Small songbirds called House Finches can be found across North America, including the United States, southern Canada, and Mexico. These charming little birds are grayish-brown with heavy streaks, and male House Finches have red foreheads, breasts, and rumps. You can commonly spot them in residential and urban backyards, as well as near water in arid regions. House Finches are highly attracted to bird feeders and their favorite food is black oil sunflower seeds. They are also known to eat a variety of weed seeds, fruits, and buds from plants. If you want to attract these delightful birds to your backyard, providing a variety of food options and water sources is the way to go.
House Finches
Description
House Finches are small songbirds found across the United States, southern Canada, and Mexico. They are grayish-brown and heavily streaked, with males having red foreheads, breasts, and rumps. The females, on the other hand, have a more subdued coloration with soft brown and tan feathers. Both males and females have conical beaks, ideal for cracking open seeds and foraging for food.
Habitat
House Finches are commonly found in residential and urban backyards, as well as near water in arid regions. They are adaptable birds and can thrive in a variety of environments, including forests, parks, gardens, and even city streets. In urban areas, they often nest in trees and shrubs or make use of man-made structures such as birdhouses.
Feeding Habits
House Finches are primarily seed eaters. Their favorite food is black oil sunflower seeds, which are high in fat and provide them with the energy they need to survive. They also eat a variety of weed seeds, fruits, and buds from plants. Other foods that attract House Finches include Niger seed, safflower, and white proso millet. With their conical beaks, they can easily crack open the shells of seeds and extract the nutritious contents.
Attraction to Backyards
House Finches are highly attracted to bird feeders, making them a common sight in many backyard birdwatching enthusiasts’ yards. They are not picky about the type of bird feeder and will readily come to platform, hopper, and tube feeders. Providing a variety of food options, such as black oil sunflower seeds, Niger seed, safflower, and millet, can help attract House Finches to your backyard.
In addition to food, House Finches also require a source of water. They consume a significant amount of water and enjoy bathing, so providing shallow water sources like birdbaths or small dishes of water is beneficial. House Finches are social birds and tend to travel in small flocks. They are active and noisy at feeders, adding liveliness to any backyard setting.
By creating an inviting habitat with a variety of food and water sources, you can attract House Finches to your backyard and enjoy their cheerful presence and beautiful songs.
Purple Finches
Description
Purple Finches are small but stocky finches with short, thick bills. The males have a raspberry-red coloration on their head, breast, and back, while the females have a brownish color with heavy streaking. Their plumage can vary depending on age, season, and individual variation. Overall, Purple Finches are known for their vibrant red colors and distinctive song.
Habitat
Purple Finches can be found in a variety of habitats across North America, including forests, woodlands, and even suburban areas with mature trees. They prefer coniferous and mixed forests, where they can find ample food sources and suitable nesting sites. During the breeding season, they may also be found in open areas near forests.
Feeding Habits
Purple Finches have a varied diet that mainly consists of seeds, buds, and fruits. They have a preference for seeds from coniferous trees, such as pine and hemlock, but they also feed on a wide range of other seeds and fruits. Their strong bills allow them to easily crack open seeds and extract the nutritious contents.
Attraction to Backyards
Purple Finches can be attracted to backyards by providing a mix of seed and fruit options. They are particularly fond of sunflower seeds, both in their shell and as hulled seeds. Other food sources that can attract Purple Finches include nyjer (thistle) seed, millet, and fruits like apples and berries.
Creating a habitat with a variety of feeders, including hopper and tube feeders, can increase the chances of attracting Purple Finches. Additionally, providing perching areas, such as bushes and trees near the feeders, can give them a sense of security while they feed.
American Goldfinches
Description
American Goldfinches are small songbirds with bright yellow plumage. They have black wings with white wing bars and black tails. The males have a distinctive black cap on their heads during the breeding season, while the females have a more subdued coloration with olive-gray feathers. Outside of the breeding season, both males and females have a more olive coloration.
