How To Attract Birds

Now that you have a bird feeder and want to create a feeding station, you may be asking yourself the following question:   What is the BEST area in my yard to put my bird feeders? First, congratulations to you for even thinking about this topic! Many people just put their bird feeders in the middle of their yard without any thought and then get […]

Birds crashing into windows is a BIG problem. It’s estimated that up to ONE billion birds die each year from window collisions! Not only is this having an impact on local populations, but it’s also incredibly sad to find a dead bird that has been a victim. It just feels so senseless and preventable to me.   Today, we will discuss 14 ways to help […]

Today, I will show you SIX ways to attract Mourning Doves to your yard!   In my opinion, Mourning Doves are underrated and don’t get the respect they deserve at feeders. Unfortunately, some people don’t find them pretty enough or think they “hog” the feeders from other birds.   Here’s why I like attracting Mourning Doves: They are relatively peaceful and don’t “bully” smaller songbirds […]

At first glance, some people find it hard to appreciate sparrows. In fact, many bird watchers lump all the species together and simply call them “LBBs,” which stands for little brown birds!   But take a closer look, and you will be amazed at the beautiful colors and diversity that appear. I’m confident that the more you learn, the more you will want to attract […]

Chickadees are one of the MOST entertaining birds you can attract to your yard and bird feeders! I love their bold personality and the fact that they aren’t intimidated by humans. In fact, many people train their chickadees to land and eat from their hands! RELATED: 5 Types of Chickadees That Live in the United States! (Includes Canada too)   They also have distinctive calls […]

Learning how to attract goldfinches to your yard is incredibly rewarding! These acrobatic birds are a ton of fun to watch. Personally, I love how they can hang from almost any angle or orientation when they eat. Or watching their roller coaster flights across my backyard!   But because they are so small, goldfinches are easily scared away by larger, more aggressive birds. So to […]

How do you attract woodpeckers to your yard? This question is incredibly common, especially if you are new to bird feeding. Woodpeckers are not only beautiful, but they are incredibly unique and a ton of fun to watch.   And luckily, almost no matter where you live, multiple woodpecker species can be found. See the 17 types of woodpeckers that live in the United States […]

So you found a baby bird and want to help.   First, let me commend you on having a big and generous heart. 🙂 I know it’s sad to find a helpless creature, and you just want to do what’s best for it.   Today, you are going to learn EXACTLY what to do with a baby bird!   But before we begin, let’s review […]

“Where did all my birds go?“   Having birds mysteriously disappear from your feeders is an extremely frustrating issue.   One week your backyard is full of different bird species, and you feel like you are a feeding expert!   But then, like a bad breakup, they seem to disappear without even saying goodbye. You’re left dumbfounded, looking out your window, wishing for the good […]

“Help! A hawk has started hanging around my bird feeders. How can I make it go away, so it doesn’t eat my birds?!”     The above question, or some version of it, is one of the most common that I receive. I can always tell that the person asking has a GIANT heart, and the last thing they want to see is their adorable […]

How do you keep bears away from your bird feeders?   If you’re asking this question, then let me say how sorry I am about your bear problem. 🙂   Luckily, most bird feeding enthusiasts don’t have to deal with bears. But for those that do, it is challenging to continue to feed birds without having bears always ruining the party.   As annoying as […]

How do you attract owls to your yard?   Few birds make me stop in my tracks quite like an owl.   These beautiful raptors always seem as curious and inquisitive about me, as I am about them. On many occasions, I have been able to observe a Barred Owl closely while it swayed its head side to side, checking me out.   Not only […]

How do you keep raccoons away and off bird feeders?   Unfortunately, I recently had to ask myself this question.   For years, raccoons have comfortably eaten sunflower seeds and peanuts on the ground underneath my feeders.   I thought we had a good relationship. You see, every day, I put food on the ground for the birds. And almost every night, raccoons come to […]

How do you get rid of pigeons?   Almost everyone that has attracted this invasive species to their yard has asked themselves this question.   Pigeons can be incredibly problematic. First, these rather large birds can take over your feeding station, crowding out all the beautiful songbirds. The pigeons scarf down as much food as possible, and unfortunately, they aren’t polite enough to leave any […]

So you want to start feeding birds?   I couldn’t be happier and more excited for you!   Feeding wild birds is one of the MOST rewarding activities you can do in your backyard. Not only is the hobby beneficial for birds, but it provides many benefits for humans! Table of Contents: The 3 Items You MUST HAVE For Feeding Birds 10 Additional Tips for […]

Almost anywhere you live in North America; you have the opportunity to attract bluebirds.   And seriously, why would you not want these beautiful birds in your backyard?   Personally, I think there is nothing more beautiful than seeing a bluebird in the snow. The incredible contrast of colors always stops me in my tracks to watch.   And I’m also reminded of bluebirds every […]

Are you a bird enthusiast that wants to learn how to attract birds to your garden?   Or are you a garden enthusiast that wishes to deter birds from your garden?   Regardless of your answer, The Gardening Dad is here today to bring you proven solutions! After hours of research, trial and error, and talking to experts in the industry I have constructed:   […]

Why is attracting orioles to your backyard so fun and exciting?   I think it’s a combination of a few things. First, regardless of the species (Baltimore, Orchard, Bullocks), orioles are absolutely gorgeous! I think their exotic orange plumage makes them look like they belong in a rain forest instead of the United States and Canada. The other reason is that even though orioles are […]

It’s surprising to me that some people don’t enjoy seeing Blue Jays in their backyard. They think jays are “bullies” and are too noisy, aggressive, and messy.   I could not disagree more! I love attracting Blue Jays to my yard. They are one of my favorite birds to watch because of their array of vocalizations (did you know jays imitate hawks?), intelligence, beauty, and […]

We have a running competition at our house, and it pertains to attracting Northern Cardinals. The game is to see how many cardinals you can observe at one time in the backyard! Currently, the record is seventeen, which was set on a cold, snowy day last winter.   And I know that we are not alone. It seems everyone wants to attract more cardinals. Both […]

My bird feeding station has been designed with care to prevent, repel, deter, and get rid of starlings.   And before you say that I should feed all of God’s creatures with a smile on my face, I want you to know that I wholeheartedly disagree! *Click here to skip directly to the 3 strategies that help stop starlings!*   Here are the four reasons […]

“How do you attract birds to your backyard?“   The entire reason I created Bird Watching HQ a few years ago was to help answer the above question. My goal has been to create a small oasis for birds and wildlife in my backyard, which sits in a suburban neighborhood between two large cities (Cleveland & Akron, Ohio).   Here’s the biggest lesson I’ve learned so […]

Creating a bird feeding station in your backyard is a bit more complicated than just hanging a bird feeder and filling it with some cheap food you found at the store.   Birds are dynamic creatures with both needs AND wants. If you’re going to attract the widest variety of species possible, you need to learn how to be a fantastic host that leaves your […]

 “How do I get rid of all these @$&^*%!  House Sparrows?!” Does this statement sound familiar? If you feed birds, you have probably frustratingly muttered (or screamed!) something like this before. I know I have!   House Sparrows can be annoying to have in your backyard for many reasons:   They are an invasive species. Originally from the Middle East, they are highly adaptable and […]