From our backyard
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.
5 birds in the Northeast. Pick one.
Cardinals & finches
- American Goldfinch Spinus tristis
- Common Redpoll Acanthis flammea
- Evening Grosbeak Coccothraustes vespertinus
- House Finch Haemorhous mexicanus
- Indigo Bunting Passerina cyanea
- Northern Cardinal Cardinalis cardinalis
- Pine Siskin Spinus pinus
- Purple Finch Haemorhous purpureus
- Rose-breasted Grosbeak Pheucticus ludovicianus
Jays
Chickadees, titmice & nuthatches
Woodpeckers
Doves
Robins & thrushes
Sparrows & juncos
Owls
Wrens
Mockingbirds & thrashers
Warblers
Hummingbirds
Orioles & blackbirds
Waxwings
Crows
Starlings
Quail & turkeys
Swallows & martins
Flycatchers
Hawks & falcons
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Try one word, like “cardinal”, or see them all. You can also search the whole site.
Cardinals & finches
American Goldfinch
Spinus tristis
A small, bright yellow finch that loves nyjer seed and coneflowers.
At a glance
- Favorite foods: nyjer seed, sunflower hearts
- Best feeders: nyjer tube, mesh feeder, sunflower tube, platform
- Plants: coneflowers, sunflowers, asters, native thistles, milkweed
- Habitat: open fields and gardens with seed-bearing flowers
- Nesting: late summer, after thistle and other seeds ripen
- Seasonality: year-round in much of Michigan
Best foods
Nyjer (thistle) seed is the favorite. Sunflower hearts, which are sunflower seeds with the hulls removed, are a good second choice.
Best feeders
Use a nyjer tube or mesh feeder with small ports. A sunflower tube feeder or a platform feeder works well too.
Plants that attract
Coneflowers, sunflowers, asters, native thistles and milkweed. Goldfinches eat the seeds, so leave the seed heads standing.
Water and habitat
Keep a shallow birdbath filled with fresh water, and leave patches of seed-bearing flowers in the garden.
Nesting and shelter
Goldfinches nest late, in summer, because they wait for seeds to ripen. Their nests are small cups in shrubs and saplings, and they do not use birdhouses.
Seasonal tips
Goldfinches look dull olive in winter and turn bright yellow in spring. Keep a nyjer feeder up all year.
One practical tip
Leave the seed heads on coneflowers and sunflowers until late fall so goldfinches can feed from them.
Fun fact
Goldfinches molt twice a year, which is why they change from bright yellow to a dull olive.
Shop this bird
Feeder and food picks for the American Goldfinch will go here once Sara adds her links.
As an Amazon Associate, QT Bird earns from qualifying purchases.
Quick checklist
- Nyjer or sunflower hearts
- A nyjer tube or mesh feeder
- Seed-bearing flowers left standing
- Fresh water
QT Bird · qtbird.com/backyard-birds/
Cardinals & finches
Common Redpoll
Acanthis flammea
A small finch with a red cap that visits in cold winters.
Sara’s own photo of the Common Redpoll will go here.
At a glance
- Favorite foods: nyjer seed, sunflower hearts
- Best feeders: nyjer tube or mesh feeder, tube
- Plants: birches, alders and weedy seed heads
- Habitat: open fields and birch woods
- Nesting: far to the north, on the tundra
- Seasonality: irregular winter visitor
Best foods
Nyjer seed, sunflower hearts.
Best feeders
Try nyjer tube or mesh feeder, tube.
Plants that attract
Birches, alders and weedy seed heads.
Water and habitat
Offer a birdbath with fresh water, and change it often.
Nesting and shelter
Far to the north, on the tundra.
Seasonal tips
Irregular winter visitor.
One practical tip
Keep a nyjer feeder stocked and clean in winter.
Fun fact
Redpolls can store seed in a pouch in the throat, then digest it later.
Shop this bird
Feeder and food picks for the Common Redpoll will go here once Sara adds her links.
As an Amazon Associate, QT Bird earns from qualifying purchases.
Quick checklist
- Nyjer seed
- A nyjer tube or mesh feeder
- Birches
- Fresh water
QT Bird · qtbird.com/backyard-birds/
Cardinals & finches
Evening Grosbeak
Coccothraustes vespertinus
A big, bright yellow and black finch that arrives in flocks.
Sara’s own photo of the Evening Grosbeak will go here.
At a glance
- Favorite foods: black oil sunflower seed, sunflower hearts
- Best feeders: platform feeder, hopper feeder
- Plants: box elder, maples and fruiting trees
- Habitat: evergreen and mixed forests
- Nesting: high in a tree, in a loose cup
- Seasonality: irregular winter visitor
Best foods
Black oil sunflower seed, sunflower hearts.
Best feeders
Try platform feeder, hopper feeder.
Plants that attract
Box elder, maples and fruiting trees.
Water and habitat
Offer a birdbath with fresh water, and change it often.
Nesting and shelter
High in a tree, in a loose cup.
Seasonal tips
Irregular winter visitor.
One practical tip
Keep feeders full and clean in winters when flocks show up.
Fun fact
Evening Grosbeaks have huge, strong beaks that crack large seeds and fruit pits.
Shop this bird
Feeder and food picks for the Evening Grosbeak will go here once Sara adds her links.
As an Amazon Associate, QT Bird earns from qualifying purchases.
Quick checklist
- Black oil sunflower seed
- A platform feeder
- Box elder
- Fresh water
QT Bird · qtbird.com/backyard-birds/
Cardinals & finches
House Finch
Haemorhous mexicanus
A cheerful, streaky finch that is happy at almost any feeder.
Sara’s own photo of the House Finch will go here.
At a glance
- Favorite foods: black oil sunflower seed, nyjer, sunflower hearts
- Best feeders: tube, hopper, platform, nyjer feeder
- Plants: seed-bearing flowers and fruiting shrubs
- Habitat: yards, parks and towns
- Nesting: ledges, hanging planters and trees
- Seasonality: year-round
Best foods
Black oil sunflower seed is the favorite. House Finches also eat nyjer and sunflower hearts.
Best feeders
A tube, hopper or platform feeder works well. They also use nyjer feeders.
Plants that attract
Seed-bearing flowers such as coneflowers and sunflowers, and fruiting shrubs.
Water and habitat
Offer a clean birdbath with fresh water.
Nesting and shelter
House Finches often nest on ledges, in hanging planters and in the branches of evergreens.
Seasonal tips
House Finches stay all year, so keep feeders stocked in winter.
One practical tip
Clean feeders every week or two. Finches that crowd a feeder can pass on illness, so clean feeders keep them healthy.
Fun fact
The red color on a male House Finch comes from his food, so a diet rich in carotenoids makes him redder.
Shop this bird
Feeder and food picks for the House Finch will go here once Sara adds her links.
As an Amazon Associate, QT Bird earns from qualifying purchases.
Quick checklist
- Black oil sunflower seed or nyjer
- A tube, hopper or platform feeder
- A clean feeder, every week or two
- Fresh water
QT Bird · qtbird.com/backyard-birds/
Cardinals & finches
Indigo Bunting
Passerina cyanea
A small bird that looks bright blue in the sun.
Sara’s own photo of the Indigo Bunting will go here.
At a glance
- Favorite foods: small seeds, nyjer, white millet, insects
- Best feeders: nyjer feeder, platform feeder
- Plants: weedy fields, thistles, brambles
- Habitat: brushy fields and woodland edges
- Nesting: a cup low in dense shrubs
- Seasonality: spring to early fall
Best foods
Indigo Buntings eat small seeds. Offer nyjer, white millet and sunflower hearts, and leave seed heads standing.
Best feeders
A nyjer feeder or a platform feeder works well, near shrubs.
Plants that attract
Thistles, brambles and other weedy plants that go to seed, with dense shrubs for nesting.
Water and habitat
A shallow birdbath with fresh water helps.
Nesting and shelter
Indigo Buntings nest low in shrubs and brambles. They do not use birdhouses.
Seasonal tips
Look for them from late spring to early fall.
One practical tip
Leave a weedy corner and seed heads standing. Buntings forage there.
Fun fact
Indigo Buntings migrate at night, and they use the stars to find their way.
Shop this bird
Feeder and food picks for the Indigo Bunting will go here once Sara adds her links.
As an Amazon Associate, QT Bird earns from qualifying purchases.
Quick checklist
- Nyjer or small seeds
- A nyjer or platform feeder
- A weedy corner or brambles
- Fresh water
QT Bird · qtbird.com/backyard-birds/
Cardinals & finches
Northern Cardinal
Cardinalis cardinalis
A bright red visitor that stays all year and loves a sunflower seed.
About the Northern Cardinal
Nothing brightens a snowy yard like a cardinal. The male is brilliant red with a crest and a black mask around his thick bill. The female is a warm brownish tan with touches of red, the same crest, and a pinkish bill. Both sing, and the female often sings in spring before nesting.
Cardinals stay all year and don't migrate. For decades they have been spreading north, and backyard feeders stocked with sunflower seed may have helped. In spring, a male may fight his own reflection in a window, thinking it's a rival.
At a glance
- Favorite foods: black oil sunflower seed, safflower
- Best feeders: platform, hopper, ground tray
- Plants: native sunflowers, dogwood, elderberry, serviceberry, brambles
- Habitat: dense shrubs and thickets for cover
- Nesting: cup nests in shrubs, not birdhouses
- Seasonality: year-round
Best foods
Black oil sunflower seed is the favorite. Safflower is a good second choice, and cardinals will also take sunflower hearts and a little cracked corn.
Best feeders
Cardinals like a place to perch while they eat. Offer seed on a platform feeder, in a hopper feeder with a good perch, or in a ground tray.
Plants that attract
Native sunflowers, dogwood, elderberry, serviceberry and brambles give cardinals seeds, berries and thick cover.
Water and habitat
Plant a mix of shrubs so cardinals can slip into cover, and add a birdbath with fresh water, a shallow one is best.
Nesting and shelter
Cardinals build cup nests in dense shrubs and vines. They do not use birdhouses, so leave some thick shrubs in the yard.
Seasonal tips
Cardinals stay all year, so keep feeders full in winter, when their red stands out against the snow.
One practical tip
Place a feeder close to a shrub or other cover. Cardinals feel safest when they can dart back to cover.
Fun fact
Female cardinals sing too, which is unusual among North American songbirds.
Shop this bird
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Quick checklist
- Black oil sunflower or safflower seed
- A platform, hopper or ground feeder
- Shrubs or thickets nearby
- Fresh water
Facts checked against the National Audubon Society field guide.
QT Bird · qtbird.com/backyard-birds/
Cardinals & finches
Pine Siskin
Spinus pinus
A small, streaky finch with yellow flashes in its wings that arrives in flocks.
About the Pine Siskin
Some winters you won't see a single pine siskin. Other winters, a whole twittering flock shows up and empties the thistle feeder in an afternoon. Their numbers swing wildly from year to year.
At first glance a siskin looks like a streaky brown sparrow, but look closer: it has a thin, sharp bill and flashes of yellow in its wings and tail, easiest to see when it flies. It's really a little finch in disguise, and it often feeds right alongside goldfinches.
At a glance
- Favorite foods: nyjer seed, sunflower seed
- Best feeders: nyjer tube, tube
- Plants: evergreens, alders and birches
- Habitat: evergreen forests
- Nesting: in evergreen trees
- Seasonality: irregular winter visitor in much of the region
Best foods
Pine Siskins love nyjer seed. They also eat sunflower hearts and black oil sunflower seed.
Best feeders
A nyjer tube or mesh feeder, or a tube feeder.
Plants that attract
Evergreens, alders and birches.
Water and habitat
A shallow birdbath with fresh water.
Nesting and shelter
Pine Siskins nest in evergreen trees, so they do not use birdhouses.
Seasonal tips
Siskins come and go by year. In some winters, they show up in big flocks.
One practical tip
Clean feeders every week or two, especially when siskins visit. Crowded finches can pass on illness.
Fun fact
Pine Siskins flash yellow in their wings and tail when they fly.
Shop this bird
Feeder and food picks for the Pine Siskin will go here once Sara adds her links.
As an Amazon Associate, QT Bird earns from qualifying purchases.
Quick checklist
- Nyjer or sunflower seed
- A nyjer or tube feeder
- A clean feeder, every week or two
- Evergreens nearby
Facts checked against the National Audubon Society field guide.
QT Bird · qtbird.com/backyard-birds/
Cardinals & finches
Purple Finch
Haemorhous purpureus
A finch that looks as if it was dipped in raspberry juice.
Sara’s own photo of the Purple Finch will go here.
At a glance
- Favorite foods: black oil sunflower seed, sunflower hearts
- Best feeders: tube, hopper, platform
- Plants: evergreens and trees with buds and seeds
- Habitat: woods and yards with evergreens
- Nesting: in evergreen trees
- Seasonality: winter visitor in much of the region; summers farther north
Best foods
Black oil sunflower seed is the favorite. Sunflower hearts also work well.
