Attracting Birds to Your Backyard

With thoughtful planning you can encourage specific birds to your backyard. Do you have favorite types of birds? You can hang any birdfeeder in your backyard. Perhaps you like it because it is whimsical. Maybe the design follows a particular theme, be it color, shape or size.
But did you know that certain foods and seeds will attract specific birds? Be creative and see what you can attract with a variety of foods. Try popped popcorn (without salt or butter), hulled sunflower seeds, peanuts, soaked raisins, pieces of fruit (orioles like oranges), fruit seeds (melons, apples), grapes, or mealworms.