Attracting Birds | June 11, 2019

Attract Dark-Eyed Juncos to Your Backyard

The dark-eyed junco is one of the most common (and tamest) variety of sparrow, and regularly visit feeders, especially during the winter. You’ll see them hopping around with both feet while they forage.

Quality Food:

Juncos are ground-feeding, granivorous birds – which means they primarily eat seeds and grain. Favorites are hulled sunflower seed, white proso millet, and cracked corn. Because they eat near the ground, a low platform feeder or open tray is an excellent choice. Choosing a feeder with a large oversized roof, or adding overhead protection, is helpful during winter months, since it keeps snow off the seed.

Clean, Fresh Water:

Since you are mostly likely to see juncos during winter months, a heated bird bath is a smart idea. Choose one that’s low to the ground, and place it near dense shrubs, their preferred cover.

Safe, Secure Shelter (and Nesting Sites:)

Dark-eyed Juncos build their nests fairly low, in short trees or near the shelter of fallen trees and rock piles. It also helps if you leave bushes and shrubs untrimmed until spring, so they can easily find a sheltered place to roost. They may use roost boxes during winter weather.

Preferred nesting materials are moss, pine needles, animal fur and small twigs.

Attracting Birds |

Attract Blue Jays to Your Backyard

Few people can miss the striking coloration (and bold personality!) of the Blue Jay, and we see them often in our backyards. They are medium-to-large, gregarious birds with heavy bills, related to magpies and crows. They can be loud and noisy, often because they’re trying to intimidate other birds or intruders.

Quality Food:

Blue Jays favor suet, whole or shelled peanuts, bread scraps and sunflower seeds. They don’t really like hanging feeders.

They can be bullies at bird feeders, so you may want to add small feeders that jays cannot use, or put out dedicated peanut feeders for them to enjoy.

We’ve gotten great feedback and customer testimonials about our Whole Peanut Wreath Ring, pictured!

Blue Jays eat their food by holding in their feet and pecking it open, and store food in caches to eat later.

Clean, Fresh Water:

Blue Jays do visit bird baths for cleaning and bathing! And yes, heated birdbaths in winter.

Safe, Secure Shelter (and Nesting Sites:)

These monogamous birds typically build cup-shaped nests in tree forks or crotches, about 5-20 feet above the ground. They are very protective of their nests and may even dive-bomb humans if they’re perceived to be a threat!

You can help by putting a nesting shelf in a tree, or perhaps near the side of a building (shed, garage), near open spaces and foliage. Put the shelf about 10-12 feet above the ground, and consider protection for predators and the elements.

In the wild, they prefer oak trees near forest edges. (Yes, acorns are also a preferred food source.)

Attracting Birds, Orioles | June 01, 2019

Attract Orioles to Your Backyard

Missouri’s brightly colored summer residents, the Baltimore Oriole and Orchard Oriole, have quickly become two of our favorite birds. With their striking black and orange or yellow plumage and their rich musical songs, these birds delight us when they’re in our area from spring to late fall.

They’re rather shy, solitary birds, so it may be difficult at first to attract Orioles to your yard. Don’t place feeders real close to busy human activity or other feeding areas.

Keep reading for more tips on what they need as far as food, water and shelter.

Quality Food:

Orioles prefer nectar, fruit and jelly, so feeding them is a little less messy than some other birds — no scattered seedl They also eat many insects, which provides natural and effective pest control in yards and gardens.

It’s important to get Oriole food and feeders ready early in the migrating season (late March or early April), since they migrate at night — they’re worn out from their travels when they approach your yard, and you don’t want them to pass you by!

Oranges are one of the keys to attracting Orioles: Cut them in half and offer them “juicy side out”. They also like grape jelly and specialized nectar.

You can offer Oriole nectar, jelly and other fruit on special feeders by your home and patio. A great feeder to try is the Songbird Essentials Jelly Feeder, which slips right on to store-bought jars of jelly or jam. Very easy to use and cleanl There’s even a special combination of all-natural grape and blackberry jam that we cleverly named “BirdJam” — yes, Woodpeckers, Robins, Warblers and other birds like jellies and jams too.

ff you’d prefer to use nectar, a specialized Oriole nectar works better than the sugar/water mixture that is often offered to Hummingbirds.

There are some Oriole Feeders that are specially designed to allow you to offer fruit, nectar or jelly — stop in to Songbird Station and we can show you how they work!

