How to Attract More Birds to Your Feeder: A Simple Guide for Birdwatchers
If you’re a birdwatcher or enjoy the beauty of birds visiting your backyard, there are a few ways to make your feeder a welcoming spot for various species. Whether you see finches flit around, doves cleaning up fallen seeds, or even the occasional cardinal, knowing how to attract different birds can make your backyard feel like a mini aviary. Plus, with the Audubon Society’s annual Bird Count coming up on February 15th, now is a great time to prepare for this exciting event and contribute to citizen science.
Understanding Bird Behavior Around Your Feeder
If you've ever noticed that finches and other small birds leave when the cardinals arrive, you're not imagining things. Being more dominant and assertive, Cardinals tend to take over the feeder, causing shyer species like finches to retreat. These bold, beautiful red birds are territorial, so don’t hesitate to claim their food source, especially when it’s limited. If you want to encourage more variety at your feeder, offering the right food can help attract different bird species.
Food for Thought: How to Attract More Birds
Different species of birds are drawn to other types of food. Here’s a breakdown of what you can offer to increase the diversity of birds visiting your backyard:
Black Oil Sunflower Seeds: These are popular among many species, including cardinals, chickadees, and finches. The tiny seeds are easy for smaller birds to crack open, making them a must-have at your feeder.
Nyjer (Thistle) Seed: If you’re hoping to attract goldfinches or siskins, thistle seed is the way to go. You’ll need a special feeder with small holes to hold the tiny seeds.
Safflower Seed: A favorite of cardinals and doves, this seed also tends to be less appealing to squirrels, which could help cut down on unwanted visitors.
Peanuts: Blue jays, woodpeckers, and titmice love peanuts. This is a good option for larger birds, whether shelled or in the shell.
Suet: For woodpeckers, nuthatches, and wrens, suet is an ideal choice. It’s beautiful to insect-eating birds, and it helps them through the winter months.
Cracked Corn: Ground-feeding birds like doves and sparrows enjoy cracked corn, which is more affordable.
Fruit: Offering fruit slices, such as oranges, apples, or grapes, can attract robins, mockingbirds, and tanagers.
Mealworms: Bluebirds, chickadees, and other insectivores love mealworms, whether live or dried.
A Clean-Up Crew: Doves and Pigeons
You're not alone if you’ve seen doves or pigeons hanging around beneath your feeder but never on it. These birds prefer feeding on the ground, where they can pick up seeds dropped by other species. It’s their job to clean up the mess and help prevent waste, which can be beneficial for keeping your yard tidy.
Get Ready for the Great Backyard Bird Count!
The Great Backyard Bird Count is just around the corner, taking place on February 15th. It’s an exciting opportunity for nationwide birdwatchers to help researchers track bird populations and migration patterns. Participating in the count is easy and fun whether you're a seasoned birdwatcher or a beginner. Count the number of birds you see at your feeder over 15 minutes and report your findings.
Download your worksheets for the count from the Audubon website, and mark your calendar for February 15th to join this citizen science initiative.
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