Bird Feeders
A foundational feeder holds a blend attractive to 80% of the local seed and nut eating birds, feeds many birds at one time, and has the capacity for four or more days of food.
Here are some common birds that enjoy visiting seed feeders:
- Northern Cardinal – They love sunflower seeds, especially black oil sunflower seeds.
- American Goldfinch – They prefer thistle or nyjer seeds, often seen hanging from tube feeders.
- House Finch – These birds enjoy sunflower seeds, millet, and mixed seed blends.
- Blue Jay – They are attracted to sunflower seeds, peanuts, and corn.
- Mourning Dove – Doves prefer millet and cracked corn, and they often feed on the ground beneath feeders.
- Chickadee – These small birds like sunflower seeds, peanuts, and suet.
- Woodpeckers – Species like Downy and Red-bellied Woodpeckers are attracted to suet and sunflower seeds, especially in hopper or suet feeders.
- Titmice – They enjoy sunflower seeds and peanuts, typically feeding at tube or hopper feeders.
- Purple Finch – Similar to the House Finch, they enjoy sunflower seeds and mixed seed blends.
- Nuthatches – These birds like sunflower seeds and peanuts, often feeding from tube or suet feeders.
Tray feeders are a favorite feeder style for viewing the birds and their behaviors. Birds find food by sight, so offering various foods in trays means the birds find it easier.
Most feeding stations should have a constant supply of at least one of the many choices of “fat.” Suet is a high-energy, high-fat substance that is helpful when insects are harder to find, and birds need a little extra energy—especially in the winter. Offering suet is one way to attract a greater diversity of insect-eating birds.
Here are some common birds that enjoy suet:
- Woodpeckers
- Chickadees
- Nuthatches
- Titmice
- Starlings
- Bluejays
- Sparrows
- Crows and Ravens
- Wrens
- Suet can be offered in different forms, such as blocks, cakes, or balls, and often includes ingredients like seeds, nuts, and dried fruit to make it even more appealing.