Backyard Chirper Learning Center

Tips and Tricks for Attracting Birds to Your Yard

  • A Definitive Guide to Wild Bird Food - Wild birds eat an array of foods, including everything from seeds and fruit to mealworms and beef fat. This guide covers all the foods you can give backyard birds and the species each will attract.
  • Guide to Birdbaths - A birdbath is the best way to attract the widest array of species to your yard. Here's everything you need to know about the decorative water sources for birds.
  • How To Clean A Birdbath - Make your birdbath clean and tidy. Birds have standards, too!
  • Winter Bird Feeding Guide - With frigid temperatures and harsh storms, it's extremely important to provide birds with a friendly environment in your yard throughout winter.
  • How to Keep Insects Away from Hummingbird Feeders - Want to enjoy hummingbirds without being swarmed by bugs? Here are some ways to keep insects away from your hummingbird feeders.
  • How to Stop Woodpecker Damage - If you hear constant drumming on your house from woodpeckers, they may be causing damage. Here's what you can do to discourage them from pecking at your home.
  • Garden Thermometer Placement Tips - Get the most accurate readings from your outdoor thermometer with these essential DOs and DON'Ts from Backyard Chirper.
  • Birdhouse Cleaning Guide - In this guide, you'll find everything you need to know about cleaning a birdhouse or nesting box.
  • Types of Squirrel-Proof Bird Feeders - The only thing standing between a squirrel and your bird seed is a squirrel-proof bird feeder. Here are 7 different types of squirrel-proof feeders.
  • How to Maintain Purple Martin Houses - Being a Purple Martin landlord is fun and rewarding, but it does require work. Check out our tips on maintaining and cleaning Purple Martin houses.
  • How to Make Your Backyard a Bird's Paradise - Here are five easy ways you can get wild birds into your backyard.
  • Wild Bird Food Storage Tips - Improperly stored bird food can grow mold and harbor diseases that are fatal to birds. Ensure your bird food is safe and healthy by following these simple tips.
  • How To Stop Pigeons From Taking Over Your Bird Feeder - It's every bird enthusiast's nightmare: an invasion of voracious pigeons eating all your seed. If you have this problem, here are some easy ways to stop pigeons from taking over your bird feeder.
  • What to Do If You Find a Baby Bird Out of Its Nest - During nesting months, it's not uncommon for birders to notice baby birds out of their nests. In these situations, it is important to be aware of what to do for the bird's survival.
  • Fall Birding Vacations - As birds begin their fall migrations, some American cities become top destinations for birders in need of a vacation.
  • Bird Watching at Different Times of the Day - In order to see the maximum number of species, it's important to go birding at different times of the day. Here are the advantages and species you're most likely to see at certain times.
  • Bird Bath Tips and Tricks - Buying and maintaining a bird bath for your yard is vital for attracting all types of birds. Here are tips every bird enthusiast should know about bird baths.
  • Top 10 Most Desired Backyard Birds - Everyone loves when a bird comes into their backyard for bite to eat. However, this is a list of those birds you'd love to come around more often.
  • How to Attract Birds With Mealworms - Using mealworms will attract different types of birds to your yard other than those who eat bird seed. Since mealworms require more work, here are some tips and suggestions for attracting birds with mealworms.
  • How To Stop A Bird From Pecking At Your Window - When birds see themselves in windows, they are usually alarmed and peck at the reflection in the glass for several minutes. If you have this problem, here are some solutions to deter birds from pecking at your window.
  • Tips To Protect Your Bird Feeder From Bears - With their persistent strength and keen smell, bears are a major menace to bird feeders. Here are some helpful tips for keeping bears away from your feeder.
  • How to Attract Rose-Breasted Grosbeaks - For residents in the eastern half of the United States, the Rose-Breasted Grosbeak is one of the most attractive and desired backyard birds. If you'd like to lure this bird to your yard, here's some advice to keep in mind.
  • How To Care For A Fallen Baby Bird - Whether by accident or by design, baby birds sometimes fall out of nests and land helplessly on the ground. If you you find one of these fallen baby birds, here are some things you should do to help it.
  • How To Clean Your Bird Feeder - Cleaning your bird feeder each month is vital to keeping wild birds safe from infection by salmonella and other bacteria. If you have a backyard bird feeder, here are some tips for cleaning it thoroughly.
