Bird feeding is a popular hobby for many people in Colorado. With such a variety of wild birds in the state, from hummingbirds to woodpeckers, it can be tricky to know what food is best to attract different species to your backyard. Here are some tips on choosing the best bird food for birds commonly found in Colorado.
What are the most common backyard birds in Colorado?
According to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, some of the most common backyard birds found in Colorado include:
- American Robin
- Black-capped Chickadee
- Dark-eyed Junco
- Downy Woodpecker
- Hairy Woodpecker
- House Finch
- Mourning Dove
- Northern Flicker
- Pine Siskin
- Red-winged Blackbird
There are of course many other species that may visit backyards throughout the state as well. But these are some of the most likely ones you’ll see regularly.
What types of food do common Colorado birds eat?
Here is a quick overview of the dietary preferences of some common backyard birds in Colorado:
- American Robin – Fruits, berries, worms, insects
- Black-capped Chickadee – Seeds, nuts, insects, suet
- Dark-eyed Junco – Seeds, insects
- Downy Woodpecker – Insects, seeds, suet
- Hairy Woodpecker – Insects, seeds, suet
- House Finch – Seeds, fruit
- Mourning Dove – Seeds, fruits
- Northern Flicker – Insects, seeds, fruit
- Pine Siskin – Nyjer seed, thistle, sunflower chips
- Red-winged Blackbird – Seeds, insects, fruit
As you can see, seeds and insects make up a large part of many birds’ diets. Providing a variety of food types will help attract the most species to your yard.
What are the best bird feeders for Colorado?
Choosing the right type of bird feeder for your yard in Colorado can make a big difference. Here are some top feeder options:
- Hopper or platform feeders – Great for offering a variety of seeds attractive to many backyard birds. Platform feeders let birds perch and feed.
- Tube feeders – Excellent for offering nyjer thistle seed favored by finches. Tubes protect the seed from getting wet.
- Suet feeders – Necessary for providing suet cakes to insect-eating birds like woodpeckers.
- Oriole feeders – Specialized for offering orange halves, jelly, and nectar to orioles.
- Ground feeders – Allows ground feeding birds like juncos and doves to easily access seed.
- Hummingbird feeders – Essential for offering nectar to hummingbirds. Should be cleaned regularly.
Having a variety of feeder types will allow you to feed the most species of birds possible.
Recommended bird food types for Colorado birds
Here are some of the best bird food types to offer in Colorado:
Seeds
Seeds form a major part of many birds’ diets. Some top seeds to offer include:
- Sunflower seeds – One of the most popular seeds with birds. Offer black oil sunflower and striped sunflower.
- Nyjer thistle – A favorite of finches. Use thistle feeders to offer nyjer.
- Safflower – Cardinals, chickadees, finches, and others enjoy safflower.
- Millet – Attracts ground feeding birds like juncos, sparrows, and towhees.
Avoid cheaper “mixed bird seed” and instead choose high quality seeds preferred by birds. Also offer suet and fruit to attract the most species.
Suet
Suet is an essential high-energy food for insect-eating birds. Offer suet in cages or on suet feeders. Some tips:
- Use insect suet cakes in summer, regular suet in winter.
- Make your own suet by mixing melted suet with seeds, nuts, dried fruit and peanut butter.
- Woodpeckers, nuthatches, chickadees, and jays will all feed on suet.
Fruit
Fruit can attract some special bird species to your yard that don’t eat seeds. Good fruit options include:
- Raisins and currants
- Chopped apples or berries
- Halved oranges, grapes or bananas
- Jelly and fruit puree in special oriole feeders
Just be sure to clean up any uneaten fruit to avoid mold.
Nectar
To attract hummingbirds, offering nectar is a must. Here are some tips:
- Use a liquid nectar product dissolved in water, 1 part sugar to 4 parts water
- Avoid food coloring and only use clear nectar
- Change nectar weekly and clean feeders thoroughly
- Have feeders ready by early May before hummingbirds arrive
Mealworms
Live mealworms are treats many birds relish. You can offer them in small dishes or sprinkled into platform feeders. Chickadees, nuthatches, bluebirds and others will feast on mealworms.
Best bird food by season
The type of food birds prefer can change with the seasons in Colorado. Here are some seasonal tips:
Spring
- Offer fruit, jelly, and nectar for arriving migrants like orioles and hummingbirds.
- Have suet feeders up for year-round woodpecker residents.
- Use nyjer and thistle feeders to attract returning finches.
- Put up oriole feeders once orioles arrive in May.
Summer
- Switch to insect suet cakes for birds raising young.
- Offer fruit slices for vitamins and moisture.
- Use nectar feeders to fuel nesting hummingbirds.
- Add mealworms for extra protein for baby birds.
Fall
- Offer seeds and nuts for migrating and wintering birds.
- Use nyjer and suet feeders for winter finches.
- Provide jelly and fruit for migrants passing through.
- Leave nectar feeders up until hummingbirds migrate south.
Winter
- Switch to regular high-fat suet cakes.
- Offer millet, safflower and black oil sunflower seeds.
- Provide suet feeders for insect-eating birds.
- Make suet treats by mixing in peanut butter and seed.
Where to place feeders
Where you locate your feeders is also important. Follow these tips:
- Place feeders within 6-10 feet of woods or vegetation so birds have a place to take cover.
- Face feeders towards a bush or tree to provide a landing spot.
- Elevate feeders on poles to keep predators away.
- Separate feeders by type to reduce crowding.
- Clean ground beneath feeders weekly to avoid buildup.
- Avoid placing feeders too close to windows.
Backyard bird feeding tips
Here are some more tips for great backyard bird feeding:
- Offer a water source like a bird bath, mister or fountain for drinking and bathing.
- Provide cover and roosting spots by planting native trees and shrubs.
- Rake areas beneath feeders weekly to prevent disease spread.
- Clean feeders monthly with a weak bleach solution.
- Use feeders designed to keep seed dry in Colorado’s wet weather.
- Supplement feeders with native plants that produce seeds and berries.
Conclusion
Choosing the best bird food and feeders tailored to Colorado’s common backyard birds will help you successfully attract a diversity of species. Provide sunflower, nyjer, suet, fruit, nectar, and mealworms throughout the seasons to meet birds’ needs. Place feeders properly and keep them clean. Supplement feeders with backyard habitat enhancements. If you follow these tips, your yard will be bustling with happy birds all year round!