Birdwatching Advice: The Best Wild Bird Feeders for Your Backyard

Joining millions of bird lovers in creating a backyard aviary can be easy and rewarding with a little help choosing and maintaining your wild bird feeders. Begin by imagining your backyard as a birdwatching paradise and picture the desired sights and sounds that will become your goal.

What birds do you want to attract? Which birds (or other animals) would you rather not see? If you feel like you don't know much about the subject, inquire with friends and the people next door and they might be able to help you understand which types of birds to expect. Once you know that you want to attract male finches, for example, you'll be able to move on and select the right wild bird feeders and food to get closer to your backyard goals.

Bird feeders are available in a number of styles. Some of these kinds include platform and ground feeders, tube, thistle, suet and wood. There are even specifically crafted feeders designed to attract a particular type of birds, such as hummingbirds. Taking the time to learn about the features of each one will increase your chance of success.

Once you have chosen the right feeders, make sure to fill them with your desired birds' food preferences. To attract the most varieties of birds, black oil sunflower seeds are a great choice. Seasonal fruits or nuts may attract less common types of birds, especially in summer. Specific types of birds, like woodpeckers, enjoy peanuts.

Unless your intention is to spend a fortune on bird food, make sure your wild bird feeders are squirrel (and other animal) proof. Purchasing a squirrel-resistant one or placing your feeders away from landscaping that makes it easy for squirrels to climb or jump up are two ways to keep the fuzzy creatures away from the seed. And as far as food is concerned, thistle seed is recommended by some: apparently squirrels don't like it very much.

If you're like most birdwatchers, your desire is to attract a variety of species. Offering an array of feeders rather than one type is a way to enjoy regular backyard visits from a number of birds even throughout the seasonal changes.

If you've got one particular hot spot, you may want to set up a bird feeding station with many feeders in the same area. Depending on your yard and its position relative to the sun and shade, you may consider varying the locations of your wild bird feeders, scattering them around your house so that you can enjoy viewing your feathered friends from several windows.

Once you've got your yard set up, sit back and enjoy. Remember to have an identification book handy so you can enjoy your success when those exotic or unexpected species begin to arrive!

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