What Food Attracts Birds?
Attracting a diverse array of birds to your backyard is often as simple as providing the right menu; what food attracts birds? While preferences vary by species, seeds, nuts, fruits, and insects are universally appealing staples, forming the foundation for a thriving avian haven.
Introduction: Welcoming Birds to Your Backyard Buffet
Attracting birds to your backyard isn’t just about providing sustenance; it’s about creating a vibrant ecosystem right outside your window. By understanding what food attracts birds, you can transform your yard into a popular destination for a wide variety of feathered friends. Bird feeding is a rewarding hobby that offers opportunities for observation, learning, and contributing to local wildlife conservation. The key is to offer a diverse and appealing menu that caters to different species and their varying nutritional needs.
Seeds: The Cornerstone of a Bird-Friendly Diet
Seeds are arguably the most popular and widely consumed bird food. They are packed with energy and essential nutrients, making them an excellent staple for many bird species.
- Black Oil Sunflower Seeds: These are a favorite among many birds due to their high oil content and thin shells, making them easy to crack. They attract cardinals, finches, chickadees, and nuthatches, among others.
- Striped Sunflower Seeds: Similar to black oil sunflower seeds but with thicker shells, these are still popular, though some smaller birds may find them harder to handle.
- Nyjer (Thistle) Seeds: Tiny and oil-rich, Nyjer seeds are irresistible to finches, especially goldfinches and pine siskins. They require specialized feeders with small openings.
- White Proso Millet: This small, round seed is a favorite of ground-feeding birds such as doves, sparrows, and juncos.
Nuts: High-Energy Treats for Bird Enthusiasts
Nuts are another excellent source of energy and nutrients for birds, especially during the colder months.
- Peanuts: Both shelled and unshelled peanuts are popular. Blue jays, woodpeckers, and nuthatches are particularly fond of them. Ensure that peanuts are unsalted and free from aflatoxin.
- Peanut Butter: A high-energy treat, but only offer it in moderation and avoid brands with added salt or sugar. Mixing peanut butter with cornmeal or rolled oats can create a nutritious and less sticky suet alternative.
Fruits: A Sweet and Nutritious Delight
Many birds enjoy fruits, especially during migration and the breeding season.
- Berries: Planting native berry bushes such as elderberry, serviceberry, and winterberry provides a natural food source for birds like robins, bluebirds, and waxwings.
- Grapes: Cut grapes in half to make them easier for birds to eat.
- Apples: Slices of apples can attract robins, cardinals, and even some woodpeckers.
Insects: Protein Powerhouse for Growing Birds
Insects are a crucial food source, particularly during nesting season when birds need protein to feed their young.
- Mealworms: These are a fantastic source of protein and attract a wide range of insectivorous birds, including bluebirds, robins, and chickadees.
- Suet: Commercially prepared suet cakes often contain insects, seeds, and nuts, providing a balanced and high-energy food source, especially during winter.
Offering Variety: Creating a Balanced Bird Buffet
Ultimately, the best way to attract a diverse range of birds is to offer a variety of foods. Consider using different types of feeders to cater to different feeding preferences. Ground feeders attract birds that prefer to forage on the ground, while tube feeders are suitable for clinging birds like chickadees and finches. Hopper feeders are a versatile option that can accommodate a variety of seed types.
| Food Type | Birds Attracted | Feeder Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ——————— | ————————————– | ———————— | ——————————————————————- |
| Black Oil Sunflower | Cardinals, Finches, Chickadees, Nuthatches | Tube, Hopper, Platform | High oil content, easy to crack |
| Nyjer (Thistle) | Finches (Goldfinches, Pine Siskins) | Thistle Feeder | Small openings required |
| White Proso Millet | Doves, Sparrows, Juncos | Ground, Platform | Ground-feeding birds |
| Peanuts | Blue Jays, Woodpeckers, Nuthatches | Hopper, Platform, Mesh | Unsalted, aflatoxin-free |
| Berries | Robins, Bluebirds, Waxwings | Native Berry Bushes | Plant native species |
| Mealworms | Bluebirds, Robins, Chickadees | Platform, Dish Feeder | High-protein, excellent for nesting season |
| Suet | Woodpeckers, Chickadees, Nuthatches | Suet Feeder | High-energy, often contains insects, seeds, and nuts |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Offering Moldy or Stale Food: This can be harmful to birds. Regularly clean feeders and replace old food.
- Using Food with Harmful Additives: Avoid foods with added salt, sugar, or artificial flavors.
- Neglecting Feeder Hygiene: Dirty feeders can spread diseases. Clean them regularly with soap and water, or a diluted bleach solution.
- Ignoring Predator Protection: Place feeders where birds have cover from predators like cats and hawks.
- Using Pesticides and Herbicides: These chemicals can harm birds and reduce the availability of natural food sources.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the best seed for attracting the widest variety of birds?
Black oil sunflower seeds are generally considered the best all-around seed for attracting a diverse range of bird species. Their high oil content and easy-to-crack shells make them appealing to many birds, from finches and chickadees to cardinals and woodpeckers.
What type of fruit is most appealing to birds?
While preferences vary, berries are generally the most appealing fruit to birds. Native berry bushes provide a natural and nutritious food source that attracts robins, bluebirds, waxwings, and other fruit-eating species.
How can I attract hummingbirds?
Hummingbirds are attracted to nectar. You can provide them with a hummingbird feeder filled with a sugar-water solution (one part sugar to four parts water). Red flowers also attract hummingbirds.
Is it safe to feed birds bread?
While birds may eat bread, it’s not a nutritious food source and can even be harmful. Bread is essentially “empty calories” and lacks the essential nutrients that birds need. It can also attract unwanted pests.
How often should I clean my bird feeders?
Bird feeders should be cleaned regularly, ideally every one to two weeks. Cleaning helps to prevent the spread of diseases among birds. Use soap and water, or a diluted bleach solution (one part bleach to nine parts water).
Can I use store-bought peanut butter for birds?
Yes, you can use store-bought peanut butter, but only in moderation and avoid brands with added salt, sugar, or artificial sweeteners. Natural, unsalted peanut butter is the best option.
What is suet, and why is it good for birds?
Suet is rendered animal fat that is high in energy and calories. It’s particularly beneficial for birds during the winter when food is scarce. Suet is often mixed with seeds, nuts, and insects to provide a balanced and nutritious food source.
How can I protect birds from predators at my feeders?
Place feeders where birds have cover from predators, such as bushes or trees. Avoid placing feeders in open areas where birds are easily visible to cats and hawks. Consider using a predator guard on your feeder pole.
Is it okay to feed birds in the summer?
Yes, it’s okay to feed birds in the summer, but it’s important to provide clean water as well. During hot weather, birds need access to water for drinking and bathing. Providing food supplements their natural foraging but is not a dependency.
What is the best way to attract ground-feeding birds?
Offer food on a ground feeder or simply scatter seeds on the ground. White proso millet is a favorite of ground-feeding birds like doves, sparrows, and juncos.
What type of feeder is best for nyjer (thistle) seeds?
A specialized thistle feeder with small openings is required for nyjer seeds. These feeders prevent the tiny seeds from falling out.
How does location affect what food attracts birds?
Different geographic locations have different native bird species, and what food attracts birds in one area might not be the same as in another. Research the common birds in your region and offer foods that are known to attract them. You may also want to plant native trees, shrubs, and flowers that provide natural food sources.