1.   Provide Black Oil Sunflower Seeds in a hanging or elevated feeder.

Black Oil Sunflower (BOS)is the preferred seed of many wild birds in the Northwest.  The thin outer shell of           this seed makes it an easy seed for many songbirds to open, earning it "the most preferred" seed status.           Birds that are easily attracted to BOS include Chickadees, Nuthatches, Finches, Evening Grosbeaks and more.     These species of songbirds prefer to eat their food at least 4 feet off of the ground in an elevated feeder.            When using mixes of seeds, look for mixes rich in BOS for maximum species attraction.

2.   Provide White Millet and Cracked Corn in a ground feeder.

Many songbirds prefer to eat their meals low to the ground and don't use a hanging feeder.  These species of     birds prefer to eat white millet, cracked corn and small amounts of black oil sunflowers.  A great solution for         ground feeding birds is Nature's Cafe Rainier Select, which contains all three preferred ingredients.  Designed      to be fed on the ground or in a ground feeder, Rainier Select will attract Mourning Doves, Towhees, Oregon          Juncos, Sparrows and Quail.

3.  Provide suet year-round.

You can dramatically increase the species of birds attracted to your backyard by providing suet at your                 feeding stations.  Think of suet as an "energy bar" for birds, perfect for mother birds and their young during        spring and summer months, as well as during cold winter months.  Nature's Cafe premium suet bricks contain      100% pure beef kidney suet and are flavored with a variety of nuts, peanut butter, peanuts, raisins and              sunflowers and have a melting point of 120 degrees, so you don't have to worry about melting problems in          the summertime.  A favorite of Chickadees, Nuthatches, Pileated Woodpeckers, Northern Flickers, Hairy Woodpeckers and Downy Woodpeckers.

4.   Provide Thistle/Nyjer to attract Goldfinches.

A great way to add a variety of finches to your feeding stations is to provide thistle/nyjer seed in a                       hanging or elevated feeder.  Because thistle/nyjer seeds are small, a specialized feeder can be used to             reduce spillage and limit waste.  Plus, the U.S. government requires that all imported thistle/nyjer seed             be heat treated upon entry so you won't have to worry about the seeds germinating in your garden.                  Birds attracted to thistle/nyjer seeds include the American Goldfinch, Pine Siskins, Purple Finches and                     House Finches.

5.   Provide clean drinking water and keep your feeders clean.

All birds need clean water to drink and bathe in, and by providing a clean birdbath in your backyard you will attract some species of songbirds that don't eat seeds, but rather eat berries and insects.  Birdbaths should be cleaned regularly to ensure a disease free drinking and bathing environment.

Good housekeeping is a must when feeding wild birds.  Using the correct types of feeders with the right seed blends helps you keep your feeders clean by ensuring that birds are consuming all of the seed that is offered to them.  Providing feeders that keep seeds dry is a must in the Northwest to prevent seeds from becoming moldy, which is harmful to birds.  Elevated feeders should be able to be cleaned easily and allow seeds to flow freely without becoming clogged or wet.  Ground feeders should not be over filled, to prevent waste and uneaten seed buildup.

(Article borrowed from Nature's Cafe)

 

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