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How to Attract Backyard Birds

Find your bird. Find its favorite feeder and food.

166 birds and growing

Pick a feeder or a food below to see which birds use it, or search by name.

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Hawks & falcons

Sharp-shinned Hawk

Accipiter striatus

A small, quick hawk that hunts songbirds, often in winter around feeders.

Photo coming soon
Sara’s own photo of the Sharp-shinned Hawk will go here.

At a glance

  • Favorite foods: small birds (it does not eat seed)
  • Best feeders: it visits feeders to hunt; offer cover near them
  • Plants: dense shrubs and evergreens near feeders
  • Habitat: woods, edges and yards
  • Nesting: in a stick nest high in a conifer
  • Seasonality: year-round in much of the country, winter visitor in the south

Best foods

Small birds, which is why it visits yards with feeders. It does not eat seed.

Best feeders

It does visit feeders, but to hunt the birds that gather there, not to eat seed. Place feeders near dense shrubs or evergreens so small birds can dive into cover.

Plants that attract

Dense shrubs and evergreens near feeders.

Water and habitat

Offer a birdbath with fresh water, and change it often.

Nesting and shelter

In a stick nest high in a conifer.

Seasonal tips

Year-round in much of the country, winter visitor in the south.

One practical tip

Place feeders near dense shrubs so small birds can dart into cover. Hawks are protected by law.

Fun fact

The Sharp-shinned Hawk is the smallest of the bird-hunting hawks in North America.

Shop this bird

Feeder and food picks for the Sharp-shinned Hawk will go here once Sara adds her links.

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Quick checklist

  • Dense shrubs and evergreens near feeders
  • No pesticides
  • Fresh water

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