How to attract birds to the backyard?
May 7, 2015 09:14:48 #
Black oil sunflower seeds pretty much gets them all.
Greenguy33 wrote:
I keep my camera and zoom by the kitchen window to capture birds by the feeders.
Unfortunately, I just get grey, boring sparrows.
Any tips on how to get colorful birds to show up?
I just switched to black sunflowers seeds. Will that help?
Unfortunately, I just get grey, boring sparrows.
Any tips on how to get colorful birds to show up?
I just switched to black sunflowers seeds. Will that help?
May 7, 2015 09:16:03 #
pbearperry wrote:
Wash and wax your car and park it in the driveway.They will come.
That is funny...!! and true.
May 7, 2015 09:17:28 #
I'll admit to not knowing much about birds, but I get colorful birds by just throwing 6 or 7 slices bread on my back lawn once a week. Maybe it's where I live rather and the bread, I don't know.
May 7, 2015 09:36:30 #
Jerry Green
Loc: Huntsville, AL
My friend and birding mentor, Herb Lewis, has a website @
http://www.creativebirding.com/ that will give you lots of information. He helped me set up my yard so I can shoot from my open window in my kitchen.
Here is a photo of the set up in the snow @
http://gofish.smugmug.com/Nature/Photos-from-My-Kitchen-Window/i-5v7mVhg
and in the Spring @
http://gofish.smugmug.com/Nature/Water-Feature-and-Yard-Birds/
Here it is some of the birds that it attracts @
http://gofish.smugmug.com/Nature/Yard-Birds-and-Water-Feature/i-SpdDVM3
The moving water feature was purchase at Lowes and there is a bird bath top in front of it.
In addition the black of sunflower seeds, white millet and safflower seeds are very good. Most of the bird seed mixes have a lot of waste seeds in them so they are not a good choice.
http://www.creativebirding.com/ that will give you lots of information. He helped me set up my yard so I can shoot from my open window in my kitchen.
Here is a photo of the set up in the snow @
http://gofish.smugmug.com/Nature/Photos-from-My-Kitchen-Window/i-5v7mVhg
and in the Spring @
http://gofish.smugmug.com/Nature/Water-Feature-and-Yard-Birds/
Here it is some of the birds that it attracts @
http://gofish.smugmug.com/Nature/Yard-Birds-and-Water-Feature/i-SpdDVM3
The moving water feature was purchase at Lowes and there is a bird bath top in front of it.
In addition the black of sunflower seeds, white millet and safflower seeds are very good. Most of the bird seed mixes have a lot of waste seeds in them so they are not a good choice.
May 7, 2015 09:40:30 #
May 7, 2015 10:24:21 #
Sparrows are cute too. I captured this little Savannah sparrow checking me out while my camera was clicking. I recommend putting out suet with berries or peanut butter mix. It will defiantly attract Woodpeckers and Blue Jays and more colorful birds. Sunflower seed will also attract Cardinals. Feeders should be kept trees or large shrubs for birds to have a shelter. Photos always come out pretty good in the mornings. Hope this helps. Its helps for me.
May 7, 2015 10:27:27 #
Luggerbugs wrote:
A bottle of champagne generally does the trick :lol:
The Champagne works best for attracting only two species. The "Rosey Bottomed Skinny Dipper" and the elusive "Double Breasted Mattress Thrasher".
May 7, 2015 10:27:30 #
Luggerbugs wrote:
A bottle of champagne generally does the trick :lol:
The Champagne works best for attracting only two species. The "Rosey Bottomed Skinny Dipper" and the elusive "Double Breasted Mattress Thrasher".
May 7, 2015 10:51:27 #
EdJ0307 wrote:
I put out the no-melt seed cakes which attracts Downy and Great Northern Woodpeckers. But they also bring out the obnoxious Starlings. Peanuts in the shell (unsalted) gets the Scrub Jays all excited. Bird seed thrown on the ground attracts doves and quail. Bird seed in the feeder gets a lot of attention from the sparrows but also other more colorful birds I don't know the names of.
I use a "Songbirds" seed mix and get a great variety of little birds ( I'm not a birder and don't differentiate by name, just nice plumage). Unfortunately, obnoxious squirrels try to beat the birds to the seeds. I build all sorts of anti-squirrel contraptions, but they bring out their squirrel engineers and seem to solve the problem within a few days. Fun to watch.
May 7, 2015 11:05:36 #
oldbirder
Loc: Western Washington
You already have some good suggestions. A variety of food is best. I would add that providing water, a birdbath, will probably be a big help in attracting birds. Also suggest that you visit the Cornell Lab or Ornithology web site. If you sign up for eBird (free), you can use that to find out what kinds of birds are being seen by others in your area an then determine what kind of food to provide. They also offer an excellent bird ID app called Merlin that works on smartphones, tablets, etc. if you need that. Here's the url. http://www.birds.cornell.edu/Page.aspx?pid=1478
Happy birding!
Happy birding!
May 7, 2015 11:13:40 #
Use a mixture of seed, place some suet out too, place a water source near food and lastly, place all of the above near a place that provides quick shelter for the birds. I have been a birder qalmost as long as a photographer. It may take a full season, but by next season, replicating the above suggestions will bring in as many as 50+ types and species. I placed my main feeder near a chain link fence on a tree/brush line. This allowed the Grosbeaks Sparrows, Wrens, Towhees,etc that feel more comfortable on the ground a quick escape into the woods and the larger and more predatory birds a spot up top. You don't have to put any seed on the ground because the Grackles and larger birds will scatter the smaller seed looking for sunflower and corn. Have fun! I spend less time photographing the birds now and just enjoy studying their characteristics.
May 7, 2015 11:23:11 #
NeilL
Loc: British-born Canadian
Luggerbugs wrote:
A bottle of champagne generally does the trick :lol:
HAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHA!! A Ferrari in the driveway helps, too.
May 7, 2015 11:37:40 #
NeilL
Loc: British-born Canadian
annmariehuber wrote:
Sparrows are cute too. I captured this little Savannah sparrow checking me out while my camera was clicking. I recommend putting out suet with berries or peanut butter mix. It will defiantly attract Woodpeckers and Blue Jays and more colorful birds. Sunflower seed will also attract Cardinals. Feeders should be kept trees or large shrubs for birds to have a shelter. Photos always come out pretty good in the mornings. Hope this helps. Its helps for me.
Good shots - that red-bellied woodpecker looks like it's having a bad-hair day.
May 7, 2015 11:59:32 #
Latsok wrote:
I don't have a problem with squirrels, just the nasty and repulsive starlings.I use a "Songbirds" seed mix and get a great variety of little birds. Unfortunately, obnoxious squirrels try to beat the birds to the seeds.
May 7, 2015 12:51:38 #
Greenguy33 wrote:
Jerry, how do you set something like that up? Do you have pictures of the set up?
Hi Greenguy.....I don't mean to but in but here goes.
Wingscapes makes a camera that is motion operated; it will take a picture or 10 second video automatically.
www.wingscapes.com for more information.
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