Attracting Birds | June 12, 2019

Attract American Robins to Your Backyard

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.

American Robin on fence post — American Robin

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.)

Attracting Birds | June 11, 2019

Attract Downy Woodpeckers to Your Backyard

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:

Clingers TIPs Trifold

Attracting Birds |

Attract Black-Capped Chickadees to Your Backyard

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

Attracting Birds |

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