What’s going on?
Florida is home to over 500 native and migratory species of birds that spend at least part of their lifetime in the sunshine state. With a wealth of different ecosystems, from wetlands to pine flatwoods to sandy scrublands, Florida is able to support a wide diversity of birds year round. By setting up a bird feeder in your backyard, you can not only help support local and migratory bird populations, but you can contribute to citizen science and become more connected with the ecosystems around you!
What kinds of birds to look out for
The kinds of birds that you’ll see in your backyard will depend on the time of year, what part of the state you live in, and what kind of vegetation you have in your yard. But generally, some of the most common Florida backyard birds to look out for include:
To identify birds that you see, you can use physical field guides or resources such as the app Merlin, which can help with visual and audio identification! You can also log sightings on the app eBird and see what birds have been spotted in your area by fellow birders.
To learn more about the wonders of birdwatching, check out this feature story written by avid birder and fellow TESI intern Levi Hoskins.
How to set up a bird feeder
When selecting a bird feeder, there are a few things you should consider first. What kinds of birds would you like to attract? Where is a good spot in the yard to install a bird feeder? And, perhaps most importantly, how do you prevent squirrels and predators from taking advantage of your bird feeder?
All of these questions may sound daunting, but don’t worry– there are plenty of resources that can help you make the right choice for your yard.
This page written by UF IFAS provides a lot of information about the different types of feeders and how to protect them from squirrels and cats. For example, you can get a suet feeder to attract woodpeckers and nuthatches; a nectar feeder for hummingbirds; or a tube feeder for small birds like finches and wrens.
Some points to keep in mind to make your bird feeder a safe space:
- Place the feeder away from trees and overhanging branches. Squirrels are excellent jumpers and can use a nearby tree as a launch pad to reach the feeder. While squirrels are native to Florida, they can easily become nuisances and drive away birds if they aren’t properly deterred.
- Mount the feeder on top of a tall pole to make it inaccessible to squirrels and cats. Adding a baffle, which is shaped like a downturned dome, can also prevent squirrels from climbing the pole towards the feeder.
- Place the feeder away from dense shrubbery that cats may use as hunting hideouts. If you have a cat of your own, it is best to keep them inside for the welfare of visiting birds and for the cat themselves!
If you don’t see birds on your feeder automatically, don’t worry. Often it can take up to a few weeks for birds to locate your feeder and become comfortable around it. If you are still struggling to attract birds, scattering bird seed on the ground near the feeder or moving the feeder to a more desirable location can help.
What kinds of bird seed to use
The kind of bird seed you use also depends on the type of birds you want to attract, and what kind of feeder you have. Some feeders require a specific type of food. For example, nectar feeders aren’t filled with seeds, and are instead filled with sugar water. Other feeders can use more universal food, such as sunflower, safflower, peanuts, and mealworms.
Other ways to attract backyard birds
There are other ways, besides bird feeders, that can make your yard a haven for visiting birds.
One way is by planting wildflowers and native plants. Tubular-shaped flowers, such as those that grow on the native firebush, support nectar-feeders like hummingbirds. Plants that attract insects can in turn support insectivorous birds, such as the goldenrod plant. For a longer list of native plants that will make your yard more bird-friendly, you can visit this page by the Florida Wildflower Association or this article by UF IFAS.
Adding a birdbath or small fountain to your yard is another way to attract birds. Birds need to stay hydrated too! Shallow, wide basins on an elevated surface, like a pedestal, are the best way to offer birds a safe place to rest, bathe, and drink. If you do install a birdbath, just be sure to keep it clean and the water refreshed. Stagnant and dirty water can leave visiting birds at risk of disease spread and can allow mosquitoes to populate your backyard.
Taking it a step further!
Once you have an established bird feeder, consider engaging in citizen science projects to help monitor bird populations! With a backyard feeder, you can help record valuable data from the comfort of your own home.
Project FeederWatch is one annual citizen science project that takes place from November 1st through April 30th, encouraging participants to count birds that visit their yard and feeders. Even recording your sightings in eBird or iNaturalist helps to contribute to scientists’ understanding of bird populations, migration patterns, and distributions.
Check out a longer list of citizen science projects around the country here.
Information from UF IFAS, Audubon Society, Avian Report, Florida Wildflower Association, and The Cornell Lab.