Habitat
American Goldfinches can be found in a variety of habitats, including fields, meadows, open woodlands, and residential areas. They are especially common in areas with abundant thistle plants, as these plants provide them with both food and nesting materials. American Goldfinches are highly nomadic birds and may move to different habitats depending on the availability of food and resources.
Feeding Habits
American Goldfinches are primarily seed eaters. Their diet consists mainly of seeds from plants such as thistles, sunflowers, dandelions, and asters. They have a specialized bill that allows them to extract seeds from the seedheads of plants. This feeding habit is known as “thistle-seeding” and is unique to American Goldfinches.
Attraction to Backyards
To attract American Goldfinches to your backyard, it is important to provide a variety of seed options. Their favorite food is nyjer (thistle) seed, which can be offered in specialized nyjer feeders with small holes to dispense the tiny seeds. Sunflower seeds, both in the shell and as hulled seeds, are also popular among American Goldfinches.
Additionally, American Goldfinches are attracted to areas with dense vegetation, as these provide cover and nesting opportunities. Planting native plants that produce seeds, such as coneflowers and asters, can help create an attractive habitat for American Goldfinches.
Eastern Bluebirds
Description
Eastern Bluebirds are medium-sized thrushes known for their vibrant blue plumage on the top half of their bodies, contrasting with a rusty-colored breast and white belly. The females have a more muted coloration with grayer feathers and less vibrant blue. Both males and females have a small, hooked bill ideal for catching insects, their primary food source.
Habitat
Eastern Bluebirds can be found in a variety of open habitats, including fields, meadows, parks, and golf courses. They prefer areas with scattered trees or perches, which they use to scan for prey and to assert their territorial claims. Eastern Bluebirds are cavity nesters and rely on existing cavities in trees or man-made nest boxes for breeding.
Feeding Habits
Eastern Bluebirds are insectivores, meaning their diet primarily consists of insects and other invertebrates. They feed on a wide range of insects, including beetles, caterpillars, grasshoppers, and spiders. Eastern Bluebirds have excellent eyesight and can spot prey from a distance, then swoop down to catch it.
Attraction to Backyards
To attract Eastern Bluebirds to your backyard, it is essential to provide suitable nesting sites. Installing nest boxes specifically designed for bluebirds can offer them a safe place to raise their young. The boxes should be installed in open areas, away from dense vegetation and with a clear flight path to the entrance.
Eastern Bluebirds might also be attracted to your backyard if you offer a diverse food source for their insect needs. By creating a backyard environment that attracts insects, such as planting native flowering plants and avoiding excessive pesticide use, you can indirectly provide a food source for Eastern Bluebirds.
Cedar Waxwings
Description
Cedar Waxwings are medium-sized songbirds with distinctive plumage. They have soft and silky brown feathers, a crested head with a black mask and throat, and a banded black tail with characteristic yellow tips. Their wings are adorned with small red waxy tips, which give them their name. These waxy tips gradually wear off as the birds age.
Habitat
Cedar Waxwings are highly adaptable birds and can be found in a variety of habitats across North America, including forests, orchards, suburban areas, and parks. They often gather in flocks during the breeding season and migrate in loose flocks to find areas with abundant food sources.
Feeding Habits
Cedar Waxwings have a unique feeding habit known as “gleaning,” which involves plucking fruits, berries, and insects from plants. They are particularly fond of fruits such as berries, cherries, and grapes. Cedar Waxwings also eat insects, including beetles, moths, and wasps. Their slender bills allow them to pick up these small prey items with ease.
Attraction to Backyards
To attract Cedar Waxwings to your backyard, it is important to provide a variety of fruit-bearing plants. Planting native trees and shrubs, such as dogwoods, hawthorns, and serviceberries, can provide a valuable food source for Cedar Waxwings. Additionally, leaving some berries and fruits on the plants during the winter months can attract them to your backyard.
