If your goal is to get a maximum number of species of birds in your yard, you will need to take several things into consideration. The first thing to remember is to have several feeders placed at different locations and heights. Things to remember when choosing a feeder:
1. Ports and perches桺orts must be sized appropriately. You must remember that fixed seeds and sunflower seeds will not fit through the smaller ports of feeders for finches. You should offer multiple seed mixes that have multiple seed tubes. Look for feeders that have adaptable ports so that you can switch from mixed seeds to thistle seeds. Clinging birds such as woodpeckers nuthatches and finches prefer feeders without perches while grackles, grosbeaks, chickadees, titmice and other perching birds prefer feeders with perches.
2. Styles桰f you are looking to attract birds that feed at branch level, hanging or post-mounted feeders would meet your needs. Platform feeders are suitable for attracting ground feeders such as doves, cardinals, jays and juncos. Nectar feeders are appropriate for hummingbirds and orioles. Hopper feeders or open styles serve larger birds while tube feeders accommodate smaller birds like chickadees and finches. Insect feeders are ideal for purple martins, robins and bluebirds.
3. Construction桾he bird houses should be made of solid, durable components that are rust-resistant and squirrel resistant and of UV construction.
If you keep these criteria in mind, you will, soon, find yourself having many feathered friends coming to visit. And with them, you will enjoy their antics and song all through the spring and summer months.