  • Tips For Birding At Night - Night birding helps you spot a variety of new species that only come out at night, like the Great Horned Owl or the Night Heron. If you're planning on going birding at night, here are some tips to keep in mind.
  • How To Protect Your Birdhouse from Cats - Domestic and feral house cats kill about 500 million birds a year, which is why it's extremely important to protect your birdhouse, feeder and nesting boxes from predators. Make protecting your backyard birds a priority by following these tips.
  • How to prevent birds from hitting windows - The number one cause of unnatural bird deaths in the United States is birds flying into windows. If you're interested in preventing birds from flying into your windows, here are a few easy steps you can take.
  • How to attract Black-capped Chickadees to your yard - One of the most popular backyard birds in the Northern United States is the Black-Capped Chickadee. With its mellifluous song and active personality, many birders have sought ways to lure the Black-Capped Chickadee to feed and nest near their home.
  • How To Attract Robins To Your Yard - The American Robin is a beautiful bird that has a wide range spanning most of the United States. If you'd like a robin to feed or nest in your yard, here a few tips to help attract them.
  • An Introduction to Bird Food - Selecting bird food at the store can be a difficult task. There are dozens of different types, flavors and mixtures, and each one attracts a different bird. Here is a short description of each type of bird food, what birds they attract and the advant
  • How To Protect Wild Birds During The Winter - Harsh winters can be difficult times for wild birds. Though the cold air does not physically affect them, birds often have a difficult time finding food, water and shelter during snow storms and frigid weather. Here are some tips for helping wild bir
  • Five Inexpensive Ways To Squirrel Proof Your Bird Feeder - Squirrels can be a frustrating menace to any bird enthusiast by stealing food. Here are a few tips to squirrel-proof your birdfeeder.
  • Feeding Birds During Winter - inter can be tough on birds that don't migrate south. Find out what you can do to help your feathered friends survive the frosty temperatures.
  • Tips for Attracting Woodpeckers - Woodpeckers are a fabulous addition to any backyard or garden. If you're thinking about adding a woodpecker box to your backyard, here are some tips on how to attract woodpeckers.
  • 5 Popular Woodpecker Species - Woodpeckers are a vast bird family, composed of approximately 217 species that stretch across America, Eurasia and Africa. Here are a few popular woodpecker species you should know.
  • Woodpecker Mating and Nesting Habits - The mating and nesting behavior of woodpeckers ranges from compassionate to violent. Learn more about woodpeckers' nesting behavior.
  • Physical Characteristics of Woodpeckers - The woodpecker is a marvel of evolution, having adapted itself to feeding habits that involve strenuous clinging, climbing and hammering. Learn more about the physical characteristics of woodpeckers.
  • The Search for the Ivory-Billed Woodpecker - Few birds are as steeped in mysticism and controversy as the Ivory-billed Woodpecker. Ruled extinct in the 1940s, the existence of this woodpecker has been hotly debated as a number of sightings have recently surfaced.
  • Bat Mating and Reproduction Habits - Learning about bat mating habits and the way bats rear their young is important if you are considering purchasing a bat house.
  • Guidelines for Installing a Bat House - If you're considering installing a bat house in your backyard or garden, you have two options: buy or build. Either way, you'll need to know the correct specifications regarding design in order to ensure the highest chance of occupancy in your bat
  • Echolocation in Bats - Echolocation is the process by which bats hunt, and involves the production and reception of high-intensity sounds to create a sonic landscape.
  • What Do Bats Eat? - It is during the night when the vast majority of the 1,100 bat species on Earth hunt. These incredible species have a diverse range of diet and hunting methods, but also share many common feeding behaviors.
  • Attracting Bats to Your Bat House - One of nature's most enigmatic creatures, the lives of bats have been steeped in mystery for centuries. If you're interested in setting up a bat house, here are a few tips to attract bats to your structure.
  • The Myth of Purple Martins and Mosquitoes - One of the most popular myths about Purple Martins is that they consume approximately 2,000 mosquitoes a day.
  • Purple Martins: Nesting and Mating - Learn more about Purple Martins and their processes of mating and nesting, including how they select a nest, how they feed their young and more.
  • Losing a Purple Martin Colony - Read about the main reasons why Purple Martins don't return to their former nesting grounds.