Clean, Fresh Water:

Orioles are especially attracted to shallow bird baths and moving water, so adding something like a bubbler or dripper will product the sparkles and splashes to attract them. Adding orange decorations to your bird bath can help too. (In fact, orange flowers and garden accents such as gazing balls or garden flags can also get Orioles’ attention and encourage a visit.

Safe, Secure Shelter:

Orioles prefer protected spaces like leafy deciduous trees and dense shrubs, especially if they’re placed in clumps or thickets.

They don’t use bird houses as such; rather they build an amazing pendulous nest if you have the nesting materials they prefer. Willow, elm, oak, popular and cottonwood trees offer suitable material. You can encourage them by offering long strips of twine or horse hair.

Tips Brochure:

Oriole TIPs Trifold

Attracting Birds, Nesting, Informative | March 12, 2019

Attract Nesting Birds to Your Yard

Many North American birds nest in “cavities” (holes in trees and fence posts). Although some birds, such as woodpeckers, can chisel their own holes with their heavy, sharp bills, other cavity-nesters must find suitable holes for nesting.

Unfortunately, suitable nest cavities can be hard to find in much of North America.

One way to solve the nest-site shortage is to provide artificial cavities, also known as birdhouses or nest boxes.

More than 50 species of birds (including Bluebirds, Kestrels, Owls, Titmice, Chickadees, Nuthatches, Wrens, Tree Swallows, and Woodpeckers) will use nest boxes.

Nest Boxes have helped boost populations of many cavity-nesting bird species whose numbers were declining. For example, both Wood Ducks and Eastern Bluebirds recently have made dramatic comebacks.

A Nest Box on your property will provide a valuable home for birds and enjoyable bird watching for you. We will help you figure out which birds you can attract to your yard and what’s the best way and place to mount your nesting boxes.

By attracting Nesting birds, you’ll enjoy the sight of parents and young in your yard.

TIP: if you DO add a nest box or two to your yard, offer your feathered friends some nesting material!

We have the only nesting material available that contains a mixture of five natural-colored materials preferred by North American Nesting Birds! Feathers, String, Cotton, Hemp, and Aspen fiber all included.

Because it contains all of the above, Nesting Material attracts many more birds than cotton only mixtures. Birds and consumers love it!

Click here for full brochure – Nesting Birds TIPs

Attracting Birds, Purple Martins | January 23, 2019

Attracting Purple Martins to Your Backyard

North America’s largest swallow is the Purple Martin (their wingspan is about 15”!), and they’re such a treat to have in your backyard! They’re famous for their graceful flight and their nearly insatiable appetite for insects. You’ll probably have noticed Purple Martin houses in your town; unlike many birds, they nest in colonies. They rely on HUMAN-supplied housing for their nests, so we encourage you to help these elusive, remarkable songbirds.

Quality Food:

If you have flying insects nearby, Purple Martins will do just fine! No need for bird feeders or birdseed. Avoid spraying pesticides or insecticides on lawns, shrubs and trees, and these birds will take care of insects for you. Another remarkable fact about Purple Martins is that they eat and drink while flying!

During nesting season, they will also eat finely crushed eggshells as a calcium supplement.

Clean, Fresh Water:

Purple Martins prefer large, natural water sources such as ponds, lakes or streams. They drink by scooping their bills into the water as they pass by, so if you have room to add a water feature, choose an elongated design. The water source can be several hundred yards away and still be acceptable.

Safe, Secure Shelter (including nesting sites):

Purple Martins In this part of the country are entirely dependent on human-supplied nesting cavities – so it’s very important to supply nest sites and set them up properly. You’ve probably spotted white Purple Martin houses – like little apartments! – on high poles in open areas. They also enjoy gourd houses, so offering an assortment of houses in a clustered area will encourage large colonies.

Taking steps to deter predators, like using baffles on birdhouse poles, will also make your backyard more attractive to Purple Martins.

For nesting, they prefer twigs, grass clippings and leaves. And since they use mud as a binder to hold their nests together, a much area nearby is also attractive to them.

It can take a while for Purple Martin colonies to be established, but they’re worth the time and effort you take to attract them!

Tips Brochure:

Purple Martins TIPs Trifold

Attracting Birds | January 18, 2019

Attract Tufted Titmice to Your Backyard

The Tufted Titmouse (Titmice) is a clinging bird, one whose strong feet makes it easy for them to run up and down trees or grasp small surfaces while they grab an insect or gnat. Other clingers are Woodpeckers, Chickadees and Nuthatches.

A small, gray, mouse colored bird (some say it looks like a miniature Cardinal), it is distinctive for it’s “Peter-Peter-Peter” call. It’s common in deciduous forests, where it flits through canopies, hangs from the ends of twigs and frequents bird feeders.

