Different kinds of foods tend to attract different kinds of garden wildlife. However when it comes to wild birds, the choice of food narrows down to the specific wild bird species. Take the following as examples; Quail and pheasants love cracked corn. Humming birds prefer Plant nectar and small insects. Black oil seed is favored by many seed- eating wild bird species such as Finches which love Niger seed and sunflower.

But since you want to attract more variety of wild birds to your backyard, you should consider the following foods:

• Millet: is a favorite cereal with birds like the Pigeons, Doves, Towhees, Juncos, Blackbirds and starlings.

• Meat scraps: Roadrunners, Woodpeckers, Crowns and Magpie are some of the wild birds you will be able to lure into your backyard with meat scraps. Be sure to place the food in a conspicuous place where the birds will easily spot it. You can set up bird tables out in the garden for this purpose.

• Suet: this is a high energy bird food mainly compromised of animal fat from the loins and kidneys. It is a quick source of heat and energy for insect eating birds whose metabolisms are set on fast forward. Birds which find suet to be a delicacy include: Woodpeckers, Crowns, Magpies, Creepers, Nuthatches, Wrens, Kinglets, Robins, Thrushes, and Bluebirds.

• Peanut: Some of the bird species you will be able to attract with peanuts include the Titmice, Chickadees and Jays which prefer also whole peanuts for bird food. Also, you can use the peanut kernels to attract sparrows.

• Halved Apples and other fruits such Berries: Some wild birds like the Mockingbirds and Thrashers love their daily ration of fruits and will probably thank you for readily proving it to them. Apart from these two, waxwings are also reported to love Berries aside from Raisins, Canned peas and Currants.

• Mealworms: Mealworms are a firm favorite with many wild bird species including Flycatchers, Phoebes, Robins, Bluebirds and Thrushes. You can also attract Tanagers into your garden using Mealworms.

• Safflower seed: Safflower seed is a very nutritious source of protein to seed eating birds like Cardinals, Grosbeaks, Buntings and nuthatches.

• Small mammals and small birds: If you are looking to attract some of the most magnificent, seldom seen birds like owls and raptors, then you will need bigger bait. Most of the huge birds are predators and enjoy eating meat. To attract them you will need to provide them with small birds and small mammals like mice and rats for them to feast on.

• Water: is an essential part of your backyard bird feeding activities. Wild birds need a continuous supply of fresh clean water at all times. The birds use this water to quench their thirst and to relax while taking a bath.

• Manufactured wild bird foods: Although these are readily available, you should consult with your food salesperson before purchasing to ensure that you get the right food which will attract the right species of birds you are targeting.