Meadow & FeatherWhat to feed backyard birds
The right food brings the right bird. Here is every feeder food, the birds that come for it and the feeder that holds it, from the 118 real species in our field guide.
Sunflower seed39 species, such as Northern Cardinal, Blue Jay and American Goldfinch.Feeder: tube feeder and platform feeder.Nyjer seed3 species, such as American Goldfinch, House Finch and European Goldfinch.Feeder: tube feeder.Millet24 species, such as Northern Cardinal, Mourning Dove and House Finch.Feeder: tube feeder and platform feeder.Peanuts18 species, such as Northern Cardinal, Blue Jay and Black-capped Chickadee.Feeder: tube feeder and platform feeder.Suet21 species, such as Blue Jay, Black-capped Chickadee and Tufted Titmouse.Feeder: suet cage.Fruit25 species, such as American Robin, Baltimore Oriole and Keel-billed Toucan.Feeder: platform feeder.Nectar9 species, such as Baltimore Oriole, Blue-gray Tanager and Rufous-tailed Hummingbird.Feeder: nectar feeder.Mealworms20 species, such as American Robin, Carolina Wren and Clay-colored Thrush.Feeder: platform feeder.
And water
A bird bath brings birds that never eat seed. Keep it shallow, no more than about 2 inches deep, and scrub it and refill it every few days. In the game, as in a real yard, fresh water makes almost every bird stay longer.
Try it at your own feeders
Fill a feeder in the game and see who comes. Free, no sign-up.