A “polite” bird, it typically takes just one seed at a time from your feeder and carries it to a perch to crack it open.

Quality Food:

Tufted Titmice are often the first birds you’ll see at your feeders, especially in Winter.

Like most other birds you want to attract, the Clingers love black oil sunflower seeds, or better yet, hulled out sunflower kernels. What’s good is that their clinging ability lets you provide sunflower kernels in feeders like the “Clingers Only™” that other birds have trouble using. Provide peanuts or tree nut pieces, and every “Clinger” in the neighborhood will make sure they stop and visit you!!

High-Energy Suet is a favorite of “Clingers”. Either provide the white suet from a butcher, or present one of the available cakes. The best cakes are those that contain only suet, peanuts, and peanut butter!! As “Clingers” can hang on a suet log feeder, suet logs are a great way to feed “Clingers”. Often, this is the most used feeder in a backyard! Ready to use Suet Plugs are available.

Clean, Fresh Water

The Tufted Titmouse does visit bird baths for drinking and bathing, but they need shallow baths because of their small size. You can add a smaller dish inside your regular birdbath, or scatter gravel or river rocks along the bottom.

They do like drippers, and are attracted to the noise and sparkles.

In the winter, be sure to provide a heated bird bath, since they do not migrate and need a source of fresh water year-round.

Safe, Secure Shelter (including nesting sites)

Tufted Titmouse build their nests in cavities, so putting up nest boxes is a good way to attract breeding titmice to your yard. Make sure you put it up well before breeding season. Attach a guard to keep predators from raiding eggs and young. They often line the inner cup of their nest with hair, sometimes directly plucked from living animals.

Tips Brochure:

Clingers TIPs Trifold

Attracting Birds |

Attract Goldfinches to Your Backyard

A favorite backyard songbird is the small American Goldfinch, also known as the “Wild Canary” because of the bright yellow feathers on males during the summer breeding season. That’s right, Goldfinches are not bright gold year-round. In the fall, as the nesting season winds down and fall colors begin to appear, Goldfinches replace their worn, tattered feathers with a set of fresh, new feathers . (This is called “molting”; they also molt in the spring before breeding season.)

The appearance of male Goldfinches changes drastically at this time. The brilliant yellow body feathers are replaced by dull brownish plumes, and the striking black cap disappears. Females also molt, but their colors don’t change — they’re typically olive brown on top and olive-yellow below.

American Goldfinches are also known for singing in flight, which adds to their cheerful, bouncing flying pattern.

Finches are non-migratory birds you can enjoy year-round, especially if you keep Finch feeders out. And if you don’t care for yard work, Goldfinches make it easy for you! They love dandelions. And no need to cut off the tops of your Marigolds, Zinnias, Cosmos, or Coneflowers either. Goldfinches love those seeds too.

Speaking of food…

Quality Food:

Goldfinches are primarily seed eaters, and a favorite is Nyjer Seed, which looks like grains of wild rice and contains the high fat and protein content they need.

A good idea is to mix Nyjer thistle seed with fine-chopped Sunflower Kernels. Some Finch species, such as the Pine Siskin, like this mix better than straight Nyjer.

All Finch mixes require a special feeder with very small openings and will eat seed after seed when feeding their young. Look for a feeder with plenty of openings, since they are social birds and usually look for food in small groups. (Did you know — a group of Goldfinches is called a CHARM?)

Since seeds tend to get packed down and moldy on the bottom of many feeders, leading to waste, look for a feeder that can be flipped. In other words, you can fill from the top one time and the bottom the next time. Mixing the old seed with the new when refilling will also help you attract more Finches.

In the summer months, Finches may prefer “meatier” seeds for their young, such as blacl< oil sunflower seeds and sunflower hearts.

A feeder we recommend is the Songbird Essentials^TMSpiral Feeder, since it has more openings per inch of feeder than most and does include the Flip N’Fill feature. Placing a feeder near shrubs is a good choice, so that the Goldfinches have a place to retreat to if they get frightened.

Clean, Fresh Water:

As with other wild birds, they need water for drinking and bathing. In fact, Goldfinches love to bathe, so including a bird bath or similar water source near the Nyjer seed feeder will increase your chances for success.

Safe, Secure Shelter:

Goldfinches are very good nest builders, often building them in a forked branch about five-ten feet above the ground. In fact, their cup-shaped nests (made of woven plant material, then lined with thistle or milkweed down) are nearly waterproof!