Best feeders
A tube feeder, hopper feeder or platform feeder works well.
Plants that attract
Evergreens, and trees whose buds and seeds Purple Finches eat.
Water and habitat
Offer fresh water in a birdbath, and keep some evergreens nearby for cover.
Nesting and shelter
Purple Finches nest in evergreen trees, so they do not use birdhouses.
Seasonal tips
Purple Finches visit feeders most often in fall and winter.
One practical tip
Keep sunflower seed fresh in a feeder near evergreens. Purple Finches often arrive in small groups in winter.
Fun fact
The male Purple Finch was famously described as looking like a sparrow dipped in raspberry juice.
Shop this bird
Feeder and food picks for the Purple Finch will go here once Sara adds her links.
As an Amazon Associate, QT Bird earns from qualifying purchases.
Quick checklist
- Black oil sunflower seed
- A tube, hopper or platform feeder
- Evergreens nearby
- Fresh water
QT Bird · qtbird.com/backyard-birds/
Cardinals & finches
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Pheucticus ludovicianus
A black and white bird with a bright rose-red patch on the chest.
Sara’s own photo of the Rose-breasted Grosbeak will go here.
At a glance
- Favorite foods: black oil sunflower seed, safflower, fruit and insects
- Best feeders: platform, hopper, tube
- Plants: elderberry, serviceberry, mulberry, dogwood
- Habitat: open woods and wooded edges
- Nesting: a loose cup in a small tree or shrub
- Seasonality: spring and summer; winters far to the south
Best foods
Grosbeaks love black oil sunflower seed and safflower. They also eat fruit and insects.
Best feeders
A platform feeder, hopper feeder or tube feeder with a good perch works well.
Plants that attract
Elderberry, serviceberry, mulberry and dogwood.
Water and habitat
Offer a birdbath with fresh water, and keep trees and shrubs close.
Nesting and shelter
Rose-breasted Grosbeaks build a loose cup nest in a small tree or shrub. They do not use birdhouses.
Seasonal tips
Look for them in spring when they return, and keep seed fresh through the summer.
One practical tip
Put out sunflower seed on a platform feeder as soon as the first males arrive in spring.
Fun fact
Both male and female Rose-breasted Grosbeaks sing, and males help sit on the eggs.
Shop this bird
Feeder and food picks for the Rose-breasted Grosbeak will go here once Sara adds her links.
As an Amazon Associate, QT Bird earns from qualifying purchases.
Quick checklist
- Black oil sunflower seed or safflower
- A platform, hopper or tube feeder
- Shrubs and small trees
- Fresh water
QT Bird · qtbird.com/backyard-birds/
Jays
Blue Jay
Cyanocitta cristata
A loud, clever blue bird that goes straight for peanuts in the shell.
At a glance
- Favorite foods: peanuts in the shell, black oil sunflower seed, cracked corn
- Best feeders: platform feeder, peanut feeder, ground tray
- Plants: oaks (acorns), beeches, dogwood
- Habitat: woods and yards with big trees
- Nesting: in the fork of a tree, not birdhouses
- Seasonality: year-round
Best foods
Peanuts in the shell are the favorite. Blue Jays also eat black oil sunflower seed, cracked corn and acorns.
Best feeders
Blue Jays are big birds, so give them room: a platform feeder or a sturdy tray, or a feeder made for whole peanuts.
Plants that attract
Oaks are the best plant for Blue Jays because they love acorns. Beeches and dogwood help too.
Water and habitat
Blue Jays visit birdbaths. Keep the water fresh, and keep tall trees nearby for them to perch in.
Nesting and shelter
Blue Jays build bulky cup nests in the forks of trees. They do not use birdhouses.
Seasonal tips
Blue Jays stay in much of Michigan in winter. Whole peanuts are a good winter treat.
One practical tip
Put out a handful of peanuts in the shell on a platform feeder at the same time each day. Blue Jays learn the routine fast.
Fun fact
Blue Jays bury acorns and forget some of them, which helps new oak trees grow.
Shop this bird
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As an Amazon Associate, QT Bird earns from qualifying purchases.
Quick checklist
- Peanuts in the shell
- A platform feeder or tray
- Oak or other big trees
- Fresh water
QT Bird · qtbird.com/backyard-birds/
Jays
Canada Jay
Perisoreus canadensis
A fluffy gray jay of northern evergreen forests, with a light face.
Sara’s own photo of the Canada Jay will go here.
At a glance
- Favorite foods: suet, peanuts, scraps
- Best feeders: platform feeder, suet feeder
- Plants: spruce, pine and fir
- Habitat: northern evergreen forests
- Nesting: in a bulky nest in an evergreen, early in the year
- Seasonality: year-round in the north
Best foods
Suet, peanuts, scraps.
Best feeders
Try platform feeder, suet feeder.
Plants that attract
Spruce, pine and fir.
Water and habitat
Offer a birdbath with fresh water, and change it often.
Nesting and shelter
In a bulky nest in an evergreen, early in the year.
Seasonal tips
Year-round in the north.
One practical tip
Offer suet and peanuts on a platform in northern woods.
Fun fact
Canada Jays use sticky saliva to stick bits of food to trees, saving it for later.
Shop this bird
Feeder and food picks for the Canada Jay will go here once Sara adds her links.
As an Amazon Associate, QT Bird earns from qualifying purchases.
Quick checklist
- Suet
- A platform feeder
- Spruce
- Fresh water
QT Bird · qtbird.com/backyard-birds/
Chickadees, titmice & nuthatches
Black-capped Chickadee
Poecile atricapillus
A tiny, friendly bird that grabs one seed at a time and flies off to eat it.
About the Black-capped Chickadee
Few birds are as friendly at the feeder as the chickadee. It's tiny, about 5 inches, with a black cap and bib, white cheeks, and a soft buff wash on its sides. You'll hear it before you see it, calling its own name: chick-a-dee-dee-dee. In late winter, listen for its sweet, whistled fee-bee.
Watch a chickadee for a minute and you'll see it grab one sunflower seed, fly off, and tuck it into a crack in the bark to eat later. In winter, chickadees travel in little flocks that often bring nuthatches, woodpeckers, and kinglets along with them. They nest in tree holes and will use a nest box.
At a glance
- Favorite foods: black oil sunflower seed, suet, peanuts
- Best feeders: tube, hopper, suet
- Plants: birch, oaks, pines, native shrubs
- Habitat: woods and yards with trees
- Nesting: nest boxes with a small hole, or old tree cavities
- Seasonality: year-round
Best foods
Black oil sunflower seed is the favorite, and chickadees also take suet, peanuts and sunflower hearts.
Best feeders
A tube feeder or hopper feeder works well. A suet feeder is a good winter addition.
Plants that attract
Birches, oaks and pines, and native shrubs that host caterpillars, which chickadees feed to their young.
Water and habitat
Offer a shallow birdbath with fresh water, and keep some trees and shrubs close for quick cover.
Nesting and shelter
Chickadees will use a nest box with a small entrance hole, about 1 1/8 inches. Put a few wood chips inside. They also dig into soft, rotting wood.
Seasonal tips
In winter, chickadees visit feeders often. Keep feeders full on the coldest days.
One practical tip
Place a feeder near a tree or shrub. Chickadees take a seed and fly to cover to eat it, so they like a perch close by.
Fun fact
The chickadee call gets more “dee” notes when a predator is near, a little warning for other birds.
Shop this bird
HiBird smart feeder
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As an Amazon Associate, QT Bird earns from qualifying purchases.
Quick checklist
- Black oil sunflower seed or suet
- A tube, hopper or suet feeder
- Trees or shrubs nearby
- A nest box with a 1 1/8 inch hole
Facts checked against the National Audubon Society field guide.
QT Bird · qtbird.com/backyard-birds/
Chickadees, titmice & nuthatches
Brown Creeper
Certhia americana
A small, streaky brown bird that climbs tree trunks in a spiral.
Sara’s own photo of the Brown Creeper will go here.
At a glance
- Favorite foods: suet, especially smeared on bark
- Best feeders: suet smeared on a rough tree trunk, suet feeder
- Plants: large mature trees with rough bark
- Habitat: mature forests and wooded yards
- Nesting: behind a loose flake of bark
- Seasonality: year-round in many areas, winter visitor farther south
Best foods
Suet, especially smeared on bark.
Best feeders
Try suet smeared on a rough tree trunk, suet feeder.
Plants that attract
Large mature trees with rough bark.
Water and habitat
Offer a birdbath with fresh water, and change it often.
Nesting and shelter
Behind a loose flake of bark.
Seasonal tips
Year-round in many areas, winter visitor farther south.
One practical tip
Smear a little suet on the rough bark of a tree trunk.
Fun fact
The Brown Creeper climbs up a trunk in a spiral, then flies to the base of the next tree and starts again.
Shop this bird
Feeder and food picks for the Brown Creeper will go here once Sara adds her links.
As an Amazon Associate, QT Bird earns from qualifying purchases.
Quick checklist
- Suet
- A suet smeared on a rough tree trunk feeder
- Large mature trees with rough bark
- Fresh water
QT Bird · qtbird.com/backyard-birds/
Chickadees, titmice & nuthatches
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Sitta canadensis
A small, rusty-breasted nuthatch that loves evergreens.
At a glance
- Favorite foods: suet, black oil sunflower seed, peanuts
- Best feeders: suet, tube, hopper
- Plants: pines, spruces, firs
- Habitat: evergreen forests
- Nesting: holes in dead trees
- Seasonality: year-round in the north and West, winter visitor farther south
Best foods
Suet, black oil sunflower seed and peanuts all work.
Best feeders
A suet feeder, tube feeder or hopper feeder near evergreen trees.
Plants that attract
Pines, spruces and firs.
Water and habitat
A shallow birdbath with fresh water.
Nesting and shelter
Red-breasted Nuthatches dig nest holes in dead trees or branches, or use a nest box with a small hole.
Seasonal tips
In some winters, more of them move south to visit feeders.
One practical tip
Put the feeder near evergreen trees.
Fun fact
The Red-breasted Nuthatch smears sticky tree pitch around the entrance of its nest hole.
Shop this bird
HiBird smart feeder
My Amazon shop
As an Amazon Associate, QT Bird earns from qualifying purchases.
Quick checklist
- Suet or sunflower seed
- A suet, tube or hopper feeder
- Evergreens
- Fresh water
QT Bird · qtbird.com/backyard-birds/
Chickadees, titmice & nuthatches
Tufted Titmouse
Baeolophus bicolor
A gray bird with a crest that grabs a seed and takes it away to eat.
At a glance
- Favorite foods: black oil sunflower seed, peanuts, suet
- Best feeders: tube, hopper, suet
- Plants: oaks, beeches, dogwood, native shrubs
- Habitat: woods and wooded yards
- Nesting: old woodpecker holes and nest boxes
- Seasonality: year-round
Best foods
Black oil sunflower seed is the favorite. Titmice also take peanuts, sunflower hearts and suet.
Best feeders
A tube feeder, a hopper feeder or a suet feeder works well, with a perch nearby.
Plants that attract
Oaks, beeches and dogwood, and native shrubs that host caterpillars.
Water and habitat
Keep a birdbath filled with fresh water, and leave some mature trees in the yard.
Nesting and shelter
Titmice nest in tree holes and will use a nest box with a hole about 1 1/4 inches wide.
Seasonal tips
Titmice stay all year, so keep a feeder going in winter.
One practical tip
Hang a feeder near trees. Titmice take one seed at a time and fly to a branch to eat it.
Fun fact
Titmice sometimes line their nests with hair, and they may even pull it from a dog or other animal.
Shop this bird
Feeder and food picks for the Tufted Titmouse will go here once Sara adds her links.
As an Amazon Associate, QT Bird earns from qualifying purchases.
Quick checklist
- Black oil sunflower seed or peanuts
- A tube, hopper or suet feeder
- Mature trees nearby
- Fresh water
QT Bird · qtbird.com/backyard-birds/
Chickadees, titmice & nuthatches
White-breasted Nuthatch
Sitta carolinensis
A small bird that walks head-first down tree trunks.
Sara’s own photo of the White-breasted Nuthatch will go here.
At a glance
- Favorite foods: suet, black oil sunflower seed, peanuts
- Best feeders: suet feeder, tube, hopper
- Plants: oaks, hickories and other mature trees
- Habitat: mature woods and wooded yards
- Nesting: tree cavities
- Seasonality: year-round
Best foods
Suet is a favorite, along with black oil sunflower seed, sunflower hearts and peanuts.
Best feeders
A suet feeder, tube feeder or hopper feeder works well. Nuthatches like to land on the trunk or a feeder near a tree.
Plants that attract
Oaks, hickories and other mature trees with bark that holds insects and seeds.
Water and habitat
Offer a birdbath with fresh water, and keep mature trees in the yard.
Nesting and shelter
Nuthatches nest in tree cavities. Leave dead trees standing when it is safe to do so.
Seasonal tips
Nuthatches visit feeders all winter. Suet is especially welcome in cold weather.
