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How to Attract Rare Birds to a Bird Feeder

How to Attract Rare Birds to a Bird Feeder
If you have a bird feeder set up in your yard, it is exciting to see new bird species visit it. Many species of birds migrate from their normal ranges in winter and travel to regions they normally don't reside in. Attracting rare birds is not as hard as you probably think. All birds have basic requirements of food, shelter and water. By providing these necessities, the different species of birds frequenting your backyard should increase. Keep an eye out for different and rare species during the fall and winter months, when their activity should be increased.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:
  • Field guide to birds Bird feeder Bird food Water source Native plants Bird houses
  • Field guide to birds
  • Bird feeder
  • Bird food
  • Water source
  • Native plants
  • Bird houses
Step 1
Purchase a field guide of the different species of birds in North America. Many birds travel thousands of miles during the migration process and a field guide will make identification of them easier. Note the rare birds visiting your yard and their feeding habits.
Step 2
Study the types of food many of the birds visiting your area like to eat. Hang feeders that offer varieties of foods. Fill multiple feeders with different seed types, nuts, fruits and berries, as well as suet.
Step 3
Offer a continuous water source for the birds year round. Birds will be attracted to an area where they will be able to drink and bathe. Keep the watering area filled with clean water at all times.
Step 4
Hang a specialized feeder for birds such as hummingbirds. These small, feathered friends require food other than seed and nuts.
Step 5
Add native plants and food bearing plants into your landscape. Bushes and trees that produce nuts and berries will attract a larger variety of bird species to your yard.
Step 6
Plant bushes and trees in your landscape that will offer the different species of birds a place for shelter and to build nests. The more protection offered to the birds, the better chance you have of rare birds frequenting your yard and hanging around for longer periods of time.
Step 7
Place an assortment of different style bird houses throughout your yard, to attract different species. Using single-roomed bird houses and gourds will attract certain species, while using a multi-room purple martin bird house will attract them as well as certain species of sparrows and starlings. Place the bird houses so predators will not have an easy time getting to them.
Step 8
Keep the feeders filled, especially during the cold winter months when the birds will have a harder time finding food. Once they figure out your yard offers a constant supply of food, more species will show up on a regular basis.

Tips & Warnings

 
Certain migrating birds will revisit your yard year after year if they know it is a safe haven for food and shelter.

Article Written By Joyce Starr

Joyce Starr is a professional writer from Florida and owns a landscaping company and garden center. She has published articles about camping in Florida, lawn care and gardening and writes for a local gardening newsletter. She shares her love and knowledge of the outdoors and nature through her writing.

Write for Trails.com

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