How to Call Birds for Food: 8 Ways to Get Birds to Your Feeders (2024)

This site is supported by our readers. We may earn a commission, at no cost to you, if you purchase through links.

Calling birds to your garden for food is a rewarding hobby.

To start, you need to understand bird sounds, from complex songs to simple calls. Different species have unique vocalizations, so get familiar with common birdsongs.

Offer a variety of foods like seeds, suet, and fruit to attract a range of birds. Try mealworms for bluebirds and peanuts for chickadees and jays.

Keep feeders clean and use plants for shelter.

If you want to learn more, check out our full guide below.

Understanding Bird Sounds

Want to attract birds to your backyard buffet? Understanding bird sounds is key. You’ll need to know the difference between songs and calls, when birds are most vocal, and how to identify different species by their unique tunes.

Let’s explore the world of bird sounds and learn how to speak their language.

Song Vs. Call

Bird communication is complex, and it’s important to understand the difference between songs and calls. Here’s a breakdown:

1. Bird Song: This is a complex, musical vocalization often used for attracting mates and marking territory. It’s like a bird’s way of showing off to potential partners and competitors.
2. Bird Calls: Shorter and more functional, these are the everyday sounds birds use to communicate. Think of them as quick messages like "Alarm!" or "Hey, over here!

Songbirds

Birds that produce songs are called songbirds and include finches, warblers, and sparrows. Here’s a fun fact: some birds, like robins, sing at night, especially during the breeding season.

Bird	Song Description
Great Tit	High-pitched, squeaky "see-saw-see-saw"
Blue Tit	Short, trilling "sispi si-hi-hi-hi-hi" or "tsee-tsee-tsee-chu-chu-chu"
Starling	Whistles, whines, cracking notes, and squawks

Dawn Chorus

Let’s talk about the dawn chorus – it’s like nature’s symphony! This is the time when birds sing the most, especially during breeding season. Here’s what you need to know:

1. Set your alarm early: The dawn chorus usually starts before sunrise, so you’ll need to get up early to catch it.
2. Listen for a variety of songs: During the dawn chorus, you’ll hear a mix of bird songs and calls, from complex, tuneful melodies to shorter, functional sounds.
3. Identify the singers: Try to identify the different bird species taking part in the dawn chorus. It’s a great chance to practice your bird identification skills!
4. Enjoy the serenity: The dawn chorus is a peaceful and enchanting experience. Find a quiet spot and take a moment to appreciate the beauty of nature’s morning concert.

Night-time Song

Some birds, like robins, sing at night, especially during the breeding season. This nocturnal birdsong is a unique phenomenon to observe and enjoy.

Identifying Birdsongs

Now that you know the difference between bird songs and calls, it’s time to learn how to identify birds by their sounds. You can become a bird sound detective by choosing the right spots, timing your listening sessions, and using some clever tricks to remember what you hear.

In this section, we’ll explore five simple strategies to help you become a pro at identifying birdsongs.

Choose a Spot

Finding the right spot is key when it comes to identifying birdsongs. Head to gardens, parks, or spots with lots of foliage—these are prime listening areas.

Early Bird Gets the Song

As the saying goes, the early bird catches the worm – and in this case, the early birdwatcher catches the birdsong. Here’s why early mornings are prime time for birdwatching:

Listen and Look

Listen up and keep your eyes peeled. Focus on the most frequent calls, then ID the bird and try to spot it.

Use Mnemonics

Now, let’s talk about memory tricks. You can create rhymes or memory aids to tell different bird sounds apart. For example, the great tit’s song sounds like "see-saw-see-saw", and the blue tit’s song is like "sispi si-hi-hi-hi-hi".

Keep It Simple

Keep it simple, folks. Focus on learning just one or two bird sounds at a time. There are plenty of bird song apps to help you get started.