One practical tip
Put a suet feeder on a tree trunk or on a post near trees. Nuthatches go to feeders close to tree trunks.
Fun fact
The nuthatch often climbs down a tree trunk head first, which most other birds do not do.
Shop this bird
Feeder and food picks for the White-breasted Nuthatch will go here once Sara adds her links.
As an Amazon Associate, QT Bird earns from qualifying purchases.
Quick checklist
- Suet or black oil sunflower seed
- A suet, tube or hopper feeder
- Mature trees
- Fresh water
QT Bird · qtbird.com/backyard-birds/
Woodpeckers
Downy Woodpecker
Dryobates pubescens
A small black-and-white woodpecker that loves suet.
About the Downy Woodpecker
The downy is North America's smallest woodpecker, and one of the easiest to welcome to the yard. It's black and white with a white stripe down its back and a short, stubby bill. Males have a small red patch on the back of the head. The look-alike hairy woodpecker is bigger, with a much longer bill.
Downies climb all over trunks, branches, and even weed stalks, often hanging upside down. In winter they join the chickadees and nuthatches as they make their rounds. Listen for a quiet "pik" and a rattling call that runs down the scale.
At a glance
- Favorite foods: suet, black oil sunflower seed, peanuts
- Best feeders: suet feeder, tube, hopper
- Plants: trees with dead branches, native shrubs
- Habitat: woods, orchards and wooded yards
- Nesting: holes the bird digs in dead wood
- Seasonality: year-round
Best foods
Suet is the favorite. Downy Woodpeckers also eat black oil sunflower seed and peanuts.
Best feeders
Use a suet feeder, with a tail prop if you can. A tube or hopper feeder also works.
Plants that attract
Trees with some dead wood, and native plants that bring insects.
Water and habitat
Offer a birdbath, and leave a dead tree or branch standing if it is safe.
Nesting and shelter
Downy Woodpeckers dig their own nest holes in dead wood. They do not use nest boxes much.
Seasonal tips
Suet is especially helpful in winter, when insects are hard to find.
One practical tip
Offer suet year-round, and clean the feeder often so the suet stays fresh.
Fun fact
The Downy Woodpecker is the smallest woodpecker in North America.
Shop this bird
Feeder and food picks for the Downy Woodpecker will go here once Sara adds her links.
As an Amazon Associate, QT Bird earns from qualifying purchases.
Quick checklist
- Suet
- A suet feeder
- A dead branch or tree, if safe
- Fresh water
Facts checked against the National Audubon Society field guide.
QT Bird · qtbird.com/backyard-birds/
Woodpeckers
Hairy Woodpecker
Dryobates villosus
A black-and-white woodpecker like the Downy, but bigger, with a long bill.
Sara’s own photo of the Hairy Woodpecker will go here.
At a glance
- Favorite foods: suet, peanuts, black oil sunflower seed
- Best feeders: suet feeder, peanut feeder, hopper
- Plants: mature trees, including some dead wood
- Habitat: woods and large wooded yards
- Nesting: holes the bird digs in trees
- Seasonality: year-round
Best foods
Suet is the favorite. Hairy Woodpeckers also eat peanuts and black oil sunflower seed.
Best feeders
Use a sturdy suet feeder, a peanut feeder or a hopper feeder. This is a bigger bird than the Downy, so give it room.
Plants that attract
Mature trees, and a dead tree or branch if it is safe to leave one standing.
Water and habitat
Offer a birdbath with fresh water, and keep large trees nearby.
Nesting and shelter
Hairy Woodpeckers dig their own nest holes in trees, so they do not use nest boxes much.
Seasonal tips
Suet is especially welcome in winter, when insects are hard to find.
One practical tip
If you see a Downy-like woodpecker that is bigger, check the bill. It is the easiest way to tell the two apart.
Fun fact
A Hairy Woodpecker has a bill almost as long as its head, while the Downy’s bill is much shorter.
Shop this bird
Feeder and food picks for the Hairy Woodpecker will go here once Sara adds her links.
As an Amazon Associate, QT Bird earns from qualifying purchases.
Quick checklist
- Suet or peanuts
- A sturdy suet or peanut feeder
- Mature trees
- Fresh water
QT Bird · qtbird.com/backyard-birds/
Woodpeckers
Northern Flicker
Colaptes auratus
A spotted woodpecker that often feeds on the ground, hunting for ants.
Sara’s own photo of the Northern Flicker will go here.
At a glance
- Favorite foods: ants and other insects, suet, peanuts
- Best feeders: suet feeder, ground or platform
- Plants: berry shrubs and mature trees
- Habitat: open woods, edges and lawns
- Nesting: a hole in a dead tree or branch
- Seasonality: year-round in much of the region; many migrate north
Best foods
Flickers eat many ants and beetles. At feeders they take suet, and sometimes peanuts.
Best feeders
Use a sturdy suet feeder with a tail prop, or put suet on a platform. Flickers also feed on the lawn.
Plants that attract
Berry shrubs such as dogwood and sumac, and mature trees.
Water and habitat
Offer a birdbath with fresh water, and leave an open lawn where they can hunt ants.
Nesting and shelter
Flickers dig nest holes in dead trees. They will use a large nest box filled with wood chips.
Seasonal tips
Many flickers leave in fall and return in spring, but some stay all winter and love suet.
One practical tip
Leave a dead tree standing when it is safe, and skip the lawn chemicals.
Fun fact
Unlike most woodpeckers, flickers often feed on the ground.
Shop this bird
Feeder and food picks for the Northern Flicker will go here once Sara adds her links.
As an Amazon Associate, QT Bird earns from qualifying purchases.
Quick checklist
- Suet
- A sturdy suet feeder
- A lawn without chemicals
- A dead tree, if safe
QT Bird · qtbird.com/backyard-birds/
Woodpeckers
Pileated Woodpecker
Dryocopus pileatus
A big black woodpecker with a bright red crest.
Sara’s own photo of the Pileated Woodpecker will go here.
At a glance
- Favorite foods: carpenter ants, suet, fruit and nuts
- Best feeders: large, sturdy suet feeder
- Plants: mature trees, fruiting shrubs
- Habitat: mature forest and big wooded yards
- Nesting: a big hole in a dead tree
- Seasonality: year-round
Best foods
Pileated Woodpeckers eat carpenter ants. At feeders they take suet, and they also eat fruit and nuts.
Best feeders
Use a big, sturdy suet feeder, such as a log or a large cage feeder, and mount it on a tree trunk or a stout post.
Plants that attract
Mature trees, and fruiting plants such as dogwood and elderberry.
Water and habitat
Offer a large birdbath with fresh water, and keep mature trees close.
Nesting and shelter
Pileated Woodpeckers dig big nest holes in dead trees. They do not use ordinary nest boxes.
Seasonal tips
Offer suet all year, especially in winter.
One practical tip
Leave dead trees and stumps standing, where it is safe. They are the best pantry for this bird.
Fun fact
A Pileated Woodpecker can dig a hole that is oval or rectangular and large enough to see from a distance.
Shop this bird
Feeder and food picks for the Pileated Woodpecker will go here once Sara adds her links.
As an Amazon Associate, QT Bird earns from qualifying purchases.
Quick checklist
- Suet
- A big, sturdy suet feeder
- Mature trees and dead wood
- Fresh water
QT Bird · qtbird.com/backyard-birds/
Woodpeckers
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Melanerpes carolinus
A medium woodpecker with a zebra back and a red cap.
Sara’s own photo of the Red-bellied Woodpecker will go here.
At a glance
- Favorite foods: suet, peanuts, sunflower seed, fruit
- Best feeders: suet feeder, peanut feeder, platform
- Plants: oaks, native fruiting trees
- Habitat: woods and wooded yards
- Nesting: holes the bird digs in dead trees
- Seasonality: year-round
Best foods
Suet and peanuts are favorites. Red-bellied Woodpeckers also take sunflower seed, oranges and other fruit.
Best feeders
A suet feeder, a peanut feeder or a sturdy platform feeder works well.
Plants that attract
Oaks and native trees that bear fruit and nuts.
Water and habitat
Offer a birdbath, and leave mature trees and some dead wood in the yard.
Nesting and shelter
Red-bellied Woodpeckers dig their own nest holes in dead trees or branches.
Seasonal tips
They visit feeders all year and rely on suet and peanuts in winter.
One practical tip
Put out peanuts or suet and be patient. These woodpeckers are shy and often take a bite and fly away.
Fun fact
The Red-bellied Woodpecker has a tongue that can reach about 2 inches beyond its bill, which helps it grab insects from cracks in bark.
Shop this bird
Feeder and food picks for the Red-bellied Woodpecker will go here once Sara adds her links.
As an Amazon Associate, QT Bird earns from qualifying purchases.
Quick checklist
- Suet or peanuts
- A suet or peanut feeder
- Mature trees
- Fresh water
QT Bird · qtbird.com/backyard-birds/
Woodpeckers
Red-headed Woodpecker
Melanerpes erythrocephalus
A striking woodpecker with a full red head and big white patches.
Sara’s own photo of the Red-headed Woodpecker will go here.
At a glance
- Favorite foods: acorns, suet, peanuts, fruit
- Best feeders: suet feeder, peanut feeder, platform
- Plants: oaks and beeches
- Habitat: open woods and large wooded yards
- Nesting: in a hole in a dead tree
- Seasonality: year-round in the South, spring to fall farther north
Best foods
Acorns, suet, peanuts, fruit.
Best feeders
Try suet feeder, peanut feeder, platform.
Plants that attract
Oaks and beeches.
Water and habitat
Offer a birdbath with fresh water, and change it often.
Nesting and shelter
In a hole in a dead tree.
Seasonal tips
Year-round in the South, spring to fall farther north.
One practical tip
Leave a dead tree standing where it is safe, and offer peanuts and suet.
Fun fact
Red-headed Woodpeckers store food in cracks in trees, and sometimes cover it up.
Shop this bird
Feeder and food picks for the Red-headed Woodpecker will go here once Sara adds her links.
As an Amazon Associate, QT Bird earns from qualifying purchases.
Quick checklist
- Acorns
- A suet feeder
- Oaks and beeches
- Fresh water
QT Bird · qtbird.com/backyard-birds/
Woodpeckers
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Sphyrapicus varius
A woodpecker that drills neat rows of small holes in trees to drink sap.
Sara’s own photo of the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker will go here.
At a glance
- Favorite foods: tree sap, suet, fruit
- Best feeders: suet feeder
- Plants: birches, maples and fruit trees
- Habitat: woods and wooded yards
- Nesting: in a hole in a dead tree, far north
- Seasonality: winter in much of the country
Best foods
Tree sap, suet, fruit.
Best feeders
Try suet feeder.
Plants that attract
Birches, maples and fruit trees.
Water and habitat
Offer a birdbath with fresh water, and change it often.
Nesting and shelter
In a hole in a dead tree, far north.
Seasonal tips
Winter in much of the country.
One practical tip
Offer suet and orange halves in winter.
Fun fact
Sapsuckers drill rows of small holes in tree bark, and hummingbirds and other birds also drink from them.
Shop this bird
Feeder and food picks for the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker will go here once Sara adds her links.
As an Amazon Associate, QT Bird earns from qualifying purchases.
Quick checklist
- Tree sap
- A suet feeder
- Birches
- Fresh water
QT Bird · qtbird.com/backyard-birds/
Doves
Eurasian Collared-Dove
Streptopelia decaocto
A pale gray dove with a black collar that has spread across the country.
Sara’s own photo of the Eurasian Collared-Dove will go here.
At a glance
- Favorite foods: cracked corn, millet, sunflower seed
- Best feeders: ground tray, platform feeder
- Plants: evergreens and trees for nesting
- Habitat: towns, farms and yards
- Nesting: a thin platform of twigs in trees
- Seasonality: year-round
Best foods
Cracked corn, millet, sunflower seed.
Best feeders
Try ground tray, platform feeder.
Plants that attract
Evergreens and trees for nesting.
Water and habitat
Offer a birdbath with fresh water, and change it often.
Nesting and shelter
A thin platform of twigs in trees.
Seasonal tips
Year-round.
One practical tip
Offer seed on a tray close to the ground.
Fun fact
This dove reached Florida from the Bahamas in the 1980s, and has since spread across the continent.
Shop this bird
Feeder and food picks for the Eurasian Collared-Dove will go here once Sara adds her links.
As an Amazon Associate, QT Bird earns from qualifying purchases.
Quick checklist
- Cracked corn
- A ground tray
- Evergreens and trees for nesting
- Fresh water
QT Bird · qtbird.com/backyard-birds/
Doves
Mourning Dove
Zenaida macroura
A gentle, soft-colored bird that feeds on the ground.
Sara’s own photo of the Mourning Dove will go here.
