Feeding Birds

Bird Feeder Basics• Multiple Feeders - Place

different types of feeders with different types of food at different levels to attract a variety of birds to create feeding stations

• Set up different feeding stations around your home

• Location - Quiet place, easy to refill, close to natural shelter, and protected from wind

Feeder TypesTrays

Birds it Attracts Juncos Doves Jays

Blackbirds Sparrows

Pros vs. Cons Attract the most diverse species

No protection from weather, squirrels, and chipmunks

Seeds will be soiled by bird droppings

Where to Locate Near the ground

On deck railing, stumps, or posts

Feeder TypesHoppers

Birds it Attracts Finches Jays

Cardinals Buntings

Grosbeaks Sparrows

Chickadees Titmice

Pros vs. Cons Attractive to many species

Protects against weather and bird waste

Holds a large quantity of seeds Squirrels can still raid feeder

Where to Locate On a pole Suspended

Feeder TypesHollow Cylinder and Tube

FeedersBirds it Attracts

Finches Grosbeaks Sparrows

Chickadees Titmice

Pros vs. Cons Attractive to many species

Protects against weather and bird waste Somewhat Squirrel Resistant (metal

feeding ports) Multiple feeding ports

Excludes larger birds like grackles and jays

Where to Locate Suspended

Feeder TypesWire-Mesh/ Plastic Cages

Birds it Attracts Woodpeckers Nuthatches Chickadees

Titmice Jays

Starlings Wrens

Creepers Kinglets Cardinals Orioles

Pros vs. Cons Holds high energy food that most

birds enjoy Attracts insect feeding birds

Raccoons and Opossums ransack feeders

Where to Locate Suspended

Attach to tree trunk

Feeder TypesNectar Feeders

Birds it Attracts Hummingbirds

Orioles

Pros vs. Cons Protects against weather and bird

waste Sugar water can spoil Can grow harmful mold

Attracts species that do not eat seed

Where to Locate Suspended in Shade

Seed Basics• Storage - Airtight containers that cannot be

raided by pests and will not get moldy• Cost - Feeding birds doesn’t have to be

expensive, you can make your own mixes using less expensive seeds as filler

• Surrounding Habitat - Certain species of birds thrive in woodlands, prairies, and fencerows. Depending on what is near the feeders, the type of food to feed will vary

• Season – Depending on the season, different birds will be in the area

Types of FoodBlack Oil Sunflower

Birds it Attracts Finches Cardinals Grosbeaks Sparrows

Chickadees Titmice

Nuthatches Jays

Woodpeckers Blackbirds

Indigo Buntings

What Type of Feeders Tube Feeders

Hoppers Trays

Pros vs. Cons Attracts greatest variety

Thin shells for smaller birds High meat to shell ratio

Types of FoodStriped Sunflower

Birds it Attracts Cardinals Grosbeaks Nuthatches

Jays Woodpeckers

Blackbirds

What Type of Feeders Tube Feeders

Hoppers Trays

Pros vs. Cons Attracts variety of birds

Thicker shell for large birds High meat to shell ratio

Types of FoodSafflower

Birds it Attracts Finches

Cardinals* Grosbeaks Chickadees

Titmice Nuthatches Sparrows Doves

What Type of Feeders Tube Feeders

Hoppers Trays

Pros vs. Cons Pest birds dislike safflower

More expensive than sunflowers seeds

Types of FoodCorn

Birds it Attracts Sparrows Blackbirds Pigeons Doves Jays

Finches Sparrows Pheasants

Quail Turkey

What Type of Feeders Tube Feeders

Hoppers Trays

Ground

Pros vs. Cons Attracts game birds

Relatively inexpensive Attracts pest birds

Types of FoodMillet – Red and White

Birds it Attracts Finches Sparrows Blackbirds Pigeons Doves

Indigo Bunting

What Type of Feeders Trays

Pros vs. Cons Common filler in mixed seed

White is more appealing than red Attracts undesirable species

Types of FoodMilo/Sorghum

Birds it Attracts Cowbirds Starlings Grackles

Jays Pigeon Doves

What Type of Feeders Tube Feeders

Hoppers Trays

Pros vs. Cons Most birds will eat if there is

nothing better Attracts pest birds

Types of FoodNyjer/Niger/Thistle

Birds it Attracts Finches

Indigo Buntings Siskins Redpolls

What Type of Feeders Tube Feeders

Pros vs. Cons Small seeds attract small birds

Discourages larger birds Expensive

Types of FoodSuet

What Type of Feeders Wire/Plastic Cages

Onion Bags

Birds it Attracts Woodpeckers Nuthatches Chickadees

Titmice Jays

Starlings Wrens

Creepers Kinglets Cardinals Orioles

Pros vs. Cons Holds high energy food that most

birds enjoy Attracts insect feeding birds Non-rendered suet can spoil

Types of FoodNectar

Birds it Attracts Hummingbirds

Orioles

What Type of Feeders Nectar Feeders

Pros vs. Cons Attracts nectar birds

Hard to clean Can grow mold in hot

weather

Types of FoodFruit

Birds it Attracts Robins

Cedar Waxwings Thrushes Bluebirds

Mockingbirds Tanagers Catbirds

What Type of Feeders Trays

Pros vs. Cons Attracts insect eating birds

Expensive

Types of FoodPeanuts

Birds it Attracts Titmice

Chickadees Nuthatches

Woodpeckers Jays

Sparrows Wrens Siskin

What Type of Feeders Hoppers Trays

Wire/Plastic Cages

Pros vs. Cons High in Protein

Popular with birds Can mold

Types of FoodMixed Seeds

Birds it Attracts Depends on the seeds in the

mix

What Type of Feeders Tube Feeders

Hoppers Trays

Pros vs. Cons Attracts a variety of birds Could have high levels of

filler

Other Attractants• Grit - Birds need to grit to help aid in digestion

(ground feeder)• Birdbaths - Birds need a source of fresh, clean

water, this is key in the winter time• Bird Houses - Provide shelter if there is none

near • Shrubs - Provide shelter, additional food source• Brush Piles - Provide shelter• Standing Dead Trees (snags)- Provide nesting

location and insect food source