Most birds who use nesting boxes are cavity nesters in the wild, so Goldfinches may not use one. Still, it doesn’t hurt to put one out — blue birds and house wrens may enjoy it too! Since finches are small, bird houses that are about 6 inches wide by 8 inches deep and 12 inches tall would be appropriate. The entrance should be a 1 1/2″ hole.

Tips Brochure:

Goldfinch TIPs Trifold

Attracting Birds | January 15, 2019

Attract Hummingbirds To Your Backyard

In the United States, you can find over 16 kinds of Hummingbirds. For people east of the Rockies, the most prevalent by far is the Ruby-Throated Hummingbird. In fact, the Ruby-Throated Hummingbird is the most widely distributed of the world’s 338 species of Hummingbirds, all of which occur ONLY in the Western Hemisphere.

The Ruby-Throated Hummingbird is often found between woodland and meadow. However, it has adapted well to human development, but only if there is shelter, space and food. Thus, it is frequently seen in suburban backyards with mature trees and shrubs, in wooded parks, and around farmsteads.

The Keys to Attracting Hummingbirds are to provide Food, Help for Nesting, and Misters (Water) for them to fly through. Read on and learn how to make your yard a “Hummingbird Haven”.

Quality Food

Most people know the popular food of choice for hummingbirds – nectar! The sucrose (sugar) from nectar gives hummingbirds the energy needed for their high metabolism as well as swift flight and busy lives. Nectar also serves as hummingbird’s primary source of water.

Just like all other species, hummingbirds need a complete diet to thrive. Along with nectar, hummingbirds also need protein, amino acids, and different vitamins and minerals. Hummingbirds eat small insects, larvae, and insect eggs which provide the required fat, proteins, and salts for their diets.

How do you plan your backyard feeding station? Offer hummingbird feeders filled with (always) fresh nectar. Try the Songbird Essentials line of ready-to-use nectars, or ready to mix nectars. Provide perches for hummingbirds to defend their favorite feeder as well as look out for intruders. Do not spray insecticides and consider planting native plants in your backyard habitat.

Native Plants

What is the easiest way to find the location of all native plant nurseries, native plants for your area, and other educational information?
Just visit: http://grownative.org/resource-guide/

Clean, Fresh Water

Hummingbirds, like many birds, need and are attracted to fresh water. One of the best ways to attract hummingbirds is with a “misted” fine spray. We love Songbird Essential’s Easy Mister. Attach it to a hose after watering flowers and get ready to see hummers zip through the mist. Only uses .75 Gallons of water per hour!!

Safe, Secure Shelter (including nesting sites)

A hummingbird nest is not much bigger than a quarter, and often it contains just 2-3 eggs no bigger than small peas. It’s typically hard to see, as it blends in well to the tree branch it’s attached to, and is made of fine animal or plant down and moss or lichens. Hummingbirds have been proven to really take to a product called “Hummer Helper^TM” Nesting Material, which provides a natural replacement for some hard to find materials.

Track Hummingbird Migration

We typically use “Tax Day” April 15th as a rule of thumb to expect Hummingbirds in Central Missouri. Our friends over at Hummingbird Central have hosted an interactive map where you can track Hummingbird migration or review the migration patterns from previous years.

Approximate Arrival Dates

Tips Brochure:

Hummingbird TIPs Trifold

Bluebirds, Attracting Birds | January 11, 2019

Attract Bluebirds to Your Backyard

The Eastern Bluebird is the state bird of Missouri. These small, brightly colored birds (males have a blue upper body, red breast, and white belly; females look similar but are slightly larger and duller in color.) Their population declined as suburban developments grew and their preferred habitat (farmlands, forests and grasslands) shrank, but bird lovers have become more attentive to their needs.

They live year-round in many parts of the state and readily nest in man-made boxes, so there’s a great deal of local interest in attracting these “harbingers of spring.”

Quality Food:

Bluebirds typically eat insects and fruit, so planting native plans like American Bittersweet is a great way to attract and help them. They also love mealworms, which at 50.4% protein, are an excellent nutrition source !

They will eat mealworms from a cup or pan, but Bluebirds wilt rapidly consume whatever you put out. Bluebird Feeders force the bird tö go through an entrance hole to find the worms, and most other birds will not do so. They will also eat Sunflower Kernels from Songbird Essentials Spiral Feeders.

If you’re patient and consistent, Bluebirds will also respond to whistles and other calls when your feeder is refilled — try it!