At a glance
- Favorite foods: small seeds, millet, cracked corn, sunflower seed
- Best feeders: ground tray, platform feeder
- Plants: native grasses and seed-bearing plants
- Habitat: open areas with trees for perching
- Nesting: a thin platform of twigs in a tree or shrub
- Seasonality: year-round in much of Michigan
Best foods
Mourning Doves eat small seeds. Offer millet, cracked corn and black oil sunflower seed.
Best feeders
Doves feed on the ground, so use a ground tray or a platform feeder. Tube feeders are too small for them.
Plants that attract
Native grasses and seed-bearing plants, plus evergreens and shrubs for nesting.
Water and habitat
Doves like a birdbath at ground level or a shallow dish with fresh water.
Nesting and shelter
Mourning Doves build a thin platform of twigs in trees or shrubs. Evergreens are a good place for nests.
Seasonal tips
In winter, scatter seed on a cleared patch of ground or a tray after snow.
One practical tip
Put out seed on a tray close to the ground, and sweep up old seed so it does not get damp.
Fun fact
Doves can drink with their heads down, sucking up water, which most birds cannot do.
Shop this bird
Feeder and food picks for the Mourning Dove will go here once Sara adds her links.
As an Amazon Associate, QT Bird earns from qualifying purchases.
Quick checklist
- Millet, cracked corn or sunflower seed
- A ground tray or platform feeder
- Evergreens or shrubs
- A shallow water dish
QT Bird · qtbird.com/backyard-birds/
Doves
Rock Pigeon
Columba livia
The familiar city pigeon, common in towns.
Sara’s own photo of the Rock Pigeon will go here.
At a glance
- Favorite foods: cracked corn, millet, sunflower seed
- Best feeders: ground tray, platform feeder
- Plants: buildings and ledges, rather than plants
- Habitat: towns, farms and parks
- Nesting: on ledges and in buildings
- Seasonality: year-round
Best foods
Cracked corn, millet, sunflower seed.
Best feeders
Try ground tray, platform feeder.
Plants that attract
Buildings and ledges, rather than plants.
Water and habitat
Offer a birdbath with fresh water, and change it often.
Nesting and shelter
On ledges and in buildings.
Seasonal tips
Year-round.
One practical tip
If you prefer not to feed pigeons, use tube feeders and avoid spilled seed.
Fun fact
Rock Pigeons can find their way home from long distances.
Shop this bird
Feeder and food picks for the Rock Pigeon will go here once Sara adds her links.
As an Amazon Associate, QT Bird earns from qualifying purchases.
Quick checklist
- Cracked corn
- A ground tray
- Buildings and ledges
- Fresh water
QT Bird · qtbird.com/backyard-birds/
Robins & thrushes
American Robin
Turdus migratorius
A familiar lawn bird that does not eat seed, but likes mealworms and fruit.
Sara’s own photo of the American Robin will go here.
At a glance
- Favorite foods: earthworms, insects, fruit, mealworms
- Best feeders: platform feeder or open tray
- Plants: serviceberry, dogwood, crabapple, winterberry
- Habitat: lawns and garden beds with open soil
- Nesting: a cup of grass and mud on a ledge or in a tree
- Seasonality: spring to fall, and some stay all winter
Best foods
Robins do not usually eat birdseed. Offer mealworms, chopped apple, raisins and berries, and leave a chemical-free lawn for the worms.
Best feeders
Use an open platform feeder or a shallow tray. Robins do not like feeders with small perches or ports.
Plants that attract
Serviceberry, dogwood, crabapple and winterberry give robins fruit, and they are good for other birds too.
Water and habitat
Robins love a birdbath for drinking and splashing. A shallow dish with fresh water helps.
Nesting and shelter
Robins build a cup of grass and mud on a ledge, a sturdy branch or a nesting shelf. An open-front nest platform under an overhang can help.
Seasonal tips
In spring, robins hunt for worms on damp lawns. In winter, the robins that stay in Michigan turn to fruit.
One practical tip
Skip the lawn chemicals. Robins eat worms and bugs from the lawn, so a chemical-free lawn is the best feeder.
Fun fact
Robins can find worms by sight, tilting their heads to look instead of listening.
Shop this bird
Feeder and food picks for the American Robin will go here once Sara adds her links.
As an Amazon Associate, QT Bird earns from qualifying purchases.
Quick checklist
- Mealworms or fruit on an open tray
- A shallow birdbath
- Chemical-free lawn
- Fruiting shrubs
QT Bird · qtbird.com/backyard-birds/
Robins & thrushes
Eastern Bluebird
Sialia sialis
A blue and orange thrush that likes mealworms and a nest box in an open yard.
Sara’s own photo of the Eastern Bluebird will go here.
At a glance
- Favorite foods: mealworms, fruit, suet bits (not seed)
- Best feeders: open platform or bluebird feeder
- Plants: native berry plants such as dogwood, holly and sumac
- Habitat: open lawns and fields with a few trees
- Nesting: nest boxes, with a 1 1/2 inch hole
- Seasonality: year-round in the Southeast, spring to fall farther north
Best foods
Bluebirds do not eat birdseed. Offer mealworms, and fruit such as raisins and berries, on an open tray.
Best feeders
Use an open platform feeder or a feeder made for bluebirds, with a hole big enough for them to enter.
Plants that attract
Native berry plants such as dogwood, holly and sumac. Short grass with a few trees to perch on helps too.
Water and habitat
Bluebirds love a birdbath, especially a shallow one. Add moving water if you can.
Nesting and shelter
Put up a nest box with a 1 1/2 inch entrance hole, on a pole in an open area, and keep it clean. Check the North American Bluebird Society for plans.
Seasonal tips
Put the nest box up by late winter, before nesting starts.
One practical tip
Place the nest box on a smooth pole in a mowed, open area with a tree or two nearby.
Fun fact
The bluebird’s blue is not a pigment. It comes from the tiny structure of the feathers.
Shop this bird
Feeder and food picks for the Eastern Bluebird will go here once Sara adds her links.
As an Amazon Associate, QT Bird earns from qualifying purchases.
Quick checklist
- Mealworms or fruit on an open tray
- A nest box with a 1 1/2 inch hole
- An open lawn
- Fresh water
QT Bird · qtbird.com/backyard-birds/
Robins & thrushes
Hermit Thrush
Catharus guttatus
A quiet, spotted thrush with a rusty tail and a flute-like song.
Sara’s own photo of the Hermit Thrush will go here.
At a glance
- Favorite foods: berries, mealworms, raisins
- Best feeders: open platform
- Plants: dogwood, holly, juniper and other berry plants
- Habitat: woods and shady yards
- Nesting: on or near the ground in woods
- Seasonality: winter in most of the country, summer in the north and mountains
Best foods
Berries, mealworms, raisins.
Best feeders
Try open platform.
Plants that attract
Dogwood, holly, juniper and other berry plants.
Water and habitat
Offer a birdbath with fresh water, and change it often.
Nesting and shelter
On or near the ground in woods.
Seasonal tips
Winter in most of the country, summer in the north and mountains.
One practical tip
Offer fruit and mealworms on a low platform in winter.
Fun fact
The Hermit Thrush is the state bird of Vermont.
Shop this bird
Feeder and food picks for the Hermit Thrush will go here once Sara adds her links.
As an Amazon Associate, QT Bird earns from qualifying purchases.
Quick checklist
- Berries
- A open platform
- Dogwood
- Fresh water
QT Bird · qtbird.com/backyard-birds/
Robins & thrushes
Wood Thrush
Hylocichla mustelina
A shy woodland thrush with a rich, flute-like song.
Sara’s own photo of the Wood Thrush will go here.
At a glance
- Favorite foods: mealworms, berries, insects
- Best feeders: open platform, near woods
- Plants: dogwood, spicebush and shrubs in shady yards
- Habitat: shady woods and large yards
- Nesting: in a cup in a tree or shrub
- Seasonality: spring to early fall
Best foods
Mealworms, berries, insects.
Best feeders
Try open platform, near woods.
Plants that attract
Dogwood, spicebush and shrubs in shady yards.
Water and habitat
Offer a birdbath with fresh water, and change it often.
Nesting and shelter
In a cup in a tree or shrub.
Seasonal tips
Spring to early fall.
One practical tip
Keep shady, leafy corners with leaf litter.
Fun fact
A Wood Thrush can sing two notes at the same time.
Shop this bird
Feeder and food picks for the Wood Thrush will go here once Sara adds her links.
As an Amazon Associate, QT Bird earns from qualifying purchases.
Quick checklist
- Mealworms
- A open platform
- Dogwood
- Fresh water
QT Bird · qtbird.com/backyard-birds/
Sparrows & juncos
American Tree Sparrow
Spizelloides arborea
A winter sparrow with a rusty cap and a dark spot on its chest.
Sara’s own photo of the American Tree Sparrow will go here.
At a glance
- Favorite foods: millet, sunflower hearts, cracked corn
- Best feeders: ground tray, platform feeder
- Plants: native grasses, weeds with seed and brush
- Habitat: open fields and brushy edges
- Nesting: far to the north in the Arctic, not in yards
- Seasonality: winter only
Best foods
Millet, sunflower hearts, cracked corn.
Best feeders
Try ground tray, platform feeder.
Plants that attract
Native grasses, weeds with seed and brush.
Water and habitat
Offer a birdbath with fresh water, and change it often.
Nesting and shelter
Far to the north in the Arctic, not in yards.
Seasonal tips
Winter only.
One practical tip
Leave weedy seed heads standing and scatter seed on cleared ground after snow.
Fun fact
Despite its name, it nests on the northern tundra, not in trees, and only visits us in winter.
Shop this bird
Feeder and food picks for the American Tree Sparrow will go here once Sara adds her links.
As an Amazon Associate, QT Bird earns from qualifying purchases.
Quick checklist
- Millet
- A ground tray
- Native grasses
- Fresh water
QT Bird · qtbird.com/backyard-birds/
Sparrows & juncos
Chipping Sparrow
Spizella passerina
A tiny sparrow with a rusty cap that visits in spring and summer.
At a glance
- Favorite foods: millet, sunflower hearts, cracked corn
- Best feeders: ground tray, platform feeder
- Plants: native grasses, shrubs and evergreens
- Habitat: lawns, open woods and edges
- Nesting: in a small cup in a shrub or evergreen, and does not use birdhouses
- Seasonality: spring to fall; winters in the South
Best foods
Millet, sunflower hearts, cracked corn.
Best feeders
Try ground tray, platform feeder.
Plants that attract
Native grasses, shrubs and evergreens.
Water and habitat
Offer a birdbath with fresh water, and change it often.
Nesting and shelter
In a small cup in a shrub or evergreen, and does not use birdhouses.
Seasonal tips
Spring to fall; winters in the South.
One practical tip
Scatter seed near a shrub or evergreen so it has cover close by.
Fun fact
Chipping Sparrows often line their nests with fine hair, and long ago that was horsehair.
Shop this bird
Feeder and food picks for the Chipping Sparrow will go here once Sara adds her links.
As an Amazon Associate, QT Bird earns from qualifying purchases.
Quick checklist
- Millet
- A ground tray
- Native grasses
- Fresh water
QT Bird · qtbird.com/backyard-birds/
Sparrows & juncos
Dark-eyed Junco
Junco hyemalis
A small gray bird that visits Michigan yards in winter.
About the Dark-eyed Junco
When the first gray little birds start hopping under the feeder, winter isn't far behind. That's why so many people call juncos "snowbirds." In the East they're slate gray on top with a white belly, and they flash white outer tail feathers when they fly. Out West they come in several color forms, some with dark hoods and rusty sides.
Juncos are ground birds. They hop and scratch through leaves and snow for seeds, and they'd rather pick up what falls from the feeder than perch on it. In winter, weed and grass seeds make up most of what they eat.
At a glance
- Favorite foods: millet, small seeds, sunflower hearts
- Best feeders: ground tray, platform feeder
- Plants: native grasses and weeds that hold seed
- Habitat: brushy edges and yards with cover
- Nesting: on the ground, mostly farther north
- Seasonality: winter visitor in much of Michigan
Best foods
Juncos eat small seeds. Offer millet and sunflower hearts, and scatter seed on the ground.
Best feeders
Use a ground tray or a platform feeder. Juncos feed on the ground and under feeders.
Plants that attract
Leave native grasses and seed heads standing, and keep a brush pile or shrubs for cover.
Water and habitat
Keep a shallow dish of fresh water, and keep it from freezing with a heated birdbath if you can.
Nesting and shelter
Juncos nest on the ground, usually north of most Michigan yards. In winter, they need cover from shrubs and brush piles.
Seasonal tips
Juncos arrive in fall and leave in spring. Keep seed on the ground after snowfall.
One practical tip
Shovel a patch of ground and scatter seed on it after a snow. Juncos find it quickly.
Fun fact
The white outer tail feathers flash when a junco flies, which looks like a quick flash of white.
Shop this bird
HiBird smart feeder
My Amazon shop
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Quick checklist
- Millet or sunflower hearts
- A ground tray or platform feeder
- Shrubs or a brush pile
- Water that stays unfrozen
Facts checked against the National Audubon Society field guide.
