Bird Feed Guide

Selecting a bird feeder should be an easy task, however, there are an increasing number of choices of feeders, and many companies are designing feeders to “attract” a specific species. To complicate matters, an increasing variety of choices of bird feed are commercially available.

Feeling the burden of too many choices? The two charts accessible from the links below outline the more common backyard birds, which seed preferences they tend to have, and the preferred feeder to offer seed for each species grouping.

DOWNLOAD: feeding preferences

Fruiting Shrubs Chart

There are several beneficial shrubs that provide fruit for migrating (or summer nesting) species. Many of these shrubs have another benefit in that the spring flowers attract insects, which in turn attract insect-eating birds. The chart accessed through the link below provides brief information about selected shrubs considered beneficial to bird species. Included in the chart are flowering, and fruit producing times, and when the fruit is typically consumed by birds. They are native to the US, and most are native to Minnesota; suitable for use in Hardiness Zone 4.

fruiting

Bird Migration dates

Before Spring has sprung its time to prepare for the arrival of waves of bird species that may visit your backyard, or rural environment. The link below opens a chart that lists migration dates for the most common species that may visit our yards and acreages, and what they may be looking for. Keep in mind this is only a partial list, and is intended to be representative of similar species that may be in your local area. It may prove helpful when deciding what food, or plants to purchase and offer to the variety of species coming your way.

Backyard Dates