A new way to provide food for birds

The way to a bird’s heart truly is through its stomach, and it’s easy to attract birds with food. By understanding what birds eat and the best foods to entice them, birders can attract a wide variety of different species to their backyard buffet.
Insects, worms, and grubs
Seeds, grasses, and plant material
Nectar and pollen
Nuts, fruit, and berries
Rodents, snakes, and other small animals
The exact diet of a bird depends on its species and nutritional needs, which can vary from season to season. Offering the foods birds need most is the best way to attract them, and watching how birds forage in the yard is a great way to learn what foods they prefer. Birders can also ask at a local wild bird store for recommendations to get started feeding birds, or assistance may be available from groups such as local National Audubon Society chapters.

Natural Foods
Providing natural food sources in the yard is an ideal way to attract birds with food without needing to constantly refill feeders or purchase seed. Planning the best bird-friendly landscaping can be expensive, but choosing plants to provide food for birds may actually save money in the long run as the plants regrow more food year after year with only minimal care.

The most popular natural food sources for birds include:

Flowers: Adding seed-bearing flowers or hummingbird flowers to flowerbeds will readily attract birds. Choose perennial varieties for long-lasting growth and a stable food source year-after-year, and opt for a range of flowers of different colors and heights to create an attractive and bountiful landscape.
Trees: The sap, buds, nuts, fruits, and seeds produced by trees can all be plentiful food sources for many birds. There are many types of both coniferous and deciduous trees that can feed birds, and fruit trees are some of the most popular choices because humans can snack on many types of fruit as well.