QT Bird · qtbird.com/backyard-birds/
Sparrows & juncos
Eastern Towhee
Pipilo erythrophthalmus
A black, white and rusty-orange bird that scratches in the leaves.
Sara’s own photo of the Eastern Towhee will go here.
At a glance
- Favorite foods: black oil sunflower seed, cracked corn, millet
- Best feeders: ground tray
- Plants: dense shrubs, thickets and leaf litter
- Habitat: brushy edges and young woods
- Nesting: on or near the ground under shrubs
- Seasonality: year-round in the South, spring to fall in the north
Best foods
Black oil sunflower seed, cracked corn, millet.
Best feeders
Try ground tray.
Plants that attract
Dense shrubs, thickets and leaf litter.
Water and habitat
Offer a birdbath with fresh water, and change it often.
Nesting and shelter
On or near the ground under shrubs.
Seasonal tips
Year-round in the South, spring to fall in the north.
One practical tip
Leave leaf litter under shrubs, where towhees scratch for food.
Fun fact
The towhee song sounds like “drink your tea.”
Shop this bird
Feeder and food picks for the Eastern Towhee will go here once Sara adds her links.
As an Amazon Associate, QT Bird earns from qualifying purchases.
Quick checklist
- Black oil sunflower seed
- A ground tray
- Dense shrubs
- Fresh water
QT Bird · qtbird.com/backyard-birds/
Sparrows & juncos
Fox Sparrow
Passerella iliaca
A big, rusty-red sparrow that scratches in leaf litter.
Sara’s own photo of the Fox Sparrow will go here.
At a glance
- Favorite foods: millet, sunflower seed, cracked corn
- Best feeders: ground tray
- Plants: dense shrubs and brush piles
- Habitat: brushy thickets and woodland edges
- Nesting: on or near the ground, mostly in the far north
- Seasonality: winter in most of the country
Best foods
Millet, sunflower seed, cracked corn.
Best feeders
Try ground tray.
Plants that attract
Dense shrubs and brush piles.
Water and habitat
Offer a birdbath with fresh water, and change it often.
Nesting and shelter
On or near the ground, mostly in the far north.
Seasonal tips
Winter in most of the country.
One practical tip
Leave leaf litter and a brush pile where it can scratch and hide.
Fun fact
Fox Sparrows scratch the leaves with both feet at once.
Shop this bird
Feeder and food picks for the Fox Sparrow will go here once Sara adds her links.
As an Amazon Associate, QT Bird earns from qualifying purchases.
Quick checklist
- Millet
- A ground tray
- Dense shrubs and brush piles
- Fresh water
QT Bird · qtbird.com/backyard-birds/
Sparrows & juncos
House Sparrow
Passer domesticus
A common small brown bird of towns and yards, not native to North America.
Sara’s own photo of the House Sparrow will go here.
At a glance
- Favorite foods: cracked corn, millet, sunflower seed, bread crumbs
- Best feeders: hopper, platform, tube, ground
- Plants: grasses and shrubs near buildings
- Habitat: towns, farms and yards
- Nesting: in cavities and nest boxes
- Seasonality: year-round
Best foods
House Sparrows eat cracked corn, millet and sunflower seed. They often crowd feeders.
Best feeders
They use almost any feeder. A feeder with a small perch or a cage can make it harder for them to take over.
Plants that attract
Grasses and shrubs near buildings. They are not fussy.
Water and habitat
Offer a birdbath with fresh water.
Nesting and shelter
House Sparrows nest in cavities and boxes, and can take over a bluebird box.
Seasonal tips
They are around all year, and they may crowd feeders in winter.
One practical tip
To keep House Sparrows from crowding other birds, offer less cracked corn and millet, and more safflower.
Fun fact
House Sparrows were brought to North America from Europe in the 1850s.
Shop this bird
Feeder and food picks for the House Sparrow will go here once Sara adds her links.
As an Amazon Associate, QT Bird earns from qualifying purchases.
Quick checklist
- Seed in a hopper or platform feeder
- Safflower to favor other birds
- A birdbath
- A clean feeder
QT Bird · qtbird.com/backyard-birds/
Sparrows & juncos
Song Sparrow
Melospiza melodia
A streaky brown sparrow with a bright, cheerful song.
Sara’s own photo of the Song Sparrow will go here.
At a glance
- Favorite foods: millet, black oil sunflower seed, cracked corn
- Best feeders: ground tray, platform
- Plants: shrubs, brush and native grasses
- Habitat: brushy edges and wet areas
- Nesting: on or near the ground in dense cover
- Seasonality: year-round in much of the region
Best foods
Song Sparrows eat small seeds. Offer millet, sunflower seed and cracked corn.
Best feeders
A ground tray or a platform feeder works best, near shrubs.
Plants that attract
Shrubs, brush piles and native grasses.
Water and habitat
A shallow birdbath at ground level.
Nesting and shelter
Song Sparrows nest low in dense cover. They do not use birdhouses.
Seasonal tips
They stay all year in much of the region, but many go south in the far north.
One practical tip
Keep a brush pile or dense shrubs near the feeder so they can hide.
Fun fact
Each male Song Sparrow knows several different songs.
Shop this bird
Feeder and food picks for the Song Sparrow will go here once Sara adds her links.
As an Amazon Associate, QT Bird earns from qualifying purchases.
Quick checklist
- Millet or sunflower seed
- A ground tray or platform feeder
- Brush pile or dense shrubs
- Water
QT Bird · qtbird.com/backyard-birds/
Sparrows & juncos
White-throated Sparrow
Zonotrichia albicollis
A sparrow with a white throat and yellow spots that visits in winter.
Sara’s own photo of the White-throated Sparrow will go here.
At a glance
- Favorite foods: millet, black oil sunflower seed, cracked corn
- Best feeders: ground tray, platform feeder
- Plants: native shrubs, brush and fruiting plants
- Habitat: brushy edges and thickets
- Nesting: on or near the ground, mostly farther north
- Seasonality: winter visitor in much of the region
Best foods
White-throated Sparrows eat seed off the ground. Offer millet, black oil sunflower seed and cracked corn.
Best feeders
A ground tray or a platform feeder works best, close to a shrub or brush pile.
Plants that attract
Native shrubs and brushy tangles. Leave some leaf litter, where they scratch for seeds.
Water and habitat
Offer a shallow birdbath, and keep a brush pile or thicket nearby for cover.
Nesting and shelter
White-throated Sparrows nest on or near the ground, mostly north of most yards in the region. In winter they need brushy cover.
Seasonal tips
They arrive in fall and leave in spring. Scatter seed on the ground near cover.
One practical tip
Leave a little leaf litter under shrubs. White-throated Sparrows scratch the ground, towhee-style, to find seeds.
Fun fact
The song is often described as “Old Sam Peabody, Peabody, Peabody.”
Shop this bird
Feeder and food picks for the White-throated Sparrow will go here once Sara adds her links.
As an Amazon Associate, QT Bird earns from qualifying purchases.
Quick checklist
- Millet or sunflower seed
- A ground tray or platform feeder
- Brush pile or shrubs
- A shallow water dish
QT Bird · qtbird.com/backyard-birds/
Owls
Barn Owl
Tyto alba
A pale owl with a heart-shaped face that nests in barns and nest boxes.
Sara’s own photo of the Barn Owl will go here.
At a glance
- Favorite foods: mice and voles (it does not use feeders)
- Best feeders: none; offer a nest box
- Plants: open fields and rough grass
- Habitat: open fields, farms and edges
- Nesting: in a barn, silo or a large nest box
- Seasonality: year-round
Best foods
Mice and voles (it does not use feeders).
Best feeders
This bird does not use feeders. Offer a nest box instead.
Plants that attract
Open fields and rough grass.
Water and habitat
Offer a birdbath with fresh water, and change it often.
Nesting and shelter
In a barn, silo or a large nest box.
Seasonal tips
Year-round.
One practical tip
Put up a barn owl box in a quiet barn or on a pole near open fields.
Fun fact
A Barn Owl can find a mouse in the dark by sound alone.
Shop this bird
Feeder and food picks for the Barn Owl will go here once Sara adds her links.
As an Amazon Associate, QT Bird earns from qualifying purchases.
Quick checklist
- Open fields and rough grass
- A nest box of the right size
- No pesticides
- Fresh water
QT Bird · qtbird.com/backyard-birds/
Owls
Barred Owl
Strix varia
A big, round-headed owl with dark eyes and a call that sounds like “who cooks for you?”
Sara’s own photo of the Barred Owl will go here.
At a glance
- Favorite foods: mice, small mammals, frogs (it does not use feeders)
- Best feeders: none; offer big trees, and maybe a large nest box
- Plants: large mature trees, especially near water
- Habitat: mature woods and wooded neighborhoods
- Nesting: in a large tree cavity or a large nest box
- Seasonality: year-round
Best foods
Mice, small mammals, frogs (it does not use feeders).
Best feeders
This bird does not use feeders. Offer big trees, and maybe a large nest box instead.
Plants that attract
Large mature trees, especially near water.
Water and habitat
Offer a birdbath with fresh water, and change it often.
Nesting and shelter
In a large tree cavity or a large nest box.
Seasonal tips
Year-round.
One practical tip
Leave big trees, including dead ones, where it is safe.
Fun fact
The Barred Owl’s call sounds like “who cooks for you, who cooks for you all?”
Shop this bird
Feeder and food picks for the Barred Owl will go here once Sara adds her links.
As an Amazon Associate, QT Bird earns from qualifying purchases.
Quick checklist
- Large mature trees
- A nest box of the right size
- No pesticides
- Fresh water
QT Bird · qtbird.com/backyard-birds/
Owls
Eastern Screech-Owl
Megascops asio
A small owl that does not use feeders, but may use a nest box.
Sara’s own photo of the Eastern Screech-Owl will go here.
At a glance
- Favorite foods: insects, small mammals and birds (it does not use feeders)
- Best feeders: none
- Plants: mature trees with cavities
- Habitat: woods and wooded yards
- Nesting: tree cavities and large nest boxes
- Seasonality: year-round
Best foods
Screech-owls do not eat birdseed. They hunt insects, small mammals and small birds at night.
Best feeders
Owls do not use feeders. Skip the feeders and offer a nest box and a birdbath instead.
Plants that attract
Mature trees, especially those with natural cavities, give screech-owls a place to rest during the day.
Water and habitat
A birdbath with fresh water helps. Screech-owls will bathe and drink, and a few trees nearby give them cover.
Nesting and shelter
Screech-owls use tree cavities and nest boxes. A nest box needs an entrance hole about 3 inches wide. Check the Cornell Lab plans for the right size and height.
Seasonal tips
Screech-owls are around all year and nest in early spring.
One practical tip
Leave dead trees standing when it is safe, and put up a nest box in late winter, before the nesting season.
Fun fact
Screech-owls come in two color forms, a gray one and a reddish one, even within the same family.
Shop this bird
Feeder and food picks for the Eastern Screech-Owl will go here once Sara adds her links.
As an Amazon Associate, QT Bird earns from qualifying purchases.
Quick checklist
- Mature trees with cavities
- No pesticides
- Fresh water
QT Bird · qtbird.com/backyard-birds/
Owls
Great Horned Owl
Bubo virginianus
A big owl with feather tufts that look like horns and a deep hoot.
Sara’s own photo of the Great Horned Owl will go here.
At a glance
- Favorite foods: rabbits, rodents, birds (it does not use feeders)
- Best feeders: none; offer tall trees and quiet
- Plants: mature trees, including conifers
- Habitat: woods, farms, parks and yards
- Nesting: in an old hawk, crow or heron nest, or a tree cavity
- Seasonality: year-round; nests in winter
Best foods
Rabbits, rodents, birds (it does not use feeders).
Best feeders
This bird does not use feeders. Offer tall trees and quiet instead.
Plants that attract
Mature trees, including conifers.
Water and habitat
Offer a birdbath with fresh water, and change it often.
Nesting and shelter
In an old hawk, crow or heron nest, or a tree cavity.
Seasonal tips
Year-round; nests in winter.
One practical tip
Leave tall trees, and keep small pets inside at night.
Fun fact
The “horns” of a Great Horned Owl are tufts of feathers, not ears or horns.
Shop this bird
Feeder and food picks for the Great Horned Owl will go here once Sara adds her links.
As an Amazon Associate, QT Bird earns from qualifying purchases.
Quick checklist
- Mature trees
- No pesticides
- Fresh water
QT Bird · qtbird.com/backyard-birds/
Owls
Northern Saw-whet Owl
Aegolius acadicus
A tiny owl, about the size of a robin, that hides in dense evergreens.
Sara’s own photo of the Northern Saw-whet Owl will go here.
At a glance
- Favorite foods: mice and other small animals (it does not use feeders)
- Best feeders: none; offer a nest box
- Plants: dense evergreens and mixed woods
- Habitat: forests with dense conifers
- Nesting: in a tree cavity or a nest box
- Seasonality: year-round in the north, winter in the south
Best foods
Mice and other small animals (it does not use feeders).
