Birdseed!

Besides birdseed (having a good blend is important) there are other things which could help. At different times of the year, birds prefer other foods. Nuts or fruits are a possibility. Of course, they like insects. Some birds (like doves) prefer to eat on the ground. When you put out your varieties of birdseed, be reliable and consistent, keeping it full and clean. If you "hit and miss", the birds won't build a routine of visiting. By imitating factors that are common with nature, you may have success. Many birds like the "edge" of the woods. So, trees are important. Bushes and a diverse environment. A source of fresh clean water is crucial. Sometimes a "dust bath" (a bowl of sandy material or diatomaceous earth mixed in) also helps to attract birds. A variety of different plants will help. Make sure there are no "fluttering" objects which may startle them. Bird houses will help. Some people also put some houses under their eaves. Many commercial fertilizers can be toxic or inhibiting to birds...so, the more natural methods which you use, the more of an invitation you will have. Also, getting one of these "fake" feathered birds at a craft store and attaching it on a limb will invite other guests. It makes your area "approachable" because "another bird" is already there. Birds prefer "noisy" or running water...like a waterfall type. Actually, it is no wonder because often the stabalized oxygen content in that type of water is better. This type of water also puts out ions which help freshen the area. No wonder people innately enjoy a waterfall. It is worth reading my article on fertilizers. These synthetics and of course herbicides (atrazine or 2-4-d) and pesticides (many are neuro-toxins which build-up) can damage and kill birds easily...even indirectly by being absorbed into plants and passed on. A dead poisoned insect is a great way to inhibit a bird population. People often mistake "Miracle Grow" for being natural...it is far from it. Be sure to NOT have a piece of hose or something that looks like a snake lying around. Rubber snakes are a good way to keep birds away. Flapping flags or windsocks will keep birds away sometimes. Sometimes odd ornamentals in the garden inhibit birds. A thin nylon wire strung out tight will emit a vibrational noise which repels birds but is inaudible to humans...so, if birds aren't coming to your area, check around for something similar which could be scaring them away.

Let's see, commercial birdseed sold in stores like Wal-Mart are always a plus. There is also corn, the whole kernel dried stuff sold at feed stores as well deparment stores which will attract some birds, plus squirells, deer and turkeys (I'm assuming that you want to attract songbirds but turkeys can and do show up if you have them in the area.) Suet will attract certain species of bird, I believe nuthatches really like the stuff. If you want to attract hummingbirds, you can try one of those commercial hummingbird feeders. There was an earlier post that pointed out the importance of trees and shrubs. This is very true and critical to attracting birds to your backyard. Songbirds will NOT fly across a large expanse of open ground to feed at an exposed bird feeder as they would be exposed to predation by doing do. Make sure there are some trees and shrubs close by for them to duck into.

Birds will eat pesky grubs and harmful insects. I have found to attract birds use feeders with seed. Do not feed them as much in the summer months. In the winter, depending on your climate, food is harder to find, therefore, I provide more and the birds become conditioned to my property as a feeding site. In the summer there are plenty of things to eat. Pull back on seed so they don't fill up and than have room for the bugs.

Erm..Well there are all different kinds of things birds like to eat. By the way, before I say anything more, you shouldn't feed the birds as much in the Summer because there is a lot of food in the Summer around. You should give them food in the Winter when there is less chance of other food for them naturally. The most main and popular feed is seeds in a bird feeder. Birds love them because they like to sit while collecting the food. Also, birds love bird baths so they can cool off. This is most popular in the Summer! A lot of birds like to have little pieces of bread now and again as a little treat also. Hope this helps :) -x- Emma -x-

I asked my wife and here is her answer, "Have a pretty little garden and put out bird seeds."

Cherries, or blueberries. Beware they let some left for you!

Environment is much more important than knowing what to feed birds. PLant trees and bushes for cover so they feelsafe and have vantage points to look for danger or look for prey (insect or mice) Be sure you have thick plantings and varied heights. Many bushes that produce flowers and berries are attractions for birds. Fruit trees are loved by most birds. Tress with rough, flaky bark are good for tree clingers, like woodpeckers and nuthatches. Don't just use one kind of seed to attract birds. Offer a wide mix of seeds. We have one kind here which does NOT have corn because corn attract less desirable birds like grackles, cow birds, blackbirds, and crows which can come in huge flocks and decimate your whole yard. Be sure to use some thistle seed or niger, as it attracts some of the little birds like goldfinches and chickadees. Grow a stand of sunflowers. They like them as they grow and you can harvest the heads and save them for later, putting gout whol eheads for them to feast on,

Cardinals love (unsalted) sunflower seeds. Just general bird seed suffices for most other kinds around here.

It all depends on the type of birds you want to attract, some birds eat seeds, and humming birds eat nectar, others eat insects.