Common Birdsongs for Beginners

If you’re new to birding, you might be wondering how to identify common birds by their songs. Don’t worry! We’ve got a list of ten common birds and their unique tunes. From the high-pitched squeaks of the Great Tit to the delicate warbling of the Robin, you’ll be a pro at recognizing these feathered friends in no time.

Great Tit

Great tits have a distinctive, high-pitched, squeaky song, which sounds like "see-saw-see-saw." This common birdsong is a great one for beginners to learn and identify.

• You’ll be a pro at identifying great tits in no time.
• Great tits are a delight to spot.
• Learn to recognise the great tit’s song.
• You’ll soon be an expert birdwatcher.
• Great tits are a great bird to start with.

Blue Tit

Blue Tits have a varied diet of insects, spiders, caterpillars, fruits, seeds, and nuts. They’re highly active feeders, and will travel great distances for their favourite foods.

Food	Details
Insects	Blue Tits will eat insects, especially spiders.
Spiders	They can hang upside down to access food, so spiders are an easy target.
Caterpillars	They love caterpillars, especially the winter moth variety.
Fruits	They eat fruit to supplement their diet in winter.
Seeds	They enjoy seeds, especially sunflower hearts.
Nuts	They’ll eat nuts, including peanuts.

To attract Blue Tits to your garden, put up a nesting box. Blue Tits are frequenters of nest boxes, and they start seeking out real estate as early as January. Place your nesting box at least 1.5 metres above the ground, facing North or North East, away from prevailing winds, rain, and direct sunlight.

Blue Tits aren’t considered an at-risk bird species. Their conservation status is Least Concern, and their population is increasing. Starvation is the largest threat to these birds, so keep your feeders well-stocked, especially in winter.

For birdwatching, consider getting a pair of binoculars, such as the Vortex Diamondback 8×42. You can also record birdsong using a microphone, like the Sennheiser ME67, and software like eBird or Birdpost.

Starling

The starling’s song is a unique mix of whistles, whines, cracks, and squawks.

House Sparrow

House sparrows are common birds, found in most parts of the world. They’re strongly associated with human habitation, living in urban or rural settings. These small, active birds are typically 16 cm long and weigh 24–39.5 g. Females and young birds are pale brown and grey, while males have black, white, and brown markings.

Robin

Robins sing a delicate warble with whistles and pauses.

Wood Pigeon

Wood Pigeon: Low-pitched, five-note coo. Easy to spot.

Song Thrush

Song Thrush: A confident, powerful songbird with short, repeated phrases.

Blackbird

Blackbird: Flute-like song, mellow, with a squeaky twiddle.

Magpie

Magpies: Listen for their distinctive rattling call.

Collared Dove

Collared Doves: persistent, three-note cooing "I-LOOOVE-you.

Slightly Trickier Birdsongs

Ready to level up your birdsong game? This section takes you beyond the basics, introducing you to ten bird calls that are a tad more challenging to master. From the powerful trill of the wren to the distinctive chatter of the jackdaw, get ready to fine-tune your ears and sharpen your identification skills.

Wren

Now, let’s talk about wrens—these birds pack a punch with their powerful, high-pitched trills, reminiscent of machine-gun fire.

Wren	Habitat	Behavior
Diet	Conservation	Birdwatching

Chaffinch

Chaffinch: A descending scale, ending with a flourish.

Coal Tit

Coal tit: Fast, high-pitched, repetitive two-note song.

Goldfinch

Goldfinches sing a light, twittering tune with quick notes.

Greenfinch

Greenfinches sing a bolder, brasher trill than their goldfinch cousins, often with a distinctive wheezing sound.

Blackcap

Blackcaps have a sweet, flute-like song, similar to a robin’s but faster.

Habitat	Song	Diet	Range
?	Flute-like	?	?

Dunnock

Dunnocks sing short, fast, flat warbles.

Long-tailed Tit

Long-tailed tits sing a "see-see-see" song, often with an alarm call.