Cedar Waxwings are also attracted to open water sources, often using them for bathing and drinking. Bird baths or small ponds can be added to your backyard to meet their water needs. Providing perching areas, such as branches or shrubs, near the water sources can create an attractive space for Cedar Waxwings to visit.
Yellow Warblers
Description
Yellow Warblers are small songbirds known for their bright yellow plumage. The males have vibrant yellow feathers, contrasting with a rusty-colored streaking on their breast. The females have a more muted coloration with grayish tones. Both males and females have slender bills ideal for catching insects, their primary food source.
Habitat
Yellow Warblers can be found in a variety of habitats, including wetlands, marshes, and shrubby areas near water. They have a preference for habitats with dense vegetation, such as thickets, shrubs, and small trees, where they can build their nests. Yellow Warblers are migratory birds and can be found across North and Central America during the breeding season.
Feeding Habits
Yellow Warblers are primarily insectivores. They feed on a variety of insects and other invertebrates, including caterpillars, beetles, mosquitoes, and spiders. They are known for their aerial acrobatics, often catching insects in mid-air, or foraging among the leaves and branches of trees and shrubs.
Attraction to Backyards
To attract Yellow Warblers to your backyard, it is important to provide a suitable habitat with dense vegetation. Planting native shrubs and trees, such as willows, alders, and dogwoods, can create an attractive space for Yellow Warblers to build their nests and forage for insects.
Additionally, offering a reliable source of water can be appealing to Yellow Warblers. A birdbath or small pond can provide them with a place to drink and bathe, which is essential for their hygiene and overall well-being. Providing perching areas, such as branches or tall grasses, near the water source can make it more inviting for Yellow Warblers.
Black-capped Chickadees
Description
Black-capped Chickadees are small songbirds known for their distinctive black cap and bib, contrasting with their white cheeks and grayish-olive upperparts. They have a short, stout bill and a relatively large head in proportion to their body. Their calls, often described as “chick-a-dee-dee-dee,” give them their name.
Habitat
Black-capped Chickadees can be found in a variety of habitats, including forests, woodlands, parks, and gardens. They are highly adaptable birds and are known for their ability to utilize available resources to survive. Black-capped Chickadees are cavity nesters and require access to suitable nesting holes in trees or man-made nest boxes.
Feeding Habits
Black-capped Chickadees are omnivores, meaning their diet consists of both plant and animal matter. They primarily feed on insects, such as caterpillars, beetles, and spiders, which they find by probing and gleaning among leaves and branches. In colder months, when insects are scarce, they rely on seeds, berries, and nuts for sustenance.
Attraction to Backyards
Black-capped Chickadees are regular visitors to backyards, especially if provided with a variety of food sources. They are attracted to bird feeders that offer a mix of seeds, such as sunflower seeds and suet. Providing a combination of hanging feeders, suet feeders, and platform feeders can accommodate their foraging preferences.
Black-capped Chickadees are also attracted to areas with dense vegetation, as these provide cover and nesting opportunities. Planting native trees and shrubs, such as oaks, maples, and conifers, can create an inviting habitat for Black-capped Chickadees. Offering nesting boxes specifically designed for chickadees can also attract them to your backyard.
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds
Description
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are small, vibrant birds known for their iridescent feathers and rapid wing beats. The males have a bright ruby-red throat that glistens in the sunlight, while the females have a more subdued coloration with green and white feathers. Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have long, slender bills ideal for sipping nectar from flowers.
Habitat
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds can be found in a variety of habitats, including forests, woodlands, gardens, and parks. They require a mix of trees for perching and open spaces for foraging. During migration, they cross vast stretches of open water, including the Gulf of Mexico, to reach their breeding and wintering grounds.
Feeding Habits
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have a unique feeding habit known as nectarivory. They primarily feed on the nectar of flowers, using their long bills and specialized tongues to sip the sweet liquid. Besides nectar, they also consume small insects and spiders, which provide them with the necessary protein for their diet.