Clean, Fresh Water:

Eastern Bluebirds drink water from ponds, streams and birdbaths and seem to prefer running water versus standing water. Keep water sources fresh and clean, and in the winter, use heated birdbaths or bird bath de-icers.

Safe, Secure Shelter (including nesting sites)

Eastern Bluebirds are cavity nesters, and common natural nesting sites include tree holes, rotted out fence posts and old orchards. The entrance hole to a man-made bird house needs to be just the right size; for the Eastern Bluebird, that’s 1.5″ in diameter, with about a 4″ by 4″ floor.

Many customers use our Songbird Essentials Ultimate Nest Box. With Plexiglas on one side (so you can monitor the nest), a copper predator protector around the entrance hole, and an elevated mesh floor, it’s provides durable shelter for Bluebirds and their young.

Place nest boxes at least 100 yards apart, since Bluebirds are territorial during nesting season. They will nest in boxes at varying heights from the ground, but putting them at 4 to 5 feet high makes it easy to monitor them.

It can be helpful to install a T-shaped perching cross approximately 10 to 20 yards in front of the nest box. The male acts like a tiny hawk when it has chicks, waiting patiently for an insect or beetle to show, then pouncing on it.

Fledglings can find their own food in about two weeks, but adults — and sometimes youngsters from the first brood! — will bring food to the family. This often continues until fall and sometimes Bluebird families stay together until spring.

Bluebirds do prefer more “open area” than other nesting birds, so heavily wooded yards will probably not attract them.

Sources for more info:
https://extension2.missouri.edu/g9429

Tips Brochure:

Bluebird TIPs Trifold

Cardinal, Attracting Birds |

Attract Cardinals to Your Backyard

One of the most loved and well-recognized Missouri birds is the Northern Cardinal (so named because its color matches the robes of Catholic Cardinals.) This photogenic songbird can be seen on an incredible variety of gift items, clothing and home décor. The contrast of the bright red bird against freshly fallen snow is visually appealing. By the way, it is the male cardinal that we think of; the female’s color is a grayish tan.

Cardinals are popular not only for their looks; they reward us richly and rapidly if we scatter a few handfuls of their favorite seed on the ground or on a low feeding table. Both the male and the female sing a pleasant, simple song that’s often counter sung (the male answers the female on a slightly different pitch).

Did you know that they do not migrate? Cardinals have increased their breeding range to the North and West as the number of suburbs and bird feeders has grown.

Here’s more specific information on the food, water and shelter requirements of Northern Cardinals.

Quality Food

Seeds that Cardinals prefer include Black Oil Sunflower, Safflower, or a mixture of both. The Cardinal’s large bill also allows them to crack open the larger striped sunflower seeds. They typically eat in the early morning or late evening.

Cardinals are “ground” feeders and will also eat from other flat surfaces. So look for sturdy wood platform feeders (hopper, fly through and open platform) and place them about five feet above ground level. They prefer protective cover when feeding, so they’re more likely to eat if the feeder is placed near trees or shrubbery.

Though tube feeders are popular with bird lovers, the perches on them are usually too small for Northern Cardinals to feed comfortably. You need to attach a tray, and Songbird Station carries one for nearly everqtube feeder made!

In the Spring, look for their ” Mate Feeding Ritual”, when a male Cardinal offers a female a carefully selected seed.

They do eat some insects and that is typically what they feed their young.

Clean, Fresh Water

Northern Cardinals drink water by scooping it into their bill and tipping their head back. Bird baths and bird waters need to accommodate the size of these larger songbirds, with water depth of 2 or 3 inches at the deepest point being best. Adding drippers to keep the water moving will help attract them to your bird bath.

Since they live in the same place all year, even during the winter, refill bird baths often, buy a deicer, or use a heated bird bath. Whatever you choose, change water often to keep it fresh and prevent dirt and algae building on their water source.

Safe, Secure Shelter (including nesting sites)

Northern Cardinals will not use nest boxes. They prefer to live along the edges of woods, near shrubs and in dense thickets of vine-y shrubs, and that’s usually where they build their nests. Don’t put feeders or seed so low that predators (such as cats) can easily get to them.

Planting fruit-bearing shrubs such as junipers, dogwoods, honeysuckle and viburums is sure to please them.

For nesting material, Cardinals prefer pine needles, small twigs, grass clippings, and other similar material.

More questions about attracting Cardinals to your yard in Central Missouri? Come in to Songbird Station and ask one of our friendly experts. We can also help you choose the perfect seed and feeders.

Tips Brochure:

Cardinals TIPs Trifold