• Feeding habits: they eat insects and spiders.
• Nest building: they build domed nests.
• Winter survival: they form flocks.
• Population trends: their numbers are stable.

Jackdaw

Jackdaws have a range of calls: from a hard "tchack" to a slow squawk.

Feral Pigeon

Feral pigeons woo with deep coos. Their mating call is a tricky birdsong to mimic.

Bird Whistling: a Guide

Ever wondered how to mimic a bird call? You’re in luck! Bird whistling is an ancient tradition used by hunters to attract birds, and it’s a fun skill to master.

The Cupped Hand Technique

Now, let’s check out the cupped hand technique, a fun and unique way to mimic bird calls.

Hand Position	Effect
Overlap hands, palms up	Creates a base
Curl fingers to form a cup	Encloses air
Push thumbs together	Forms a chamber
Rest lips over knuckles	Blow into the opening
Adjust hand spacing	Changes pitch

The Finger Flick Technique

Now, let’s move on to the finger flick technique. It’s time to get those fingers flicking! This technique involves creating an almond-shaped opening with your thumbs and blowing into it to create a whistling sound. Here’s the step-by-step:

1. Seal the webbing between your fingers, resting them comfortably in the knuckle valleys.
2. Make sure your thumbs are parallel, creating a small almond-shaped opening.
3. Inhale deeply and blow.
4. Rapidly open and close your fingers for fluttering sounds.
5. Practice makes perfect! It may take time, so don’t give up.

The Grass Blade Technique

• Place a blade of grass vertically between your thumbs, keeping it nice and tight.
• Thicker or shorter blades will give you lower pitches, while thinner or longer blades create higher-pitched whistles.
• Hold your hands out like a bird stretching its wings.
• Blow into the opening, and you’ll create a high-pitched whistle or a cute squeaking sound.

Experiment with different blowing techniques: try short bursts for a "fa-fa-fa" staccato effect or a continuous blow for a warbled, musical sound. You’ll feel like a bird-whistling maestro in no time!

Common Mistakes and Tips

Bird whistling takes practice, so don’t be discouraged if you don’t get it right away. Here are some tips to help you master the art:

Mistake	Tip
Gaps in hands	Make sure there are no gaps for air to escape
Jostling movements	Keep hands steady while exhaling
Finger movements	Start small and adjust
Practice	Experiment with different techniques

Attract Birds to Your Feeders

So, you’ve mastered the art of bird whistling and want to put your skills to use? It’s time to lure those feathered friends to your feeders! Whether you’re a seasoned birdwatcher or a novice, attracting birds to your feeders is a fun and rewarding experience.

Offering a variety of tasty treats is key to luring in a diverse range of birds. From seeds and suet to mealworms and fruit, creating a smorgasbord of options will have your backyard buzzing with avian activity.

Offer a Variety of Foods

Offering a variety of foods is key to attracting a diverse range of birds to your feeders. Think seeds, suet, sugar water, and fruit like oranges.

Try Mealworms

Bluebirds and other species go nuts for mealworms. Try offering live or dried ones to attract a wider range of birds to your feeders.

Birds Love Peanuts

Birds go nuts for peanuts. Especially chickadees, nuthatches, blue jays, and woodpeckers.

Remember Ground Feeding Birds

Don’t forget about ground-feeding birds when setting up your feeders. These birds prefer to forage for food on the ground, so sprinkle seeds around shrubs and bushes to attract them. This simple step will bring a whole new variety of bird species to your garden.

1. Sunflower seeds
2. Niger seeds
3. Safflower seeds
4. Millet seeds

Keep Track of Your Visitors

Observing bird activity throughout the year helps you learn their habits and preferences. This knowledge will enable you to cater to their favourite foods and feeder styles, making your backyard an even more attractive haven for your feathered friends.

