Top 10 Backyard Birds You Can Easily Attract

Having a variety of birds in your backyard can bring vibrant colors, melodic songs, and a touch of nature's charm right to your doorstep. In this guide, we'll uncover the top 10 backyard birds you can easily attract with simple strategies. Whether you're an avid bird watcher or a casual nature enthusiast, these tips will help you create a haven for these beautiful creatures.

1. Northern Cardinal: Known for their striking red plumage, Northern Cardinals are relatively easy to attract. Provide sunflower seeds, safflower seeds, or cracked corn in a tray feeder to catch their attention.
2. American Goldfinch: With their bright yellow feathers, these birds are hard to miss. Offer nyjer seeds in a mesh feeder to welcome them into your backyard.
3. Blue Jay: These birds are not just beautiful but also quite bold. They are known to enjoy peanuts, sunflower seeds, and suet blocks. Place these in a platform feeder to attract Blue Jays.
4. Chickadees: These small, energetic birds are attracted to sunflower seeds and suet. Hang a tube feeder in a sheltered spot to appeal to chickadees.
5. House Sparrow: Though common, they are delightful to watch. Providing birdhouses and a variety of seeds can make your backyard appealing to House Sparrows.

6. Mourning Dove: These gentle birds prefer feeding on the ground and enjoy seeds like millet and cracked corn. Scatter these around a flat area to attract Mourning Doves.
7. Red-Winged Blackbird: With their distinctive red and yellow wing patches, they are attracted to grains and seeds. Place a variety of grains in a platform feeder to draw them in.
8. Downy Woodpecker: These birds enjoy suet and peanuts. A suet feeder or a peanut feeder placed near trees will be an excellent addition for these visitors.
9. Eastern Bluebird: To attract these colorful birds, offer mealworms and sunflower seeds in a special bluebird feeder. Nesting boxes can also encourage them to stay.
10. American Robin: These birds love earthworms and fruits. Providing a bird bath and planting berry-producing plants can make your backyard irresistible to American Robins.

Essential Tips for Setting Up Your First Bird Feeder

Setting up your first bird feeder can be an exciting endeavor for any nature enthusiast. To begin with, it’s important to choose the right type of bird feeder that suits your local bird species. Tube feeders are ideal for small birds like finches and chickadees, while platform feeders attract larger species such as robins and crows. Placing your feeder in a sheltered location will not only protect the birds from predators but also ensure that they have a safe and comfortable feeding area.

Next, selecting the appropriate seed mix is crucial for attracting a variety of birds. Opt for a high-quality seed blend that includes sunflower seeds, millet, and cracked corn. These ingredients are favorites among many bird species and will enhance the overall appeal of your feeder. Make sure to clean and refill your bird feeder regularly to keep the seeds fresh and to prevent the growth of mold or bacteria, which can be harmful to the birds.

Finally, be mindful of other factors that can impact the success of your bird feeding station. For instance, providing a source of fresh water near the feeder can significantly increase bird activity as they will appreciate having a place to drink and bathe. Additionally, it’s wise to use bird feeder accessories such as squirrel baffles to deter unwanted visitors. By following these essential tips, you can create a thriving and enjoyable bird-watching experience right in your backyard.

How to Identify Common Backyard Birds: A Beginner's Guide

Identifying common backyard birds can be an exciting and educational activity for beginners. One of the first steps in bird identification is familiarizing yourself with the various bird species known to frequent residential areas. Providing a bird feeder can significantly increase the variety of species that visit your yard. Pay attention to the birds' colors, sizes, and behaviors, as well as the sounds they make. Using a field guide or a mobile app specifically designed for bird identification can be particularly helpful.

The next step is to focus on specific characteristics that are unique to each species. Here are some tips to get started:

1. Observe the shape and size of the bird. Are they small like a sparrow or larger like a crow?
2. Notice the color patterns. Some birds might have distinctive markings or bright plumage.
3. Listen to their calls and songs. Each species has a unique set of sounds they use to communicate.
4. Watch their behavior. How do they feed or interact with other birds?

Common backyard birds that you might encounter include the American Robin, Northern Cardinal, and Blue Jay. The American Robin is often seen hopping along lawns, searching for worms, and is easily recognizable by its reddish-orange breast. The Northern Cardinal is striking with its brilliant red plumage and is a year-round resident in many parts of the United States. Blue Jays are known for their vibrant blue feathers and loud, distinctive calls. By becoming familiar with these and other local species, you'll soon become proficient at identifying the common backyard birds in your area.