A Beginner’s Guide to Birding in the Backyard and Beyond
The Joys of Birding
My birding journey began with an old bird feeder from my dad’s work. Once a week, I’d fill the feeder and watch little creatures swoosh from the lilac bush to the fence and then dart to the feeder. After a month of watching feeder activity, I noticed the birds were different from one another. Various colors, sizes, and even mannerisms were observed in that first month. I was amazed at how many birds visited my feeder, and my love for bird-watching grew with every new visitor. Eventually, I left the backyard to find more birds, and in the process, I found others who enjoyed birding.
Birding is a rewarding and accessible activity that invites us to connect with nature from our backyards to remote wilderness areas. It deepens our appreciation for the natural world while promoting conservation by raising awareness about bird habitats and preservation. While birding fosters a deeper understanding of wildlife, it also enhances mental and physical well-being through mindfulness, connection, and observation.
While I’m no birding expert, I have learned over the years how to attract birds to my backyard and how to identify birds visually and by song. I also spend countless hours sketching and painting birds of all kinds (check out my shop—it’s full of birds!). I’m fortunate to have naturalists and avid birders as friends. Many of the tips I’m sharing with you today are from them, and a few I’ve discovered along the way. To my fellow bird nerds, thank you.
A tufted titmouse cracking open black oil sunflower seeds
Attracting Birds to Your Backyard
Creating a Habitat for Diversity
Attracting birds to your backyard begins with creating an inviting environment by providing food, water, and shelter.
Feeders
Bird feeders filled with a variety of seeds will attract many species. Feeders come in many forms to suit the needs of backyard birds. Popular feeders are: suet cake feeders, tray or platform feeders, nyjer finch socks or feeders, tube feeders, wire mesh peanut feeders, hummingbird feeders, oriole feeders, and squirrel-proof feeders. Most feeders will designate what types of birds will frequent them, so don’t forget to check labels!
Remember to clean your feeders regularly to prevent the spread of diseases. I try to clean mine every two weeks; all it takes is warm, soapy water!
Seed Variety
Providing an assortment of food will entice many species to your feeders. I've used everything from black oil sunflower seeds to nyjer seeds and peanuts. Since each seed will attract different species, I've created a short list of the types I use in my feeders and the birds that like them. Again, many brands will have labels on the bags that share what birds will like that type of seed.
-mealworms for eastern bluebirds
-orange slices for Baltimore orioles
-peanuts for woodpeckers and blue jays (I have witnessed Carolina chickadees and tufted titmice flying off with them as well)
-black oil sunflower seeds for many species, including Carolina and black-capped chickadees, tufted titmice, Carolina wrens, northern cardinals, downy woodpeckers, red-bellied woodpeckers, rose-breasted grossbeaks, white-breasted nuthatches, house sparrows, house finches, dark-eyed juncos, white-throated sparrows, blue jays, and red-headed woodpeckers to name a few! Red-winged blackbirds, brown-headed cowbirds, and grackles have also visited my black oil sunflower seed feeder.
-suet cakes for pileated woodpeckers, red-bellied woodpeckers, downy woodpeckers, Carolina wrens, Carolina chickadees, European starlings (they come in a variety of flavors and combinations, but I like to use any with peanuts or berries)
-Nyjer and thistle seeds for various finch species, such as American goldfinches and house finches; my song sparrows also enjoy nyjer seeds!
-wild bird seed appeals to most species
-sugar water (4:1 water to sugar ratio and no red dye!) for ruby-throated hummingbirds
Water
Incorporating a birdbath or a shallow dish with fresh water is essential for bird activity as they need water for drinking and bathing. Birdbaths can also attract robins, thrushes, and other species that do not frequent feeders. I have two bird baths; one is small and only used during warmer months (it’s glass, so I don’t want it to shatter), and the other is a heated bird bath that I keep up year-round. Pictured below is my heated bird bath; I notice my larger birds prefer this one, while Carolina chickadees are frequent visitors to my smaller bird bath.