Best feeders
This bird does not use feeders. Offer a nest box instead.
Plants that attract
Dense evergreens and mixed woods.
Water and habitat
Offer a birdbath with fresh water, and change it often.
Nesting and shelter
In a tree cavity or a nest box.
Seasonal tips
Year-round in the north, winter in the south.
One practical tip
Leave dense evergreens in a quiet corner.
Fun fact
The Northern Saw-whet Owl is named for its call, which sounds like a saw being sharpened.
Shop this bird
Feeder and food picks for the Northern Saw-whet Owl will go here once Sara adds her links.
As an Amazon Associate, QT Bird earns from qualifying purchases.
Quick checklist
- Dense evergreens and mixed woods
- A nest box of the right size
- No pesticides
- Fresh water
QT Bird · qtbird.com/backyard-birds/
Wrens
Carolina Wren
Thryothorus ludovicianus
A small, round, rusty bird with a very loud song.
Sara’s own photo of the Carolina Wren will go here.
At a glance
- Favorite foods: suet, mealworms, peanut bits
- Best feeders: suet feeder, platform feeder
- Plants: dense shrubs, vines and brush piles
- Habitat: tangles, brush and woodland edges
- Nesting: nooks and crannies, even flowerpots and mailboxes
- Seasonality: year-round, but not common in the far north
Best foods
Carolina Wrens mostly eat insects. Suet, mealworms and peanut bits are good choices.
Best feeders
A suet feeder or a platform feeder works well. Keep it low and close to cover.
Plants that attract
Dense shrubs, vines and a brush pile give wrens places to hunt and hide.
Water and habitat
Offer a shallow birdbath with fresh water, and keep a tangle of shrubs or brush nearby.
Nesting and shelter
Carolina Wrens nest in odd places such as flowerpots, mailboxes and porch shelves. A sheltered nest box or a quiet nook will do.
Seasonal tips
Very cold winters are hard on Carolina Wrens, so suet and mealworms help on the coldest days.
One practical tip
Leave a brush pile in a corner of the yard, and check porches and sheds before nesting season.
Fun fact
The Carolina Wren is only about 5 inches long, but its song is surprisingly loud.
Shop this bird
Feeder and food picks for the Carolina Wren will go here once Sara adds her links.
As an Amazon Associate, QT Bird earns from qualifying purchases.
Quick checklist
- Suet or mealworms
- A suet or platform feeder near cover
- A brush pile or dense shrubs
- A sheltered nesting nook
QT Bird · qtbird.com/backyard-birds/
Wrens
House Wren
Troglodytes aedon
A small brown wren with a bubbly song that loves a nest box.
Sara’s own photo of the House Wren will go here.
At a glance
- Favorite foods: insects, plus suet and mealworms
- Best feeders: suet feeder, nest box
- Plants: shrubs, brush and trees with cavities
- Habitat: yards, gardens and woodland edges
- Nesting: in a nest box with a 1 1/8 inch hole, or any cavity
- Seasonality: spring to fall; winters in the South
Best foods
Insects, plus suet and mealworms.
Best feeders
Try suet feeder, nest box.
Plants that attract
Shrubs, brush and trees with cavities.
Water and habitat
Offer a birdbath with fresh water, and change it often.
Nesting and shelter
In a nest box with a 1 1/8 inch hole, or any cavity.
Seasonal tips
Spring to fall; winters in the South.
One practical tip
Put up a nest box with a small hole, away from other boxes.
Fun fact
A male House Wren stuffs several cavities with sticks, and the female picks one for the nest.
Shop this bird
Feeder and food picks for the House Wren will go here once Sara adds her links.
As an Amazon Associate, QT Bird earns from qualifying purchases.
Quick checklist
- Insects
- A suet feeder
- Shrubs
- Fresh water
QT Bird · qtbird.com/backyard-birds/
Mockingbirds & thrashers
Brown Thrasher
Toxostoma rufum
A rusty-brown bird that scratches in leaf litter and sings from the treetops.
Sara’s own photo of the Brown Thrasher will go here.
At a glance
- Favorite foods: insects, fruit, cracked corn, sunflower seed
- Best feeders: ground tray, platform feeder
- Plants: dense shrubs, berry plants and thickets
- Habitat: thickets and brushy edges
- Nesting: low in dense shrubs
- Seasonality: year-round in the Southeast, spring to fall farther north
Best foods
Brown Thrashers eat insects and fruit, and will also take cracked corn and sunflower seed from the ground.
Best feeders
A ground tray or a low platform feeder works well, close to shrubs.
Plants that attract
Dense shrubs, berry plants and thickets. Leave some leaf litter under shrubs.
Water and habitat
Offer a shallow birdbath at ground level, and keep a thicket or brush pile nearby.
Nesting and shelter
Brown Thrashers nest low in dense shrubs and thickets, so they do not use birdhouses.
Seasonal tips
In summer they sing from high perches. In the north they leave in fall.
One practical tip
Keep a dense shrub corner and a bit of leaf litter, and place seed near it.
Fun fact
The Brown Thrasher has one of the biggest song repertoires of any North American bird, with more than a thousand song types.
Shop this bird
Feeder and food picks for the Brown Thrasher will go here once Sara adds her links.
As an Amazon Associate, QT Bird earns from qualifying purchases.
Quick checklist
- Cracked corn, sunflower seed or fruit
- A ground tray or low platform feeder
- Dense shrubs
- Fresh water
QT Bird · qtbird.com/backyard-birds/
Mockingbirds & thrashers
Gray Catbird
Dumetella carolinensis
A slate-gray bird that mews like a cat from dense shrubs.
Sara’s own photo of the Gray Catbird will go here.
At a glance
- Favorite foods: fruit, grape jelly, mealworms, suet
- Best feeders: open platform, suet feeder
- Plants: dense shrubs, brambles and berry plants
- Habitat: thickets and shrubby yards
- Nesting: in a cup in dense shrubs
- Seasonality: spring to fall; some stay in the South in winter
Best foods
Fruit, grape jelly, mealworms, suet.
Best feeders
Try open platform, suet feeder.
Plants that attract
Dense shrubs, brambles and berry plants.
Water and habitat
Offer a birdbath with fresh water, and change it often.
Nesting and shelter
In a cup in dense shrubs.
Seasonal tips
Spring to fall; some stay in the South in winter.
One practical tip
Plant a berry shrub and leave a thick tangle for cover.
Fun fact
The catbird’s call sounds like a cat mewing.
Shop this bird
Feeder and food picks for the Gray Catbird will go here once Sara adds her links.
As an Amazon Associate, QT Bird earns from qualifying purchases.
Quick checklist
- Fruit
- A open platform
- Dense shrubs
- Fresh water
QT Bird · qtbird.com/backyard-birds/
Mockingbirds & thrashers
Northern Mockingbird
Mimus polyglottos
A gray bird with white wing patches and a song borrowed from other birds.
Sara’s own photo of the Northern Mockingbird will go here.
At a glance
- Favorite foods: fruit, berries, suet, mealworms
- Best feeders: platform feeder, suet feeder
- Plants: native berry shrubs such as holly and hawthorn
- Habitat: open areas with shrubs and short grass
- Nesting: dense shrubs and small trees
- Seasonality: year-round
Best foods
Mockingbirds mostly eat insects and fruit. Offer raisins, chopped fruit, mealworms and suet.
Best feeders
Use an open platform feeder or a suet feeder. Mockingbirds are not seed eaters.
Plants that attract
Native berry shrubs such as holly, hawthorn and dogwood.
Water and habitat
Offer a birdbath with fresh water, and keep dense shrubs nearby for nesting.
Nesting and shelter
Mockingbirds nest in dense shrubs and small trees, so they do not use birdhouses.
Seasonal tips
In winter, a mockingbird may guard a berry bush or a feeder from other birds.
One practical tip
Plant a berry shrub. Mockingbirds often claim one and sing from it.
Fun fact
A Northern Mockingbird borrows songs from other birds, and one male can learn many different songs.
Shop this bird
Feeder and food picks for the Northern Mockingbird will go here once Sara adds her links.
As an Amazon Associate, QT Bird earns from qualifying purchases.
Quick checklist
- Fruit, mealworms or suet
- A platform or suet feeder
- Berry shrubs
- Fresh water
QT Bird · qtbird.com/backyard-birds/
Warblers
Pine Warbler
Setophaga pinus
A yellow warbler that lives in pine woods, and one of few that will visit a feeder.
Sara’s own photo of the Pine Warbler will go here.
At a glance
- Favorite foods: suet, sunflower hearts, insects
- Best feeders: suet feeder, platform feeder
- Plants: pine trees
- Habitat: pine woods and pine yards
- Nesting: high in pine trees
- Seasonality: year-round in much of the Southeast, spring to fall farther north
Best foods
Pine Warblers eat insects, but also take suet and sunflower hearts at feeders.
Best feeders
A suet feeder or a platform feeder works well, close to pine trees.
Plants that attract
Pine trees are the best plant for Pine Warblers.
Water and habitat
Offer a shallow birdbath with fresh water, and keep some pines nearby.
Nesting and shelter
Pine Warblers nest high in pine trees, so they do not use birdhouses.
Seasonal tips
In the Southeast, Pine Warblers stay for winter and visit suet feeders more then.
One practical tip
Put out suet near pines in winter. Pine Warblers are often among the first warblers to show up in spring.
Fun fact
Pine Warblers are among the few warblers that eat seeds, which is why they visit feeders.
Shop this bird
Feeder and food picks for the Pine Warbler will go here once Sara adds her links.
As an Amazon Associate, QT Bird earns from qualifying purchases.
Quick checklist
- Suet or sunflower hearts
- A suet or platform feeder
- Pine trees nearby
- Fresh water
QT Bird · qtbird.com/backyard-birds/
Warblers
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Setophaga coronata
A warbler with a bright yellow patch on the rump, and one of the few that stays in winter.
Sara’s own photo of the Yellow-rumped Warbler will go here.
At a glance
- Favorite foods: suet, mealworms, fruit and berries
- Best feeders: suet feeder, open platform
- Plants: bayberry, wax myrtle, juniper and other berry plants
- Habitat: woods, edges and shrubby yards
- Nesting: high in an evergreen, far north
- Seasonality: fall to spring in most of the country
Best foods
Suet, mealworms, fruit and berries.
Best feeders
Try suet feeder, open platform.
Plants that attract
Bayberry, wax myrtle, juniper and other berry plants.
Water and habitat
Offer a birdbath with fresh water, and change it often.
Nesting and shelter
High in an evergreen, far north.
Seasonal tips
Fall to spring in most of the country.
One practical tip
Plant bayberry or juniper, and offer suet in winter.
Fun fact
Yellow-rumped Warblers can digest the wax on bayberries, which most birds cannot.
Shop this bird
Feeder and food picks for the Yellow-rumped Warbler will go here once Sara adds her links.
As an Amazon Associate, QT Bird earns from qualifying purchases.
Quick checklist
- Suet
- A suet feeder
- Bayberry
- Fresh water
QT Bird · qtbird.com/backyard-birds/
Hummingbirds
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Archilochus colubris
A tiny summer visitor that drinks nectar and loves red flowers.
Sara’s own photo of the Ruby-throated Hummingbird will go here.
At a glance
- Favorite foods: nectar from flowers and feeders, plus tiny insects
- Best feeders: nectar (hummingbird) feeder
- Plants: bee balm, cardinal flower, trumpet vine, salvia
- Habitat: gardens and woodland edges
- Nesting: a tiny cup of plant down on a branch
- Seasonality: spring to early fall; winters far to the south
Best foods
Make nectar with 1 part plain white sugar to 4 parts water. Do not add red dye or honey, and do not use sugar substitutes.
Best feeders
Use a hummingbird feeder with feeding ports, and clean it each time you refill it. Change the nectar every few days, and more often in hot weather.
Plants that attract
Bee balm, cardinal flower, trumpet vine and salvia give hummingbirds nectar. Flowers that are red or orange and tubular are favorites.
Water and habitat
A fine mist or a shallow fountain is a favorite. Hummingbirds also eat tiny insects, so skip pesticides.
Nesting and shelter
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds build a tiny cup nest, about the size of a walnut, on a branch. They do not use birdhouses.
Seasonal tips
Put your feeder out when hummingbirds return in spring, and leave it up a couple of weeks after you see the last one in fall.
One practical tip
Hang the feeder in light shade, and put it near flowers they already visit.
Fun fact
A hummingbird’s wings beat about 50 times a second.
Shop this bird
Feeder and food picks for the Ruby-throated Hummingbird will go here once Sara adds her links.
As an Amazon Associate, QT Bird earns from qualifying purchases.
Quick checklist
- Fresh nectar: 1 part sugar to 4 parts water
- A clean hummingbird feeder
- Red and orange tubular flowers
- No pesticides
QT Bird · qtbird.com/backyard-birds/
Orioles & blackbirds
Baltimore Oriole
Icterus galbula
A bright orange and black bird that loves oranges and grape jelly.
