Looking to attract Red-winged Blackbirds to your feeder? These stunning birds are abundant throughout North America and can bring excitement and personality to your backyard. With their bold colors and unique features, Red-winged Blackbirds are a popular choice among bird enthusiasts. To attract them, offer a variety of grains and seeds, such as cracked corn and sunflower seeds. Use large feeders, like platform feeders, to accommodate their flocking behavior. Additionally, consider the location of your feeder, as Red-winged Blackbirds are known to frequent wetlands, agricultural fields, and shopping centers. So, whether you’re a seasoned birdwatcher or just getting started, enticing Red-winged Blackbirds to your feeder will surely bring joy and beauty to your outdoor space.

How to Attract Red-winged Blackbirds to Your Feeder

Red-winged Blackbirds are one of the most abundant and widespread birds in North America. They are year-round residents throughout most of the United States and are summer residents across Canada and in parts of Alaska. These birds are easily attracted to bird feeders, especially in winter. This article will provide you with tips and suggestions on how to attract Red-winged Blackbirds to your feeder and make your yard a welcoming place for these beautiful and bold birds.

What foods will attract Red-winged Blackbirds to your feeder?

Red-winged Blackbirds eat a variety of foods at your feeder. They especially like grains such as cracked corn, wheat, oats, milo, millet, and similar grains that many sparrows and finches do not eat. They are not picky eaters and will also enjoy sunflower seeds. You can also offer them seed blocks, live mealworms, dried mealworms, and suet. Suet is particularly attractive to Red-winged Blackbirds.

What kind of feeders do Red-winged Blackbirds like?

Red-winged Blackbirds will eat from any large feeder. They are birds that usually come to feeders in flocks, so the bigger the feeder, the better. A large platform feeder is probably the best option for these birds as it provides them with ample space to eat. However, Red-winged Blackbirds will also eat seeds and grains right from the ground, so having a feeder with a tray or placing food directly on the ground can also attract them.

Where to place your bird feeder for Red-winged Blackbirds

Red-winged Blackbirds prefer to eat on the ground or from low bird feeders. However, they will eat from any large bird feeder at any height. These birds are not shy when feeding in flocks, so it really doesn’t matter where you place the feeder in your yard. You can place it on the ground, on a platform, or hang it from a tree or pole. The key is to provide them with easy access to food and a safe and open area where they can feed without feeling threatened.

How else can you attract Red-winged Blackbirds to your yard?

If you want to attract Red-winged Blackbirds to your yard, it can be helpful to create an environment that is similar to their natural habitats. In the summer, Red-winged Blackbirds live in wetlands, especially cattail marshes. If you have a wetland or a pond nearby, you are more likely to have Red-winged Blackbirds visit your yard. In the winter, these birds form large flocks in agricultural fields and cattle feedlots. They are also found in large parking lots in shopping centers where there are drive-through restaurants. If you live near these areas, you are likely to attract Red-winged Blackbirds to your yard.

Problems with Red-winged Blackbirds: If you have attracted too many to your feeder

While Red-winged Blackbirds can be a delight to have at your feeder, they can also cause some problems if you have attracted too many of them. These birds can empty a bird feeder in minutes and chase off smaller birds. If you have more Red-winged Blackbirds than you’d like, there are some things you can try to discourage them.

Switching to a smaller tube feeder with no tray can make it harder for Blackbirds to access the food. They will have a hard time getting their head in the feeding port from a short perch. Another option is to stop feeding suet and cheap mixed seed, as Red-winged Blackbirds are particularly attracted to the small seeds that other birds tend to toss out of the feeder. Additionally, avoid putting out any human food scraps and clean up any seed spilled on the ground. This will help reduce the food source available to Red-winged Blackbirds. Finally, switching to feeding Niger seed from a thistle feeder can be effective, as Blackbirds don’t typically eat these small seeds. However, Goldfinches, siskins, and some finches will enjoy them.

Red-winged Blackbird FAQ

If you have any questions about attracting and feeding Red-winged Blackbirds, feel free to ask in the comments below, and we’ll add the answers to this FAQ section.

Attracting Red-winged Blackbirds to your feeder can be a rewarding experience. These bold and beautiful birds can bring excitement and personality to your yard. By providing them with their preferred foods and creating an inviting environment, you can enjoy the company of Red-winged Blackbirds and enhance your bird-watching experience.