One of the most common, familiar and loved wild birds, American Robins are often viewed as the “first bird of spring.” They’re easy to attract to backyards, since Robins will forage for worms and insects in the grass. (They have really keen eyesight, so they can see tiny disturbances in the soil to discern where earthworms are moving.)

They have a loud and liquid song, a sort of cheerily-cheer-up-cheerio, or sometimes a rapid tut tut tut.

If you want to make your yard especially appealing to these backyard favorites, consider the following.

Quality Food:

While Robins do forage for earthworms and insects, you can make your yard even more attractive by providing mealworms, fruit, or jelly in platform and ground feeders. We can help you choose the right feeder; you’ll find that Orioles also enjoy jelly and fruit, too!

In fact, be sure to try Birdberry Jelly, which the Robins love! This human-grade blend of grape juice, concord grapes, blackberries and pure sugar (no preservatives or additives) comes in a 20-oz squeeze bottle so it’s easy to refill the jelly feeder, and does not need refrigeration.

Fruit trees such as crabapples and cherries will also attract robins.

Fresh, Clean Water:

Robins DO love to bathe, and should be frequent visitors to your birdbath. As with most birds, shallow water is best; because birds’ bones are hollow, they can’t really submerge. All that splashing around is because they are trying to scoop and throw the water to get all their feathers clean!

Safe, Secure Shelter (and nesting sites):

American robins often build nests of twigs, grass and mud, which they position in the crotch f a a tree or a branch fork. They also use nesting shelves, such as our Robin’s Roost Nesting Shelf.(Place in a sheltered area with cover from rain.)

Be aware that male Robins are very territorial near their nests and feeding areas, even to the point of chasing away other birds. Some will attack their reflections in glass windows or car bumpers, so you may want to use a static-cling decal on your windows. This reflects ultraviolet sunlight and helps the birds see the window. (Yes, we have an assortment of these decals in the store.)

These are many species of Woodpeckers, and the commonest in our area is the Downy Woodpecker. As a group, they are known for the strong bill, which is sharply pointed for chipping and digging into tree trunks or branches (the bird is looking for wood-boring insects.) You may often hear them “drumming” on limbs or poles.

These are attractive, active birds with bold markings and are a joy to watch, year-round!

Quality Food:

Downy Woodpeckers eat a variety of food and search for insects, nuts and berries in the wild. They also enjoy suet, peanuts, peanut butter, mealworms and black oil sunflower seeds, which humans can provide! They are often shy birds, so putting a feeder and water in a quiet part of the yard, preferably near mature trees, will make them feel more comfortable.

If you’re using suet cakes – and they do love suet! – check freshness regularly. If necessary, cut into smaller pieces or offer smaller cakes in birdseed blocks or stacks. The cakes with sunflower seeds in them are gobbled right up.

Clean, Fresh Water:

Downy Woodpeckers will visit birdbaths, but they prefer more isolated baths in shady quiet areas. A ground bird bath with a dripper or moving water source will attract their attention. If there are perches nearby they can become used to the bath. And yes, they do need heated baths in winter.

Safe, Secure Shelter (and Nesting Sites):

Downy Woodpeckers prefer the shelter of small wooded areas of mature trees, with scrubby shrubs around the base (those that produce berries are even better!)

They nest in cavities and appreciate a nice birdhouse, mounted about 10-20 feet high, with an appropriately-sized entrance hole.

It may take a little patience to entice these little winged wonders to visit your yard, but it’s worth it!

Tips Brochure:

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The most common Chickadee in North America, the curious, active little Black-Capped Chickadee is well known for its distinctive “chick-a-dee-dee-dee” call. They are often the first visitors to a new feeder. They are “Clinging Birds” – as are Nuthatches, Titmice, and Woodpeckers – whose strong feet make it easy to run up and down a tree or grab a tiny insect or gnat.

Quality Food:

Chickadees forage in trees and shrubs, even clinging upside to snag insects from the underside of leaves. You’ll often see them at tray, tube or hopper feeders, especially in winter. They like suet, peanuts, peanut butter, black oil sunflower seeds and hulled sunflower seeds.

If you’re patient, it’s possible that a Black-Capped Chickadee will become tame enough to be handfed!

Chickadees allow dominant members of their flock to feed first, then typically grab a single seed and fly off with it. They cache (hide) their food and can remember where they hid it, weeks later!

Clean, Fresh Water:

Chickadees do visit birdbaths for drinking and bathing, but remember that these are small birds, so the water must be very shallow. You can add some river rocks or gravel to give the birds something to perch on while they drink. They do like moving, splashing water, so drippers can attract them.

Because they don’t migrate, they do need access to fresh water even in winter.

Safe, Secure Shelter (including Nesting Sites):

Chickadees prefer coniferous and deciduous trees, as well as thick shrubs, for shelter, especially in winter months. These cavity-nesting birds will regularly use roosting boxes and birdhouses, good news!

Mount a Chickadee house such as the one pictured here on a tree, wall or pole about 4-15 feet above the ground. For extra appeal, scatter a few wood shavings or sprinkle some sawdust inside. They use nesting materials such as pet fur and small bits of string.

Tips Brochure:

Clingers TIPs Trifold