A good friend asked me what to do to attract birds to the yard of their new home. I decided to share my answer here, because creating a bird-friendly space adds amazing entertainment while supporting the environment.
Every year millions of birds migrate across Florida; some find a welcoming corner and wait out the cold up north. With a little planning you can provide that safe space and help them through the winter to assure they head back home well fed and ready to raise their brood.
The food and shelter you provide will determine what type of birds feel welcome in your habitat, so first, you need to think about what type of birds you would like to see.
Bird feeders come in many styles, suited to particular seeds or circumstances. Once you know what type of birds you want to attract, you can select the type of seeds they love, and the feeder(s) that work best for them.
Foods Birds Prefer:
Buntings and Sparrows LOVE White Millet …
Cardinals & Titmice LOVE Sunflower Seed!
Goldfinches, Sparrows and Buntings all LOVE “No-Mess” Mixes…
While Blue Jays and Woodpeckers love Peanuts and Sunflower Seeds.
Now that you have an idea what seeds will attract the birds you most love, it’s time to pick your feeder(s). Hopper, cylinder and flat bed feeders dispense seeds in different manners, just as certain birds enjoy eating in different ways. Your local bird store* can help you pick the feeder, seeds and other components to start or expand your birding habitat but here are some suggestions:
- HOPPER – Mixed Seeds
- TUBE FEEDER (1) – Millet
- TUBE FEEDER (2) – No-Mess Mix
- FLAT FEEDER – Fruit and nuts
- HUMMER FEEDER – Sugar water (not dyed)
MOST IMPORTANT: Don’t buy seed that includes red Sorghum seeds! Grocery stores and pet stores often sell seeds that seem to be good value, but if they include round reddish seeds, pass! Those seeds are rejected by all birds so you are spending money for something that will end up on the ground, uneaten.
AND SQUIRRELS WILL EAT ANY AND ALL OF IT, GIVEN HALF A CHANCE!
You will also need accessories to keep the seeds safe from predators. The best security includes baffles, shepherd’s hooks and distance from trees, but that is another story!
HABITATS BIRDS NEED & LOVE
Birds need more than food to be happy in your garden. They want to feel safe and protected, so planting shrubs around the perimeter of your yard will give them a place to spend time between feedings.
They also love fresh water; they drink, bath, and visit in groups, all the while providing a GREAT bird watching spot!
(Don’t let their color fool you; in February male Goldfinches turn bright yellow as mating season approaches.)
Mourning Dove checking out the mini-pond. 
Red Shoulder Hawk: It’s not just the “little” guys who love a good bath!
Brambles and bushes are also bird magnets – just look at this group for inspiration!
several Northern Parula Warblers are enjoying a bug fest!
*If you have a Wild Birds Unlimited store near you, I recommend them highly. They carry all the seeds, feeders, and accessories you need to begin or expand your retreat, as well as fun birding gifts and decor.