  • Maintaining a Purple Martin House - Purple Martin houses make a great addition to any backyard. Learn the specifics about how to maintain a lively Purple Martin house.
  • Feeding Purple Martins - Learn to effectively feed Purple Martins, in additon to the foods Purple Martins like best.
  • Introduction to Purple Martins - Purple Martins are coveted by bird lovers because of their vivid plumage and sonorous chirping.
  • Monitoring your bluebird nest box - Monitoring your bluebird nest box is crucial. Learn how to monitor and observe your bluebird nest through the stages of courtship, incubation and birth.
  • How to attract bluebirds to your yard - Learn the keys to successfully attracting bluebirds to your yard, such as nest box placement, how to avoid pests and other ways to cultivate a welcoming environment for bluebirds.
  • An introduction to bluebirds - The bluebird is popular among bird lovers because of its gorgeous plumage and melodious song.
  • Bluebird nest boxes - One of the reasons the bluebird population has increased over the last decade is the commitment of many bird conservationists to build bluebird nest boxes.
  • How to protect bluebirds from house sparrows - House sparrows not only occupy empty bluebird nesting boxes, but they also storm occupied boxes, killing adult bluebirds and nestlings.
  • Hummingbird Species Overview - the hummingbird's rapid pace, along with its vibrant plumage, make it a favorite among bird watchers.
  • Hummingbirds: Mating and Nesting - Like all species of the animal kingdom, hummingbirds do procreate and their mating rituals can be breathtaking to witness
  • 5 ways to make your yard hummingbird-friendly - Attracting hummingbirds can be a tricky process if you don't do your homework. Here are 5 tips to make your yard attractive to hummingbirds.
  • Hummingbird Species of North America - description and pictures of 5 popular hummingbird species found in North America
  • What do hummingbirds look like? - The hummingbird has a number of qualities that make it distinctive from other birds
  • Attracting Hummingbirds - tips and tricks that you can use to attract hummingbirds to your bird feeder
  • Main Types of Bird Feeders - brief description of the main types of bird feeders
  • The Importance of Birdbaths - Bird baths are the best way to attract birds to your yard, even more so than feeders
  • Attracting Finches - tips and tricks that you can use to attract finches to your finch bird feeder
  • Video - Bird Man Mel's Attracting Purple Martins - great video with instructions on how to attract Purple Martins
  • Attracting Martins to Your Purple Martin House - Over one million North Americans put up purple martin houses. Unfortunately, many of these folks are unable to attract breeding martins.
  • Attracting Orioles to Your Oriole Feeder - you can attract orioles by offering fruits like orange slices, grapes, cherries, various berries, figs, nuts and jellies
  • Attracting Bluebirds to Your Bluebird House - one of the most utilized nesting locations for bluebirds is the man-made bluebird boxes that mimic the natural cavities found in dead and decaying trees.
  • General Rules for Attracting Birds - developing the proper habitat is the one thing that will attract and maintain birds in your yard
  • Attracting Bluebirds to Your Bluebird Feeder - tips and tricks that you can use to attract bluebirds to your blue bird feeder
  • Butterfly Gardens - about butterflies and how to attract them to your garden
  • Attracting Cardinals - tips and tricks that you can use to attract cardinals to your bird feeder
  • Backyard Buzz: How to Attract Hummingbirds - You don't have to be an avid birder to be thrilled by the sight of a hummingbird
  • Video - Bird Man Mel's Attracting Hummingbirds - great video with instructions on how to attract Hummingbirds
  • Video - Bird Man Mel's Attracting Squirrels - great video with instructions on how to attract hilarious squirrels to your yard
  • Video - Bird Man Mel's Attracting Bluebirds - great video with instructions on how to attract bluebirds to your yard
  • Video - Bird Man Mel's Attracting Cardinals - great video with instructions on how to attract cardinals to your yard
  • Video - Bird Man Mel's Attracting Bats - great video with instructions on how to attract nighttime bats to your yard
  • Video - Bird Man Mel's Attracting Goldfinches - great video with instructions on how to attract goldfinches to your back yard
  • Video - Bird Man Mel's Attracting Orioles - great video with instructions on how to attract orioles to your yard
  • Video - Bird Man Mel's Keeping Squirrels Out! - great video with instructions on how to keep pesky squirrels out of your bird feeders