Quail are exciting but often overlooked birds that can be attracted to a feeding station; for example, this Gambel’s Quail (photos by Paul Konrad). Some seed-eating birds have specific food preferences, such as this Purple Finch. Grape jelly is a definite preference for orioles, and while they eat orange fruit, the orange halves often act best as color attractants.

The first week of spring can be considered something of a turning point in our annual schedule for backyard bird feeding. We are beginning to see some species “disappear,” as they move back northward, and it’s time to start preparing for birds that will soon be migrating back north to our yards and neighborhoods, such as species of orioles and hummingbirds. Here we share a very helpful and informative website for you to refer to any time of year that provides information about what foods to offer to attract 100 different species to your window-view feeding station – as long as you live within their range.

Provided by FeederWatch, which is sponsored by Cornell Lab and Birds Canada, the website provides a good mix of East–West, North–South birds that will help you try to attract new species by adding a new ingredient to your feeding station fare. It’s both a great starting place for enthusiastic birders, and it’s a helpful source for anyone interested in expanding the species count at your feeders. It will also provide a link to the All About Birds site for each species, which will provide a wealth of information about the birds. See https://feederwatch.org/learn/common-feeder-birds/

Don’t Forget Fresh Water

While the website focuses on bird foods, it’s always important to provide fresh water for birds in concert with your feeding station. Providing water is easy, cheap, and highly effective – water will attract more different species than all foods combined! An elevated shallow bowl of water or a bird bath will do the trick, and there are a variety of options if you’re interested in adding a water feature to your yard – a shallow stream or pond, a small water fall or fountain perhaps. The sound of moving water helps to attract more birds, especially migrants looking for water in new surroundings.

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