Attraction to Backyards
To attract Ruby-throated Hummingbirds to your backyard, it is essential to provide a reliable source of nectar. Planting a variety of native flowering plants, such as bee balm, columbine, and trumpet vine, can offer an abundant nectar supply for hummingbirds. Providing a mix of early-, mid-, and late-blooming flowers can ensure a continuous nectar source throughout the season.
In addition to flowers, offering hummingbird feeders can supplement their natural nectar sources. Hummingbird feeders should contain a solution of four parts water to one part white granulated sugar. It is important to clean and refill the feeders regularly to prevent spoilage and to maintain the health of the hummingbirds.
Creating a safe and inviting environment is also crucial to attract Ruby-throated Hummingbirds. They require perching areas, such as branches or small twigs, near the nectar sources. Providing a shallow water source, such as a dripper or mister, can also help attract hummingbirds, as they enjoy bathing to clean their feathers.
White-throated Sparrows
Description
White-throated Sparrows are medium-sized songbirds with distinctive markings. They have a white throat with a bold black-and-white striped head pattern. The adults have a bright yellow spot between their eye and bill. Their upperparts are brown with reddish-brown streaks, and their underparts are grayish-white with brown streaks.
Habitat
White-throated Sparrows can be found in a variety of habitats, including forests, woodlands, shrubby areas, and backyard gardens. They prefer habitats with dense understory vegetation and shrubs, as these provide them with cover and nesting opportunities. White-throated Sparrows migrate to the northern parts of the United States and Canada during the breeding season.
Feeding Habits
White-throated Sparrows are primarily seed eaters. They feed on a variety of seeds, including weed seeds, grass seeds, and seeds from flowers and fruits. They forage on the ground, scratching and pecking for seeds among leaf litter and fallen vegetation. Occasionally, they may also feed on small insects and spiders for added protein.
Attraction to Backyards
To attract White-throated Sparrows to your backyard, it is important to provide a diverse seed source. Planting native plants that produce seeds, such as sunflowers, dandelions, and goldenrod, can offer an abundant food supply for White-throated Sparrows. Additionally, offering a mix of bird feeders with a variety of seeds, such as black oil sunflower seeds, millet, and nyjer seed, can attract them to your backyard.
White-throated Sparrows are ground foragers, so providing them with a suitable habitat is crucial. Leaving leaf litter and fallen vegetation undisturbed can create a natural foraging space for them. Additionally, having dense shrubs and bushes can offer them cover and nesting sites.
Song Sparrows
Description
Song Sparrows are medium-sized sparrows known for their intricate song, which consists of a series of notes and melodies. They have a streaked brown back and wings, with a white or grayish breast and a streaked belly. Their faces usually have a brown or grayish coloration, with a distinct dark line through the eye.
Habitat
Song Sparrows can be found in a variety of habitats, including marshes, wetlands, meadows, and suburban areas. They have a preference for areas with dense vegetation and shrubs, where they can find cover and nesting sites. Song Sparrows are also known for their tolerance of human presence and may inhabit backyard gardens and parks.
Feeding Habits
Song Sparrows have a varied diet that mainly consists of insects and seeds. They forage on the ground, scratching and pecking for insects among leaf litter and vegetation. They also eat a variety of seeds and fruits, such as grass seeds, weed seeds, and berries. Their versatile bill allows them to consume a wide range of food sources.
Attraction to Backyards
To attract Song Sparrows to your backyard, it is important to provide a suitable habitat with dense vegetation and shrubs. Planting native plants, such as grasses, sedges, and wildflowers, can offer an abundant insect and seed source for Song Sparrows. Additionally, leaving some areas of your yard in a more natural state, with fallen leaves and vegetation, can provide them with foraging opportunities.
Song Sparrows are also attracted to bird feeders that offer a variety of seeds. Providing feeders with a mix of seeds, including millet, sunflower seeds, and cracked corn, can help attract them to your backyard. Offering a water source, such as a bird bath or small pond, can also make your backyard more inviting to Song Sparrows.
