Don’t you just love having a hearty meal when it’s cold outside? So do the birds! It’s important to keep them well nourished, especially at this time of year, when it becomes much harder for them to find food sources on their own.
Of course different birds have different ideas of what constitutes a good meal, so it’s important to provide the correct food for the type of birds you are trying to attract.
For example, if you are trying to attract finches, providing peanuts is not going to be their first choice. Or vice versa, leaving Nijer seed isn’t going to get you any woodpeckers at your feeder any time soon.
Cole’s Wild Bird has a super chart to show which foods the birds prefer:
Coles Chart
As you can see, most birds will eat black oil sunflower seed, but if you wish to attract a certain variety of bird, make sure you have the right type of food.
The type of feeder you choose can also make an impact on the types of birds you attract.
Tube feeders will attract perching birds such as Sparrows, Chickadees, and Finches. Using a platform feeder will allow better access to larger birds such as Cardinals and Bluebirds. It is also possible to get a combination of these by attaching a tray to the bottom of a tube feeder allowing most types of birds access to one feeder.
Ground feeders, of course, will pick up whatever falls on the ground, although you will also see them on platforms too. One of my favorite birds is in fact a ground feeder that we only see in the Carolinas in the Winter time, the Dark Eyed Junco.
Combining feeders and food types is sure to get you a huge array of birds, and provide you (and your neighbours’ cat!) hours of entertainment, while also helping to keep the bird population healthy and happy.
What’s your favorite bird?