Creating a Bird-Friendly Haven

Want to turn your yard into a bird paradise? It’s time to get your neighbors involved and create a bird-friendly haven. You’ll learn how to keep feeders clean, use plants for shelter, and add water to your landscape to attract a variety of feathered friends.

Get Your Neighbors Involved

You can create a bird-friendly community by encouraging your neighbours to get involved. Here are some tips:

1. Community collaboration: Chat with your neighbours about the joys of birdwatching and the benefits of creating bird-friendly spaces.
2. Outreach and education: Share your knowledge about bird habitats and simple ways to attract birds.
3. Unity in diversity: Highlight how different bird species have unique preferences for food and shelter, so a variety of offerings will attract a vibrant bird community.
4. Support and motivation: Offer to help them get started, whether it’s choosing birdseed or setting up a bird bath.

Keep Feeders Clean

Keeping feeders spick and span is a must for any bird-lover. Regularly clean and disinfect your feeders to keep our feathered friends safe and healthy. No one wants salmonella at the feeder, right?

Use Plants for Shelter Around Feeders

Birds need shelter, and you can provide it by planting trees, bushes, vines, or ground covers near your feeders. This simple step will give our feathered friends the cover they need and create a bird-friendly haven in your yard.

• Evergreen trees
• Bushes
• Vines
• Ground covers
• Ornamental grasses

Add Water to Your Landscape

Add a water feature to your yard to create a bird oasis. Bird baths are a great way to attract birds, especially in winter when you can use an electric or solar heater to keep the water from freezing.

Feature	Benefits	Drawbacks
Bird Bath	Easy to install and maintain	Requires regular cleaning and water refills
Water Fountain	Creates a soothing atmosphere	Requires a power source and maintenance
Pond	Provides a natural habitat	Requires space and maintenance

Year-Round Hospitality

Maintaining a bird-friendly habitat doesn’t have to be just a seasonal affair. Here’s how you can create a paradise for our feathered friends all year round.

Maintain a Four-Season Habitat

Birds are like us—they want a place to call home, not just a vacation spot. By maintaining a four-season habitat, you’ll make sure they’ve got a food source and shelter all year.

Leave a Little Garden Debris in Winter

Leave some garden debris over winter, and birds will thank you for the seedpods, leaf piles, and dropped fruit.

Garden Green

Creating a bird-friendly habitat in your garden doesn’t just benefit the birds; it also helps create a healthier environment for everyone. Embrace eco-friendly gardening practices by avoiding toxic chemicals and embracing nature’s bounty.

Top 10 Seed-Bearing Plants

• [Insert 10 plants here]

Provide a Variety of Feeders

Offering a variety of feeders is like setting out a buffet for your feathered friends. Different birds have different dining preferences, so provide a mix of styles and designs to keep everyone happy.

Tips From the Experts

So, you’ve set up your feeders, created a bird-friendly haven, and maintained a year-round habitat, but you’re still looking for ways to up your bird-calling game? Well, you’re in luck! We’ve gathered some expert tips that will take your bird-whistling skills to the next level.

Use Duplicate Feeders

Keep the party going by having a spare feeder at the ready. When one’s in use, you can clean the other, then rotate them. This keeps your feathered friends well-fed and happy while you tidy up.

• Regularly clean and disinfect.
• Discard old or wet seed.
• Change sugar water every few days.
• Wash your hands before handling feeders.
• Use hot water and soap to scrub away grime.

Place Fruit Slices in a Suet Basket

Woodpeckers love a fruity snack. Try placing fruit slices in a suet basket for a special treat they’ll keep coming back for.

Offer a Selection of Bird Food

Offer a variety of foods to attract a diverse range of species.

Add Extra Sunflower Seeds

Sunflower seeds are a favorite among birds and last longer in feeders. So, sprinkle some extra seeds to keep the birds happy.

Use Metal Shower Hooks

Metal shower hooks are a handy tool for hanging feeders and taking them down for cleaning. They’re easy to use and make your bird-feeding routine a breeze.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)