Let’s start with a little history!
Bird feeding began centuries ago as a necessity, with people offering food to help birds survive harsh winters. By the 19th century, it had become a popular pastime, driven by conservation efforts and a growing interest in birdwatching.
Today, it’s a beloved hobby that connects you with nature while helping protect bird species from decline (two birds, one stone! 😉).
Whether you’re in it for conservation or just love watching backyard birds, choosing the right seeds and feeders is key! At Owenhouse Ace Hardware, we’ve got everything you need to welcome these feathered friends and enjoy a lively backyard this spring in Montana!
Mountain Bluebirds
Fun Fact: Mountain Bluebirds can hover like hummingbirds when searching for food – a rare skill among songbirds! Click here to discover what Mountain Bluebirds sound like!
Preferred Diet for Mountain Bluebirds
Mountain Bluebirds primarily feed on insects and berries. In early spring, when insects are more rare, supplementing their diet with mealworms is essential. Offering mealworms – live (sorry… but they love it!) or dried – provides them with essential proteins, keeping these vibrant birds active and healthy. It’s their equivalent of eating a good Ribeye steak.
They also enjoy suet cakes, which provide much-needed fats for energy, especially in winter. And if you have berry-producing shrubs, you’re already ahead of the game!
Recommended Products at Owenhouse Ace Hardware
Dried Mealworms: A nutritious option to attract bluebirds.
Suet Cakes: Provide essential fats and energy.
Bluebird Feeders: Designed specifically for their feeding habits.
Pro Tip from the Owenhouse Team
Place bluebird feeders in open areas away from dense shrubbery to mimic their natural foraging habitats. Bluebirds prefer wide, grassy areas where they can spot insects easily.
Bonus tip: Place two or three feeders close together – you might get a big crowd in a snap!
American Robins
Fun Fact: American Robins can hear earthworms moving underground! They tilt their heads not to “look” for worms, but to listen for them beneath the soil. Want to know how to recognize American Robins? Click here now!
Preferred Diet for American Robins
Robins absolutely love worms, insects, and fruits! While they’ll happily hunt for their own food, offering fruit-based feeds can invite them to come to your yard more frequently.
Chopped apples, raisins, and berries make great treats. In early spring, when worms are still deep in the ground, robins will appreciate a little extra help!
Recommended Products at Owenhouse Ace Hardware
Specialized mixes containing dried fruits to mimic their natural diet.
Ground Level Feeding Tray: Ideal for robins’ feeding preferences since they prefer dining at ground level rather than perching at feeders. A regular plate or tray you don’t use anymore will do the job!
Pro Tip from the Owenhouse Team
Scatter some feed on the ground or use low platform feeders, as the American Robins often forage at ground level in Montana. And if you have a garden, keep an eye out – robins love freshly tilled soil for easy worm access!
Red-Winged Blackbirds
Fun Fact: Male Red-Winged Blackbirds are serious about defense – they’ll even take on much bigger animals (yep, including people!). So, unless you want to risk a peck, keep your fingers to yourself! What do they sound like? Discover it here!
Preferred Diet for Red-Winged Blackbirds
The Red-Winged Blackbirds love seeds and insects. A mixed seed blend will attract them to your feeders while providing the variety they crave. They’re particularly fond of sunflower seeds, grains, and occasional suet during colder months.
Recommended Products at Owenhouse Ace Hardware
Peanut Wildlife Food: A mix of sunflower seeds, peanuts, and tree nuts, tailored for valley birds is the right balance for those birds!
Platform Feeders: Perfect for accommodating their feeding style and preventing seed waste.
Pro Tip from the Owenhouse Team
Position your feeders near open fields or wetland edges to match the blackbirds’ habitats. If you live near a pond or marsh, you’ll have no trouble attracting a flock of these singers!
Western Meadowlarks
Fun Fact: The Western Meadowlark’s song is so distinct that Lewis and Clark wrote about hearing it during their 1805 expedition through Montana! Click here to hear what a Western Meadowlark sounds like in your yard!
Preferred Diet for Western Meadowlarks
Western Meadowlarks mostly feed on insects and seeds. While they prefer open fields, you can still attract them in your yard with the right seeds. Millet, cracked corn, and sunflower seeds make a great blend to keep them coming back to your oasis!
Recommended Products at Owenhouse Ace Hardware
A Mountain Mix like this Assorted Wild Bird Food, which contains sunflower seeds and millet, is ideal to meadowlarks.
Ground Level Feeding Tray: Suitable for their behavior, it ensures they get the food they need in a natural way. Here again, a regular plate or tray you don’t use anymore will do the job!
Pro Tip from the Owenhouse Team
Maintain a portion of your yard with shorter grass to simulate the meadowlark’s natural environment. These birds love wide and open spaces (yep, just like us!) where they can sing from fence posts and search for insects.
American Goldfinches
Fun Fact: Unlike most birds that molt once a year, American Goldfinches completely change their feathers twice a year, which is why they look so bright yellow in spring! Do you think you have American Goldfinches in your yard? Check it out by listening to their song here!
Preferred Diet for American Goldfinches
Goldfinches are fond of Nyjer (thistle) and sunflower seeds. These tiny birds need high-energy seeds to maintain their bright feathers and active lifestyle (no Sunday for them!). They’ll run (oops, fly!) to feeders filled with their favorite food, especially if you provide a consistent supply.
Recommended Products at Owenhouse Ace Hardware
Nyjer Seeds: A favorite among those birds, rich in essential oils!
Wild Finch Mix: A blend made with sunflower chips and Nyjer seeds among others, ensuring variety.
Perky-Pet Tube Feeder: Designed for small perching birds like goldfinches, keeping larger birds from taking over.
Pro Tip from the Owenhouse Team
Place your finch feeders in areas with nearby shrubs or trees, providing goldfinches with quick access to shelter and shade. They will feel safer when they have a place to dart into if a hawk flies by!
Bring Montana’s Spring Birds to Your Backyard – Starting Today!
Ready to make your backyard the best birdwatching buffet yet? With the right feeders, food, and setup, you can attract these beautiful Montana birds all season long. Stop by Owenhouse Ace Hardware for expert advice and the best selection of bird seed and supplies. Looking for an extensive bird seed guide? Click here to learn more about bird seeds in Montana! or stop by Owenhouse Ace Hardware today. Happy birdwatching!
