Birdfeeders

In order to draw the greatest number and variety of birds to our yards, it is important to place bird feeders at more than one level, for different species normally feed at different levels. Placing a platform feeder on the ground will attract the ground feeders in your area. You will likely see quail, mourning doves, juncos, towhees and warblers. Of course, you may also have others checking out the offerings, but these species normally feed on the ground, so platform feeders suit them perfectly. The next group regularly feeds at the level of low bushes and undergrowth. If we hang a tube feeder in the range of 2-5 feet off the ground, it will be visited by cardinals, field sparrows, mockingbirds, winter wrens, finches and sparrows. High bushes and low branches in the 5-15 foot range are often visited by jays, goldfinch, grosbeak, cuckoo, robins, etc. I have found that tube feeders or hopper feeders hung from branches or on poles in the 5-6 foot range will nicely attract birds from both groups. If overcrowding becomes a problem, simply add another feeder a few feet away and all will be happy. Bald eagles, Baltimore orioles, hawks, herons, pine siskin, purple finch and flycatchers prefer the tree top level, but will certainly come down lower for a tasty treat from a hopper bird feeder or tube feeder.