Frequently asked questions about migratory birds and bird feeders
- Why don't most migratory birds use bird feeders?
- How can I attract migratory birds to my yard?
- When can migratory birds be seen in my yard?
- Will migratory birds use bird houses?
- How important are bird feeders?
- Is anyone studying migratory birds in residential areas?
Most migratory songbirds, particularly those that travel to Latin America and the Caribbean, are insectivorous (they eat insects) and therefore will not come to feeders stocked with bird seed. Many of these birds will supplement their diet with fruits and nectar, particularly after the demands of the breeding season are over. Prior to migration, birds consume large quantities of fruit, which are high in carbohydrates and thus allow the birds to quickly put on the fat they'll need as fuel for their travels.
How can I attract migratory birds to my yard?
A variety of native trees and shrubs, and even brush piles, will provide the shelter birds need for resting and foraging and for protection from predators. These plants will also attract the insects the birds need to eat. A water source, whether it's a traditional birdbath, shallow pond or stream will also invite a variety of birds to bathe, drink and cool off.
Provided there is adequate natural habitat in the area, you may be able to lure some migratory birds to your yard by offering suet, peanuts, meal worms, or fruits such as halved oranges and apples. The migratory birds most likely to come to such a buffet include catbirds, orioles, and sapsuckers. You can also attract hummingbirds, and possibly orioles and grosbeaks, with a sugar solution.
Hummingbird nectar recipe
The most important things you can do in your yard for migratory birds are to create habitat by offering water and a variety of native trees, shrubs, and vines; keep cats indoors; and refrain from using pesticides.
Birdbath in a wildlife-friendly backyard in Virginia.
When can migratory birds be seen in my yard?
Most migratory birds will not nest in residential and urban areas. Those that do have such low nesting success that they often can't sustain their local populations. Only migratory species that attempt several broods, such as catbirds and house wrens, can manage to fledge enough youngsters to keep their numbers strong. Therefore, the best time to see migratory birds in a residential area is during spring and fall migration. Late summer, when families of birds disperse from their nesting sites, can also be a good time.
Will migratory birds use bird houses?
Bird houses are only attractive to species that naturally build
their nests in tree cavities. Most migratory songbirds build cup-shaped
nests on branches of trees or shrubs rather than in cavities,
and therefore do not use bird houses. There are some exceptions,
however. These include house wrens, great crested flycatchers,
bluebirds, and purple martins. How important are bird feeders?
It's safe to say that feeders are more important to the people who maintain them than to the birds that use them. For people, bird feeders are a great way to connect with nature and enjoy close-up views of some of nature's most colorful and agile creatures. For birds, feeders merely supplement their normal intake of food. Even birds that regularly visit feeders obtain only a small percentage of their overall diet from them. However, research on black-capped chickadees has shown that chances of surviving a harsh winter may be greater for birds that have access to feeders. It's likely that this is true for other birds as well.
Is anyone studying migratory birds in residential areas?
The Smithsonian Environmental Research Center has a
Neighborhood Nestwatch
program that studies some migratory birds.
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