Sara’s own photo of the Baltimore Oriole will go here.
At a glance
- Favorite foods: orange halves, grape jelly, nectar, fruit and insects
- Best feeders: oriole nectar feeder, open platform or fruit feeder
- Plants: mulberry, serviceberry, cherry, tall shade trees
- Habitat: open woods and tall trees near yards
- Nesting: a woven hanging pouch high in a tree
- Seasonality: spring to late summer
Best foods
Orioles like halved oranges, grape jelly and nectar. They also eat fruit such as mulberries and cherries, and insects.
Best feeders
Use an oriole feeder with larger ports, or an open platform with orange halves and a small dish of jelly. Keep jelly and nectar fresh.
Plants that attract
Mulberry, serviceberry and cherry trees give fruit. Tall shade trees give a place to hang a nest.
Water and habitat
Orioles will visit a birdbath, and moving water is a favorite.
Nesting and shelter
Orioles weave a hanging pouch nest, high in a tall tree. They do not use birdhouses.
Seasonal tips
Put out oranges as soon as orioles return in spring, usually in May in Michigan. They come for only a few months.
One practical tip
Spear orange halves on a feeder or nail them to a post, and put out only a spoonful or two of jelly at a time.
Fun fact
The Baltimore Oriole weaves a hanging, sock-shaped nest.
Shop this bird
Feeder and food picks for the Baltimore Oriole will go here once Sara adds her links.
As an Amazon Associate, QT Bird earns from qualifying purchases.
Quick checklist
- Orange halves, jelly or nectar
- An oriole feeder or open tray
- Tall trees nearby
- Fresh water
QT Bird · qtbird.com/backyard-birds/
Orioles & blackbirds
Brown-headed Cowbird
Molothrus ater
A small blackbird with a brown head that lays eggs in other birds’ nests.
Sara’s own photo of the Brown-headed Cowbird will go here.
At a glance
- Favorite foods: millet, cracked corn, sunflower seed
- Best feeders: ground tray, platform feeder
- Plants: open fields and edges
- Habitat: fields, edges and yards
- Nesting: in other birds’ nests, not its own
- Seasonality: year-round in the South, spring to fall in the north
Best foods
Millet, cracked corn, sunflower seed.
Best feeders
Try ground tray, platform feeder.
Plants that attract
Open fields and edges.
Water and habitat
Offer a birdbath with fresh water, and change it often.
Nesting and shelter
In other birds’ nests, not its own.
Seasonal tips
Year-round in the South, spring to fall in the north.
One practical tip
If you do not want cowbirds, skip millet and cracked corn, and offer sunflower or safflower.
Fun fact
A female cowbird lays eggs in other birds’ nests and leaves them to raise her young.
Shop this bird
Feeder and food picks for the Brown-headed Cowbird will go here once Sara adds her links.
As an Amazon Associate, QT Bird earns from qualifying purchases.
Quick checklist
- Millet
- A ground tray
- Open fields and edges
- Fresh water
QT Bird · qtbird.com/backyard-birds/
Orioles & blackbirds
Common Grackle
Quiscalus quiscula
A large, glossy blackbird with a long tail and a pale eye.
Sara’s own photo of the Common Grackle will go here.
At a glance
- Favorite foods: cracked corn, sunflower seed, suet, insects
- Best feeders: platform, ground tray, hopper
- Plants: tall conifers and wetland plants
- Habitat: open fields, parks and wet areas
- Nesting: in trees, often evergreens
- Seasonality: spring to fall; some stay in winter
Best foods
Common Grackles eat cracked corn, sunflower seed and suet, plus many insects.
Best feeders
A platform feeder, ground tray or hopper feeder works well.
Plants that attract
Tall conifers for nesting, and wetland plants.
Water and habitat
A birdbath with fresh water; grackles often dunk their food.
Nesting and shelter
Common Grackles nest in trees, often in evergreens, and sometimes in small colonies.
Seasonal tips
Grackles arrive in flocks in spring.
One practical tip
If grackles crowd your feeders, switch to safflower, which most of them skip.
Fun fact
A Common Grackle’s glossy head can look purple, blue or green, depending on the light.
Shop this bird
Feeder and food picks for the Common Grackle will go here once Sara adds her links.
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Quick checklist
- Cracked corn or sunflower seed
- A platform or ground feeder
- Tall evergreens
- Fresh water
QT Bird · qtbird.com/backyard-birds/
Orioles & blackbirds
Eastern Meadowlark
Sturnella magna
A yellow-breasted bird of grassy fields with a clear, whistled song.
Sara’s own photo of the Eastern Meadowlark will go here.
At a glance
- Favorite foods: insects and seeds; sometimes cracked corn
- Best feeders: ground tray
- Plants: native grasses and meadow flowers
- Habitat: open fields and large lawns
- Nesting: on the ground in tall grass, in a domed nest
- Seasonality: year-round in the South, spring to fall in the north
Best foods
Insects and seeds; sometimes cracked corn.
Best feeders
Try ground tray.
Plants that attract
Native grasses and meadow flowers.
Water and habitat
Offer a birdbath with fresh water, and change it often.
Nesting and shelter
On the ground in tall grass, in a domed nest.
Seasonal tips
Year-round in the South, spring to fall in the north.
One practical tip
Leave a patch of tall grass or meadow if you have the space.
Fun fact
The meadowlark is not a lark. It is related to blackbirds and orioles.
Shop this bird
Feeder and food picks for the Eastern Meadowlark will go here once Sara adds her links.
As an Amazon Associate, QT Bird earns from qualifying purchases.
Quick checklist
- Insects and seeds; sometimes cracked corn
- A ground tray
- Native grasses and meadow flowers
- Fresh water
QT Bird · qtbird.com/backyard-birds/
Orioles & blackbirds
Orchard Oriole
Icterus spurius
A small, chestnut-and-black oriole of the East.
Sara’s own photo of the Orchard Oriole will go here.
At a glance
- Favorite foods: orange halves, grape jelly, nectar
- Best feeders: oriole feeder, open platform
- Plants: mulberry, cherry and fruiting trees
- Habitat: open woods, orchards and yards
- Nesting: in a woven hanging pouch
- Seasonality: spring to late summer
Best foods
Orange halves, grape jelly, nectar.
Best feeders
Try oriole feeder, open platform.
Plants that attract
Mulberry, cherry and fruiting trees.
Water and habitat
Offer a birdbath with fresh water, and change it often.
Nesting and shelter
In a woven hanging pouch.
Seasonal tips
Spring to late summer.
One practical tip
Put out oranges and nectar when orioles return in spring.
Fun fact
The Orchard Oriole is the smallest oriole in North America.
Shop this bird
Feeder and food picks for the Orchard Oriole will go here once Sara adds her links.
As an Amazon Associate, QT Bird earns from qualifying purchases.
Quick checklist
- Orange halves
- A oriole feeder
- Mulberry
- Fresh water
QT Bird · qtbird.com/backyard-birds/
Orioles & blackbirds
Red-winged Blackbird
Agelaius phoeniceus
A glossy black bird with red and yellow shoulder patches.
Sara’s own photo of the Red-winged Blackbird will go here.
At a glance
- Favorite foods: cracked corn, black oil sunflower seed, insects
- Best feeders: platform, ground tray, hopper
- Plants: cattails, native grasses and wetland plants
- Habitat: marshes, ponds and wet fields
- Nesting: in cattails and tall grass
- Seasonality: spring to fall in the north; some stay in winter
Best foods
Red-winged Blackbirds eat cracked corn and sunflower seed at feeders, and many insects.
Best feeders
A platform feeder, ground tray or hopper feeder works well.
Plants that attract
Cattails and native wetland grasses.
Water and habitat
A pond or wet area is the best draw. A birdbath works too.
Nesting and shelter
Red-winged Blackbirds nest in cattails and tall grass near water. They do not use birdhouses.
Seasonal tips
Males arrive in early spring, often before the snow is gone.
One practical tip
If you do not want large flocks, put out only a little seed at a time.
Fun fact
A male may have several mates nesting in his marsh territory.
Shop this bird
Feeder and food picks for the Red-winged Blackbird will go here once Sara adds her links.
As an Amazon Associate, QT Bird earns from qualifying purchases.
Quick checklist
- Cracked corn or sunflower seed
- A platform or ground feeder
- Cattails or tall grass
- Water nearby
QT Bird · qtbird.com/backyard-birds/
Waxwings
Cedar Waxwing
Bombycilla cedrorum
A sleek, crested bird that travels in flocks and loves berries.
Sara’s own photo of the Cedar Waxwing will go here.
At a glance
- Favorite foods: berries and other small fruit
- Best feeders: open platform with fruit
- Plants: serviceberry, juniper, dogwood, winterberry, crabapple
- Habitat: open woods and yards with fruit
- Nesting: a cup in a tree, in summer
- Seasonality: year-round in much of the region, moving to find fruit
Best foods
Cedar Waxwings eat fruit, and few seeds. Berries, grapes, raisins and chopped apple are good choices.
Best feeders
They rarely use seed feeders. A platform with fruit can attract them, but berry shrubs work best.
Plants that attract
Serviceberry, juniper, dogwood, winterberry and crabapple are favorites.
Water and habitat
A birdbath with fresh water, especially a shallow one.
Nesting and shelter
Cedar Waxwings nest late in summer, when fruit ripens, in a cup in a tree.
Seasonal tips
Waxwings roam in flocks in fall and winter, looking for berries.
One practical tip
Plant berry shrubs and leave the fruit on over winter.
Fun fact
Cedar Waxwings sometimes pass a berry from bird to bird along a line.
Shop this bird
Feeder and food picks for the Cedar Waxwing will go here once Sara adds her links.
As an Amazon Associate, QT Bird earns from qualifying purchases.
Quick checklist
- Berry shrubs
- Fruit on a platform
- A shallow birdbath
- Trees for perching
QT Bird · qtbird.com/backyard-birds/
Crows
American Crow
Corvus brachyrhynchos
A big, smart black bird that visits many yards.
Sara’s own photo of the American Crow will go here.
At a glance
- Favorite foods: peanuts, cracked corn, scraps, insects
- Best feeders: platform, ground
- Plants: tall trees for roosting
- Habitat: almost anywhere
- Nesting: in tall trees
- Seasonality: year-round
Best foods
Crows eat almost anything. Peanuts in the shell and cracked corn are favorites.
Best feeders
A platform feeder or the ground works well. Crows are large and wary, so give them room.
Plants that attract
Tall trees, especially conifers and oaks.
Water and habitat
A large, shallow birdbath.
Nesting and shelter
Crows build large stick nests high in trees. They do not use birdhouses.
Seasonal tips
Crows stay all year and may roost in big groups in winter.
One practical tip
Put peanuts out at the same time each day. Crows learn the routine quickly.
Fun fact
Crows can learn to recognize individual people’s faces.
Shop this bird
Feeder and food picks for the American Crow will go here once Sara adds her links.
As an Amazon Associate, QT Bird earns from qualifying purchases.
Quick checklist
- Peanuts in the shell
- A platform feeder or ground tray
- Tall trees
- A large birdbath
QT Bird · qtbird.com/backyard-birds/
Starlings
European Starling
Sturnus vulgaris
A glossy, speckled bird that was brought here from Europe.
Sara’s own photo of the European Starling will go here.
At a glance
- Favorite foods: suet, cracked corn, fruit, insects
- Best feeders: suet, platform
- Plants: lawns with insects, fruiting trees
- Habitat: towns, farms and yards
- Nesting: in cavities
- Seasonality: year-round
Best foods
Starlings eat suet, cracked corn, fruit and many insects.
Best feeders
They use suet and platform feeders, and often arrive in groups and empty them fast.
Plants that attract
Fruiting trees and lawns with insects.
Water and habitat
A birdbath with fresh water. Starlings love to bathe.
Nesting and shelter
Starlings nest in cavities and can take over woodpecker holes and nest boxes.
Seasonal tips
Starlings flock in fall and winter.
One practical tip
To make life harder for starlings, use feeders that need clinging, such as upside-down suet feeders, and offer less cracked corn.
Fun fact
Starlings were released in New York City in 1890, and now live across North America.
Shop this bird
Feeder and food picks for the European Starling will go here once Sara adds her links.
As an Amazon Associate, QT Bird earns from qualifying purchases.
Quick checklist
- A suet or platform feeder
- A clean feeder
- A birdbath
- Fewer cracked-corn offerings if starlings take over
QT Bird · qtbird.com/backyard-birds/
Quail & turkeys
Wild Turkey
Meleagris gallopavo
A huge ground bird that wanders in from woods and fields.
Sara’s own photo of the Wild Turkey will go here.
At a glance
- Favorite foods: acorns, seeds, cracked corn
- Best feeders: ground tray, or seed scattered on the ground
- Plants: oaks, beeches and other nut trees
- Habitat: woods and fields
- Nesting: on the ground in leaves
- Seasonality: year-round
Best foods
Acorns, seeds, cracked corn.
