that are exactly right for your area and also attract the insects these birds need.
If you really want your backyard to be a haven for a diverse variety of beautiful birds, the foundation of your yard should consist of native plants. Planting late season seeding native flowers and grasses now will ensure a good crop of seeds at the end of the season, some through the winter and in coming years — as native plants are perennials and will continue to provide beauty for you and food for your favorite birds in the future. The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center has a list of native plants by state, so if you are unsure what plants to buy….this is a great resource!
If you combine native planting with feeders, you have a winning combination with appeal for the most variety of birds. Get started planting and get those feeders ready for the spring rush! |