2) Black-capped Chickadee (north Jersey)/Carolina Chickadee (south Jersey)
· Black-oil sunflower and suet
· Tube, platform, or hopper feeders

3) Tufted Titmouse
· Same as above

4) White-breasted Nuthatch (also Red-breasted Nuthatch during invasion years)
· Same as above

5) Northern Cardinal
· Black-oil sunflower
· Tube, platform and hopper feeders

6) Mourning Dove
· Corn and millet
· Prefer to feed directly from the ground, may use platforms

7) House Finch (also Purple Finch during invasion years)
· Black-oil sunflower and thistle (niger)
· Tube, platform and hopper feeders

8) Blue Jay
· Black-oil sunflower, corn and suet. They also love shelled peanuts, but this can be expensive
· Tube, platform and hopper feeders

9) White-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow and Dark-eyed Junco
· Black-oil sunflower, millet and corn
· Typically feed on the ground, may use platforms

10) Woodpeckers (Downy, Hairy, Red-bellied)
· Black-oil sunflower and suet (also shelled peanuts if available)
· Primarily tube feeders

Notes on Food Types

Black-oil Sunflower (BoS): By far the most universal food. Attracts the widest variety of species. Very high in fats. Most birds, even the smallest ones, can easily crack the thin hulls. Many types of feeders will accept this seed type. Tubes, platforms, and hopper types can be used. Scattering BoS on the ground will attract ground feeding species. BoS is commercially available and easy to find locally.

Thistle (aka Niger or Nyger): This is the preferred food of American Goldfinches. The tiny, black seeds are easily opened by the small bill of the goldfinch. This seed is very small and must be placed in thistle feeders. These special feeders have small openings that hold the seed in. Tube feeders and thistle socks are the most popular. Readily available in local stores.

White Proso Millet (WPM): WPM is a small, round white seed. It is popular with species that feed from the ground, such as doves, juncos and sparrows. This is the most commercially available of the millet varieties, and the most accepted by birds. WPM is a major component of seed mixes.

Whole or Cracked Corn: Corn is a favorite of ground feeders such as sparrows and doves. It will also attract Wild Turkeys, jays and blackbirds if there are some in the area. Often a component of seed mixes, corn is also available by itself. Any local feed store should carry it.

Suet: Suet is a favorite of chickadees, nuthatches, titmice and woodpeckers. Suet is primarily beef fat. This is readily available from the local butcher counter at the grocery store. Just place the pieces of fat in a wire cage or commercial suet holder. Commercial brands are usually formed into a cake and often have berries, seeds or peanut butter added to the fat. These are also acceptable.

Notes on Feeder Types

Tube Feeders: Best for offering black-oil sunflower and thistle. Available in a wide variety of colors, sizes and styles. Easily maintained with a large bottle brush and hot, soapy water. Can be hung just about anywhere in the yard.

Platform or Tray Feeders: Great for species, like sparrows, that do not like to perch to eat. Can be easily made out of a scrap of plywood. A roof is a nice option. It will keep both the birds and the seed dry. These feeders can be placed anywhere. You can hang them or place them very low to the ground. This will often dictate which species the tray will attract. Commercially made platforms are available.

Hopper Feeders: These feeders come in a variety of styles, most often in the shape of a house. The lid or roof usually open to allow access for dumping the seed. Some have locking mechanisms to deter squirrel break-ins. These are often large capacity and are a nice option if you cannot fill your feeders regularly.

Suet Cages: Available commercially or can be homemade. Basically just a metal cage that suet can be placed in.

Special Notes

· CATS, CATS, CATS - Cats are major predators of wild birds and they love to stalk around bird feeders. A feeding station is essentially an all-you-can-eat buffet for an outdoor cat. Young cats, old cats, and all cats in between have the potential to kill birds using a feeding area. If you plan to feed birds, please keep your cat inside. Let them watch the feeders through the window.

· Water should be made available to birds at the feeding station. Change the water every few days. Birds will drink and bathe in the water, so the depth of the water should be about 3 inches. Purchase a commercially available heated dish if freezing temperatures are an issue.

· KEEP FEEDERS CLEAN!! Clean feeders regularly with a mild soap and hot water. Make sure to rinse well and dry thoroughly before refilling with seed.

· Squirrels can be a major issue when feeding birds. They are fun to watch, but often wreak havoc on you bird feeding station. There are no truly squirrel-proof feeders. Offering them some food of their own may distract them for awhile.

· Try to keep seed supply in a cool dry place. Clean metal garbage cans are a good option. Squirrels and mice will eat through plastic cans to get to the seed.