Five Easy steps to attract more species of
wild birds to your backyard~

1. Provide Black Oil Sunflower Seeds in a Hanging or Elevated Feeder
Black oil sunflower is the preferred seed of many wild birds in the Northwest. The
thin outer shell of this seed makes it an easy seed for many songbirds to open. Chickadees, Nuthatches, finches, evening grasbeaks & more are attracted to
black oil sunflower seeds. These species prefer to eat their food at least four feet
off the ground in an elevated feeder. If using a seed mix, look for one rich in black
oil sunflower seed to attract a wide variety of species.

2. Provide White Millet and Cracked Corn in a Ground Feeder
Many other songbirds prefer to eat their meals low to the ground and will not use a hanging feeder. These species also prefer white millet, cracked corn, and a small amount of black oil sunflower seed. Feeding a mix of these seeds in a ground feeder will attract Morning Doves, Rufous Sided Towhees, Oregon Juncos, Sparrows, &
Quail. Nature's Cafe Rainier Select features all three of these ingredients in an easy to feed mix.

3. Provide Suet Year-round
You can dramatically increase the species of birds attracted to your backyard by providing suet at your feeding stations. Think of suet as an ""energy bar" for birds - great for mother birds & their young during Spring and Summer months, as well as
the cold Winter months. Suet is a favorite of Chickadees, Nuthatches, Pileated Woodpeckers, Northern Flickers, Hairy Woodpeckers, & Downy Woodpeckers. Reber Ranch has a huge variety of suet in stock; many with a high melting point to avoid
a sticky mess in the Summer months!

4. Provide Thistle/Niger to Attract Goldfinches
A great way to add a variety of finches to your backyard is to provide thistle/niger seed in a hanging or elevated feeder. Because of the seed's small size, a specialized feeder that allows birds to remove just one seed at a time from the feeder is recommended to prevent waste. And because the US Government requires that all imported thistle/niger seed to be heat treated, you don't have to worry about seed germinating in your yard. Nature's Cafe Dawn's Finch Mix is a combination of thistle/niger seed and fine sunflower chips designed to attract birds like the
American Goldfinch, Pine Siskins, Purple Finches, & House Finches.

5. Provide Clean Drinking Water & Keep Your Feeders Clean
All birds need clean water to drink & bathe in, & providing a clean birdbath in your yard, you will attract species of birds that do not eat seeds, but insects & berries. Remember to clean your birdbath regularly to keep it disease & bacteria free.

Good housekeeping is a must when feeding wild birds! Using the correct types of feeders with the right seed blends helps you keep your feeders clean by ensuring that birds are consuming all of the seed that is offered to them. Providing feeders that keep seeds dry is a must in the Northwest to prevent seeds from becoming moldy, which is harmful to birds. Elevated feeders should be able to be easily
cleaned & allow seed to flow freely to avoid seeds becoming clogged or wet.
Ground feeders should not be over-filled, to prevent waste & uneaten seed buildup.

*Information for this article has been provided in part by Nature's Cafe®