Spring is the season that most people spend outside in the yard. The weather is getting warmer, the sun is out, flowers are blooming. It is also a time of bird migration into Texas. And, because of those things, it is the time most people start feeding their birds. It can be a great time for you as well.
There are several species of birds that can be attracted to your yard in the spring, some that might not be seen in other seasons. However, it is also a time that man "undesired" birds can also be attracted to your feeder. Along with your year-round residents,
American Goldfinch and
Pine Siskin can still be seen in early spring, and
hummingbirds,
Painted Buntings, and the occasional oriole (such as the
Hooded,
Bullock's, or
Orchard) might start showing up at your feeders throughout the spring. But, what do you need to feed your birds to get the best variety?
In order to help you out, I have compiled my rankings of different seeds and feeds that you can use in the spring in order to attract different species of birds:
1) Black-Oil Sunflower Seeds
Black-oil sunflower seeds attract a wide variety of birds throughout the year and are full of protein and oil, which is important for the birds in the spring for the birds (and throughout the year.) Although black-oil sunflower seeds are relatively inexpensive, they tend to "disappear" quickly from your feeders (but that's not bad!)
2) Nectar
Spring is when the Hummingbirds, such as the
Black-chinned Hummingbirds and
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, start to return! SO be sure to get your nectar made and out early in order to attract as many birds as you can. Hummingbird nectar is easily made at home (check out:
Make Your Own Hummingbird Nectar) with only 4 parts water and 1 part sugar. Just be sure to clean your feeder often.
But not only does nectar attract hummingbirds, it also can attract other birds like
Orioles,
Golden-fronted Woodpeckers, and even
House Finch.
3) Fruit
Feeding fruit is great in the spring. The cooler temperatures (compared to summer) lets it last outside for a little bit longer. Orange or grapefruit halves, halved grapes, and banana slices, are all good options for fresh fruit, and can be the most effective. However, dried fruit is often a cheaper or easier option. As far as dried fruit goes, raisins and cranberries are my favorite. Fruit is great at attracting a variety of birds including
Woodpeckers,
Orioles, and
Blue Jays. Raisins are also one of the ways I have been able to attract
Mockingbirds to my yard.
4) Suet
Suet is basically a mix of different seeds, nuts, fruits, or meal-worms, that are then mixed together in fats and solidified. It is full of calories that birds need to build their nests and lay healthy eggs in the spring, making it a great way to attract different species of birds to your backyard. There are different blends designed to attract different birds to your feeders.
Woodpeckers and
Blue Jays are common year round, but I have found that suet is great for attracting
bluebirds and
wrens in the spring.
5) High Quality Seed Mix
- Great for attracting many different species, depending on what you get in the mix.
Seed mixes can be good or bad, and you often get what you pay for with them. You can purchase quality seed mixes to use in the winter, or you can make your own. What you choose to use the seed mix depends really what you want out of it too. In the spring, I would suggest a mix that has black-oil sunflower seeds and white millet. The black oil sunflower seeds attract a wide variety of birds including
Northern Cardinal,
House Finch,
Black-crested Titmice, and
Carolina Chickadee. The white millet is the favorite food of the
Painted Bunting.
Thomas Moore Feed makes a good mix like this that they call their
Songbird Mix (
read my review of it here.) It includes black-oil sunflower seeds, striped sunflower seeds, and safflower seeds. Great for Cardinals. They also If you have another feeder that you only feed black-oil sunflower seeds in, using a seed mix with more grain in it can bring more birds to your yard. Thomas Moore Feed makes a Premium Wild Bird Seed mix that includes mostly white millet, black-oil sunflower seeds, and cracked corn.
Honorable Mention: White Millet (b/c it is the favorite of Painted Bunting)
Other Seasons:
Seed mixes can be good or bad, and you often get what you pay for with them. You can purchase quality seed mixes to use in the winter, or you can make your own. What you choose to use the seed mix depends really what you want out of it too. In the spring, I would suggest a mix that has black-oil sunflower seeds and white millet. The black oil sunflower seeds attract a wide variety of birds including Northern Cardinal, House Finch, Black-crested Titmice, and Carolina Chickadee. The white millet is the favorite food of the Painted Bunting.
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