Shelter and Nesting
Birds search for nesting sites in late winter and early spring, so installing birdhouses will attract Carolina wrens, Carolina chickadees, eastern bluebirds, and other cavity nesters. Birdhouses come in many shapes and sizes, and they usually provide details sharing what kinds of birds will nest in that particular birdhouse. Trees and bushes also provide great nesting sites for birds like northern cardinals and American robins that prefer open spaces.
Want to do more to attract and help backyard birds?
Lastly, planting native trees, shrubs, and flowers that produce fruits, seeds, or nectar offers natural food sources and nesting sites for many birds. I’m currently working on a pollinator garden this year to attract birds, butterflies, and bees (and any other pollinator that wants to join). Some plants I love are aster, cardinal flower (hummingbirds really like the nectar from these flowers), and pink milkweed. I just hope my green thumb can handle digging up a whole new garden this spring!
One more tip! I use UV decals (Window Gems) on my bay window to prevent bird strikes. I’ve used them for years and have noticed fewer birds flying into the window.
Also, can you spot the bird in the background?
Birding Beyond the Backyard
The beauty of birds is that they exist everywhere—your backyard, forested areas, swamps and bogs, the grocery store parking lot, and even in the garden center at Lowe’s. Technically, finding birds is easy; seeing and identifying them is the tricky part. Having basic birding gear will help you not only see the birds (and know where to find them), but also identify them as well.
Birding Gear for Beginners
To begin birding, you need just a few pieces of equipment; binoculars to see the birds and a field guide for finding and identifying them.
Books, Field Guides, and Birding Literature
A small selection of my favorite field guides for birding.
Keeping a field guide for birding is great for identifying birds, learning about the species, and where to find them. I like my copy of “Birds of West Virginia” by Stan Tekiela. This is the guide I used the most in my early days of birding; it’s a great guide that is organized by color (I found this helpful as usually color is the first thing I notice when birding) and contains quality photos along with basic information about each species. My copy was accompanied with a CD that features bird song identification. For travel, I prefer my Birds of the Mid-Atlantic States folding guide. The photos and print are small, but this guide is lightweight and fits perfectly in my backpack. The “Birds of North America” was a gift from my dad; it is full of illustrations, so I use it more for painting inspiration than a guide.
Binoculars
I’ll be honest; I don’t know much about binoculars other than their function and quality. My birding journey began with a small pair of Bushnell 10x25 binoculars. They’re portable, easy to use, and birds are relatively clear when in focus. Kyle gifted me a pair of Vortex Crossfire HD 10x42 binoculars a few years ago, and I love them dearly. They’re heavier than my Bushnell pair, but the image quality is incredible.
Again, you don’t have to buy the most expensive equipment to start birding; if you end up becoming an avid birder, you can always upgrade your tools along the way.
Additional Tools and Supplies
Additional supplies that are helpful include birding apps for recognizing bird songs—I use Merlin Bird ID for song identification and the Audubon app for identifying birds based on their characteristics; I also have a camera for photographing birds and a spotting scope for seeing birds from long distances. The last two are optional, but if you really enjoy birding and want to document your finds, a camera is a great tool! (I’m currently using a Canon EOS R50 with a 55-210mm lens.)
Male American goldfinch on a snowy morning.
Final Thoughts
Birding doesn’t have to be an expensive or inaccessible hobby; getting started is simple—take a walk outside and observe! You’ll be amazed at what you see and hear right outside your back door. Bird-watching is an enriching experience for anyone who enjoys the outdoors. By taking the time to observe these creatures, we can cultivate a deeper appreciation for nature and its intricate ecosystems.
I can’t imagine my life without birds; it sounds silly to say it aloud, but it’s true. They bring so much excitement and joy to my yard, and they are my favorite subjects to paint. Observing them at my feeders and in the wild provides an endless amount of inspiration for my artwork. Birding has deepened my appreciation for the natural world, and it brings me peace…even when I’m stumbling through thick weeds and mud down by the crick to get photos of common mergansers. The things we do to fuel our passions, right?
Have you tried birdwatching? Where do you like to go birding? Do you set up bird feeders? Drop a comment below; I’d love to know your birding stories and adventures!
