It is morning, and you can hear the birds chirping outside. You decide to find a great spot to catch the splendid view. Watching the birds through the window is a serene and peaceful experience. You may wonder what it would take to get closer to them and befriend them.
If you would like to become friends with your backyard birds, it is easy. All you need to do is feed them and always have their favorite foods on hand. You can try to feed them from your own hand, and they may fly down and snatch the food.
You should also bear in mind that birds scare easily, so be gentle and do not do anything to make them feel threatened. Check out this article if you want to know how to make friends with backyard birds.
How Can I Gain a Backyard Bird’s Trust?
You can help a bird to become acclimated with you by installing a bird feeder on your front lawn. Try standing close by when they come to feed. Take bird food and find a spot that is not too scary for them to see you. Stand perfectly still and wait to see if one of them flies over to you.
Some birds have been known to eat out of a person’s hand. The best chance you have to get a bird to trust you is to feed them. Just ensure that when you stand within the vicinity of the bird feeder, you do not scare them. Birds scare easily, and if you come off in any way threatening, they may take their business elsewhere.
What Type of Food Should I Feed a Backyard Bird?
When it comes to feeding birds, there are all different options. You can try a few different sunflower seeds to see what they like. As a general rule, if you want a bird to trust you and befriend you, you must feed it. The following includes some options you can use as bird food:
Black Oil Sunflower
Black oil sunflower seed is the most popular type of bird seed to feed a backyard bird. Black oil sunflower seeds are less expensive and crack open easily, making them less frustrating to clean up. Some of the birds that enjoy this type of seed:
- Cardinals
- Chickadees
- Woodpeckers
- Jays
If you feed almost any bird this type of seed, it is sure to be a hit. They are liable to tell all the other birds about your place and how you were so kind to feed them. When you choose sunflower seeds, take care to choose black oil seeds and not striped seeds. Striped seeds are too difficult for them to open.
Shelled Peanuts
For peanuts, if you do not use your hands, you can use a tray feeder or a peanut wreath. Many birds love to feast on this delicious nut. You can be sure that if you have peanuts, a bird will swoop down from the trees and befriend you. Some of the birds that are partial to peanuts:
- Cardinals
- Crows
- Chickadees
- Ravens
If you want to get creative, you can dice up the peanuts and add them to general birdseed or suet. Ensure you are mindful of how long the peanuts have been sitting out, as you do not want your newfound friends to eat rancid nuts.
Dried Mealworms
We need to get something straight right now: purchasing live mealworms and keeping them in your fridge for the birds to feed on is gross! Dried mealworms have so much more appeal and are far more convenient. If it is bluebirds you want to get to know, you can be sure that you can make that happen with dried mealworms. Some of the birds that like to eat dried mealworms:
- Bluebirds
- Chickadees
- Starlings
- Wrens
Bluebirds love to feed on insects, and they will surely stop by for a visit. The above birds are in for a great treat!
Cracked Corn
Many birds cannot eat cracked corn, which is difficult for them to eat. It is often seen in birdseed mixes because it is inexpensive, and birds love it. Some of the birds that are drawn to cracked corn:
- Blackbirds
- Doves
- Crows
- Ravens
When it comes to the above birds, cracked corn will be devoured quickly. You will be the most popular home to frequent, as far as the birds are concerned.
Suet
Suet is a high-energy food for birds. They enjoy it because it is a high-fat food easily digested and metabolized by birds. Some of the birds that love to feed on suet:
- Woodpeckers
- Chickadees
- Starlings
- Jays
You can purchase suet cake from your local pet store. Suet cakes are often mixed with other ingredients, including corn meal, peanuts, and fruits. Starlings are particularly fond of suet, and if you continually keep suet on hand, you will have quite a few feathered friends for life.
Conclusion
You can make friends with backyard birds by feeding them. If they know they can get food from you, they will come back to see you again.