Many bird feeding enthusiasts want to know how they can increase the number of birds that visit their bird feeding stations. Birds can usually be grouped into three groups depending on their feeding preferences. There are those that feed on fruit and nectar, those that feed on seeds and those that feed on insects. These groups do not a clear defining border and they do tend to overlap some birds will eat insects during one season and feed on fruits during another season.
The most common approach is to put seed on your bird feeding station. There are several types of bird seeds that are acceptable to a wide variety of birds. These are usually advised if you intend to have many species of birds hovering over your bird station in search of food. Niger seed and Sunflower hearts are a favorable option when you want to attract most of the bird species that many bird enthusiasts enjoy having in their backyards e.g. Finches, Wood Peckers, Chickadees and Nuthatches. These birds however prefer a bird station that they can cling from as this is their natural method of feeding in the wild.
Insect feeders have in the past been very difficult to attract to bird feeders. Modern innovations have however made them less tricky to attract. There are bird feeders that are specially designed such that you can feed live insects to these birds. Some companies have even made suet cakes that contain dehydrated or freeze dried insects for these birds to feed on. A favorite freeze dried ingredient to look for when shopping for suet cakes is dried mealworms.
Fruit eaters, like the insect eaters are actually the most difficult to attract. It is advised to cut oranges into halves and hang them up or place them on your bird feeder. Raisins are also a favorite of the fruit eaters. There are suet cakes that incorporate various fruit types to attract bird feeders.
You will never have an empty backyard if you put a Bird feeder that has the proper kind of food for your preferred bird species, a little water and some shelter for the birds.