Nature's Ambassadors: the Appeal of Backyard Bird Feeding

In the midst of winter’s cold and snow, the promise of spring-to-come is heralded from the treetops for all who care to listen. This announcement comes in the form of a simple, clear two-note whistle, provided by a herald whose small size belies the importance of his message. The male black-capped chickadee’s fee-bee song is his response to the gradually lengthening daylight and his interest in courtship, nesting territories and other springtime matters. Although given the weather outside, it would be a stretch to call his song a sign of spring, it represents one of the first signs of the season’s progression and re-awakening of birdsong. One can usually count on hearing the song on one of the first clear, sunny mornings of mid-winter, sometimes as early as late January. Not long afterward, the male cardinal may offer his sweet, clear message of hope as well. The chickadee; however, is always the opening act.

The birds that inhabit our neighborhoods and backyards are often the most accessible wildlife for many folks, especially in urban/suburban areas. While other wildlife, such as squirrels, rabbits, deer, etc. can also be found in suburban areas wherever adjacent wildlands exist, birds are ubiquitous and happy to visit our yards if some of their habitat needs are found there. Bird feeding is the connection that many have to these wild visitors. In fact, around 59 million Americans are estimated to maintain backyard bird feeders. They spend nearly 4 billion dollars supporting this activity. Bird feeding is also one of the easiest ways to support wild creatures and get to know something of their private lives and behaviors. It may surprise many avid backyard bird feeders to learn that the birds don’t actually need our handouts. They are perfectly adapted to surviving our winters and finding adequate food for their needs in open fields and woodlots. That said, the birds are certainly appreciative of the tables we set for them, as it allows them to conserve energy and likely contributes to increased numbers of certain bird species.

Creating a Buzz Among the Birds!

As a means of fostering connections with nature, bird feeding certainly benefits us as much as the birds. I like to think of bird feeding as a gateway drug to more serious and committed nature preservation hobbies and passions. I encourage people to think of their backyard bird feeding set-ups as restaurants for the birds and to approach how they do it in the same way they would if they were operating a restaurant. That means thinking about location and access, ‘seating’ capacity, a quality menu, and top-notch service. You don’t need to worry about a catchy name, as the birds are immune to marketing pitches. Your ambitions (or space and budget) may only get you to small café status; however, it’s possible to operate a 5-star restaurant that has the birds forming lines to get in! I have seen some of these set-ups, and they are a feast for the eyes and a wonder to behold. These operations do take effort and commitment, both to set up and maintain, so I always encourage people just getting started to begin with modest plans and expand only when their time, budget and customer feedback dictate.

Like some of my other blog posts, I’ll refer readers to the useful links below rather than provide a detailed how-to. Suffice to say that there are a few simple keys to success when it comes to backyard bird feeding:

Keep feeders out in the open, away from dense vegetation. Birds need to have a clear view of the area and avoid places where predators may be lurking.
Place the feeders where you can see them from a window. This is as much about your experience as theirs.
Providing as many feeders as possible (seating capacity) will result in more birds visiting. Include not just hanging feeders but platform feeders near the ground as well. Not all birds feed from a suspended perch. Also consider putting out a thistle seed feeder for the finches and suet for the woodpeckers.
Purchase quality seed that contains the ingredients most birds prefer – mainly black oil sunflower seeds, safflower, and white millet (thistle seed is a separate purchase if you’re feeding the finches). Discount bags of bird seed often have lots of fillers with little appeal for the birds, so check ingredients and don’t shun the more expensive seed mixes. Also, bird seed has a shelf life, so don’t overstock and end up using seed leftover from last year.
Keep your feeders clean, taking down periodically to wash and sanitize. Dirty feeders can promote the spread of disease, since the birds are all eating off the same plate, so to speak.
Once you begin to feed the birds (early November in the Midwest is recommended as a starting period), they will adjust their daily routines to stop by your yard, so ensure that the feeders are well-stocked continuously through the winter months. Inconsistent service won’t kill the birds, but it will lose you customers.
Summer feeding is largely unnecessary, as natural food is abundant, although some birds will continue to visit your feeders. I suggest switching to hummingbird and oriole feeders during the warm months in order to enjoy these summer visitors.

Creating an Oasis

One of the keys to success in attracting birds is having or being near habitat where a variety of native birds already live. This includes open grassland, woodlands and wetlands. Since many of us live in urban or suburban areas where proximity to natural areas may be limited, doing what you can to create a suitable habitat in your yard will make it more attractive to area birds. This includes having a diversity of trees, shrubs, and perennial plants that provide both natural foraging opportunities and shelter for birds. Note that this is different from an unkempt yard that gets no maintenance, although the birds and other critters may enjoy that. It simply means that we think about more than our own needs when landscaping. An expansive turfgrass lawn with a few bordering shrubs is mostly a wasteland for wildlife. Consider creating patches of well-spaced native shrubs, wildflowers and grasses around existing trees, designing them with curving borders to ensure they look nice. Stock these areas with local natives that will not just attract birds but native pollinators as well. Rather than cutting down and cleaning up garden and perennial plantings in the fall, leave some of these areas standing through the winter to provide natural foraging areas for the birds.

Creating an oasis for birds and other wildlife does require a deeper level of commitment, and resources. If you’re unsure where to start or are unfamiliar with which plants to choose, there are many great resources available to help. Native plants are still oddities for many gardeners due to how and where many of us shop for plants. Be sure to request them at your local nursery. They likely have some in stock, and the more customer requests they get, the more they will get added to inventories. Check the links below for a menu of suitable plants. I’d also suggest talking to a local expert at a nature center or conservation agency. These folks should be familiar with appropriate native plants and where these can be obtained locally. They can sometimes also refer you to an area landscape designer who specializes in native plants and naturalized landscapes. One of the wonderful things about landscape design is that it can happen gradually over several years. There’s no need to put in an expensive new installation in one year, unless you’ve got the time and money to sink into such a project. Otherwise, enjoy the journey of creating functional living art, adding a little more each year, moving things based on your whims and as you learn more. Share your passion with your neighbors. They may decide that your ideas are intriguing and attractive, even if they are ‘for the birds.’