What birds will I attract?

The type of bird you attract will depend on your location, the type of food you offer, and the feeders you have. Keep a yard list of birds you see in your yard. You will be amazed at the size a yardlist can get even in a small yard a few blocks from downtown Aberdeen.

Common feeder birds

These are birds that you can get in almost any yard in Grays Harbor. When trying to identify birds at your feeders start with these first. House Sparrow - Brought over from Europe and released in New York in 1851 these birds have spread throughout North America. Very few people who feed birds will never see these birds. They are considered pests and have caused enormous problems for our native songbirds but some people enjoy them at their feeders. They are especially common in urban neighborhoods and will probably be the first one's to visit your feeder if you do not live in a rural area.

Type of food: The best food to attract House Sparrows is the "Deluxe Blends" they sell in grocery and other stores. Millet and cracked corn are favorites. To discourage House Sparrows offer only black-oil sunflower seeds in tube feeders.

House Finch - These are probably the most common feeder bird in Grays Harbor. Males usually show orange-red (sometimes yellow) heads with brown streaked bodies. Females are mostly brown-streaked. Can easily be mistaken for less common Purple Finches especially females.

Type of food: Sunflower seeds but they will also eat thistle, millet, suet, cracked corn, and peanuts.

Black-capped Chickadee - Chickadees make their presence known in your yard with their cheerful chick-a-dee-dee-dee-dee call. Unlike other birds that will camp out on your feeders chickadees fly in, grab a seed, and fly out. They are the favorite feeder bird of many people and with a little patience can easily be taught to eat out of your hand.

Type of food: Black-oil sunflower seeds, suet, peanuts, and peanut butter.

Chestnut-backed Chickadee - Similar to the Black-capped Chickadee but as it's name implies it has a chestnut brown back. They are usually in lesser numbers than the Black-capped but are just as likely to visit your feeders so keep your eye out for them.

Type of food: Black-oil sunflower seeds, suet, peanuts, and peanut butter.

Steller's Jay - The "blue jay" of the Northwest. With their larger size and stunning blueness these birds are hard to miss. Even if you don't see them their loud voices will tell you they're around.

Type of food: Peanuts, sunflower seeds, berry plants