Best feeders
Try ground tray, or seed scattered on the ground.
Plants that attract
Oaks, beeches and other nut trees.
Water and habitat
Offer a birdbath with fresh water, and change it often.
Nesting and shelter
On the ground in leaves.
Seasonal tips
Year-round.
One practical tip
Keep feeding spots clean and consider feeding only when you have the space.
Fun fact
Wild Turkeys fly up into trees to roost at night.
Shop this bird
Feeder and food picks for the Wild Turkey will go here once Sara adds her links.
As an Amazon Associate, QT Bird earns from qualifying purchases.
Quick checklist
- Acorns
- A ground tray
- Oaks
- Fresh water
QT Bird · qtbird.com/backyard-birds/
Swallows & martins
Barn Swallow
Hirundo rustica
A graceful swallow with a deeply forked tail that nests on porches and barns.
Sara’s own photo of the Barn Swallow will go here.
At a glance
- Favorite foods: flying insects (it does not use feeders)
- Best feeders: none; offer a nest shelf
- Plants: open fields, ponds and water for mud
- Habitat: open fields, farms and barns
- Nesting: a cup of mud on a beam or ledge in a barn or porch
- Seasonality: spring to fall
Best foods
Flying insects (it does not use feeders).
Best feeders
This bird does not use feeders. Offer a nest shelf instead.
Plants that attract
Open fields, ponds and water for mud.
Water and habitat
Offer a birdbath with fresh water, and change it often.
Nesting and shelter
A cup of mud on a beam or ledge in a barn or porch.
Seasonal tips
Spring to fall.
One practical tip
Leave old nests in place, and offer a nest shelf under a roof edge.
Fun fact
Barn Swallows build their nests out of mud pellets.
Shop this bird
Feeder and food picks for the Barn Swallow will go here once Sara adds her links.
As an Amazon Associate, QT Bird earns from qualifying purchases.
Quick checklist
- Open fields
- A nest shelf under an eave
- No pesticides
- Fresh water
QT Bird · qtbird.com/backyard-birds/
Swallows & martins
Purple Martin
Progne subis
The largest swallow in North America, which nests in colonies in houses and gourds.
Sara’s own photo of the Purple Martin will go here.
At a glance
- Favorite foods: flying insects (it does not use feeders)
- Best feeders: none; offer a martin house or gourds
- Plants: open lawns and fields
- Habitat: open areas near water, with a martin house
- Nesting: in a multi-room martin house or hanging gourds
- Seasonality: spring to late summer
Best foods
Flying insects (it does not use feeders).
Best feeders
This bird does not use feeders. Offer a martin house or gourds instead.
Plants that attract
Open lawns and fields.
Water and habitat
Offer a birdbath with fresh water, and change it often.
Nesting and shelter
In a multi-room martin house or hanging gourds.
Seasonal tips
Spring to late summer.
One practical tip
Put up a martin house in an open area, and watch for them in spring.
Fun fact
In the East, Purple Martins nest almost only in houses and gourds that people put up.
Shop this bird
Feeder and food picks for the Purple Martin will go here once Sara adds her links.
As an Amazon Associate, QT Bird earns from qualifying purchases.
Quick checklist
- Open lawns and fields
- A martin house or gourds
- No pesticides
- Fresh water
QT Bird · qtbird.com/backyard-birds/
Swallows & martins
Tree Swallow
Tachycineta bicolor
A bright blue-green swallow that readily uses nest boxes.
Sara’s own photo of the Tree Swallow will go here.
At a glance
- Favorite foods: flying insects (it does not use feeders)
- Best feeders: none; offer a nest box
- Plants: open fields and ponds with insects
- Habitat: open fields, meadows and wetlands
- Nesting: in a nest box with a 1 1/2 inch hole, or an old woodpecker hole
- Seasonality: spring to fall in the north, winter in the South
Best foods
Flying insects (it does not use feeders).
Best feeders
This bird does not use feeders. Offer a nest box instead.
Plants that attract
Open fields and ponds with insects.
Water and habitat
Offer a birdbath with fresh water, and change it often.
Nesting and shelter
In a nest box with a 1 1/2 inch hole, or an old woodpecker hole.
Seasonal tips
Spring to fall in the north, winter in the South.
One practical tip
Put the nest box on a pole in an open area, near water if you can.
Fun fact
Tree Swallows can survive cold snaps by eating berries when insects are scarce.
Shop this bird
Feeder and food picks for the Tree Swallow will go here once Sara adds her links.
As an Amazon Associate, QT Bird earns from qualifying purchases.
Quick checklist
- Open fields and ponds with insects
- A nest box of the right size
- No pesticides
- Fresh water
QT Bird · qtbird.com/backyard-birds/
Flycatchers
Eastern Phoebe
Sayornis phoebe
A small gray-brown flycatcher that wags its tail and likes porches and bridges.
Sara’s own photo of the Eastern Phoebe will go here.
At a glance
- Favorite foods: flying insects (it does not use feeders)
- Best feeders: none; offer a nest shelf
- Plants: native shrubs and trees that bring insects
- Habitat: woods edges, streams and yards
- Nesting: on a ledge under an eave, a bridge or a nest shelf
- Seasonality: spring to fall; winters in the South
Best foods
Flying insects (it does not use feeders).
Best feeders
This bird does not use feeders. Offer a nest shelf instead.
Plants that attract
Native shrubs and trees that bring insects.
Water and habitat
Offer a birdbath with fresh water, and change it often.
Nesting and shelter
On a ledge under an eave, a bridge or a nest shelf.
Seasonal tips
Spring to fall; winters in the South.
One practical tip
Put up a nest shelf under an eave, near a yard with insects.
Fun fact
The Eastern Phoebe wags its tail up and down while it perches.
Shop this bird
Feeder and food picks for the Eastern Phoebe will go here once Sara adds her links.
As an Amazon Associate, QT Bird earns from qualifying purchases.
Quick checklist
- Native shrubs and trees that bring insects
- A nest shelf under an eave
- No pesticides
- Fresh water
QT Bird · qtbird.com/backyard-birds/
Hawks & falcons
American Kestrel
Falco sparverius
A small, colorful falcon that hovers over fields and uses nest boxes.
Sara’s own photo of the American Kestrel will go here.
At a glance
- Favorite foods: insects, mice and small birds (it does not use feeders)
- Best feeders: none; offer a nest box
- Plants: open fields with perches and some tall trees
- Habitat: open fields, farms and edges
- Nesting: in a tree cavity or a nest box with a 3 inch hole
- Seasonality: year-round in much of the country, spring to fall in the north
Best foods
Insects, mice and small birds (it does not use feeders).
Best feeders
This bird does not use feeders. Offer a nest box instead.
Plants that attract
Open fields with perches and some tall trees.
Water and habitat
Offer a birdbath with fresh water, and change it often.
Nesting and shelter
In a tree cavity or a nest box with a 3 inch hole.
Seasonal tips
Year-round in much of the country, spring to fall in the north.
One practical tip
Put the nest box on a pole at the edge of an open field.
Fun fact
The American Kestrel is the smallest falcon in North America.
Shop this bird
Feeder and food picks for the American Kestrel will go here once Sara adds her links.
As an Amazon Associate, QT Bird earns from qualifying purchases.
Quick checklist
- Open fields with perches and some tall trees
- A nest box of the right size
- No pesticides
- Fresh water
QT Bird · qtbird.com/backyard-birds/
Hawks & falcons
Bald Eagle
Haliaeetus leucocephalus
Our national bird, which may pass over yards near lakes, rivers and coasts.
Sara’s own photo of the Bald Eagle will go here.
At a glance
- Favorite foods: fish, waterfowl and carrion (it does not use feeders)
- Best feeders: none; offer tall trees near water, and distance
- Plants: tall, mature trees near water
- Habitat: lakes, rivers, coasts and nearby woods
- Nesting: in a huge stick nest in a tall tree near water
- Seasonality: year-round in many places, winter visitor in others
Best foods
Fish, waterfowl and carrion (it does not use feeders).
Best feeders
This bird does not use feeders. Offer tall trees near water, and distance instead.
Plants that attract
Tall, mature trees near water.
Water and habitat
Offer a birdbath with fresh water, and change it often.
Nesting and shelter
In a huge stick nest in a tall tree near water.
Seasonal tips
Year-round in many places, winter visitor in others.
One practical tip
Enjoy it from a distance, and never approach a nest. Eagles are protected by federal law.
Fun fact
A Bald Eagle nest can weigh more than a ton.
Shop this bird
Feeder and food picks for the Bald Eagle will go here once Sara adds her links.
As an Amazon Associate, QT Bird earns from qualifying purchases.
Quick checklist
- Tall
- No pesticides
- Fresh water
QT Bird · qtbird.com/backyard-birds/
Hawks & falcons
Cooper’s Hawk
Accipiter cooperii
A medium hawk that hunts birds through trees, and sometimes visits yards with feeders.
Sara’s own photo of the Cooper’s Hawk will go here.
At a glance
- Favorite foods: small birds (it does not eat seed, but it hunts at feeders)
- Best feeders: it visits feeders to hunt; offer cover near them
- Plants: dense shrubs and thickets close to feeders, for small birds to dive into
- Habitat: woods, towns and yards
- Nesting: in a stick nest high in a tree
- Seasonality: year-round
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 thickets close to feeders, for small birds to dive into.
Water and habitat
Offer a birdbath with fresh water, and change it often.
Nesting and shelter
In a stick nest high in a tree.
Seasonal tips
Year-round.
One practical tip
If a hawk visits, keep feeders near dense shrubs so small birds can hide. Hawks are protected by law, and the visits are natural.
Fun fact
A female Cooper’s Hawk is noticeably larger than the male.
Shop this bird
Feeder and food picks for the Cooper’s Hawk will go here once Sara adds her links.
As an Amazon Associate, QT Bird earns from qualifying purchases.
Quick checklist
- Dense shrubs and thickets close to feeders
- No pesticides
- Fresh water
QT Bird · qtbird.com/backyard-birds/
Hawks & falcons
Red-shouldered Hawk
Buteo lineatus
A hawk of wet woods with rusty-red shoulders and a loud, repeated call.
Sara’s own photo of the Red-shouldered Hawk will go here.
At a glance
- Favorite foods: frogs, snakes, small mammals and birds (it does not use feeders)
- Best feeders: none; offer big trees near water
- Plants: mature trees near water
- Habitat: wet woods and wooded neighborhoods
- Nesting: in a stick nest high in a large tree
- Seasonality: year-round
Best foods
Frogs, snakes, small mammals and birds (it does not use feeders).
Best feeders
This bird does not use feeders. Offer big trees near water instead.
Plants that attract
Mature trees near water.
Water and habitat
Offer a birdbath with fresh water, and change it often.
Nesting and shelter
In a stick nest high in a large tree.
Seasonal tips
Year-round.
One practical tip
Leave big trees near any water on the property. Hawks are protected by law.
Fun fact
Blue Jays can copy the call of a Red-shouldered Hawk.
Shop this bird
Feeder and food picks for the Red-shouldered Hawk will go here once Sara adds her links.
As an Amazon Associate, QT Bird earns from qualifying purchases.
Quick checklist
- Mature trees near water
- No pesticides
- Fresh water
QT Bird · qtbird.com/backyard-birds/
Hawks & falcons
Red-tailed Hawk
Buteo jamaicensis
A big hawk that sits on poles and trees and hunts rodents in open country.
Sara’s own photo of the Red-tailed Hawk will go here.
At a glance
- Favorite foods: rodents, rabbits and other small animals (it does not use feeders)
- Best feeders: none; offer tall trees and open fields
- Plants: tall trees for nesting and perching
- Habitat: open country, edges and farms
- Nesting: in a large stick nest high in a tall tree or on a cliff
- Seasonality: year-round
Best foods
Rodents, rabbits and other small animals (it does not use feeders).
Best feeders
This bird does not use feeders. Offer tall trees and open fields instead.
Plants that attract
Tall trees for nesting and perching.
Water and habitat
Offer a birdbath with fresh water, and change it often.
Nesting and shelter
In a large stick nest high in a tall tree or on a cliff.
Seasonal tips
Year-round.
One practical tip
Leave tall trees for perching and nesting. Hawks are protected by law.
Fun fact
The loud scream that movies use for eagles is usually a Red-tailed Hawk.
Shop this bird
Feeder and food picks for the Red-tailed Hawk will go here once Sara adds her links.
As an Amazon Associate, QT Bird earns from qualifying purchases.
Quick checklist
- Tall trees for nesting and perching
- No pesticides
- Fresh water
QT Bird · qtbird.com/backyard-birds/
Hawks & falcons
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Accipiter striatus
A small, quick hawk that hunts songbirds, often in winter around feeders.
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.
As an Amazon Associate, QT Bird earns from qualifying purchases.
Quick checklist
- Dense shrubs and evergreens near feeders
- No pesticides
- Fresh water
QT Bird · qtbird.com/backyard-birds/